Tony Smith facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tony Smith
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| 30th Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives | |
| Assumed office 10 August 2015 |
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| Deputy | Bruce Scott Mark Coulton Kevin Hogan |
| Preceded by | Bronwyn Bishop |
| Member of the Australian Parliament for Casey |
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| Assumed office 10 November 2001 |
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| Preceded by | Michael Wooldridge |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Anthony David Hawthorn Smith
13 March 1967 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Political party | Liberal |
| Spouse | Pam Read |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | University of Melbourne |
| Occupation | Political adviser |
Anthony David Hawthorn Smith (born 13 March 1967) is an Australian politician. He is best known for being the 30th Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives. He started this important job on 10 August 2015. Tony Smith is a member of the Liberal Party. He has been a representative in the House of Representatives since 2001. He represents the area called the Division of Casey in Victoria.
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What Does a Speaker Do?
The Speaker is like the referee of the Australian Parliament. Their main job is to make sure that debates in the House of Representatives are fair and follow the rules. They help keep order so that all members can speak and share their ideas.
Keeping Order in Parliament
- The Speaker makes sure that all members of Parliament follow the rules of debate.
- They decide who gets to speak and for how long.
- If someone breaks the rules, the Speaker can ask them to leave the room.
- They also make sure that everyone treats each other with respect.
Representing the House
The Speaker also represents the House of Representatives. They speak on behalf of the House at official events. They meet with leaders from other countries. This role is very important for showing how Australia's Parliament works.
Tony Smith's Journey to Parliament
Tony Smith was born in Melbourne, Victoria, on 13 March 1967. Before becoming a politician, he studied at the University of Melbourne. He worked as a political adviser. This job helped him learn a lot about how government works.
Becoming a Member of Parliament
In 2001, Tony Smith was elected to the House of Representatives. He became the representative for the Division of Casey. This means he speaks for the people living in that area. He works to make sure their needs and ideas are heard in Parliament.
Becoming the Speaker
In 2015, Tony Smith was chosen by his fellow members to be the Speaker. This is a big honour. It shows that other politicians trust him to be fair and lead the debates. He is the 30th person to hold this important position.
About the Australian Parliament
Australia has a system of government called a parliamentary system. This means that the people choose representatives to make laws for them. The Parliament has two main parts: the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The House of Representatives
The House of Representatives is where new laws are usually first discussed. Each member of the House represents a specific area of Australia. These areas are called "electorates" or "divisions." The number of members from each state depends on how many people live there.
Why Parliament Matters
Parliament is where important decisions are made for the country. It's where laws are created, changed, or removed. These laws affect everyone's daily lives. The Speaker plays a key role in making sure this process works smoothly.
- The Hon Tony Smith MP, Official Parliament website biography: http://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Parliamentarian?MPID=00APG, retrieved August 2015
