ACT independent Senator David Pocock was as surprised as anyone when Pauline Hanson nominated him for Senate President. Photo: Supplied.
If it were up to Pauline Hanson, David Pocock would now be the new Senate President.
The One Nation leader made a surprise move after parliament was opened on Tuesday (22 July) by nominating the ACT independent senator to be the presiding officer of the upper house.
Labor had renominated the last parliament’s Senate President Sue Lines to again take the chair, while the Greens put forward one of their own, Penny Allman-Payne.
But Senator Hanson stunned everyone when she rose to nominate Senator Pocock.
No one seemed more surprised than Senator Pocock himself, who laughed along with the rest of the chamber as he declined the nomination.
“I was just as surprised as people from NSW were in game three of the State of Origin,” Senator Pockock said.
“I am flattered, but my focus is very much on representing the people of the ACT.”
Far less of a surprise, however, was the election of Senator Lines as Senate President, who received 55 votes to Senator Allman-Payne’s 12, with another five votes deemed informal.
Over in the House of Representatives, there was no surprise at all, with Labor’s Milton Dick being reelected as Speaker of the House unopposed.
He was nominated by Labor MP Joanne Ryan and seconded by Nationals MP Michael McCormack.
His reelection was greeted by loud applause across the chamber. Mr Dick has been widely regarded as a fair and skilled Speaker who shows no bias in his rulings.
It was a point Anthony Albanese stressed when congratulating Mr Dick on being reelected Speaker.
“We knew full well that you would do the job with fairness, with humour, with intellect and, indeed, you did so,” the Prime Minister said.
“During the last term, you showed a commitment to integrity, you showed a commitment to fairness and an understanding that this institution is something that we who have just been sworn to office should cherish and should really value.
“You are a steady hand, Mr Speaker. In your reelection, this house has shown its gratitude for the work that you have done in your first term as Speaker.
“I am pleased that you are our custodian in this 48th parliament. I look forward to your guidance, counsel and your – mostly – infallible, gracious rulings.”
For his part, Mr Dick thanked the house and said he intended to keep striving to improve the standards of parliamentary behaviour.
“No role or title, elected or otherwise, exempts us from our obligation to create and foster a culture of safety, integrity and inclusion,” the Speaker said.
“The parliament will not tolerate disrespectful behaviour.”
The day started in Parliament House with a Welcome to Country delivered by Ngunnawal elder Aunty Violet Sheridan in the Great Hall.
“To walk on Ngunnawal country is to accept responsibilities. It is not just about being here. It is about caring for this land,” she said.
“As part of this welcome, I offer you spiritual protection and safe passage.
“May you all walk gently, listen and carry the spirit of this country with you.
“May your journey on Ngunnawal country be of understanding, respect and shared purpose, guided by the values of care, connection and community.”
The Prime Minister said the Welcome to Country was a “respectful way of us beginning our deliberations” and noted that the name Canberra meant meeting place.
“It is a reminder as well of why we all belong here together, that we are stronger together and we belong,” Mr Albanese said.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley also praised the Welcome to Country and urged MPs to let it set the tone for the parliament.
“As Australians, we share a story unlike any other, with an ancient culture, the oldest living in the world, rooted in land, language and story,” Ms Ley said.
“A democratic inheritance brought from afar but grounded in Australian values,” she says.
“A modern nation shaped by people from every part of the world, united by the belief that this country gives you a fair go and a chance at a better life.”
All MPs and Senators then gathered in the upper house for the parliament to be officially opened before being sworn into office in their respective chambers and electing their presiding officers.
Original Article published by Chris Johnson on Region Canberra.
