She should really be dislodged because of the damage she is causing to parliamentary democracy.

Her performance as Speaker is a major part in the decline in community trust in the parliament.

I’m not sure of the exact score now but I think it’s about 397 Opposition members ejected and three government members.

Let’s face it. The Australian parliament is a place of robust debate.

Both sides are equally badly behaved.

Nevertheless, it is still intended as a place where members can voice their views in a fair hearing and represent their constituents.

The Speaker’s role is to enable that.

Let’s imagine this was a game of footy. The reality is that under the Bronnie protocols the ref is appointed by the home team, runs on with the home team, goes back to the dressing room at half time with the home team, helps shape the game plan for the second half and gives the gee-up speech before they run back onto the ground.

At the end of the match the penalty count is 397-3 in favour of the home team.

People complain about the poor behaviour of the away team.

Really, how could anyone expect them to do anything reasonable when they’ve got a 397-3 penalty count from talking, laughing, standing up, sitting down, taking the ball up, pointing out that the ref is bent, tackling, pretty much anything really.

I can’t understand anymore what value there is for them in even showing up.

They’d probably be better off not even entering the House and just standing out the front on the lawn instead for all the fair hearing they get from Bronwyn.

Can’t we just get ourselves a fair Speaker again and begin to regain some respect for parliament?

I would hate to see history record that she was the victim of a smear campaign over expenses rather than the recipient of a very well-deserved boot from supporters of democracy.

Phil Munnings

Broulee