Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I remind the Senate that it should now choose one of its members to be Deputy President and Chair of Committees.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I propose to the Senate forits Deputy President and Chairman of Committees Senator Gavin Marshall, and I move:

That Senator Marshall be appointed Deputy President and Chairman of Committees.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Are there any further nominations? There being no further nominations, it is my pleasure to declare Senator Gavin Marshall as Deputy President and Chair of Committees in accordance with standing orders.

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr President. I thank the Senate for the honour that they have done me by bestowing this position and responsibility upon me. I will use my best endeavours to discharge my duties with dignity and fairness.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would like to add my congratulations to your election unopposed and I trust that we will enjoy a great working relationship. I particularly enjoyed my role as Deputy President working with the President and I can see that we will have a similar relationship, so congratulations.

Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On behalf of the government, I congratulate Senator Marshall on his election as our Deputy President and Chair of Committees.

Senator Marshall is very well qualified to be our Deputy President, having been a Temporary Chairman of Committees in the Senate since 2003. He has also served on several committees involved in the management of this place, including the House Committee and the Standing Committee on Appropriations and Staffing, which are good committees to be on to get an understanding of the mysteries of the operational management of the Department of the Senate and Parliament House. He has also served as a chairman of the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee, enduring my questioning for hours on end and with the patience of Job.

Senator Marshall is a senator who respects the traditions and practices of this place and is very well qualified to undertake this new task. Though, I must say, in all the years I have been fortunate enough to be a senator, I have never had the least desire, with no disrespect, to sit between the clerks at the table, dealing with amendments and amendments to amendments that fall to the Chairman of Committees. It takes a certain skill, patience and procedural knowledge, and I envy those senators who undertake that task well. I am sure Senator Marshall will.

Mr President, I assure you and Senator Marshall that you will both have our support in the chair and in your stewardship of this unique and important institution, the Australian Senate. I wish Senator Marshall well.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On behalf of the opposition, I rise to congratulate Senator Marshall on being elected Deputy President and Chairman of Committees. Senator Marshall and I were elected to this place in the same election along with Senator Moore and others, and it is very pleasing for me to see that he has been elected as our Deputy President. Not only has Senator Marshall demonstrated his regard for the traditions and conventions of this chamber in the time he has been here; those who have worked with him would, regardless of their political affiliation, attest to his interest in procedure and capacity to manage debate both in this chamber and in Senate committees effectively and fairly.

We are confident on this side of the chamber, and I am pleased that it is shared, that he will bring not only this expertise to the important role of Deputy President and Chairman of Committees but also a regard, as Senator Abetz said, for the traditions and conventions of this Senate which are so important to Australian democracy.

Christine Milne (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to congratulate Senator Marshall on his election as Deputy President and wish him very well and look forward to working with him. All my colleagues share in our congratulations.

Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Assistant Minister for Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Can I also add the congratulations of The Nationals to Senator Marshall. He commands a deal of respect in this chamber and always conducts himself with great dignity in the roles that he performs in this chamber. I also note his very extensive work through the committee system. We add our congratulations and best wishes to you on taking up the new role.