Absolutely, a truly independent Speaker would be a superb move for augmenting a genuinely democratic parliament. What I don't think would work, would be to appoint a senior member of the judiciary to be Speaker ? Parliament is not a court of law, nor should it be conducted as one. Sure there are strict rules, which all members and senators are obliged to follow. Other than that, it's a venue for the free expression of ideas and debate, where any legal imposition of that process, would only impose unnecessary constraints on those very important proceedings.

In my humble opinion, what is needed is an honourable, mature individual (male or female) who're absolutely pragmatic and non-partisan. Someone not unlike a football referee or umpire, completely aloof from all members and senators, who'll arbitrate or mediate without fear or favour, Prime Minister or novice back-bencher ! Politicians wouldn't know what hit 'em !

One way to get bi-partisan speakers, would be to have two.
One from each major party and rotating week about.
So if we had a Bronny who was one sided the other could and would do the same the following week.
It should stop the shenanigans if you know that you will get it back in spades next week.

Dear Robert,

Excellent suggestion!

personally I would much prefer and independant tax payer national broadcaster. Unfortuntaly'ours shuts down free speach and is dominated by the leftist narrative. Oh well you cant have everything!

Having watched parliament, I think the left whingers here don't realise that a truly independent speaker would still chuck out the same number of Labor MPs when they act like chimpanzees.

Look back at the history of federal parliament speakers should be a remember, that many speakers leave the job to retire, probably planned to retire in any case. The Media role of putting on a performance is related to parliament process. The speaker's performance is to dramatize separation between political parties. Democracies in theory don't work. Dramatizing process without governments actually doing anything productive, creates an allusion of democracy. So obvious, it's too good to be true.

My opinion is that politicians are paid to be embarrassed, and some are accused of corruption, travelling expenses abuse. No one goes to jail, and if occasional jailing is demanded? The 1998 federal parliament speaker was supposed to have died after 6 months of a cancer related problem, yet lives many years longer to my knowledge.