Alan Ferguson (SA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The President has received letters from party leaders and an Independent senator seeking appointment to the Select Committee on Climate Policy. There are two nominations for one position on the committee, the position to be nominated by the Independent senators. In accordance with standing orders, a ballot will be held to determine which one of the two senators who have nominated is to be appointed. I will first call the minister to seek leave to move a motion for the uncontested vacancies and then I understand that it is the wish of the Senate that the ballot for the position be held immediately.

by leave—I move:

That senators be appointed to the Select Committee on Climate Policy as follows:

Senators Cameron, Feeney, Furner and Pratt

Participating members: Bishop, Carol Brown, Collins, Crossin, Farrell, Forshaw, Hurley, Hutchins, Lundy, Marshall, McEwen, Moore, O’Brien, Polley, Sterle and Wortley.

Question agreed to.

The Senate will now proceed to a ballot to appoint a senator to the position to be nominated by the Independent senators. The candidates are Senator Fielding and Senator Xenophon. Before proceeding to a ballot, the bells will be rung for four minutes.

The bells having been rung—

Order! The Senate will now proceed to a ballot. Ballot papers will be distributed to all honourable senators, who are requested to write upon the ballot paper the name of the candidate for whom they wish to vote. The candidates are Senator Fielding and Senator Xenophon.

Steve Fielding (Victoria, Family First Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—I thank the Senate. No-one is going to grandstand on this issue. There was a proposal, at some stage, that pistols be used—

Honourable Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Senator Fielding is entitled to be heard in silence. I need to hear what Senator Fielding is saying.

Steve Fielding (Victoria, Family First Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I know that the Senate is familiar with people carrying guns, at some stage in the past.

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

Bowie knives.

Steve Fielding (Victoria, Family First Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, pocket knives. I was really hoping that common sense would prevail and that it would not come down to a vote on the chamber floor. If you read the notice of motion that was passed by the chamber, it was that the committee should consist of 10 senators: four nominated by the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate and four nominated by the Leader of the Government in the Senate, one nominated by the Leader of the Australian Greens and one nominated by any other minor party—that is, Family First or Independent senators. There is one Independent senator, but I will not go there. The issue here is that the emissions trading scheme, or the system that we are developing, is a big issue—I will not go there. However, there are two inquiries, which have different terms of reference. One inquiry has been referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Economics and Senator Xenophon is already on that committee. I just appeal to people that there is another inquiry with broader terms—that is, the select committee. Maybe this is a good way of doing it—I was hoping that the government would use one of their positions to nominate the senator who does not get voted for the select committee.

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I invite Senator Fielding and Senator Xenophon to act as scrutineers.

A ballot having been taken—

There were 70 ballot papers issued. The result of the ballot is as follows: Senator Xenophon, 38 votes; Senator Fielding, 30 votes. There were two informal votes. Senator Xenophon is therefore elected as the member of the Senate Select Committee on Climate Policy nominated by Independent senators.