The Speaker of the NSW Parliament’s Legislative Assembly, Jonathon O’Dea, dropped in to Narrabri on Tuesday to meet Member for Barwon Roy Butler and see the sights.
Mr O’Dea was on a tour of NSW electorates. He is the Member for Davidson, a traditionally Liberal electorate which encompasses the Northern beaches.
The Speaker’s role in the House is to ‘maintain order, put questions after debate and conduct divisions. The Speaker interprets and applies the Standing Orders and practice of the House by making rulings and decisions.
The Speaker can take part in any debate or discussion and vote on any question which may arise in the Legislative Assembly. However, when presiding, the Speaker can only exercise a casting vote when the votes are equal.
The Speaker is the mouthpiece for the House, for example, conveying messages and addresses from the House to the Governor. The Speaker is also charged with upholding the rights and privileges of Members and of the House.
The Speaker performs various duties relating to visits from foreign Heads of State, receiving foreign delegations, leading parliamentary delegations overseas and representing the Assembly at various national and international conferences.
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