10 Facts About Harry Jenkins

Harry Jenkins was the oldest of four children born to Hazel "Wendy" Winter and Henry Alfred Jenkins.

Harry Jenkins studied medicine at the University of Melbourne for three years, before switching to the Australian National University where he completed a Bachelor of Science in 1976 with concentrations in human ecology, biology and biochemistry.

Harry Jenkins was elected to the Whittlesea Shire Council in 1976 and served as shire president from 1984 to 1985.

Aged 33, Harry Jenkins won ALP preselection for the resulting 1986 Scullin by-election ahead of former Casey MP Peter Steedman and future state government minister Theo Theophanous.

Harry Jenkins was described by the Canberra Times as "chosen as a compromise candidate by the old and new guards of Victoria's Socialist Left faction".

Harry Jenkins was the Opposition candidate for Speaker after the 1996,1998,2001 and 2004 elections.

Harry Jenkins was elected by Labor caucus on 29 November 2007 to become the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the 42nd Parliament.

Harry Jenkins is the first speaker whose parent held the post.

On 31 May 2011, after a contentious debate on carbon pricing in which Harry Jenkins declared a "general warning" for all members, Liberal MP Bob Baldwin interjected and was named by Harry Jenkins.

Convention would normally have required Harry Jenkins to resign as Speaker, but the House of Representatives immediately thereafter approved a motion of confidence in the Speaker and he remained in the position.