It was the first act of the new upper house and it was a quick reminder to the Labor government that the Legislative Council would not be a rubber stamp.

The new Labor government lost the first vote in the upper house, after its candidate for president of the Legislative Council, Gayle Tierney, was defeated 21 votes to 17.

Bruce Atkinson is escorted to the chair of the upper house on the first day of the new parliament by MP Mary Wooldridge. Credit:Penny Stephens

The five Greens MPs and the Sex Party's Fiona Patten voted for the Coalition's candidate, Bruce Atkinson.

Mr Atkinson was president in the last Parliament and is well respected, with a reputation for independence and fairness.