Anna Burke is set to sit in the Speaker's chair for her first question time this afternoon. But the Labor MP is not watching out for any naughty parliamentarian in particular, preferring to keep an open mind.
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''I'll just take it as it comes,'' she told the National Times.
''I've got a modicum of respect [in the Parliament]. Hopefully they'll all play nice.''
Ms Burke may not have umpired a question time before but she has plenty of experience in the Speaker's chair, having been Deputy Speaker since 2008.
Ms Burke says that contrary to popular belief, she will not be acting Speaker in Peter Slipper's absence, but continue to be the Deputy Speaker, with no extra money and no extra staff.
''I will be doing what I've always done just at different times of the day," she said.
Ms Burke has been an MP since 1998, when she was elected to the south-eastern Melbourne seat of Chisholm. Before entering Parliament she worked as a trade union official.
The Deputy Speaker should have her hands full this afternoon, keeping a house full of rowdy MPs in order.
Not only has Parliament come back from a six week break, but in that time the government has been besieged by crises that relate directly to the Parliament.
Craig Thomson has relinquished his Labor membership - as allegations he misused union funds gather pace - and has moved to the crossbenches. And Mr Slipper has been forced to step down from the Speaker's chair indefinitely while he faces claims of sexual harassment and travel rorts.
Both men deny the allegations.
Mr Slipper is due to make a brief statement to Parliament around 2pm today before handing the Speaker's reigns over to Ms Burke.
But the Speaker's office says no procession is planned.
In recent years Federal Parliament has been graced by former speaker Harry Jenkins with his famous vein-popping ''Orders!'' and self-deprecating quips, and Mr Slipper with his fondness for pomp and bowties.
Ms Burke says that while all speakers have their unique style, the most important thing in the chair is adherence to the standing orders.
Ms Burke was previously offered the speaker's role last November in the wake of Mr Jenkins' resignation - when the opposition was seeking to put a Labor candidate in the chair instead of Mr Slipper.
Manager of opposition business Christopher Pyne was effusive in his praise for Ms Burke.
''I have served with the member for Chisholm on parliamentary committees in this Parliament for many years. The member for Chisholm is a member of integrity and honesty who would fill the role of speaker with absolute aplomb,'' he told Parliament.
Ms Burke declined Mr Pyne's invitation.
During her time in Parliament, Ms Burke has been outspoken on a number of issues, including the offshore processing of asylum seekers, the Do Not Call Register, pro-anorexia websites and live cattle exports to Indonesia.
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