Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—I congratulate Senator Minchin on his appointment as Leader of the Government in the Senate, and I also congratulate Senator Coonan on her appointment as deputy Senate leader. I note that they are appointments, not elections, that it is a mandate from heaven rather than from their colleagues, as is more traditionally the process, and certainly the one that applies in the ALP. I also congratulate Senator Santoro on his appointment to the ministry, and note that I will try and get his name right in future.