Election of Speaker and appointment of Deputy Speaker

On behalf of the Government, I congratulate Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt on his election as Speaker and Member for Townsville Scott Stewart on his appointment as Deputy Speaker.

Both roles will be held by Members representing North Queensland.

My nomination of Curtis Pitt as Speaker was seconded by Member for Traeger and Queensland Leader of the Katter’s Australia Party Robbie Katter. Fifty-three of the 93 Members supported my nomination of Mr Pitt as Speaker.

A former Treasurer and Minister, Curtis Pitt is one of the most respected Members of Parliament our State has seen and is well versed in the demands of a political life, and committed to serving the community he represents and bettering the lives of all Queenslanders.

I know that he will fulfil the role of the Speaker with distinction and dignity.

Curtis Pitt is a man of integrity and honesty. He has the values that will bring credit to the office of the Speaker of this Parliament.

I congratulate Scott Stewart on his appointment as Deputy Speaker of the Parliament. Elected in 2015, Mr Stewart has served the people of Townsville with distinction and he served as Chair of the Parliament’s Education, Tourism, Innovation and Small Business Committee.