Victorian MP Tony Smith has taken over the Speaker’s role in the wake of Bronwyn Bishop’s resignation.

Smith, who won a Liberal party room ballot 51-22 on Monday, said he would not be attending parliamentary party meetings – in a sharp contrast with his predecessor.

He defeated fellow Victorian Russell Broadbent in the final round of the ballot, which also included South Australian Andrew Southcott and Queenslander Ross Vasta.

Smith said in his first words from the chair he would give a fair go to everyone.

“Parliament is a robust place … it is the arena for the battle of ideas and ideals,” he said.

“But it needn’t be rude and it needn’t be loud – that is something I’d like to see improved.”

Smith said he would meet regularly with the leader of the House, manager of opposition business and independent members to discuss the operation of the parliament.

Bishop quit following the scandal over her use of a taxpayer-funded helicopter to attend a Liberal fundraiser in November 2014.

Tony Abbott kisses Bronwyn Bishop after the party room selected its choice for her replacement as Speaker. AAP image

Smith is the 30th Speaker in the 114 years of Australia’s parliament and the fifth since 2011.

His nomination was moved in the parliament by Deakin MP Michael Sukkar and seconded by Robertson MP Lucy Wicks – two first-term parliamentarians.

“He is honest to a fault, with one exception,” Sukkar said.

“My message to Pam, his wonderful wife, is – there has been many, many occasions Tony has purchased a car first and told you second.”

Wicks said Smith would rule the House “without fear or favour”.

Labor did not put forward an alternative candidate for the role.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott said he was confident, based on his friendship with Smith, that the new Speaker would maintain order by commanding the respect of both sides of the chamber.

Abbott also paid tribute to Bishop.

“Despite some admitted errors of judgment, she has served this parliament, our country, her party, with dedication and distinction for over 30 years,” Abbott said.

“She has been a warrior for the causes that she believed in.”

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten congratulated Smith, whose elevation was “an opportunity for all of us to reflect on our behaviour”.

“And for all our clashes with the former Speaker, we wish her well,” he said.

Shorten said the occasion was a chance to lift the standards of the parliament and called for supplementary questions to be reinstated to improve scrutiny in question time.

The parliament was suspended to allow Smith to be sworn in by the governor-general.

It will return for tributes to the late Liberal MP Don Randall.

– AAP