Things were a little different this sitting week, with private members' business taking centre stage over two consecutive days. Here's what happened... Wednesday, 17 February In short: On Wednesday, the House agreed to a motion indicating its disagreement with the Legislative Assembly's transmission of the Appropriation (Parliament) Bill 2020 to the Governor for assent, notwithstanding … Continue reading In the House – Wednesday 17 and Thursday 18 February 2021
Budget Estimates 2020/21: What’s it all about?
The Legislative Council's portfolio committees are busy getting ready for one of the most significant events in the committee calendar – Budget Estimates. The Budget Estimates hearings are the process by which the Legislative Council scrutinises the budget and the Government’s projected spending for the year – the 'budget estimates'. This is an opportunity for … Continue reading Budget Estimates 2020/21: What’s it all about?
In the House – Tuesday 16 February 2021
We're back! The Legislative Council's first sitting day for 2021 was Tuesday, 16 February. Read on for a recap... On Tuesday, the Council received a number of messages from the Assembly, including one disagreeing to Council amendments to the Appropriation (Parliament) Bill 2020. The Council also agreed to repeal the take-off and landing limits at … Continue reading In the House – Tuesday 16 February 2021
Break on through to the other side: inviting an Assembly minister into the Council
As promised in our final sitting week blog of 2020, we're back to dissect a unique procedural event that occurred during the marathon debate on the Electricity Infrastructure Investment Bill 2020 – the use of Standing Order 163! What is Standing Order 163 and why is it important? Under the Constitution Act 1902 (NSW), the … Continue reading Break on through to the other side: inviting an Assembly minister into the Council
Budget process inquiry: final committee report delivered
A recent Public Accountability Committee inquiry has shone light on the funding of independent oversight bodies and departments of the Parliament of New South Wales What was the inquiry about? The Legislative Council's Public Accountability Committee self-referred the inquiry in October 2019, to examine the budget process for a range of integrity institutions that support … Continue reading Budget process inquiry: final committee report delivered
2020 in the Legislative Council: an unprecedented year
What a year! The stats for 2020 are in and, as with many other parts of life, the year was an unprecedented one for the Legislative Council. Each and every week was notable for both the quantity and diversity of business considered. Interested to see what the Council's work involved? Let's have a closer look…
Inquiry update: High level of First Nations people in custody
Since June this year, an Upper House Select Committee has been inquiring into the over-representation of First Nations people in the criminal justice system and the oversight and review of deaths of First Nations people in custody. Read today's blog for more info on the committee's work
In the House – Final sitting week of 2020
A marathon all-night sitting, over 250 amendments lodged to one bill and a central constitutional principle is debated – this 'bumper edition' of House in Review dissects a huge final sitting week in the Legislative Council!
In the House – Thursday 19 November 2020
On Thursday, the House debated a number of items, including a motion under Standing Order 163 and a matter of public importance relating to a job plan for Newcastle. Two bills were also debated. Read on for more.
In the House – Wednesday 18 November 2020
On Wednesday, the House debated three bills spanning domestic violence reform, bushfire prevention and management and the funding of ICAC and other independent agencies. The House also agreed to sixteen orders for papers. Read on for more.