Victorian Liberal Tony Smith has just been voted in by Liberal MPs as the new Speaker of the House.
Smith was considered the frontrunner of the Speaker candidates, garnering public support from government frontbencher and Assistant Treasurer Josh Frydenberg.
“I look forward to what is an important and difficult job that I will do to the best of my ability,” he told press this morning.
Smith confirmed that he will NOT be attending party room meetings as Speaker, settling the controversy surrounding the issue.
ALSO, turns out, Liberal MPs were trusted with their phones just as much as you during every exam you’ve ever sat – i.e. not at all.
Liberal MPs phones being confiscated to try and prevent leaks to media about the result of the Speaker ballot. (Meeting starts at 0900)
— Latika M Bourke (@latikambourke) August 9, 2015
Bronwyn Bishop was also present at the vote this morning, and PM Tony Abbott left the room at her side, giving her a kiss on the cheek for the cameras.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott kisses former Speaker Bronwyn Bishop after the partyroom meeting pic.twitter.com/A3inDSxGVS
— ellinghausen (@ellinghausen) August 9, 2015
