The two Nationals MPs were sworn in during the opening sitting on Tuesday, December 20 — Ms O’Keeffe representing the seat of Shepparton District and Ms Cleeland the seat of Euroa.
The formal process was followed for all lower house members elected during the November 26 state election, including their National Party colleagues Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh and Member for Ovens Valley Tim McCurdy.
Both Ms O’Keeffe and Ms Cleeland are serving their first terms, whereas Mr Walsh, the leader of the Nationals, has been re-elected for a sixth term, and Mr McCurdy for a fourth.
The house also turned its attention to the election of a speaker, with the Member for Bendigo West, Labor’s Maree Edwards, being elected unopposed.
Member for Ashwood Matt Fregon was elected unopposed to the position of deputy speaker.
Ms Edwards was the fourth woman to be elected speaker, late in the 59th parliament, and becomes the first woman re-elected to the position.
Ms Edwards said she was “truly humbled” to be re-elected to the role and promised to “serve with fairness and impartiality”.
Premier Daniel Andrews, who led the Labor Party to its third successive victory, said Ms Edwards was a fine choice for the position.
“We are so pleased that a person of such character, such conviction … has been chosen again to fill the role of speaker,” he said.
Liberal leader John Pesutto, who returns to parliament after losing his seat at the 2018 election, also praised Ms Edwards’ integrity, and offered her the Opposition’s “warmest congratulations”.
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