Casey MP Aaron Violi has picked up a new role in the Opposition following the federal election.
Mr Violi has been appointed the Chief Opposition Whip, the person responsible for managing the party during sitting weeks, by the new Opposition Leader Sussan Ley.
Mr Violi said he is honoured to have been appointed as Chief Opposition Whip.
“It is a special responsibility to be taking on this role as the youngest whip appointed in either government or opposition in the House of Representatives in over 50 years,” he said.
“This role is crucial in facilitating the smooth running of our Parliament and ensuring we work together as a strong and effective team holding the Albanese Government to account,”
Each party has a chief whip, a deputy whip and a third whip, whose primary role is to meet with whips from other parties to plan what will be discussed during a sitting day.
Mr Violi will also be required to create the lists of party members who will speak on bills and other topics, to give to the Speaker of the House of Representatives. During a division on a vote, Mr Violi will make sure party members attend and vote together, count and record the votes and negotiate who will have to abstain from a vote if an opposing member is absent to ensure balance.
Mr Violi said he thanks Sussan Ley for placing her confidence in him
“As a party, we have a lot of work to do to rebuild and regain the trust of the Australian people,” he said.
“I look forward to working in this role with all of my colleagues to chart our path forward, while continuing to be a strong, local voice for our community.”
While sitting, Mr Violi will sit in the back behind his party so he can see which members are present and observe what is happening. Whips will move around a lot during a sitting day to speak to their colleagues, organise party activity and communicate with opposing party whips, the Clerks, and in the House of Representatives, the Speaker.
Mr Violi replaces ousted former MP for Forde Bert Van Manen in the role, who had held it since 2019.
Bowman MP Henry Pike secured the Deputy Opposition Whip role in his second term and Fadden MP Cameron Caldwell is the other Opposition Whip in his first full term after being elected in a by-election in 2023.
Lalor MP Joanne Ryan has retained her position as the Chief Government Whip that she has held since 2022, alongside the other Labor whips in the House of Representatives, Bean MP David Smith and Werriwa MP Anne Stanley.
