Legislative Council Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2) 54 2 Parliament of South Australia Legislative Council published Members Members President, Election President, Election The CLERK Legislative Council The CLERK: I inform the council that the President, this day, has handed in his resignation. I now call on the Treasurer. The Hon. R.I. LUCAS Legislative Council The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (14:46): Mr Schwarz, I move: That the Hon. T.J. Stephens be President of the Legislative Council. The Hon. K.J. MAHER Legislative Council Leader of the Opposition The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (14:46): I second the motion. The CLERK Legislative Council The CLERK: Does the honourable member accept the nomination? The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS Legislative Council The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS (14:46): I submit to the will of the council. The CLERK Legislative Council The CLERK: Are there any other nominations? Honourable members Legislative Council Honourable members: No. The CLERK Legislative Council The CLERK: There being no other nominations, I declare the Hon. T.J. Stephens duly elected as President of the Legislative Council. The Hon. T.J. Stephens was escorted to the President's chair by the mover and seconder of the motion. The Hon. R.I. LUCAS Legislative Council The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (14:47): Mr President, we noted there was some reluctance by you to assume the position of President, but we thank you very much for acceding to the will of the council and accepting the onerous responsibilities of being President of the Legislative Council chamber. You follow a long list of distinguished gentlemen and a gentlewoman, and we have every confidence that you will undertake your role with distinction. We look forward to working with you in the interests of the smooth operation of the Legislative Council and in the interests of the people of South Australia. On behalf of government members we congratulate you on your elevation to high office and, as I said, look forward to working with you on behalf of the people of South Australia. The President Legislative Council The PRESIDENT: Would anyone else like to make a contribution? The Hon. F. PANGALLO Legislative Council The Hon. F. PANGALLO (14:48): On behalf of SA-Best I would like to offer our congratulations to you on your appointment, and we look forward to working with you. I would also like to extend my gratitude to the former President of the Legislative Council, the Hon. Andrew McLachlan. I hope, Mr President, you show me the same amount of courtesy and indulgence as the previous President did when I get up and ask to make a brief explanation. Congratulations to you and congratulations to the Hon. Andrew McLachlan for serving this chamber exceptionally well. We wish him all the best in his endeavours when he ventures to Canberra as a senator for South Australia. I am sure he will do an excellent job. The President Legislative Council The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Leader of the Opposition. The Hon. K.J. MAHER Legislative Council Leader of the Opposition The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (14:49): Mr President, I rise to congratulate you on your elevation to this position. I know you take your role in this chamber exceptionally seriously and I know that you will bring that to the position that you now hold. We look forward to working constructively with you to keep the government of the day accountable and honest, and look forward to constructive proceedings in this chamber. The President Legislative Council The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Wortley. The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY Legislative Council The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (14:50): Thank you, Mr President. I would like to congratulate you for attaining the position. I know that the people of Pooraka are very, very excited about the fact that there have been two Pooraka boys as president in the last seven or eight years, and they are very elated. I would also like to acknowledge the exemplary performance and contribution by the former President, the Hon. Mr McLachlan. The President Legislative Council The PRESIDENT (14:50): I would like to thank honourable members for their kind words. It is an honour to be elected to be President of the council. Thanks to the chamber for placing their confidence in me. I will endeavour to fulfil the role faithfully and diligently. I certainly wish my predecessor and friend, the Hon. Andrew McLachlan CSC MLC, the best of luck in his future endeavours. He served this parliament with great distinction, and I thank him on behalf of this chamber for his dedication.