The Speaker's Chair in SA Parliament is rumoured to be not just a Holy Grail in terms of the position, but also in what position you assume on gaining it. Shagging in the seat outside of sitting hours is apparently regarded by some as quite a thrill. Metaphorically something similar's happening in Canberra today, except that with the annulment of the proposed vote marriage [1] if nobody's in the chair, all of Parliament's screwed.

"The House of Representatives shall, before proceeding to the despatch of any other business, choose a member to be the Speaker of the House. [2]"

Sounds easy? With the news today from PM Gillard that the Opposition has walked away from the Speaker-pairing arrangement, the Labor Government are going to take the reins with a majority of one.

While Abbott has suggested the Libs will accept Harry Jenkins back in the chair, if Abbott decides to play his usual gutter game, he could vote against a Labor nominee. If one independent abstains, the vote will be tied.

According to Standing Orders [3], this is what happens next:

For the office of Speaker, a nominee must receive a majority of votes. If no nominee has a majority after a ballot, the nominee with the smallest number of votes shall be excluded from later ballots, and a fresh ballot shall be held. This process shall be repeated as often as necessary until one nominee receives a majority of the votes, and this nominee shall be elected Speaker.

Monday's going to be a very long day, and possibly the catalyst of the next election, one that the current Opposition would be the most likely to win.