The June sitting period kicked off with a legislation packed day of Government business. A bill related to the employment of the CEO of the Museums of History and two related to reform Emergency Services Levy passed the House and a further bill, related to a trial of powers for police to use hand-held scanners to search people for knives and other weapons, was introduced late in the sitting. Read on for more…

PRESIDENT’S STATEMENTS – RESTORATION OF PARLIAMENTARY CHAMBERS AND THE ART OF BROKEN HILL EXHIBITION

Early in the day’s proceedings, the President made a statement to the House about the recent National Trust (NSW) Heritage Award received by the Parliament of NSW for the Chambers restoration project. This project was undertaken to restore and conserve the Parliament’s chambers and represents one of the many key milestones in the broader critical maintenance and restoration work recently completed at NSW Parliament House. Read the full statement in the Hansard record.

The President also made a statement about the newly opened exhibition The Art of Broken Hill, on now in the Parliament’s Fountain Court. This exhibition by West Darling Arts and Ngatyi Arts celebrates the rich cultural landscape of Broken Hill and presents a wide range of artistic styles and subjects. Read the full statement in the Hansard record. Find out more about the exhibition, and how to see it for yourself, on our website.

Ministerial Statement on Eraring Power Station

In her capacity as Minister for Energy, the Hon Penny Sharpe made a ministerial statement on Tuesday relating to Eraring Power Station. The full details of her statement can be found in the Hansard record. The Hon Damien Tudehope (Liberal), Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, spoke in reply on behalf of the Opposition.

Passed: Museums of History NSW Amendment (Chief Executive Officer) Bill 2024

The Museums of History NSW Amendment (Chief Executive Officer) Bill 2024 passed the Legislative Council on Tuesday. This bill seeks to amend the Museums of History NSW Act 2022 and the Government Sector Employment Act 2013 to change the way the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Museums of History NSW is appointed, moving from a statutory appointment under the Museums of History NSW Act 2013 to employment in the public service under the Government Sector Employment Act 2013. Read more about the bill in our previous blog.

Contributions to the second reading debate were made by members of the Opposition. Read the full debate in the Hansard record.

With the second and third readings of the bill agreed to on the voices, the bill was then sent to the Legislative Assembly for concurrence.

Passed: Emergency Services Levy Amendment (Land Classification) Bill 2024

Also passing the Council on Tuesday was the Emergency Services Levy Amendment (Land Classification) Bill 2024. This bill seeks to amend the Emergency Services Levy Act 2017 to provide for the preliminary classification of land for the purposes of evaluating and implementing reforms to the way in which emergency services are funded. Read more about this bill in our previous blog.

Contributions to the second reading debate were made by members of the Opposition. Read all member contributions in the Hansard record.

When the House resolved into committee of the whole, three amendments were moved by The Hon Damien Tudehope on behalf of the Opposition:

  • One amendment sought to alter the way the Chief Commissioner of Revenue must ensure compliance with the Act, removing any administrative penalty and requiring that audits be conducted. This amendment was negatived on the voices.
  • One amendment sought to see that guidelines issued related to the classification and sub-classifications of land are made available for public scrutiny 42 days prior to being enacted and that members of the public may make submissions related to the proposed guidelines. This amendment was negatives on division (Ayes: 17/Noes: 22)
  • One amendment sought to ensure that any reasonable costs incurred by local councils during the provision of land classification data are reimbursed. This amendment was agreed to on the voices.

The full committee of the whole proceedings can be read in the Hansard record, and continued here.

With no amendments made, the bill’s third reading was agreed to on the voices and it was sent to the Legislative Assembly for concurrence.

Passed: Emergency Services Levy Insurance Monitor Bill 2024

The Emergency Services Levy Insurance Monitor Bill 2024 also passed the Legislative Council on Tuesday. This bill seeks to appoint the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) as the Emergency Services Levy Insurance Monitor. Read a summary of the bill’s intent in our blog from when the bill was introduced.

Contributions to the second reading debate were made by members of the Opposition, the Government and The Greens. Read all member contributions in the Hansard record.

With the second and third readings of the bill agreed to on the voices, it was then sent to the Legislative Assembly for concurrence.

Introduced: Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) and Other Legislation Amendment (Knife Crime) Bill 2024

The Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) and Other Legislation Amendment (Knife Crime) Bill 2024 was received from the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday. This bill seeks to amend the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002 to provide for a trial of powers for police to use hand-held scanners to search people for knives and other weapons. The bill would also amend the Summary Offences Act 1988 in relation to offences involving the sale of knives to children.

In the second reading speech, Mr Mookhey explained that the bill seeks to introduce a legislative scheme which will permit police to search people in designated areas for knives and other weapons, without a warrant, using hand-held metal scanners. Under this scheme, a senior police officer will be able to declare certain public places as a ‘designated area’ for a period of 12 hours. During this time, police officers will be able to stop people in this designated area and search them for knives and other weapons using a handheld metal scanner. The bill also seeks to extend the prohibition of the sale of knives to children under the age of 16, increasing the penalty for selling a knife to someone aged under 16 from $5000 to $11,000, imprisonment for 12 months, or both. The bill would also introduce a new offence prohibiting a person from selling a knife to a child aged 16 or 17 without a reasonable excuse. This recognises that 16- and 17-year-olds may need to legitimately purchase a knife for the purpose of their occupation. Read more about the bill in Mr Mookhey’s second reading speech.

Contributions to the second reading debate were made by members of the Opposition, The Greens, the Government, the Legalise Cannabis Party and Independent member the Hon Rod Roberts. Read all member contributions in the Hansard record.

With the 10pm hard adjournment looming, the second reading debate was then adjourned until a future meeting of the House.

In Committees

During the day’s proceedings, the receipt of a number of committee reports was reported in the House.

Also in committees, The Hon Mark Banasiak, Chair of the PC4 Regional NSW Committee, notified the House that the committee has extended its reporting date for the inquiry into the operation of the approved charitable organisations under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 to 30 September 2024. The House also received a message from the Legislative Assembly agreeing to the resolution relating to the appointment of a Joint Select Committee on Arts and Music Education and Training in New South Wales. Keep an eye on our website for more information about the inquiry, including calls for submissions and hearing dates.

The House also continued ‘take note’ debates on the following committee reports:

GENERAL MOTIONS

The following motions were agreed to without debate, during the morning’s formal business:

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