In the House – Wednesday 8 June 2022

Another Wednesday, another busy day devoted to private members’ business – with two new bills introduced, a further two debated, and debate on various motions, including orders for papers. Wednesday also saw the tabling of the very first Statement of Public Interest on a bill tabled in the House, in this case relating to the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022. Statements of Public Interest on bills are required under the new proposed standing orders currently being trialled by the House, which were adopted in the last sitting week (see our earlier blog post). 

Read on to find out more. 

Industrial Relations Legislation Amendment (Public Sector Remuneration Cap Repeal) Bill 2022

​​Mr Borsak (Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party) introduced the Industrial Relations Legislation Amendment (Public Sector Remuneration Cap Repeal) Bill 2022. The bill seeks to amend legislation to repeal the government policy that prevents public sector employee remuneration increases of more than 2.5% per annum, and to prevent the adoption of new government policies that would limit public sector employee remuneration increases by reference to a per annum percentage. You can find Mr Borsak’s second reading speech in Hansard for a full overview.

According to standing order, debate on the bill was adjourned for five calendar days at the conclusion of Mr Borsak’s speech.

Fiscal Responsibility Amendment Bill 2022

​​Ms Boyd (The Greens) introduced the Fiscal Responsibility Amendment Bill 2022. The bill seeks to amend the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2012 to make further provision about the principles of sound financial management in the conduct of fiscal policy, and reporting requirements in relation to those principles. Read Ms Boyd’s full second reading speech in Hansard.

According to standing order, debate on the bill was adjourned for five calendar days at the conclusion of Ms Boyd’s speech.

Rock Fishing Safety Amendment Bill 2021

Debate resumed on the Rock Fishing Safety Amendment Bill 2021, first introduced by Mr Banasiak (Shooters, Fishers and Farmers) on 9 June 2021. The bill seeks to amend the Rock Fishing Safety Act 2016 to extend the application of the Act to high-risk rock fishing locations anywhere in NSW, and to require persons to wear appropriate footwear when rock fishing.

Members including Mr Secord (Labor), Minister Tudehope (Liberal) and Mr Field (Independent) contributed to the second reading debate, before Mr Banasiak gave his speech-in-reply. The House agreed to the second reading of the bill on division, 20 ayes to 17 noes.

In committee of the whole, two Opposition amendments were moved by Mr Secord, the first being agreed to on the voices, and the second being agreed to on division, 20 ayes to 16 noes. The House then agreed on division that the bill, as amended, be agreed to (21 ayes to 15 noes). Following the committee stage, the bill was read a third time (again on division, 20 ayes to 16 noes), before being forwarded to the Assembly.

The second reading debate and committee of the whole proceedings are available in the day’s Hansard.

Great Koala Protected Area Bill 2021

Debate also resumed on the Great Koala Protected Area Bill 2021, first introduced by Ms Faehrmann (The Greens) on 18 November 2021. The bill seeks to establish the Great Koala Protected Area to promote the conservation and growth of the koala population and habitat in certain land.

A number of members made second reading contributions, including Ms Sharpe (Labor), Ms Higginson (The Greens), Ms Cusack (Liberal) and Mr Fang (Nationals). Following Ms Faehrmann’s speech-in-reply, the second reading of the bill was negatived on division, 7 ayes to 30 noes. You can read the full second reading debate in Hansard.

Orders for papers

The following orders for papers were debated and agreed to:

• Powerhouse Ultimo Renewal, Powerhouse Parramatta and Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (Mr Secord) – due 20 July 2022
• Mr David Baynie (Mrs Houssos, Labor) – due 29 June 2022
• Floodplain harvesting metrics (Mr Field, Independent) – due 22 June 2022
• Additional Budget Estimates 2021-2022 hearing for Small Business and Fair Trading (Mrs Houssos) – due 29 June 2022
• School targets and standards (Mrs Houssos) – due 29 June 2022

General motions

The following general motions were debated and agreed to:

• Independent Commission Against Corruption – Reporting timeframe, as amended (Mr Latham, Pauline Hanson’s One Nation)
• Northern Rivers region floods (Mr Pearson, Animal Justice Party)