By Roy Weavers

Cook MP Jason O’Brien will be sitting in the Speaker’s chair during next week’s sitting of State Parliament.

Mr O’Brien, who is Deputy Speaker, will be Acting Speaker in the absence of Speaker John Mickel.

“This is the first time I have been in the chair for a full session, and I regard it as a great honour,” he said. “I am really looking forward to it.

“Much of the ceremony and tradition of parliament is centred on the Speaker, and the Speaker is also at the centre of parliamentary procedure along with the Clerk.

“I take that tradition very seriously, and I am also conscious of the critical role that good order and correct procedure plays in our democratic process.”
Mr O’Brien was elected Deputy Speaker after last year’s state election.

Editors comments: Does John Mickel know what he's doing ?  He'll never get Jason out of that chair once he gets comfy.  Jason will give him the red card and he'll have to sit on the subs bench for the rest of the season !