George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I remind the Senate that it should now choose one of its members to be the 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, for its Deputy President and Chair of Committees, Senator Lines. I move:

That Senator Lines be appointed Deputy President and Chair of Committees.

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

Are there any other nominations for the position of Deputy President and Chair of Committees? There being none, I declare Senator Lines duly elected as Deputy President of the Senate and Chair of Committees. Congratulations, Senator Lines.

Sue Lines (WA, Australian Labor Party) 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. Thank you.

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

Just before we move on, could I particularly acknowledge the work and the contribution of Senator Gavin Marshall previously as Deputy President of the Senate and Chair of Committees. And I do congratulate Senator Lines, and I look forward to working with her as I did with Senator Marshall.

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, on behalf of the government, may I congratulate Senator Lines on her election without opposition to be Deputy President and Chair of Committees of the Senate. It is a very high honour, and we wish you well in the discharge of that office, Senator Lines.

It would be remiss of me to let the opportunity pass without acknowledging, with thanks and appreciation, the role of Senator Marshall, the previous occupant of the position. Senator Marshall, you were an outstanding Deputy President of the Senate. You were respected by all government senators for your fairness, your even-handedness, your authority, your command of the standing orders and the willing spirit of cooperation which you enjoyed with the President of the Senate. There was never a breath of partisanship when you were in the chair. Senator Lines, you have big shoes to fill, which we are sure and confident that you will do.

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

I rise on behalf of the opposition to congratulate Senator Lines on being elected Deputy President and Chair of Committees. Senator Lines is only the third woman to hold this office, the others being former senator Margaret Reid, who went on to become the Senate's first female President, in 1996, and former senator Sue West, who held the deputy's position from 1997 to 2002. This chamber has increased the number of women by one, to 30 senators, since the end of the 44th Parliament, and I am particularly pleased that the opposition now has a woman holding the positions of leader, whip, deputy whips and Deputy President.

Senator Lines has previously served as a Temporary Chair of Committees. She entered the Senate following the retirement of Chris Evans in 2013 and has served on a number of standing committees, most notably as Chair of the Education and Employment References Committee. We are confident, on this side of the chamber, that Senator Lines will bring her experience and her personality to the important role of Deputy President and Chair of Committees.

I also pay tribute to Senator Marshall. I thank him for his service as Deputy President since July 2014. He is someone with regard for the traditions and conventions of this chamber and was a fair and effective chair. I look forward to his future contribution to the opposition.