No party support for Scott to run for speaker position
NATIONAL Party leader Warren Truss has ruled out nominating a party member for the vacant parliamentary speaker position following Bronwyn Bishop's resignation.
It all but rules out Maranoa MP Bruce Scott being elevated to the plum role ahead of his retirement from politics.
Mr Scott, who was touted as a possible candidate, received support this week from Opposition Leader Bill Shorten who said he would be a good choice because he was sufficiently unpartisan and un-rancorous.
Mr Truss, speaking on Thursday in Rockhampton, said the Liberal Party traditionally filled the speaker position when in government.
He said the Coalition would meet next week when a ballot would be held to determine who would fill the role.
"The Liberal Party will choose their nominee and normally they would expect we would be supportive of that," he said.
"We might have our opinion, but we will respect the nominee the Liberal Party puts forward."
Mr Scott is Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and was elected to the position in 2012.
He has said he was interested in the speakership.
Mr Truss also confirmed he would seek re-election in his seat of Wide Bay at the upcoming federal election despite a health scare last year.
Mr Truss has held the seat that covers the Gympie, Fraser Coast and Noosa Heads region since 1990. Nominations for the seat of Wide Bay will close on August 14.
