Mr Franklin nominated himself for the position a day after state party leader Paul Toole was booted out in a leadership spill.
abc.net.au/news/ben-franklin-nationals-upper-house-president-parliament/102322364Nationals MP Ben Franklin has defied his party by becoming the president of the New South Wales upper house at the start of the 58th sitting of parliament.Mr Franklin's decision spurred a Nationals leadership spill on MondayThe former Coalition government minister nominated himself for the plum position.Mr Toole was replaced by Dubbo MP Dugald Saunders after a party room vote 10 to 5.
When he assumed the chair, Mr Franklin acknowledged there had been "commentary" about him becoming president."There is nothing more important than having an independent and impartial umpire of a chamber to ensure its dignity is upheld."Ahead of his appointment, the opposition attempted to obstruct the process in the chamber and make the point that the president position generally goes to a government MP.
Mr Speakman finally unveiled the full Coalition shadow cabinet on the same day parliament resumed, after announcing the senior positions last week."But here we are. We're ready for action. We now have a strong, united Coalition shadow ministry." Liberal party leader Mark Speakman raised the presidency should sit with a Labor upper house MP, but no one raised their hand.The former premier Dominic Perrottet is not on the frontbench, nor is former minister Anthony Roberts who contested Mr Speakman for the leadership.
The new member for Vaucluse, Kellie Sloane, has gone straight to Coalition's frontbench as Shadow Minister for the Environment.There was a smoking ceremony and all new and returning MPs were sworn in, before the presiding officer positions were appointed.Independent MP Greg Piper has taken on the position
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