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

The standing orders advise that the Senate vote for the best person as its presiding officer. This is an extraordinarily important position under the Senate rules. My position is that Senator Ludlam is the person best placed—

Honourable senators interjecting—

I would remind senators opposite that there are standing orders which require—

Opposition senators interjecting —

Bad behaviour at the start by the coalition will be noted. I note that Senator Ludlam has been an acting presiding officer in this chamber for the last three years and has done an impeccable job. He is a person of great integrity. He is forthright. He would be an unbiased, deliberative and fair presiding officer.

I also want to say—over the already notable poor behaviour we are hearing from the minority on the coalition side—that it will be very clear that there will need to be—

The Clerk: Order, Senators, please.

The Clerk has called for order, and I would ask you to respect her in doing that. I would note that there will be contentious periods in the coming Senate, and Senator Ludlam would be very well placed to ensure that the stand­ing orders are upheld and that the constitutional responsibilities here are upheld. I note that there is a subtext here, and that is that there is a cosy arrangement between the government and the oppo­sition—

Honourable senators interjecting —

We will see it played out. There is a cosy arrangement to have the government appoint the presiding officer and the opposition to appoint the deputy officer. I would ask all senators to consider that that is not what the standing orders imply, that is not in the spirit of the standing orders. It is up to every member in this place to vote for the best candidate. Clearly Senator Ludlam is the best choice for presiding officer of this great chamber over the coming three years.

The Clerk: Does any other senator wish to address the nominations?

There being two nominations, in accordance with the standing orders a ballot will be held. Before proceeding to ballot, the bells will be rung for four minutes.

The bells having been rung

The Clerk: The Senate will now proceed to ballot. Ballot papers will be distributed to honourable senators, who are requested to write upon the paper the name of the candidate for whom they wish to vote. The candidates are Senator Hogg and Senator Ludlam. I invite Senator McEwen and Senator Siewert to act as scrutineers.

A ballot having been taken—

The Clerk: The result of the ballot is as follows: Senator Hogg, 62 votes; and Senator Ludlam, 9 votes. Senator Hogg is therefore elected President of the Senate in accordance with the standing orders.

Senator Hogg having been conducted to the dais—