Senator BROWN (1:47 PM) —I propose to the Senate for its Deputy President and Chair of Committees Senator Milne, and I move:

Senator Milne has extensive parliamentary experience in Tasmania where she was both in the accord arrangement with the Labor Party and then led the Greens during the period in which the Liberal government was in office. She also has extensive experience in national and international fora including in the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, including in the chair. Mr President, I am informed that the vote we had for your office this afternoon was the first since 1987. I think this will be perhaps the first vote for the Deputy President in nearly a decade. It is a very healthy thing. We have in Senator Milne an extremely accomplished potential Deputy President and Chair of Committees. I recommend her to the Senate.

Senator Hogg —Mr President, I submit myself to the will of the Senate.

Senator Milne —Mr President, I submit myself to the will of the Senate.

The PRESIDENT —There being two nominations, in accordance with the standing orders a ballot will be held. Before proceeding to ballot, the bells will be rung for four minutes.

The bells having been rung—

The PRESIDENT —Order! The Senate will now proceed to ballot. Ballot papers will be distributed to all honourable senators, who are requested to write upon the paper the name of the candidate for whom they wish to vote. The candidates are Senator Hogg and Senator Milne. I invite Senator George Campbell and Senator Siewert to act as scrutineers.

A ballot having been taken—

The PRESIDENT —The result of the ballot is as follows: Senator Hogg, 70 votes; and Senator Milne, four votes. I declare Senator Hogg elected Deputy President and Chairman of Committees in accordance with the standing orders.