The first private members’ business day of 2024 was jam packed! Wednesday saw members move motions on topics ranging from toll roads to the hemp industry in NSW. One private members’ bill was passed, which sought to prohibit certain types of tests and experiments being conducted on animals. Three orders for papers were also agreed to, and two new inquiries were established. Read on to learn more…
PASSED: Animal Research Amendment (Prohibition of Forced Swim Tests and Forced Smoke Inhalation Experiments) Bill 2023
The Animal Research Amendment (Prohibition of Forced Swim Tests and Forced Smoke Inhalation Experiments) Bill 2023 was back for debate in the Upper House, following its introduction by the Hon Emma Hurst (Animal Justice Party) in September last year. The bill seeks to prohibit the use of forced smoke inhalation experiments and forced swim tests in the course of animal research.
Read a full description of the bill in our earlier blog.
During the second reading debate contributions were made by members of the Government, the Opposition and The Greens. See all member’s contributions in the Hansard record.
The second reading of the bill was agreed to on division (Ayes: 22/Noes: 13) – with members of the Opposition and Independent the Hon Mark Latham voting against the bill – before the House resolved into committee of the whole for consideration of amendments.
The Hon Tara Moriarty moved four amendments on behalf of the Government, which sought to clarify that the prohibition of forced swim tests does not apply to tests using fish or other aquatic animals; to insert a penalty for individual researchers who conduct forced swim tests or forced smoke inhalation experiments; and to give the industry a longer transition period for those animal research authorities who are using the techniques that would become prohibited.
These amendments were agreed to on the voices. The full committee of the whole proceedings can be read here.
With the third reading of the bill agreed to on the voices, the bill was then sent to the Assembly for concurrence.
GENERAL MOTIONS
The following motions were debated in the House over the course of the day:
(NB. Motions relating to committee inquiries are discussed separately below)
| Topic of motion | Moved by | Agreed to? |
| Censure of the Leader of the Government – Accountability and transparency of the Goverment | The Hon Wes Fang (Nationals) | Negatived |
| City of Sydney’s motion on ‘truth telling in the public domain’ | The Hon Tania Mihailuk (Pauline Hanson’s One Nation) | Negatived on division (Ayes: 16/Noes: 19) |
| Weekly toll cap | The Hon Dr Sarah Kaine (Labor) | Agreed to |
| 75th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide | The Hon Chris Rath (Liberal) | Agreed to |
| History of hemp | The Hon Jeremy Buckingham (Legalise Cannabis Party) | Agreed to |
| Reinstatement of Back to School vouchers | The Hon Sarah Mitchell (Nationals) | Agreed to, as amended |
| Creation of Homes NSW | The Hon Dr Sarah Kaine (Labor) | Agreed to |
| The importance of civics education | The Hon Susan Carter (Liberal) | Agreed to, as amended |
| Modern Manufacturing Commissioner | The Hon Jacqui Munro (Liberal) | Negatived on division (Ayes: 12/Noes: 21) |
In addition to the above motions debated in the chamber, the following motions were agreed to without debate, during the morning’s formal business:
- Motion to table report of the Independent Legal Arbiter – palliative care funding commitment, moved by the Hon Damien Tudehope (Liberal)
- Motion to table report of the Independent Legal Arbiter – Transition Office and Coordinator General, Transport for NSW, moved by the Hon Scott Farlow on behalf of the Hon Natalie Ward (both Liberal)
- The Hon Dr Brian Pezzutti AM CSC RFD, also moved by Mr Farlow on behalf of Ms Ward
- Mr Vic Alhadeff OAM, also moved by Mr Farlow on behalf of Ms Ward
- Coptic Liturgy for the Feast of the Nativity 2024, also moved by Mr Farlow on behalf of Ms Ward
- Community Harmony Festival, moved by the Hon Mark Buttigieg (Labor)
- Pasifika Empowered 2023, also moved by Mr Buttigieg
- 70th anniversary of the University of New England, moved by the Hon Aileen MacDonald (Liberal)
ORDERS FOR PAPERS
| Request | Moved by | Agreed to? | Due date |
| Papers relating to Transport Oriented Development program | The Hon Scott Farlow (Liberal) | Agreed to, as amended | 28 February 2024 |
| Papers relating to Albury Hospital Redevelopment – further order | Dr Amanda Cohn (The Greens) | Agreed to | 28 February 2024 |
| Papers related to Department of Regional NSW Senior Executives’ termination of employment | The Hon Sarah Mitchell (Nationals) | Agreed to | 28 February 2024 |
NEW INQUIRIES ESTABLISHED
Among the day’s general motions, the House agreed a motion, moved by Ms Abigail Boyd (The Greens), that the Procedure Committee inquire into and report on updating the standing orders in relation to respectful behaviour in the chamber, particularly as they relate to sexism and racism. This follows a recommendation from the Independent Review of Bullying, Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct in NSW Parliamentary Workplaces 2022, that members “should lead discussion on updating the standing orders to require respectful behaviour in both Houses…”. Stay tuned for more information on this inquiry on the Parliament’s website.
The House also agreed to a motion, moved by Ms Cate Faehrmann (The Greens) and amended on division by Ms Sue Higginson (The Greens), to establish a new inquiry by the Transport and Arts Committee into the impact of the Rozelle Interchange. Find out more about the inquiry on our website and stay tuned for details of how you can get involved.