Speaker should be neutral, Burke says

A federal Labor frontbencher has hinted there is community disquiet about the objectivity of parliamentary Speaker Bronwyn Bishop.

Clashes between the manager of opposition business Tony Burke and "madam speaker", as Ms Bishop is referred to in the lower house, have become a common fixture during question time.

Asked about Ms Bishop's style on Wednesday, Mr Burke said there are rules which limit what he can say outside of parliament.

"As a principle I guess the best way to describe it from my end, is: on the sporting field I don't think the referee ought to get involved in the sledging," he told Sky News.

"I think that's the sort of view I hear throughout the community a fair bit too."

Ms Bishop was appointed Speaker when the coalition came into power for the 44th parliament.