Scott Michael Ryan (born 12 May 1973) is an Australian politician who has served as a Senator for Victoria since 2008. He represents the Liberal Party and was elected President of the Senate in 2017. His parliamentary career has combined party representation with a sustained focus on the operation, rules and administration of the federal upper house.

Parliamentary role and duties

As a senator, Ryan takes part in legislative debate, votes on bills and contributes to committee inquiries. Election to the presidency places a senator in a procedural and administrative office responsible for managing sittings, applying and interpreting standing orders, maintaining order and representing the Senate in its relations with the House of Representatives, the executive and external organisations.

Functions and expectations of the President

  • Presiding over sittings and ruling on points of order and procedure.
  • Ensuring debates proceed within the chamber’s standing orders and time limits.
  • Overseeing administrative services that support senators and the operation of the chamber.
  • Acting as an official representative of the Senate at ceremonial and inter-parliamentary events.

The President is usually expected to apply chamber rules impartially while remaining an elected member of a political party. The office is central both to the everyday conduct of parliamentary business and to resolving disputes about procedure, precedent and the interpretation of standing orders.

Background, committee work and public profile

Ryan entered federal parliament after work in political and party environments. Throughout his time in the Senate he has participated in committee work and policy discussions across a range of matters; the presidency particularly highlights experience with parliamentary practice and detailed knowledge of Senate procedure. For further, authoritative details consult parliamentary resources and the senator’s public profile available through official channels.

See also: Senate biographies, Victorian representation and the Presidency of the Senate for procedural background and lists of officeholders.