Chair of Committees
The Deputy President and Chair of Committees is the chair of all committees of the whole of the Senate, and, when the Senate goes into committee, takes the committee chair, which is at the Senate table.
The location of the chair in committee at the table facilitates receipt of advice from the clerks on matters which may be complex, also facilitates communication with senators, and provides a readily visual signal that the Senate is in committee and that different rules apply to the proceedings.
If the Chair of Committees is absent during a committee of the whole, any one of the Temporary Chairs of Committees may take the chair.[4]