The President and Deputy President are both parliamentary office holders who are elected by the members of the house.
The President’s function is to regulate debate and to ensure that the proceedings are carried out in accordance with the standing orders of the house and established parliamentary custom. The President is also known, along with the Speaker, as a Presiding Officer.
The Chair of Committees is elected by the members of the Legislative Council and is also referred to as the Deputy President when carrying out the functions of the President in the absence of the President. The Chair of Committees presides over the Legislative Council during the clause-by-clause consideration of a bill in Committee of the Whole House.
The Council also elects several Deputy Chairs of Committees to assist in this role.
The following positions are political office holders, appointed by their respective parties.
The Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council is the leader of the government party in the Council.
The Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council is the leader of the official opposition party in the Council.
The government and opposition Whips, who are appointed by their respective political parties, are managers of party members in the house and are responsible for organising members to take part in the debates and votes.