George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

Mr President, on behalf of government senators and, I dare say, I may say on behalf of all senators might I congratulate you on your re-election to the office of President of the Senate. It speaks volumes of the very high regard in which you are held in this chamber that you were re-elected unopposed.

Senator Parry, you have served the Senate since you were first elected as a senator for Tasmania in 2004. You were the Deputy President of the Senate for three years before your first term as President, which began on 7 July 2014. In that term as President you demonstrated two of the great qualities of a presiding officer: you were firm but you were fair. And in the past three years you won the respect of all in this chamber for the even-handed and firm manner in which you conducted your office. You have been a good president, Mr President, and I predict that in your second term as President of the Senate you will rise to become a great president—one of the great presidents of the Senate.