Prebble up for a vacancy that isn't

Richard Prebble

Former Act leader Richard Prebble has confirmed he wants the Speaker's job, even though no one has said Labour's Jonathan Hunt is leaving.

In one of Parliament's worst-kept secrets, Mr Hunt has been lined up to become the next High Commissioner to London next year.

But although there is now a public contest for his job in Wellington, Prime Minister Helen Clark yesterday would not say whether he would be appointed to the diplomatic post.

Labour has been expected to put forward Defence Minister Mark Burton's name to replace Mr Hunt.

Yesterday Act introduced an apparent campaign manager around Parliament for Mr Prebble's tilt at the job.

A spokeswoman for Mr Prebble, who stepped down as Act leader this year and has been considering how long he will stay in politics, said he would run to be an independent Speaker until the next election, if the job became free.

She said he had been approached by two unnamed minor parties as an alternative to Mr Burton.

National's most likely preference would have been Tamaki MP and current assistant Speaker Clem Simich.

But his nomination would probably have to wait until after the next election, if National wins.

Mr Prebble's name will now go forward if Mr Hunt does leave before the election, and a new Speaker is needed.

He has a reputation as being one of the few MPs well-versed in the rules of Parliament's debating chamber, a fact often commented on by Mr Hunt who sometimes has to talk less experienced MPs through in what they should and should not be doing.

National's deputy leader, Gerry Brownlee, said Mr Prebble was extraordinary in his knowledge of parliamentary procedure and rules, and National greeted the news with considerable interest.

Green Party co-leader Rod Donald said Mr Prebble as Speaker was a "novel" idea.

A spokesman for New Zealand First said that party had not approached Mr Prebble to run as Speaker.

"There's a saying about rodents and sinking ships," he said.

- NZPA