Mr Speaker, you are out of a job - Polidicks

[img]http://i.imgur.com/Ops5T.jpg[/img] [img]http://resources1.news.com.au/images/2011/02/28/1226013/751497-richard-torbay.jpg[/img] Set to be dumped ... Speaker Richard Torbay / Pic: Craig Greenhill. Source: The Daily Telegraph Source: [url]http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/nsw-election-2011/mr-speaker-you-are-out-of-a-job/story-fn7q4q9f-1226027042327[/url] [release][b]BARRY O'Farrell is set to dump independent Richard Torbay as Speaker in favour of a National Party MP in a return to a party political umpire in the new Parliament.[/b] Mr Barry O'Farrell is refusing to commit to having an independent serve as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, despite the fact he has criticised Labor many times over the past 16 years in opposition for a "jobs for the boys" culture. When asked by The Daily Telegraph if he would retain an independent in the Speaker's job if the Coalition were elected on Saturday, Mr O'Farrell said: "That will be decided if and when we win the election. I'm not committing to any of those things." After the 2007 election, former premier Morris Iemma sprang a surprise by handing Mr Torbay the speakership, even though he had a comfortable working majority. He had previously spoken to Mr Torbay about putting him in cabinet. The previous speakership, by former Labor minister John Aquilina, had been marked by accusations of party political bias in rulings. The highly coveted job has a salary of $220,000 a year, far in excess of the backbenchers' salary of $136,000 and equivalent to a junior minister. Mr O'Farrell, who has been in opposition since being elected in 1995, said: "Richard Torbay has been the best Speaker in the time that I've been in the Parliament but I'm not going to, I haven't and I won't start talking about individual jobs before the public have done their job, which is vote in the election." But Mr O'Farrell committed to keeping his cabinet identical to the shadow cabinet if elected. Liberal sources have confirmed that, while Chris Hartcher and Brad Hazzard have been under consideration to take on the Speaker's role, both are so keen on becoming ministers it is unlikely they would volunteer. Another Liberal speculated about has been South Coast MP Shelley Hancock. It is more likely, sources said, that an experienced National MP, such as Ballina MP Don Page, would be called on to give the Liberals another spot in cabinet. Since being appointed to the job, Mr Torbay - a former mayor of Armidale - has embarked on a number of parliamentary reforms. He has been seen as being much more even-handed than a typical speaker. Mr Torbay said yesterday he wanted to continue in the role. "I think having an independent speaker has worked for both sides of politics," he said. "I have had no discussions with Mr O'Farrell about it and certainly look forward to doing so after the election if I'm re-elected." Over the last term, both Mr O'Farrell and National Party Leader Andrew Stoner praised Mr Torbay's performance. Mr Stoner told Parliament in 2007: "It certainly is a breath of fresh air to have a Speaker who at least attempts to be independent in the running and umpiring of this place, as difficult as it can be."[/release]

Aww man, I thought we were getting rid of Boehner. I am confused by the politics of other nations

[QUOTE=pointyface;28813493]Aww man, I thought we were getting rid of Boehner. I am confused by the politics of other nations[/QUOTE] It's pretty hard to get rid of Mr. Boehner.

Wow, currently a 7.5% swing away from NSW Labor. What a fuck up. [editline]26th March 2011[/editline] my bad, 9.5% [editline]26th March 2011[/editline] wow 16% swing. amazing