Holden rev head appointed Speaker

A Speaker with a penchant for chartered aircraft has been replaced with a Holden rev head.

Tony Smith, a Liberal backbencher from Victoria, assumed the role with seemingly rare warmth from all sides of politics - especially so given the tumult of the past few weeks that claimed his predecessor.

Michael Sukkar, who nominated his fellow Victorian for the job, described Smith as extraordinarily honest, but perhaps with one exception - buying cars first, then telling his wife Pam second.

As MPs praised Smith's elevation, the woman he replaced sat in what is sometimes referred to as the naughty corner of the House of Representatives.

It's where many "former" whatevers sit including, for a time, deposed prime ministers Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard.

Resplendent in royal blue, Bronwyn Bishop struck a desultory figure.

Nearby Nationals MP Darren Chester offered her a kiss and sympathetic pat on the back.

There was a half smile when Tony Burke, the Labor frontbencher who led the prosecution of the travel claims case that brought about her downfall, acknowledged her warrior status.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott quoted John Howard: "Politics is a hard and unforgiving business but it is amongst the highest and noblest forms of public service."

Leader of the House Christopher Pyne was the most generous about the Bishop legacy describing her as a beacon of strength and fortitude.

"She has been felled in most unfair circumstances by politics today," he told parliament.

Smith, for his part, outlined his approach to the role of Speaker.

"I will give a fair go to all on the floor of this chamber but in return, I do expect a level of discourse that reflects that," he told MPs.

While parliament was and should be robust, that didn't mean you had to be rude or loud.

Unlike Bishop, Smith won't be attending the parliamentary weekly meetings of the Liberal Party or coalition MPs.

"It's my view that the Speaker should not only be but also should be seen to be independent of the partisan day-to-day frame," Smith said.

Cue: wintry grimace from Bishop who ejected 393 Labor MPs, but only seven from the government side, during her near two years in the job.

Labor is hoping Smith's elevation will be matched by a lift in parliamentary standards.

As MPs filed out of the chamber, Bishop attempted a dignified exit with supportive hugs from Queensland MP Ewen Jones and NSW backbencher Ann Sudmalis.