Selwyn MULLER Politician, farmer Born: Boonah, 18 October 1917 Died: Boonah, 25 February 2008 "The Courier Mail" Friday 29 Feb 2008-02-29 page106 Speaker's gaffe caused uproar Selwyn John MULLER was predestined at birth to a career in politics having been born into a family whose head, Adolf Gustav MULLER, sat in the Queensland Parliament for 34 years. When son Selwyn retired from the Legislative Assembly in 1983, the MULLERs collectively had contributed 38 years to the state's public life. But unlike his father who spent much of his life on the opposition benches Selwyn, or Sel as he was known, sat only in government - the administration of the late Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen. After 10 years on the then Country-Liberal coalition backbench after the 1969 take-over of his father's seat of Fassifern, Mr MULLER was rewarded with speakership of the House. His career highlight was Queensland's lowlight with Mr MULLER saying after his nomination by Bjelke-Petersen that it was the Speaker's responsibility to apply the wishes of the government he represented. He doubted whether the office of Speaker had ever had complete autonomy. Bjelke-Petersen probably agreed but others saw it as an astonishing understanding - or misunderstanding - of the proper function of his office. There was such local and national uproar about this blatant partiality that within 24 hours Mr MULLER had to retract, saying it was not his intention to convey the impression that he was a servant of the government of the day. "I believe it is my responsibility to act impartially and to obey the wishes of parliament and not the government," he said. "Parliament includes all members from all political parties." The gaffe was compounded by the fact that on his first day as Speaker Mr MULLER ignored then opposition leader Edmund Casey who tried to speak on three occasions. All that Mr Casey wanted to do was congratulate Mr MULLER on his election to the speakership. Mr MULLER had to apologise. It was not a good start in a parliament that had been described by the late Jim Houghton, Mr MULLER's predecessor, as a cesspit. And, while it was not his fault, the debate which led to Mr MULLER getting the speakership was deplorable, with the House hitting a new low in bad taste. It occurred because then standing orders meant the debate was an uncontrolled free-for-all presided over the by the Clerk of Parliament who could point to the next speaker but had no authority to censure what was said or how long it took. The 80 members traded insults of "dingoes," "lackeys" and "toads" during a three-hour and 21 minute disgraceful mud-slinging episode. The relative newcomer Terry Mackenroth, who later rose to become Labor's state treasurer before his retirement, was called "a bloody smart alec" and it was suggested that then Labor federal MP Tom Uren should be renamed "Tom Urine". Mr MULLER's debut as Speaker remained to haunt him. His perceived lack of impartiality provided ammunition for opposition attacks and they were frequent. While Mr MULLER promised to bring decorum and dignity to the Legislative Assembly, Mr Casey's Labor opposition predicted worse things were to come. And they did with Mr MULLER struggling at times to maintain control despite warnings that MPs must not use offensive words, personal reflections or throw around ribald remarks. More often than not sittings were noisy, abusive, unruly, full of recriminations, bitterness and character assassinations. The MULLER stewardship continued after his re-election in the 1980 poll even though he had to fight off a Labor challenge in a vote that saw seven Coalition members cast informal ballot papers. Hardly an expression of confidence. After the 1983 election after the collapse of the National-Liberal coalition Mr MULLER - Queensland's 25th Speaker - did not seek another term. He retired at the age of 65 after 14 years as a politician and four as Speaker and returned to farming and grazing in his Fassifern electorate. It was based on Boonah, southwest of Ipswich, where he was born. Mr MULLER was educated at the Fassifern Valley and Boonah State schools and at Boonah High, where he was a keen cricketer. While he worked on the family farm, he took a keen interest in politics with his father as mentor. But World War II intervened and Mr MULLER junior served with the army in the Middle East and New Guinea. After he was demobilised he returned to the family farm but politics still held an interest and he yearned to make it a career. His father's retirement in 1969 gave him that opportunity to serve the Country Party, which later became the National Party. Mr MULLER is survived by a son and daughter, four grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Peter Morley The following is from WW2 Nominal Roll Name MULLER, SELWYN JOHN Service Australian Army Service Number QX13505 Date of Birth 18 Oct 1917 Place of Birth BOONAH, QLD Date of Enlistment 27 Jun 1940 Locality on Enlistment BOONAH, QLD Place of Enlistment KELVIN GROVE, QLD Next of Kin MULLER, PATRICIA Date of Discharge Unknown Rank Lieutenant Posting at Discharge 2 AUST TK BN WW2 Honours and Gallantry None for display Prisoner of War No