When the House of Assembly first meets after a general election, or after the office of Speaker becomes vacant for any reason other than a dissolution of the House, and before it proceeds to the despatch of any other business, the House elects a person to be Speaker of the House.

The Speaker is Presiding Officer of the House of Assembly. The role of the Speaker is to ensure the orderly flow of business, the House of Assembly observes parliamentary rules and traditions, both written and unwritten. It is the Speaker's duty to interpret these rules impartially, to maintain order, and to defend the rights and privileges of Members, including the right to freedom of speech. To preserve the trust of the House, the Speaker's actions must be impartial. Consequently, the Speaker never participates in debate, and works to balance the right of the Government to transact business in an orderly manner and the right of all Members to be heard in debate.