LISMORE National Party MP Thomas George is the new deputy speaker of State Parliament.

Mr George, who has been in Parliament for 12 years, was elected to the position on Tuesday next to the first-ever woman speaker of the NSW Parliament, Liberal MP for South Coast Shelley Hancock.

He joins Nationals MP for Ballina Don Page, who is Minister for Local Gov- ernment and the North Coast, in the senior ranks of the new Coalition Gov- ernment led by Liberal Premier Barry O'Farrell.

Yesterday Mr George took on his new role for the first day of political debate in the new Parliament after telling media he intended to regard all politicians “as individuals and treat them fairly”.

He said after sitting on the Opposition benches for 12 years it was a humbling experience not only to be a member of the government but to take on the role of deputy speaker.

Mr George was congra- tulated by Deputy Premier and Nationals leader Andrew Stoner, who said the North Coast politicians had “always risen above poli- tics and is thus respected on both sides of the
chamber”.

“You will never meet a more decent and honourable man than Thomas George,” Mr Stoner added.

“Thomas has a wealth of life experience, having worked as a bank officer, a stock and station agent, a real estate agent and a publican before entering politics.”

The appointments of Mr George and Mr Page excited relative newcomer, Nationals MP for Tweed Geoff Provest who is serving his second term.

“We've seen history being made,” Mr Provest said. “Shelley Hancock got sworn in as the first lady speaker in history. She's the 39th speaker.

“We saw Thomas George elected as deputy speaker. I'm sure he will do a great job. He was a temporary speaker in the last parliament.”

“There's four years of hard work ahead,” he added.