Senator MINCHIN (Leader of the Government in the Senate) (12:54 PM) —Mr President, on behalf of all government senators, I warmly congratulate you on your election as President of the Senate. We wish you every success in your new and very demanding role. We are sure that you will bring wisdom, balance and independence to your duties as President and, with 15 years of great service as a senator and as chairman of various Senate and joint parliamentary committees, you bring considerable experience to the job of President.

As you noted yourself, you have very large shoes to fill in succeeding Senator Calvert, but I am sure that all senators have confidence in your capacity to maintain the high standards set by your predecessor. On behalf of all coalition senators, I assure you of our willingness to cooperate with you to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the Senate and to support you fully in your new and important role. Mr President, it has been my privilege to share a house with you in Canberra for some 14 years and, while you have now achieved this new and august role, I still expect you to do your own washing-up!