Speaker negotiations weeks away

A squabble is already brewing over who will be the next speaker of the lower house,
with the coalition arguing it shouldn't be someone from Labor.
Under reforms pushed by independent MPs Rob Oakeshott and Tony Windsor, parliament
will undergo a revamp, including rules to ensure the independence of the next
speaker.
While formal discussions are unlikely to take place for weeks, the coalition has
already made a play to have one of its members - or an independent - sit in the
chair.
"Whoever takes the job should be truly independent of government and the executive
and, therefore, come from either the coalition or independent members," leader of
opposition business Christopher Pyne told AAP on Wednesday.
Speaker Harry Jenkins has indicated he wants to continue in the role, which he has
held since 2007.
"He will make himself available for the new position," a spokeswoman from his office
said.
Meanwhile, leader of the house Anthony Albanese said it was too early to even begin
the debate.
"We are getting ahead of ourselves," a spokesman from his office said.
"Let's get a government in place, then we'll be looking at when parliament resumes,
then we'll be having a discussion about how to go about implementing the standing
order changes."
Mr Windsor has already ruled out being speaker, while Mr Oakeshott is considering
taking up a ministry position.
Mr Pyne said talks about the speaker and how to implement other parliamentary
reforms will be scheduled closer to when parliament sits - potentially still weeks
away.