Escudero ‘hopeful’ of supermajority backing to retain Senate presidency

Labor Senator Defeats Greens Opponent to Retain Senate Presidency

Labor Senator Sue Lines has been re-elected as president of the Senate, defeating Greens candidate Penny Allman-Payne in a ballot by 55 votes to 12. Five informal votes were recorded. One Nation party leader Pauline Hanson also unexpectedly nominated Independent Senator David Pocock, who respectfully declined the nomination. “Just as surprised as people from NSW were in game three of the State of Origin,” Pocock joked, before confirming he would…

Escudero ‘hopeful’ of supermajority backing to retain Senate presidency

Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero on Monday expressed hope that he will get the backing of the Senate supermajority to keep his post as head of the upper chamber in the 20th Congress.