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Key independent appointed assistant speaker as Perrottet woos crossbench
A key NSW independent MP has been given the plum job of assistant speaker as the Perrottet government prepares to increasingly rely on the crossbench after a historic loss in the Super Saturday byelections.
Lake Macquarie MP Greg Piper, who has been crucial to providing stability to the government since it slipped into minority, was elected unopposed to the position on Tuesday.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet in his first question time of the year on Tuesday.
The assistant speaker position was created 15 years ago when Labor was in government, and it carries with it a significant pay rise. The base salary of a backbench MP is $169,000, while the assistant speaker is paid $226,700.
Deputy Premier Paul Toole wanted to give the assistant speaker job to the Nationals MP Steve Bromhead, however was convinced it should go to Mr Piper, who has widespread support in the parliament.
In a further sign that the government plans to woo the crossbenchers, it provided a briefing on Tuesday, ahead the first question time of the year in the lower house, with the Greens and the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers invited to attend.
The member for Lake Macquarie, Greg Piper, has been appointed assistant speaker. Credit: Janie Barrett
Previously the crossbench briefings had only been for the three independent MPs, which also includes Wagga Wagga MP Joe McGirr.
Former Liberals-turned-independents Gareth Ward and John Sidoti also sit on the crossbench, however they will be given separate briefings.
However, in a clear warning to the government that it cannot count on his support, Mr Sidoti told parliament on Tuesday that the Coalition should fund a $20 million walkway in his electorate of Drummoyne.
“My support is contingent on the government continuing to invest in important projects for my community,” Mr Sidoti tod the Herald.
Premier Dominic Perrottet acknowledged he would need to work more closely with the crossbench after the government lost the seat of Bega. It also failed to win Strathfield, although it did achieve a swing towards it.
Mr Perrottet has ruled out doing deals with the crossbench, however he has contacted Shooters’ leader Robert Borsak about providing support to the government to ensure it can pass legislation.
The once blue ribbon seat of Willoughby, previously held by Gladys Berejiklian, also took a significant hit on Saturday, with the Liberals suffering an 18 per cent swing against it after a strong performance from little-known independent Larissa Penn.
Tim James, who had previously tried to seek preselection for North Shore, won the seat on a reduced margin.
Mr Perrottet blamed local issues as the cause for major swings against the government in Saturday’s byelections, insisting his handling of the pandemic was not an issue for voters.
Regional healthcare, the response to the Black Summer bushfires and the controversial northern beaches tunnel were bigger concerns for voters at the ballot box than the state’s strategy for the Omicron outbreak, he said.
The final results from the byelections will not be declared until March 11 because of the high number of postal votes that needed to be counted. Counting is not scheduled to start until February 25.
Problems with the state’s online voting system iVote meant it could not be used in the byelections. The commission in January said its online system required “extensive reconfiguration and testing” before it could operate again with integrity.