The ACT Legislative Assembly has ushered in a new era with the election of Canberra Liberal Jeremy Hanson as its Speaker. Mr Hanson was elected unopposed on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, stepping into the role with a pledge to be a "dedicated, respectful and entirely non-partisan speaker."
A Pledge for a Vibrant Democracy
Addressing the chamber after his election, the long-serving MLA, who had never before occupied the speaker's chair, remarked on the novel perspective. "It's a very different view, I must say," Mr Hanson observed. He outlined his core mission as finding the balance to allow all members to perform their roles effectively. "My job is to find the balance in this place that ensures that each of us as members are able to perform our roles as parliamentarians as best we can so we ultimately provide vibrant democracy," he stated.
Political Reshuffle Leads to Speaker Vacancy
The path to the speakership opened following a significant reshuffle within the Canberra Liberals. The vacancy was triggered when Mark Parton resigned as Speaker to return to the political frontline as Opposition Leader, succeeding Leanne Castley. In a coordinated move, Jeremy Hanson resigned from his position as deputy opposition leader a fortnight ago, clearing the way for his nomination to the prestigious parliamentary post.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr offered his congratulations but injected a note of scepticism, referencing past concerns about Mr Hanson's capacity for impartiality. "I would say that of all the places I expected to see you, this wasn't top of my bingo card at the beginning of this year," Mr Barr said. He added that he expected question time to be less rowdy, "unless the new speaker sought to interject from the chair."
Concerns and Conditions Precede Election
Both the Labor government and the ACT Greens had publicly questioned whether Mr Hanson could set aside his partisan background. Last month, Mr Barr drew a pointed comparison, stating, "It sure is a bold call by Mr Parton and the Liberals to nominate Mr Hanson. This is essentially the ACT equivalent of Tony Abbott nominating Bronwyn Bishop to be speaker of the House of Representatives."
In the lead-up to the election, Labor's Rachel Stephen-Smith indicated her party would prefer the Greens' Andrew Braddock for the role. As a contingency, Labor presented a five-point list of requirements for Mr Hanson to agree to if he were to secure their support. These demands included a commitment to cease attending party room meetings, abstain from involvement in parliamentary political tactics, and adopt measures to boost transparency and accountability in the speaker's decisions.
Ultimately, with the ACT Greens deciding not to field a candidate on Monday, and no other nominations forthcoming on Tuesday, Mr Hanson was confirmed without a vote. His election marks a new chapter for the Assembly, with all eyes now on how the former deputy Liberal leader will navigate the demands of the impartial chair.
