Former Monk, Strong Catholic, Elected Speaker Of The House Of Representatives

Queensland Liberal-National Member Andrew Wallace Has Been Elected The 31st Speaker Of The Commonwealth Of Australia...

Laudetur Iesus Christus.

CANBERRA - Following the announcement that former Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives, progressive The Hon. Tony Smith MP would not contest the next federal election; the House has elected more conservative Queensland Liberal-National Member Andrew Wallace MP.

New Speaker The Hon. Andrew Wallace MP

The election took place back in November and was between fellow Catholic and 'father' of the House (longest-serving member), The Hon. Kevin Andrews MP.

Mr Wallace won the ballot and was subsequently sworn in as Speaker by Australia's Governor-General.

However, who is Andrew Wallace?

Most recently, Mr Wallace was the local member for Fisher in Northern Queensland, the electorate which also produced former Speaker Peter Slipper MP.

Prior to his election in 2016, Mr Wallace was a Barrister and Solicitor specialising in construction law.

Prior to his call to the Bar, Mr Wallace sought to find ways to serve God; when he was 19, he entered a Pallotine Monastery in Victoria; he told the ABC, "About eight months in, they gave me the 'Don't Come Monday'.

"They said they didn't think I would be able to fulfil my vows of poverty, chastity and obedience."

"He said, Wally, there's many ways you can serve God; you don't have to be a priest," he says.

Devastated, he went back home and became a carpenter before deciding to study law.

Andrew Wallace And His Family.

Mr Wallace said he says he believes everything has happened for a reason.

"I think my life has been a series of serving God and this [becoming a Member of Parliament] is probably the next best thing."

Mr Wallace says despite the career change, his faith in God remains his only constant; "You can humiliate me, you can take away my personal belongings, my wife could leave me, my children could leave me, but at the end of the day all I have that you can't take away from me is my faith." he says.

Mr Wallace says he and his wife attend Mass every Sunday.

Mr Wallace also voted in favour of same-sex marriage, noting his daughter's sexuality as the main reason.