According to The Sydney Morning Herald:

"Veteran Liberal MP Kevin Andrews will leave politics after
30 years - at the next federal election. He could be handed
a farewell gift of being elected speaker of the House of Reps."

"The Howard government minister will be forced out of federal
Parliament after losing preselection for his Melbourne seat of
Menzies. He is being urged by senior colleagues to contest
a party room ballot for the position left vacant following the
resignation of Tony Smith last month."

We're told that Queensland MP Andrew Wallace has also contacted
colleagues for support to stand for this role.

Kevin Andrews lost preselection for his Menzies seat to
Keith Wolahan, 181-111 in a ballot. Andrews may not have the
support he needs for the speaker's position. Still, according
to many sources - Andrews is "seriously considering"contesting
the position.

It would be a great way to end a career in politics. The
successful candidate could serve up to six months in the position
if the the federal government heads to an election in May, with
a salary boost of about $75,000 ( on top of a backbench annual
wage).

The person who's elected would also have a portrait
commissioned to hang forever in Parliament House.

The question is - would Kevin Andrews make a good speaker of
the House of Reps.? Or would he be like Bronwyn Bishop was -
extremely one-sided?

Can we judge him by his record as an MP?

Hi Foxy,

Having watched parliament for many years I must say Tony Smith has been an outstanding Speaker, one of, if not the best I've seen. Smith has shown a great knowledge of parliamentary procedure, and has always been fair to both sides, presiding without fear or favour, not taking a backward step when needed, even putting Morrison and other ministers in their place at times.

It was shameless, a real slap in the face, how the government voted down Smith's recommendation to put 'Cry Baby' Porter before the House Privileges Committee.

As for a replacement, I believe Kevin Andrews with branch stacking allegations and a perceived far right bias is unacceptable to the Labor Party. Bronwyn Bishop was a shocker, it was good to see the old hag out on her ear.

Some on here might think I'm biased towards the left, I don't know what gives them that idea. However there are a few Coalition MP's and Senators besides Tony Smith I happen to like, Ken Wyett, Trent Zimmerman and Dave Sharma to name but three. Needless to say Bonking Barney and Fat George are not on my favourites list. As for the opposite list its rather long, and it includes a number of Labor Wally's as well. As for the minors I'm not a big fan of the Lovely Pauline or Crazy Kelly, but I do like Jacqui Lambie and the Mad Katter even if at times Bob\s politics don't gel with mine. The rest of the independents are okay with me.

Why are Australians always pointing the finger at politicians when the voters are the real problem ?
The best leader can't lead with only greedy, silly mutts for back-up !

I live in the blue-ribbon Melbourne seat of Menzies
and Kevin Andrews has been our sitting federal
Liberal MP. He's now been unseated (the first time a
sitting federal Liberal MP has been unseated in a
Victorian preselection since 1990).

I guess party members had decided it was time for renewal.

Former special forces captain and Cambridge educated barrister
Keith Wolahan toppled the 65 year old conservative comfortably
with 181 votes to 111.

Andrews was backed by the conservative faction of the party
led by Michael Sukkar. Mr Andrews had a cohort of federal
ministers including Health Minister Hunt, Trade Minister -
Tehan, Home Affairs Minister Dutton, former Prime Minister
John Howard and News Corp Commentators Andrew Bolt and
Peta Credlin who spoke at events in support of Mr Andrews.

Still Mr Andrews lost. It's appears that the Liberal
Party has started a "new chapter" in the seat of Menzies.

I don't think that this was a referendum on Mr Andrew's
record. I think it was a vote by the members for the future.
It will be interesting to see if Mr Andrews does get the
nomination for the Speaker's position of the House of Reps.

Is the Liberal Party prepared to take a fresh start federally
by giving younger more progressive members a chance or are
they still being influenced by its more conservative members?

It appears that in the seat of Menzies - Mr Wolahan was backed by
the more moderate elements in the party.

Will this continue. We shall have to wait and see.

Paul as you pointed out - there are quite a few names that come to
mind who would make excellent candidates for the position and be
even-handed in their dealings as Speaker. Is Mr Andrews capable
of doing that? We don't really know. Will he be given the chance
to prove himself?

That depends on who has the most influence in the party -
and for that one - we'll have to wait and see.

It doesn't look like this topic is going to get any
more comments so I'd like to Thank Paul and Individual
for having contributed.

I've known Kevin Andrews for decades and I wish him
and his family well in whatever he chooses to do in the
future. He's still a young man relatively speaking and
I'm sure that he will be able to continue to do well in
whatever field he chooses. I'm looking forward to
the new changes for the seat of Menzies. Hopefully they
will be good ones.

Thanks Foxy,

Kevin Andrews, a young man, its the hair dye or the toupee that does it. Ever who is chosen, they have a very hard (good) act to follow. Imagine if they gave the gig to Barnyard Joy, parliament would go from a real melodrama to a complete comical farce!

ScumO'; "Albos an idiot!"

Barnyard; "I agree!"

Albo; "How do you know that, I haven't spoken yet"

Barnyard; "SHUT UP IDIOT!"...."Albo, skip around the chamber like a baboon, or I'll chuck ya out. Good one ah Scotty."

ScumO'; "Barney, you're my kinda guy! Wanta be Deputy PM?"