Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—I inform the Senate of my appointment as Leader of the Government in the Senate, the appointment of Senator Fifield as Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate and the appointment of Senator Birmingham as Manager of Government Business in the Senate. I also advise the Senate that Senator Cash will be absent from question time today for personal reasons. In Senator Cash's absence, Senator Birmingham will represent the Minister for Jobs and Innovation and the Minister for Small and Family Business, the Workplace and Deregulation. Senator Fifield will represent the Attorney-General and Senator Payne will represent the Minister for Women and the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service.

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

I take this opportunity on behalf of the opposition to congratulate Senator Cormann on his election as leader. I'm sure I will have as warm and cordial a relationship with him as I had with his predecessor—possibly even warmer. I also congratulate Senator Fifield and Senator Birmingham on their new positions.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It being 2.00 pm, we will move to questions without notice.