The New Senate Team

Next week parliament is sitting after its winter break and we will have a new Senate that has many changes from the last one. Most notably of course is that the Howard Government has a majority but it is already starting to look shaky with the likes of the Nationals Barnaby Joyce running around telling anyone who will listen (and that is a lot of people at the moment) that he will cross the floor on a number of issues unless the Government meets his demands. The Government does have a fallback option in the form of Family First's Steve Fielding. The next three or four months will be interesting indeed.

On a more positive note, the Greens will have two new Senators (we should have had at least one other from Victoria, thanks to the ALP preferencing Family First), which has meant the creation of a Greens Party Room. Read Bob Brown's media release here. The two new Senators are Christine Milne from Tasmania and Rachelk Siewert from Western Australia. I have just recently had the opportunity to meet both new Senators in an office meeting. I have also seen Cristine Milne in action at the God Under Howard Forum held in Sydney a few weeks ago.

I knew very little of Rachel but my impressions of her was one of passion and that of being well organised. Rachel has been given the Industrial Relations portfolio responsibility - a mighty task for a new Senator.

Christine Milne gives off a very different impression. Christine is tough and very intimidating. I pitty the poor Senator who will atagonise her. At the God Under Howard forum she let loose on Family First and Howard. Christine Milne in full flight is an awe-inspiring sight. She will be a our 'headkicker' in the Senate.

The Senate will be very entertaining.