Senate debates
Thursday, 17 July 2014
Statement by the President
Clerk of the Senate
2:05 pm
Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
Honourable senators, there have been numerous media reports and commentary on the role of the Clerk and officers of the Department of the Senate in recent days. In consultation with the Clerk we have particularly chosen not to enter the debate for a variety of reasons. As this is the last opportunity prior to the Senate rising for the recess where all senators are present, I consider it important to state the following. I have full confidence in the Clerk of the Senate and her officers. All Senate staff serve the Senate in an entirely professional and impartial way and I reject any claims to the contrary.
2:08 pm
Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
I seek leave to make a 30-second statement.
Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
I repeat on the record, and formally, what I said to the Clerk informally this morning. Government senators have full confidence in the professionalism of the Clerk and her staff, and are immensely appreciative of their service to us.
2:06 pm
Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
I seek leave to make a short statement.
Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
I, too, wish to endorse, on behalf of all opposition senators, your comments and the comments of the Leader of the Government in the Senate. As I have said publicly, and I will state again, the Clerk of the Senate, Dr Laing, and her colleagues—and, in fact, all her predecessors—have served this chamber with professionalism, integrity and impartiality, and they do Australia a great service in the work they do.
2:07 pm
Christine Milne (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
by leave—Mr President, I join with the remarks that you have made and I endorse the remarks that Senator Abetz and Senator Wong have just made. Firstly, I want to express my thanks on behalf of the Australian Greens to Dr Laing and her staff, and all the Senate staff, for the way in which they support us in the job that we do. We have found them to be professional, impartial and helpful. They go out of their way to be of assistance, and I want to express our full confidence.
2:08 pm
John Madigan (Victoria, Democratic Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
by leave—I wish to concur with the words that have been spoken. I believe the vast majority in this place will concur with these words: their impartiality, their professionalism and their integrity is unquestioned.
David Leyonhjelm (NSW, Liberal Democratic Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
by leave—Mr President, on behalf of Senator Day and myself, we endorse your comments regarding the Clerk of the Senate. We have found the Senate staff to be delightful to work with. The class of 2013 would be even bigger bumbling fools than we are but for the Clerk and her staff.