Harry Jenkins
Henry Alfred "Harry" Jenkins, (born 18 August 1952), an Australian former politician, was a member of the Australian House of Representatives representing the Division of Scullin, Victoria, from the 1986 by-election until August 2013 for the Australian Labor Party. Jenkins served as the 26th Speaker of the House of Representatives, from 2008 until his unexpected resignation as Speaker on 24 November 2011. Biography. Jenkins was born in Melbourne. His father was Dr Harry Jenkins, who was Member for Scullin from 1969 to 1986 and Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1983 to 1986. Jenkins Jnr attended  Ivanhoe Grammar School before completing a Bachelor of Science at the Australian National University in 1975, and was a public servant before entering politics. He succeeded his father in the seat of Scullin in 1986. Jenkins was Deputy Speaker 1993–1996 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. 42nd Parliament. He was elected by Labor caucus on 29 November 2007 to become the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the 42nd Parliament. This was carried by a formal vote  on 12 February 2008. He succeeded Liberal incumbent David Hawker. Although Speakers normally carry the courtesy title while in office 'the Honourable', Jenkins said his personal preference was that it not be used. He is the first speaker whose parent also held the post. 43rd Parliament. The Labor Party renominated Jenkins as Speaker in the 43rd Parliament, and he was elected unopposed when the Parliament opened on 28 September 2010. On 31 May 2011, after a contentious debate on carbon pricing in which Jenkins declared a "general warning" for all members, Liberal MP Bob Baldwin interjected and was named by  Jenkins. Baldwin was supported by the Coalition and by independent member Rob Oakeshott and West Australian National member Tony Crook. The resulting vote on suspending Baldwin for 24 hours failed 71–72. Convention would normally have required Jenkins to resign as Speaker, but the House of Representatives immediately thereafter approved a motion of confidence in the Speaker and he remained in the position. He resigned as the Speaker of the House of Representatives on 24 November 2011, stating, "My desire is to be able to participate in policy and parliamentary debate, and this would be incompatible with continuing in the role  of Speaker." Jenkins retired from politics at the 2013 election.