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To find out the latest on what I have been doing in the Senate, please visit the Parliament page on this site.
But if you want to find out more about my day to day role in the Senate, read on.
Currently, I am one of twelve Senators for the state of South Australia and my term as a Senator runs until 30 June 2014. I am one of seven Senators who share the balance of power in the Senate (with five Australian Greens and one from Family First).
There are 76 Senators in all. The ALP has 32, the Coalition (Liberals and the Nationals) 37, with 5 Greens and 1 Family First. To get something through, the Government needs 39 votes. For legislation to be blocked, 38 votes are needed.
So when we access the balance of power to block anything, I am one of at least 38 Senators who do not think that the Government is heading in the right direction.
However, my contribution in the Senate is not just about making speeches and turning up to vote. I can also ask questions of the Government, present petitions on behalf of voters, and seek the support of the Senate to order certain actions from Ministers or to instigate inquiries. I am also involved in Senate Committees, which do much of the important research and consultation work that helps the Senate run smoothly.
Questions: I have one Question without Notice in each week, which is asked on Thursday on the first sitting week and Wednesday on the second sitting week. Have a look at the Senate homepage for this year’s sitting schedule. I can also submit Questions with Notice at any time.
Petitions: When I present, signed petitions from the public, I need to have them in a specific format, otherwise the Senate won’t accept them. If you would like me to submit a petition on your behalf, please contact my Adelaide office prior to collating the petition. If we can get it right at the start it saves a lot of time and frustration.
Senate Orders: I can also seek information and documents or order inquiries from the Government. However, this is only possible with the support of the majority of the Senate. While the Senate usually supports motions for more information or investigation, this support is not always guaranteed.
Committees: If you would like to know which Committees are conducting inquiries and on which topics, have a look each Wednesday in The Australian newspaper. If you have questions about how to make a submission to a committee inquiry, please contact my Adelaide office. They will be pleased to help you out.
Tuning in Live: to listen or watch me in the Senate, either:
1. Watch online at Parliament Live Broadcasting;
2. Listen online to News Radio Adelaide; or
3. Listen to News Radio Adelaide (972AM).
Senate Documents
Notice Paper: The Notice Paper is the daily agenda for business in the Senate. If you want to find out what is up for debate on any given day, please view the Notice Paper link on the Senate business documents homepage.
Dynamic Red: The Dynamic Red is the daily running sheet for the Senate, which is updated immediately online. If you want to find out what is happening in the Senate at any given time, please see the Dynamic Red link on the Senate business documents homepage.
Hansard: The Hansard is the official word by word record of everything said in the Senate and House of Representatives. If you want to find out what I have said in the Senate, please visit the Parliament page on this site. However, if you want to search Hansard for what other Senators have said, please see the Hansard link on the Senate business documents homepage.
All a bit technical I know, but hopefully, this information will help you keep track of what I am up to in the Senate. Of course, if you have any questions, please just give my Adelaide office a call.
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