Richard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I will just finish by saying that today's an opportunity to break from this convention that says it's only the government of the day that should assume the presidency. Today's an opportunity for the Labor Party to tell the Liberal Party that they don't deserve this role. They don't deserve to have the next President of the Senate, because of the way they treated the previous one and because of the way they said to the previous President, 'Ignore your constitutional obligation, knowing you may be ineligible, and keep your head down, be quiet and let's hope the whole thing goes away.' It is an opportunity to restore some respect in the office of the President and I do believe that Senator Whish-Wilson is the right person for the job.

Senator Whish-Wilson has served as a temporary chair of the Senate for four years now. He brings very valuable insights on what reforms could be made to improve the functioning of this parliament. He's made it clear that if he's elected he will donate any additional salary to charity. He has demonstrated that he wants to use this opportunity to usher in a new era of openness, of transparency, of integrity and of accountability to this parliament, and I commend Senator Whish-Wilson's nomination to the Senate.

The Clerk: If no other senator wishes to address the nominations, there being two nominations, in accordance with the standing orders, a ballot will be held. But before proceeding to a ballot, the bells will be rung for four minutes.

The bells having been rung—

The Clerk: The Senate will now proceed to a ballot. Ballot papers will be distributed. Please write the name of the candidate you wish to vote for. The candidates are Senator Ryan and Senator Whish-Wilson. I invite Senator Bushby and Senator Siewert to act as scrutineers.

A ballot having been taken—

The Clerk: The result of the ballot is as follows: Senator Ryan, 53 votes; Senator Whish-Wilson, 11 votes; and one invalid vote. Senator Ryan is therefore elected 25th President of the Australian Senate in accordance with the standing orders.

Senator Ryan having been conducted to the dais—