You can't be serious! (political)

[i-need-a-martini]

Is there no end to the ridiculousness of this government?

Here is Bronwyn Bishop  - who is meant to be impartial in her role* of defending herslef for holding Liberal fundraising parties in the Speakers office. Whilst I understand there is nothing in the rules that say she can't hold fundraiers in her Parliamentary office or attend Liberal meeting, you would think that she would be more sensible. PARTICULARLY, given the charges of bias that have been levelled at her from the Opposition.

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/speaker-bronwyn-bishop-under-fire-for-hosting-liberal-fundrai...

* Although I note that the summary of the role that the Speaker no longer includes the words "impartiality", "independence" and her summary has also lost the official line that generally appears in the position holders bio that says: They are expected to treat all members of the House fairly and equally. 

[catsnknots]

Where is the law that states she needs to be neutral?? 

In reality all speakers were biased towards their own side... 

[purplecarrot-top]

Maybe so, Catmad but not to the extent she is biased.

[catsnknots]

I really don't care if the Speaker is Biased... 

they all have been and will be... 

They are of course members of a party.. 

[donnashuggy]

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@catsnknots wrote:

I really don't care if the Speaker is Biased... 

they all have been and will be... 

They are of course members of a party.. 

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You might care if the bias went the other way

[i-need-a-martini]

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@catsnknots wrote:

Where is the law that states she needs to be neutral?? 

In reality all speakers were biased towards their own side... 

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Are you serious?? Of course she is supposed to be blooming neutral. How can you have a speaker that isn't?

Try reading this document so you can get a basic understanding of their role: http://www.australiancollaboration.com.au/pdf/Democracy/Roles-speaker-president.pdf

Whilst the words "impartiality" may have been scrubbed off her bio and the (current) government web sites, this position is one that is not meant to favour any party.

And NO other speakers has ever shown the bias that I have seen Bishop show. And her flaunting of this, despite criticism) makes it even more obscene.

[cherry*135]

This is the main issue, catmad

Hosting Liberal party fundraisers in her office (something no previous Speakers have done?)

The Speaker’s office is representative of the Parliament,” Ms Burke said.

“The Parliament is not owned by the government of the day, it’s owned by the people. And it would be highly inappropriate for the people’s house to be used as a fundraising arm of a political party.”

Manager of opposition business, Mr Burke, said that if the fundraising reports were true, Ms Bishop’s position as Speaker was “untenable”.

“The Speaker’soffice is meant to be owned by the Parliament,” Mr Burke said. “It is not a venue for hire."

[i-need-a-martini]

Or how about this from an info sheet that has yet to be doctored by the current government. Note my underlined sections:

In representing the House the Speaker represents and is responsible to the House and all of its Members, whether in government or opposition. He or she is not responsible to the Executive Government and seeks to preserve the House’s independence from it.

Notwithstanding the fact that the Speakership in Australia has long been regarded as a political appointment, successive Speakers have striven to discharge their duties with impartiality.

As a rule, Speakers have been sufficiently detached from government activity to ensure what can be justly claimed to be a high degree of impartiality in the Chair.

Members are entitled to expect that, even though the Speaker belongs to and is nominated to the position by a political party, his or her functions will be carried out impartially. At the same time, a Speaker is entitled to expect support from all Members regardless of their party. 

[fourandsixpants]

yes, her being speaker is a joke. A bad joke. I used to watch Parlmnt Question time sometimes but with her there it is awful to watch for any length of time. I would laugh if it were not so dumb.

Quite a disrespectful approach her having this position and the way she is allowed to continue doing her 'thing' to the House of Parliament, its members and to the people IMO.

[boris1gary]

I know that some on here refer to anyone who is not a fervent conservative as "one eyed" but now the term totally blind is beginning to feel quite appropriate for some of the fervent conservatives.