Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Hansard source

Earlier today I informed the Senate that I had received letters from Senator Leyonhjelm and Senator Xenophon seeking appointment to the Economics References Committee. There are two nominations for the one position on the committee—the position to be nominated by any minority group or independent senators. In accordance with the standing orders, a ballot will be held to determine which of the two senators who have nominated is to be appointed.

The Senate will now proceed to ballot to appoint a senator to the position to be nominated by a minority group or independent senators. The candidates are Senator Leyonhjelm and Senator Xenophon. Before the Senate proceeds to ballot, the bells will be rung for four minutes.

The bells having been rung—

Lock the doors. The Senate will now proceed to a ballot. Ballot papers will be distributed to all honourable senators, who are requested to write on the paper the name of the candidate for whom they wish to vote. I remind senators that the candidates are for appointment to the Economics References Committee, and they are Senator Leyonhjelm and Senator Xenophon. The Clerks will now distribute ballot papers to honourable senators. I invite Senator Leyonhjelm and Senator Kakoschke-Moore to act as scrutineers.

A ballot having been taken—

Order! The result of the ballot is as follows: Senator Leyonhjelm, 32 votes; and Senator Xenophon, 38 votes. Senator Xenophon is therefore elected as a member of the Economics References Committee.