This Wednesday was the penultimate private members’ business day for 2023, with bills relating to the de-amalgamation of local councils and a ban on betting on animals introduced in the Legislative Council. The House also agreed to three orders for papers and debated a range of private members’ motions. This included condolence motions acknowledging the passing of both Stephen Bromhead and Helena Carr, and unanimous support for a motion, as amended, regarding Commonwealth infrastructure funding. Read on for more…
STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT: BICENTENARY CONCERT SERIES
The sitting began with a statement by the President about the Council’s ongoing Bicentenary concert series at Parliament House. The concerts have been held in the Fountain Court each sitting Wednesday over last weeks and months, with audiences invited to enjoy performances by musicians from Sydney Youth Orchestras and the Sydney Conservatorium of Music while reflecting on the Parliament’s past, celebrating progress made, and imaging the future – all key themes of the Bicentenary.
Next week, for the final sitting Wednesday of 2023, the President extends a warm invitation to all readers to pop into Parliament for the final concert of the year. A talented trombone quartet from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music will be playing a lively selection of festive favourites and crowd pleasers.
When: Wednesday 29 November, 12:45 – 1:30pm
Where: The Fountain Court of NSW Parliament House (6 Macquarie Street, Sydney)
Entry is free.
INTRODUCED: LOCAL GOVERNMENT AMENDMENT (DE-AMALGAMATION PLEBISCITES) BILL 2023
The Local Government Amendment (De-amalgamation Plebiscites) Bill 2023 was introduced by Dr Amanda Cohn (The Greens). The bill would amend the Local Government Act 1993 to allow binding plebiscites to be held in relation to the de-amalgamation of local councils. In 2016, a number of councils across NSW were amalgamated, and this bill seeks to allow constituents in these local government areas to vote, in a binding way, in order to de-amalgamate their council.
In her second reading speech, Dr Cohn noted that current legislation does not allow certain de-amalgamations to occur, even when supported by the Minister and relevant authorities, as there is no statutory mechanism to create two or more independent and fully functioning councils from one. The bill would remove this barrier, as well as requiring the Minister to act upon the result of a plebiscite where more than 50 per cent of electors vote in favour of a de-amalgamation. Further details of the bill are available in Dr Cohn’s second reading speech.
After its introduction, debate on the bill was adjourned for five calendar days according to standing order.
INTRODUCED: UNLAWFUL GAMBLING AMENDMENT (BETTING ON ANIMALS) BILL 2023
The Unlawful Gambling Amendment (Betting on Animals) Bill 2023 was introduced by the Hon Emma Hurst (Animal Justice Party) to outlaw gambling on activities involving live animals under the Unlawful Gambling Act 1998. The bill would make it an offence for a person to place a bet, or for a licensed bookmaker to take bets, on any activity involving animals.
Ms Hurst, in her second reading speech, said the bill does not seek to criminalise the activities of horse or greyhound racing, but instead makes gambling on these activities an offence. Further details of the bill are available in Ms Hurst’s full second reading speech.
After its introduction in the chamber, the bill was adjourned for five calendar days according to standing order.
IN COMMITTEES: AMENDMENT TO AN INQUIRY RESOLUTION & A SUPPLEMENTARY HEARING
Among the day’s business was a motion moved by the Hon Natalie Ward (Liberal) to amend the ongoing Public Accountability and Works Committee inquiry into the appointments of the Secretary of Transport for NSW and the NSW Cross-Border Assistant Commissioner. Following debate and an amendment, the House agreed on division (Ayes: 21 / Noes: 15) to expand the inquiry to also include the appointments of Senior Executives and Department Liaison Officers. The amended terms of reference and other information about the inquiry can be found here.
Also on Wednesday, the House agreed to the motion of the Hon Mark Banasiak (Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party) for a supplementary Budget Estimates hearing to further examine the portfolios of Agriculture, Regional NSW and Western NSW. The hearing is due to take place in the coming weeks, with information to be made available here.
GENERAL MOTIONS
The following motions were debated in the House over the course of the day:
| Topic of motion | Moved by | Agreed to? |
| Anniversary of the 2022 Eugowra floods (and also continued in Hansard here) | The Hon Sam Farraway (Nationals) | Agreed to |
| Demerger of Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council | The Hon Rod Roberts (Independent) | Agreed to |
| Passing of Stephen Bromhead | The Hon Bronnie Taylor (Nationals) | Agreed to |
| Condolence motion for Helena Carr | The Hon Mark Buttigieg (Labor) | Agreed to |
| Child sexual abuse proceedings and permanent stays | The Hon Jeremy Buckingham (Legalise Cannabis Party) | Agreed to |
| Commonwealth infrastructure funding | The Hon Sam Farraway (Nationals) | Agreed to, as amended |
| Delivery driver safety | The Hon Dr Sarah Kaine (Labor) | Agreed to |
| Consultant on the Coffs Harbour bypass project | The Hon Mark Latham (Independent) | Agreed to, as amended |
| Palliative care funding | The Hon Damien Tudehope (Liberal) | Debate interrupted by adjournment of the House |
In addition, the following general motions were agreed to without debate during the morning’s formal business:
- Kristallnacht Commemoration 2023, moved by the Hon Mark Buttigieg (Labor)
- Taipei Economic and Cultural Office reception, also moved by Mr Buttigieg
- AC/DC, moved by the Hon Jeremy Buckingham (Legalise Cannabis Party)
- Parliamentary Friends of France reception, moved by the Hon Natalie Ward (Liberal)
- Together for Humanity NSW Youth Summit, also moved by Ms Ward
- Hunter Valley bus accident memorial, also moved by Ms Ward
- Legal Profession Admission Board, moved by the Hon Susan Carter (Liberal)
- Netball NSW State Dinner Awards, moved by the Hon Aileen MacDonald (Liberal)
- Children’s Week 2023, also moved Mrs MacDonald
ORDERS FOR PAPERS
| Request | Moved by | Agreed to? | Due date |
| Papers relating to vehicle accident in NorthConnex | Ms Sue Higginson (The Greens) | Agreed to, as amended | 13 December 2023 |
| Papers relating to staffing requests from Ministerial offices | The Hon Natalie Ward (Liberal) | Agreed to, as amended | 13 December 2023 |
| Papers relating to the Transition Office and Coordinator General, Transport for NSW | The Hon Natalie Ward (Liberal) | Agreed to | 13 December 2023 |
DOCUMENTS TABLED AND REPORTED IN THE HOUSE
Find all documents tabled and reported in our Tabled Papers Database.
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