Harry Jenkins

Henry Alfred "Harry" Jenkins (born 18 August 1952) is an Australian politician and current Speaker of the House of Representatives, and has been a Labor member of the Australian House of Representatives since the 1986 Scullin by-election, representing the Division of Scullin, Victoria. Jenkins was born in Melbourne. His father was Dr Harry Jenkins, who was MP for Scullin from 1969 to 1986 and Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1983 to 1986. He was educated at the Australian National University and was a public servant before entering politics.

Jenkins was Deputy Speaker from 1993 to 1996 and Second Deputy Speaker from 1996 to his election as Speaker in 2008. He was the Opposition candidate for Speaker after the 1996, 1998, 2001 and 2004 elections.^[1] He was elected by Labor caucus on 29 November 2007 to become the 28th Speaker of the House of Representatives and 26th member of parliament to hold the role. This was carried by a formal vote on 12 February 2008.^[2] He succeeded Liberal incumbent David Hawker. Although as Speaker entitled to the prefix 'the Honourable', Speaker Jenkins has said his personal preference is that it not be used.

References

External links

• Personal website