Prankster And A Phantom In Senate Vote

Sydney Morning Herald

Wednesday August 27, 2008

Yuko Narushima

TWO words scrawled on a pale blue ballot paper sent whispers shooting around Parliament House yesterday in an upper house whodunit.

A mystery senator wrote the name "Gavin Marshall" on their vote for a new Senate president, deeming the vote invalid and prompting others to speculate on the mischievous voter's identity.

Gavin Marshall is the name of the Labor senator and union champion, who is planning to put forward a caucus motion next week calling for a hastened end to the Australian Building and Construction Commission, which was established by the Howard government.

Senator Marshall denied writing his name on the paper and said he only found out about the prank after questions from the Herald.

"I should be honoured, I suppose," he said. "Yes, my name was on an informal vote but it wasn't me ... I think it's a good sign that there's someone out there in the Senate who has a good sense of humour."

Senator Marshall would not name suspects but narrowed the search parameters.

"You know to look for a practical joker," he said.

Many within Labor ranks pointed the finger at Steve Fielding but the Family First senator for Victoria denied it.

The election also turned up a surprise nod for the Greens candidate for president, Christine Milne. Senator Milne received six votes, leaving the five Greens senators baffled as to where the extra support came from. Some tipped Senator Fielding. The new independent senator, Nick Xenophon, denied he was the phantom Greens supporter.

Nevertheless, Greens leader Bob Brown said the outcome signalled a change in the Senate.

"It shows the fluidity in the new Senate. Nothing can be taken for granted," he said. "Two of the caucused [major party] votes didn't stick."

The job of Senate president went to Labor's John Hogg. He won the job of overseeing the chamber from the big red chair at its head by an overwhelming majority.

The result follows the convention that a senator from the largest opposition party in the house holds the position.

Mr Hogg promised to serve as president with impartiality.

"I'm honest, I'm fair and I'm sure, as time progresses, those who don't believe that will find it to be true," he said.

The vote followed the swearing-in of 14 new senators by the Governor-General, Michael Jeffery. Holding a Bible in one hand and a printout of an oath in the other, groups of senators from each state mumbled in unison pledges to serve.

The swearing-in was Major-General Jeffrey's final official duty before retiring. A farewell dinner was hosted in his honour at Parliament House last night.

© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald

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