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

I have received letters from a party leader and Senator Madigan seeking appointment to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights. 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. 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 Madigan and Senator Wright. Before proceeding to a ballot the bells will be rung for four minutes.

While the bells are ringing, if I could have the attention of senators. In the President's walk, there is a condolence book for signing by senators who might wish to do so for Nancy Wake. Feel free to enter at any time to put your condolence message in that book.

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 Madigan and Senator Wright.

Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Northern and Remote Australia) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, could I seek a ruling. Is it in accordance with standing orders for there to be occasioned in this exercise a show-and-tell, or is that contrary to—

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

That is not an issue.

Have all honourable senators voted? The clerks will now collect the ballot papers. I invite Senator Madigan and Senator Siewert to act as scrutineers.

The result of the ballot is as follows: Senator Madigan, 34 votes; Senator Wright, 39 votes. Senator Wright is therefore elected as the member of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights nominated by a minority group or Independent senators.