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This is the maiden speech by Rebekha Sharkie, member for the South Australian electorate of Mayo, representing the Nick Xenophon Team.
Sharkie was the only member of NXT to win a seat in the House of Representatives at the July 2 election. She defeated former Liberal minister Jamie Briggs. [Read more…]
The Senate has voted to confirm the agreement between the Coalition and the ALP on the rotation of senators following the double dissolution election.
As has occurred on each of the previous six occasions when double dissolutions have been held (1914, 1951, 1974, 1975, 1983 and 1987), the first six senators elected in each state have received six-year terms, whilst the second group of six will serve for three years. The rotation is required under Section 13 of the Constitution.
The major parties rejected the recount method whereby the Senate votes are recounted as if it was a half-Senate election. This method would have meant that the Liberal and Labor Parties each lose one long-term senator (Scott Ryan and Deborah O’Neill) in favour of minor parties (Derryn Hinch and Lee Rhiannon). [Read more…]
The 45th Parliament opened in Canberra this morning.
Clerk of the Senate Rosemary Laing and Chief Justice Robert French preside over Senate proceedings during the opening of the 45th Parliament.
The video below shows proceedings in the Senate and the House of Representatives, starting at 10.30am.
The Governor-General’s deputy, High Court Chief Justice Robert French opened the Parliament in the Senate chamber, House members having first been summoned via a message from the Senate’s Black Rod.
The two houses then separately swore in their members, who each took an oath or affirmation and signed the register of members. The swearing-in of senators is shown in the video.
The Senate then elected Senator Stephen Parry (Liberal-Tasmania) as President, unopposed. It is Parry’s second term. [Read more…]