Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

Mr President, I would like to for­mally congratulate you on your election to this very important office on behalf of the government and all Labor senators. Your role is a very important one and one that the Senate takes very seriously. I think the support you have received today reflects the fact that you are recognised for your fairness, your impartiality and your capacity to work with all senators for the benefit of the Senate and the Australian people. Congratulations on your re-election.

I will keep my remarks short because the Governor-General is awaiting us but I also want to place on the record that, while we did not support Senator Ludlam, I do appreciate the contribution he has made, particularly when in the chair, and his light touch and patience are appreciated by all senators. But the government maintains its commitment that the President ought be nominated by the government and we will be continuing that approach with the election of the Deputy President. The government will support the nomination of the opposition. Despite a difficult period when these things were called into question some years ago—and I will not go over the history of that—we think that the process of having the Senate President as a representative from the gov­ern­ment and the Deputy President being the nominee of the opposition has served the Senate well and has provided for stability and the good functioning of the Senate. This has obviously been assisted by the fact that we have had quality people nominated on all occasions, and I am sure that will continue this time. Mr President, on behalf of all Labor senators, congratulations on your election and we look forward to working with you in this new parliament.