IN JANUARY 2007, as Nancy Pelosi was sworn in as Speaker of the US House of Representatives before a packed chamber that included more than 100 children, she invited some of these children to join her at the podium.

As the votes for her were tabulated, she held an infant in her arms and was surrounded by children.

She ended her inaugural speech by saying: “For these children, our children, and for all of America’s children, the House will come to order.”

It wouldn’t happen in Canberra.