Henderson elected chair of Senate committee

VICTORIAN Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson has received a promotion in her Senate duties, and is the new chair of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee.

Senator Henderson, who has been on the committee since October 2019, takes over as chair from Senator Amanda Stoker from the Liberal National Party.

The Geelong-based senator is one of six MPs on the committee.

The others are deputy chair Senator Kim Carr (Labor), Senator Anthony Chisholm (Labor), Senator Paul Scarr (Liberal), Senator Lidia Thorpe (Greens) and Senator David Van (Liberal).

Senator Henderson said she was honoured to be elected as chair.

“This committee plays a very important role in conducting inquiries into bills and in scrutinising the work of the Departments of Attorney-General’s and Home Affairs as part of the Senate Estimates process,” she said.

“I congratulate the outgoing chair, Senator Amanda Stoker, on her elevation to the ministry as Assistant-Minister to the Attorney-General.

“Senate committees play a very important role in our parliamentary democracy including ensuring that Australians have their say on proposed legislation.

“I look forward to working closely with my fellow Senators in the important work the committee will undertake this year.”

For more information on the Senate’s Legal and Constitutional Affair Legislation Committee and its existing and past inquiries, head to aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Legal_and_Constitutional_Affairs.