In addition to the valedictory speech of long-serving member the Hon Shaoquett Moselmane, Wednesday brought with it three bills spanning the topics of firearm silencers, native forestry operations and the breeding of companion animals. The House also dealt with a number of orders for papers, and a couple of general motions. Read on for details…
STATEMENT ON THE BICENTENARY PROGRAM LAUNCH
The sitting day began with the President, the Hon Matthew Mason-Cox, acknowledging the official launch of the program of events for the Legislative Council’s upcoming Bicentenary. The program was announced the evening prior by the Governor of NSW and Patron of the Bicentenary, Her Excellency the Hon Margaret Beazley AC KC.
Discover what’s in store over the next two years with the video below, with details also available via the official Bicentenary website.
See photos from the launch below:
Her Excellency the Hon Margaret Beazley AC KC officially launched the program of unfolding Bicentenary events 
The Bicentenary program was launched at NSW Parliament House, with more than 350 people in attendance 
President Matthew Mason-Cox speaking at the Bicentenary program launch 
The Clerk of the Legislative Council, David Blunt, speaking at the program launch 
Legislative Council member the Hon Mark Pearson led the signing of the Australian National Anthem 
Bicentenary Ambassadors were officially announced on the night – including Vickie Parry (pictured), co-chair of the NSW Coalition of Aboriginal Regional Alliances (NCARA) and Executive Director of the Barang Regional Alliance 
Emily Milton Smith, who is State Commissioner and Chair of Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT, was one of the Bicentenary Ambassadors announced on the night 
Bicentenary Ambassadors Joy Beames (President of the NSW Country Women’s Association) and renowned broadcaster Alan Jones are pictured with President Mason-Cox at the Bicentenary program launch
WEAPONS PROHIBITION AMENDMENT (SILENCERS) BILL 2022
The Weapons Prohibition Amendment (Silencers) Bill 2022 was introduced on Wednesday by the Hon Mark Banasiak, on behalf of the Hon Robert Borsak (Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party). The bill seeks to amend the Weapons Prohibition Act 1998 to provide for the issuing of gun silencer permits to people who have a “genuine reason” for requiring a device that supresses noise created by firing a gun.
Specifically, the bill would allow the NSW Firearms Registry to issue silencer permits to those who hold a firearms licence endorsed for recreation or sporting purposes, upon the provision of a medical certificate from a medical doctor or audiologist. In doing so, the bill intends to improve hearing protection for firearm owners, and provide consistency with SafeWork NSW Code of Practice.
Find full details in the second reading speech, as recorded in Hansard. At the conclusion of the speech, according to standing order, debate was adjourned for five calendar days.
LOCAL LAND SERVICES AMENDMENT (PRIVATE NATIVE FORESTRY) BILL 2022
Also on Wednesday, the Hon Mark Banasiak (Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party) introduced the Local Land Services Amendment (Private Native Forestry) Bill 2022, which intends to simply the approval process for landholders seeking to undertake private native forestry activities.
The current approval process requires dual consent under the Local Land Services Act 2013 and the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. The bill would amend the former legislation, so that if a landholder obtains an approved private native forestry plan under the Local Land Service Act, the requirement of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act for environmental assessment – such as through the relevant council’s local environment plan – would not apply. The bill would, however, still require concurrence from the Environment Minister.
Further details can be found in the second reading speech, which appears in Hansard here. Following its introduction, debate on the bill was adjourned for five calendar days according to standing order.
COMPANION ANIMALS AMENDMENT (PUPPY FARMS) BILL 2021
The Companion Animals Amendment (Puppy Farms) Bill 2021 was first introduced in the Council by the Hon Emma Hurst (Animal Justice Party) in late 2021. It would amend the Companion Animals Act 1998 to regulate the breeding of companion animals, including requiring businesses that breed and sell dogs and cats to register with local councils, with councils also granted inspection and enforcement powers. Full details can be seen in the Ms Hurst’s second reading speech from November 2021.
On Wednesday, the second reading debate on this bill picked up from where it left off in November 2021, with the House hearing contributions from a number of members – many noting the work of the Select Committee on Puppy Farming in NSW, to which the bill was referred to for inquiry and report. The findings and recommendations from this parliamentary inquiry can be found here.
Contributions to the day’s second reading debate can be read across Hansard here and here.
At the conclusion of the debate, the House divided on the second reading of the bill. The result was 17 ayes to 16 noes, with members of the Animal Justice Party, The Greens, Labour and Independents Mr Justin Field and Rev the Hon Fred Nile voting in favour of the bill.
With the second reading agreed to, consideration of the bill in committee of the whole is set to take place during a future sitting of the House.
VALEDICTORY SPEECH OF THE HON SHAOQUETT MOSELMANE
With his current term of service in the Council coming to an end, on Wednesday evening the Hon Shaoquett Moselmane (Labor) delivered his valedictory speech to a chamber overflowing with colleagues, family and friends, as well as members from across the community.
First elected in 2009, Mr Moselmane has been a member of the Council for nearly 13 years. In his speech – which can be read in full in Hansard here – Mr Moselmane reflected on his proudest moments, and at the conclusion of his speech he received a lengthy standing ovation.
GENERAL MOTIONS
The following general motions were debated:
- Jewish Board of Deputies – moved by the Hon Scott Farlow (Liberal) and agreed to on the voices
- Inquiry into COVID classification of Minister Hazzard – moved by the Hon Mark Latham (Pauline Hanson’s One Nation) and agreed to on division
ORDERS FOR PAPERS
The following orders for papers were debated and agreed to:
- Chemical overspray and chemical drift – moved by Ms Sue Higginson (The Greens) – due 9 November 2022
- Administration of Insurance and Care NSW (icare) – further order moved by the Hon Daniel Mookhey (Labor) – due 9 November 2022
- Transport Asset Holding Entity of NSW – moved by the Hon Daniel Mookhey (Labor) – due 9 November 2022
- Briefing for the Police Commissioner – moved by the Hon Rod Roberts (Pauline Hanson’s One Nation) – due 26 October 2022
- Campbelltown Hospital Maternity Unit – moved by the Hon Greg Donnelly (Labor) – due 9 November 2022
- KPMG report prepared for Fire and Rescue NSW – moved by the Hon Mark Buttigieg (Labor) – due 9 November 2022
- Water resource plans – moved by Mr Justin Field (Independent) – due 30 November 2022
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