The announcement by Labor that they'd increase accountability in parliament by, among other things, creating an 'independent' Speaker of the House of Representatives, doesn't go far enough.
Mr Latham has also advocated an independent Speaker of the House of Representatives, alternating between Labor and Liberal, who would be removed from day-to-day party politics along the lines of the British model.He acknowledged the change in convention would require the agreement of the Coalition and said it would be "extraordinary" for it not to agree "in the circumstances that they will find themselves in after the election".
This Speaker would be about as independent as a US Army tribunal investigating whether David Hicks was abused while held by the US Army at Guantanamo Bay.
What's needed is an outsider to preside over parliament; someone who has no vested interest in any particular party. This person (or persons if it were thought more than one was needed) could be appointed by a process similar to the rejected model of choosing an Australian President, by a two thirds majority of the members of the House of Reps. Choosing someone in this way would ensure that they are acceptable to both sides of politics.
The only problem with this, of course, is that it would require a constitutional amendment. We all know how easy that is .....
