Senator the Hon Slade Brockman from Western Australia is President of the Senate. His main roles are to guide and regulate proceedings in the chamber, to oversee administration of the Department of the Senate and, in conjunction with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to oversee the Department of Parliamentary Services. He appears before Senate estimates hearings in relation to those departments and the Parliamentary Budget Office. Ceremonial duties of the President include participation in the opening of Parliament and visits by foreign Heads of State, representing the Parliament at international conferences, leading delegations to other nations, and receiving visiting delegations and other official visitors.
As set out in the standing orders, the President is chair of the Appropriations and Staffing, Library and House Committees, and is a member of the Procedure Committee.
The President is elected to the position by senators according to section 17 of the Constitution and Chapter 2 of the Senate standing orders.
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