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:

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:

ORDERS FOR PAPERS

The following orders for papers were debated and agreed to:

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