Question

The person who assists the presiding officer in the functioning of the meetings of the legislative

council - _______________________​

Answer 1

Explanation:

The President of the Senate in the Australian Parliament is the presiding officer who chairs meetings of the Senate. The President is also the spokesperson for the Senate, who represents the Senate in dealings with the Governor-General, the executive government, the House of Representatives and persons outside the Parliament, and overseas. The position also has responsibilities relating to the administration of the Senate and the management of Parliament House. While the presidency is an office which was designed and has evolved particularly for the Australian federal Parliament, the role of the President in Parliament has its roots in the tradition of speakers of the houses of the British Parliament, and of the Australian colonial Parliaments.

The President is a senator, usually with some years of experience, who is elected to the position by the members of the Senate.

The election, duties and responsibilities of the President reflect the original and independent nature of the Senate itself, as entrenched in the Australian Constitution at federation. Under section 50 of the Constitution, senators determine their own rules and orders in respect of the conduct of the business of the Senate and the way in which its powers, privileges and immunities should be upheld. The Constitution also gives authority for the office of the President of the Senate:

The Senate shall, before proceeding to the despatch of any other business, choose a senator to be the President of the Senate; and as often as the office of President becomes vacant the Senate shall again choose a senator to be the President.

Constitution, section 17

Senator the Hon Scott Ryan, twenty-fifth President of