It was another busy day of Private Members’ Business on Wednesday with one bill introduced, one negatived and one new inquiry established relating to the regulatory framework for cannabis in NSW. In a rare procedural occurrence for the House, two motions on the same topic were moved at the same time. The motions were related to the Bicentenary of the Legislative Council and First Nations People, with the Hon Jeremy Buckingham moving both on behalf of himself and the Hon Stephen Lawrence. Read on for more…
INTRODUCED: ANTI-DISCRIMINATION AMENDMENT (HETEROSEXUAL DISCRIMINATION) BILL 2024
The Anti-Discrimination Amendment (Heterosexual Discrimination) Bill 2024 was introduced in the Legislative Council on Wednesday by the Hon Mark Banasiak (Shooters, Fisher and Farmers Party). This bill seeks to amend the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 to prohibit discrimination against a person on the grounds of the person’s heterosexuality.
The bill would make discrimination based on a person’s heterosexuality, or perceived heterosexuality, unlawful. The bill specifies that the unlawful discrimination could take place in relation to employment, educational settings, in the provision of goods and services, accommodation and in registered clubs. It also sets out a definition of heterosexual vilification which includes speaking, writing, or the distribution of matter which promotes or expresses hatred towards a person or group of people due to their heterosexuality.
In his second reading speech, Mr Banasiak explains that the bill seeks to include heterosexuality in the Anti-Discrimination Act, which already lists other features such as sexual orientation, race and age. Read more about the bill in the Mr Banasiak’s second reading speech.
Following Mr Banasiak’s second reading speech explaining the bill, debate on the bill was adjourned to a future sitting of the House.
NEGATIVED: CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT (RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS) BILL 2023 AND CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT (RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS – REFERENDUM) BILL 2023
The Constitution Amendment (Rights and Freedoms) Bill 2023 and Constitution Amendment (Rights and Freedoms – Referendum) Bill 2023 were introduced in cognate by the Hon John Ruddick (Liberal Democratic Party). The first bill seeks to amend the Constitution Act 1902 to limit the power of the Parliament to make laws restricting certain personal rights and freedoms.
Read more about the bill in our blog from when the bill was introduced.
Contributions to the second reading debate were made by members of the Government, the Opposition, and Independent member the Hon Mark Latham. Read all members’ contributions in the Hansard record.
At the conclusion of the debate, the second reading of the bill was negatived on division, with 7 Ayes and 30 Noes.
General motions
The following motions were debated in the House over the course of the day:
| Topic of motion | Moved by | Agreed to? |
| Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC) Parramatta | The Hon Rachel Merton (Liberal) | Agreed to, as amended |
| Prosecution of Forestry Corporation of NSW and continued here | Ms Sue Higginson (The Greens) | Negatived on division (Ayes: 6/Noes: 32) |
| Regional Youth Taskforce | The Hon Sarah Mitchell (The Nationals) | Agreed to, as amended |
| Bicentenary of the Legislative Council and Wiradjuri History, and the Bicentenary of the Legislative Council and consultation with First Nations People | Two motions moved together by The Hon Jeremy Buckingham (Legalise Cannabis Party), with the second motion moved on behalf of the Hon Stephen Lawrence (Labor) | Agreed to The conduct of business motion agreed to to give this debate priority included two special procedural highlights: the authority for the motions to be moved together, and provision that debate may include speaking in the Wiradjuri language. The motion also required that a translation in the English language be included in Hansard. |
| GST distribution between states | The Hon Mark Latham (Independent) | Agreed to |
| Together Home Program | The Hon Natasha Maclaren-Jones (Liberal) | Agreed to, as amended |
| Issues affecting men and boys in NSW | The Hon Robert Borsak (Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party) | Agreed to, as amended |
| Trade statement for NSW | The Hon Jacqui Munro (Liberal) | Negatived on division (Ayes: 14/Noes: 24) |
| Select Committee on the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions | The Hon Tania Mihailuk (Pauline Hanson’s One Nation) | Negatived on division (Ayes: 5/Noes: 31) |
| Culling of brumbies in Kosciuszko National Park | The Hon Emma Hurst (Animal Justice Party) | Negatived on division (Ayes: 9/Noes: 20) |
| Broken Hill Residential Rehabilitation Centres | Ms Cate Faehrmann (The Greens) | Agreed to, as amended |
| Political neutrality in schools | Ms Rachel Merton (Liberal) | Agreed to |
In addition to the above motions debated in the chamber, the following motions were agreed to without debate, during the morning’s formal business:
- Pathways to Politics Program 2023, moved by the Hon Aileen MacDonald (Liberal)
- Society of Notaries of NSW, also moved by Ms MacDonald
- Bathurst and Orange Rail Action Groups, moved by the Hon Sam Farraway (Nationals)
- Lithgow Show 2024, also moved by Mr Farraway
- Village Voice Community Newspaper, also moved by Mr Farraway
- Australian Open Squash Tournament 2024, also moved by Mr Farraway
- Tribute to Steven Wise, moved by the Hon Emma Hurst (Animal Justice Party)
- Hockeyroos and Kookaburras 2023-24 Fih Pro League Campaign, moved by the Hon Natalie Ward (Liberal)
- Camden Show 2024, moved by the Hon Rachel Merton (Liberal)
- Restoration of Media Monitoring for members of Parliament, moved by the Hon Natalie Ward (Liberal) on behalf of the Hon Natasha Maclaren-Jones
- Archdiocese of Sydney St Patrick’s Day Mass, moved by the Hon Susan Carter (Liberal)
IN COMMITTEES
Later in the sitting day, the House agreed to a motion moved by the Hon Jeremy Buckingham (Legalise Cannabis Party) for the Premier and Finance Committee to establish an inquiry into the impact of the regulatory framework for cannabis in NSW. Read the terms of reference in the Hansard record. Find more details about the inquiry soon on the inquiry webpage.