Liquor Legislation Amendment (Repeal of Lock-out Laws) Bill 2018 (Mr Borsak, Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party)

House of Origin: Legislative Council

The bill seeks to repeal the provisions known as the ‘lock-out laws’ that prevent patrons from entering licensed premises in the Sydney central business district (CBD) and Kings Cross precincts after 1.30 am. The lockout laws were introduced in 2014 in response to the 2012 death of Thomas Kelly and the 2013 New Year’s Eve assault and subsequent death of Daniel Christie.

On Thursday Mr Borsak (Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party) introduced the bill and gave his second reading speech (see Hansard for a transcript of Mr Borsak’s speech). At the time of Mr Borsak giving his speech, there was a large demonstration outside Parliament calling for the repeal of the lock-out laws.

In his speech Mr Borsak noted that the lock-out laws have been a bugbear of many young people as it has limited their ability to enjoy live music and also their employment opportunities. Mr Borsak also noted that since the lock-out laws had been introduced, foot traffic in the affected area had dropped 80 per cent with many small businesses closing as a result. At the conclusion of Mr Borsak’s speech, debate on the bill was adjourned for five calendar days.

Exhibited Animals Protection Amendment (Prohibitions on Exhibition) Bill 2018 (Mr Pearson, Animal Justice Party)

House of Origin: Legislative Council

The bill seeks to amend the Exhibited Animals Protection Act 1986 to prohibit the exhibition of exotic animals at a circus. The bill also makes it an offence for a person to breed, keep, train or transport an exotic animal in order to exhibit it at a circus. The bill defines ‘exotic animal’ as any animal other than a stock animal or a companion animal. Under the bill exotic animals currently exhibited in circuses would be required to be rehomed in an animal display establishment or wildlife sanctuary within 12 months.

Mr Pearson introduced the bill and delivered his second reading speech on Thursday (See Hansard for a transcript of Mr Pearson’s speech). In his speech Mr Pearson said that it was scientifically established that the welfare and well-being of exotic animals is severely compromised by being held captive in travelling circuses. At the conclusion of Mr Pearson’s speech, debate was adjourned for five calendar days.

Procedural fairness for inquiry participants (Mrs-Maclaren-Jones, Liberal Party)

The motion, agreed to by the House, introduces procedures to ensure people who participate in committee proceedings receive fair treatment. In 2016, the Select Committee on the Legislative Council Committee System proposed that the Privileges Committees examine whether such procedures should be introduced. The Privileges Committee subsequently conducted an inquiry which arrived at the proposed motion.

This is similar to the procedures adopted by the Australian Senate (Procedures to be observed by Senate Committees for the protection of witnesses), including protections such as the opportunity to request a private hearing, attend a hearing with a legal advisor or support person and providing witnesses with the opportunity to make a submission before giving evidence.

While many of the procedures are already routinely adopted by committees, the formal adoption of publicly available procedures will strengthen the committee system by ensuring people are fully aware of their rights and responsibilities when participating in a committee inquiry. The resolution will have continuing effect beyond this term of Parliament, unless amended or rescinded.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Special Report on Global Warming (Mr Buckingham, The Greens)

The motion notes the statement in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on Global Warming that the use of coal to generate electricity must be reduced to 0-2 per cent by 2050 to limit global warming to below 1.5 degrees, and calls on the Government to develop an energy policy for the State to reduce emissions in line with the United Nations Paris Agreement.

The motion was originally moved by Mr Buckingham on 18 October and debate resumed on Thursday. Four Opposition members, and Mr Buckingham in his reply speech, spoke in favour of the motion criticising the steps taken by the Government to address global warming during its time in office. Two Government members spoke to the motion, arguing that the Government is committed to ensuring a smooth transition to a modern energy system that delivers affordable and reliable power and that the Government has an aspirational objective of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. (See Hansard for a transcript of the full debate).

The motion went to a division where it was defeated (16:20), with The Greens, the Opposition and the Animal Justice Party voting in favour, and the Christian Democratic Party and the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party voting with the Government against the motion.

Adjournment debate

The following members spoke to the adjournment debate:

  • Mr Mallard – Western Sydney
  • Mr Mookhey – First Nations Treaty / Privatisation
  • Ms Faehrmann – Blue Mountains Greater Glider / Gender Diversity
  • Mr Franklin – Invictus Games
  • Mr Primrose – Women in Local Government
  • Mr Buckingham – Energy Policy

See Hansard for details of the debate.