Bob Brown (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Ludlam for presenting himself. I congratulate Senator Parry as well. I submit that Senator Ludlam would be a better choice for the position of Deputy President and Chairman of Committees.

I do object to the arrangement where we are now going to see the Labor Party support the coalition's nominee en bloc and, as we saw with the vote for you as President, the coalition's voting with the Labor Party en bloc. One of these days we will get to the more sensible arrangement of not only nominating but choosing senators on the basis of merit rather than on the basis of this cosy arrangement. It is significant that this arrangement is here at the outset. There has been talk about the balance of power. The Greens will use that responsibly and for a stable procedure of governance in this parliament and in this place on behalf of the Australian people. That said, it is very clear here that, in the majority of the workings of this Senate, we will see the government and opposition come together to pass legislation and the precedent is being set here today.