The Acting Deputy President:

The President has received letters from party leaders seeking appointment to the Joint Select Committee on Cyber-Safety. There are two nominations for one position on the committee, the position to be nominated by any minority group or 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 a position be held immediately.

The Acting Deputy President:

by leave—I move:

That Senators Lundy and Wortley be appointed to the Joint Select Committee on Cyber-Safety.

Question agreed to.

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 Senators Fielding and Ludlam. 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 honourable senators, who are requested to write on the ballot paper the name of the candidate they wish to vote for. The candidates are Senator Fielding and Senator Ludlam. Before the ballot proceeds people should be seated in their normal allocated seat. The Clerks will now distribute ballot papers to honourable senators. I invite Senator Fielding and Senator Siewert to act as scrutineers.

A ballot having been taken—

The result of the ballot is as follows: Senator Fielding, 34 votes, and Senator Ludlam, 32 votes. Senator Fielding is therefore elected as a member of the Joint Select Committee on Cyber-Safety in the position nominated by any minority group or independent senators.