The PRESIDENT (1:15 PM) —I thank party leaders and other honourable senators for their kind words of congratulations on my re-election as President.

As well as your President, I genuinely consider myself to be the servant of the wonderful Australian Senate that a lot of you have just become a part of. I remind all senators that my door is always open to you in regard to any matter relating to the Senate, and in relation to my wider responsibilities for the administration of the parliament.

During the last three years, I have been pleased to be involved in further measures to streamline the administration of the parliament. Notably this has involved the amalgamation of the three joint departments after 90 years of attempts.

But in particular I note my satisfaction at the cooperation between the parliamentary departments to further the public understanding of our democracy and its importance to Australia.

I record my thanks to the Clerk and the other clerks at the table, to the Black Rod, the attendants and the other chamber staff, and to all the other officers of the Senate for their support for me as President since 2002.

The Department of the Senate is perhaps one of the smaller departments in the Commonwealth, but that size is not reflected in the diligence of its staff, the quality of its work and the exceptional support given to all honourable senators.

I also record my warm thanks to the previous Deputy President, Senator John Hogg, and to the panel of temporary chairmen of committees, some of whom have now retired from the Senate.

Much has been said in other places about what this new Senate will or will not bring about. It is not appropriate for me as your President to speculate on this, but I do know, after 18 years in the chamber, that more will be achieved with an attitude of goodwill and cooperation on all sides, which has usually been the hallmark of this place.

Having said that, I want to make a particular point: it is my firm expectation that the courtesies of debate, convention and proper behaviour in this chamber will be adhered to. That applies to all senators. I hope that can be done in a cooperative manner, but if not I make clear now that the chair will not hesitate to act to protect and enforce the standing orders.

There is one other person, outside this chamber, who is important to me today. I refer to my wife, Jill, in the gallery. She has been there to temper my wilder ideas in the past and I am sure she will be a very good sounding board for me in the future. She is always there to remind me of any mistakes I make. I could not do the job without her and I thank her very much for her help. I thank you all again for your confidence in me as your President.