Overlooked in all the other Senate thrills ‘n’ spills of the past fortnight – some typically pompous posturing from the Greens.

On the first day of sittings, the Greens nominated themselves for the positions of Senate President and Deputy President. This was done with straight-faced statements from Bob Brown, like: “We have in Senator Milne an extremely accomplished potential Deputy President and Chair of Committees” and “Senator Nettle will protect and preserve the independence of the Senate. She will consult with all senators and acknowledge the crossbench.”

Unsurprisingly, they didn’t get the jobs, but in true Green style they did get the interest of the meeja.

What the Gallery doesn’t seem to have noticed is the Greens’ failure to bid for the other position vital to the operations of the Senate – the job of Temporary Chairman of Committees. It is open to all Senators and involves spending an hour at a time in the Chair a few times each week. It doesn’t, however, have any of the extra perks and pay that come with the President and Deputy roles.

Bob Brown is notorious for not showing up for Question Time. There were heckles about this from the Government benches during the election for the President and Deputy jobs. Perhaps he’s otherwise occupied.

Still, he and the Greens make lots of noise about the conduct of the Senate. Assuming that they’re not just interested in media stunts or pay and perks, it would seem logical that a Green would go for the job of Temporary Chairman of Committees. If you’re genuinely keen to ensure the Senate is overseen in an independent and accomplished way – even if it is only for an hour every day – it would be the obvious thing to do.

But after having had a fortnight to put their names on the list, the Greens are missing. According to the list in the most recent Notice Paper, the Temporary Chairs of Committees are Senators Barnett, Brandis, Chapman, Crossin, Ferguson, Forshaw, Hutchins, Kirk, Lightfoot, Marshall, Moore, Murray, Troeth and Watson. A Green-free zone.