Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) 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 move:

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

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

Are there any further nominations? As there are no further nominations, Senator Lines is elected Deputy President and Chair of Committees in accordance with the standing orders. Congratulations, Senator Lines.

Sue Lines (WA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr President. Thank you, Senator Wong, our leader, for the nomination. Thank you, colleagues in the Senate, for your trust in me and re-electing me as Deputy President of the Senate and Chair of Committees. Thank you very much.

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On behalf of the government, I congratulate Senator Lines, a fellow senator from the great state of Western Australia, on her re-election, or reappointment, to this high office of Deputy President. We very much look forward to her fair and impartial adjudication of Senate proceedings over the next three years.

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 also rise to congratulate Senator Lines on being re-elected Deputy President and Chair of Committees. She has been an excellent Deputy President, a diligent servant of this great institution of the Senate over the last three years, and I'm confident it will continue. I also would note that, in addition to her role as Deputy President in the chamber, she has also worked very effectively as an ex officio member of a number of committees in the Senate, which are very important to the functioning of this democratic institution. I particularly recognise her contribution as chair of the Procedure Committee and Chairs' Committee. We look forward to her continuing her strong and effective work with you, Mr President, in the leadership of the Senate.