In the House – Wednesday 22 June 2022

This sitting was another busy private members’ day, with three private members’ bills introduced, two private members bills debated, and the House agreeing to a number of general motions and orders for papers. Read on to see how things unfolded… 

Criminal Assets Recovery (Unexplained Wealth) Bill 2022

Mr Secord (Labor) introduced the Criminal Assets Recovery (Unexplained Wealth) Bill 2022. The bill seeks to amend the Criminal Assets Recovery Act 1990 to provide that an unexplained wealth order may be made where a court is satisfied a person’s total wealth is greater than the person’s lawfully acquired wealth, and for other purposes. Read Mr Secord’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 Mr Secord’s speech.

Roads Amendment (Tolling Transparency) Bill 2022

Mr Graham (Labor) introduced the Roads Amendment (Tolling Transparency) Bill 2022. The bill seeks to amend the Roads Act 1993 to require the prominent display of toll charges at each public entrance to a tollway, and to provide for transparency in and scrutiny of agreements entered into for the operation of tollways. Read Mr Graham’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 Mr Graham’s speech.

Animal Research Amendment (Right to Release) Bill 2022

Debate resumed on the Animal Research Amendment (Right to Release) Bill 2022 from 18 May 2022. The bill seeks to insert a new clause into the Animal Research Act 1985 to give dogs and cats used in animal experimentation the right to be released, and to increase the number of animals rehomed after experimentation in NSW. The bill has the support of several rescue organisations.

Members of the Labor Party, Government, Greens and Animal Justice Party spoke to the bill. While only the Government expressed opposition to the bill, the Labor Party advised that it would only support the bill if an amendment it intended to move was agreed to in committee of the whole. The second reading was agreed on division (23 ayes to 15 noes) – you can find the contributions to the second reading in the Hansard record.

In committee of the whole, Mr Veitch (Labor) moved one amendment which would allow for a cat or dog to be used in research for longer than three years if the Minister and the Animal Research Review Panel have put it through an approval process. The amendment was agreed to.

As the Labor Party’s support had been contingent on its amendment being agreed to, the third reading of the bill was passed on the voices and the amended bill was forwarded to the Legislative Assembly for concurrence.

Aboriginal Cultural Heritage (Culture Is Identity) Bill 2022

Revd Mr Nile (Independent) introduced the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage (Culture Is Identity) Bill 2022. The bill, which is co-sponsored in the Legislative Council by Mr Field (Independent), Ms Hurst (Animal Justice Party) and Mr Pearson (Animal Justice Party), seeks to recognise, protect, conserve and preserve Aboriginal cultural heritage, and for related purposes. Read Revd Mr Nile’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 Revd Mr Nile’s speech.

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

Debate on the Industrial Relations Legislation Amendment (Public Sector Remuneration Cap Repeal) Bill 2022 resumed from 8 June 2022. The bill seeks to repeal the government policy that prevents public sector employee remuneration increases of more than 2.5% per annum, and prevent the adoption of new government policies that would limit remuneration increases by reference to a per annum percentage.

Members from the Government, Labor Party, One Nation, Greens, and Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party spoke to the bill. Mr Mookhey (Labor) moved an amendment to refer the bill to Portfolio Committee No. 1 for inquiry and report, which was negatived on division (12 ayes to 24 noes). With the Government and the Labor Party opposing the bill, the second reading of the bill was negatived on division (9 ayes to 26 noes). You can find the full second reading debate in the Hansard record here and here.

Orders for papers

The following orders for papers were agreed to:

• Castle Hill High School (Mr Latham, Pauline Hanson’s One Nation) – due 13 July 2022
• Treasury projects (Mr Mookhey, Labor) – due 13 July 2022
• TAFE NSW Student Management System (Mr Veitch, Labor) – due 13 July 2022
• Appointment of Senior Trade and Investment Commissioners (Mr Field, Independent) – due 6 July 2022
• Anti-protest legislation (Ms Boyd, The Greens) – due 13 July 2022
• 64 Ferodale Road, Medowie (Mrs Houssos, Labor) – due 6 July 2022
• Design and Place SEPP, as amended (Ms Faehrmann, The Greens) – due 27 July 2022
• Documents relating to court decisions on compensation claims (Mr Roberts, Pauline Hanson’s One Nation) – due 1 July 2022

General motions

The following general motions were agreed to:

• Appointment of Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner to the Americas, as amended (Ms Sharpe, Labor)
• Independence Day of Israel 2022 (Yom Ha’atzmaut) (Mr Farlow, Liberal)