In the final private members’ day before the winter break, the House debated 10 general motions and agreed to three orders for papers. One bill was introduced, seeking to change the Road Rules for provisional licence holders and one bill was debated, related to the keeping of animals in residential premises. Read on for more…
PRESIDENT’S STATEMENT – BICENTENARY CONCERT SERIES
Early in the sitting day, the President made a statement about the Council’s continuing Bicentenary Concert Series being held in NSW Parliament’s Fountain Court. The concerts have been held in the Fountain Court throughout the year, with audiences invited to enjoy musical performances while reflecting on the Parliament’s past, celebrating progress made, and imaging the future – all key themes of the Bicentenary celebrations.
On Wednesday, we were joined by the Andromeda Saxophone Quartet from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music who shared a diverse repertoire of songs, from classical compositions to contemporary works. See more in our gallery below.
INTRODUCED: ROAD RULES AMENDMENT (MOBILE PHONES AS NAVIGATION AIDS FOR PROVISIONAL LICENCE HOLDERS) BILL 2024
The Road Rules Amendment (Mobile Phones as Navigation Aids for Provisional Licence Holders) Bill 2024 was introduced in the Legislative Council by the Hon John Ruddick (Libertarian Party). This bill would amend the Road Rules 2014 allowing provisional licence holders over the age of 25 to use their mobile phones as GPS navigational aids.
In his second reading speech, Mr Ruddick explained that under this bill, P1 or P2 provisional licence holders aged over the age of 25 may not touch their phone while driving but they would be able to set it to be used for navigation while the car is parked. The bill would make this change for a 12 month period, after which further legislation would be required to extend these rules or make them permanent. Read more about the bill in Mr Ruddick’s second reading speech.
Following the bill’s introduction, debate was adjourned for five calendar days, according to standing order.
DEBATED: RESIDENTIAL TENANCIES AMENDMENT (ANIMALS IN RESIDENTIAL PREMISES) BILL 2024
Debate on the Residential Tenancies Amendment (Animals in Residential Premises) Bill 2024 began on Wednesday. This private members’ bill, previously introduced by the Hon Emma Hurst (Animal Justice Party) seeks to amend the Residential Tenancies Act 2010 to provide that landlords cannot refuse tenants permission to keep an animal in a residential premises. Read more about the bill in our previous blog.
Contributions to the second reading debate were made by members of the Government, the Opposition, The Greens and Independent member the Hon Rod Roberts. Read all member contributions in the Hansard record.
Further debate on the bill was adjourned until a future sitting of the House.
GENERAL MOTIONS
The following motions were debated in the House over the course of the day:
| Topic of motion | Moved by | Agreed to? |
| Decisions of the Active Super board, and continued here | The Hon Damien Tudehope (Liberal) | Agreed to, as amended |
| Transgrid Connection Acceleration Grant | Ms Abigail Boyd (The Greens) | Negatived |
| Accessible and affordable childcare in regional NSW | The Hon Sarah Mitchell (The Nationals) | Agreed to |
| Call for no new or increased state taxes | The Hon Chris Rath (Liberal) | Agreed to, as amended |
| Housing crisis solutions | The Hon Bob Nanva (Labor) | Agreed to, as amended |
| CFMEU Construction and General actions | The Hon Chris Rath (Liberal) | Agreed to, as amended |
| 76th Independence Day of the State of Israel | The Hon Rachel Merton (Liberal) | Agreed to, as amended |
| Positive planning reforms | Ms Sue Higginson (The Greens) | Agreed to |
| Housing supply measures | The Hon Jeremy Buckingham (Legalise Cannabis Party) | Agreed to |
| Future of nuclear energy in NSW | The Hon Peter Primrose (Labor) | Agreed to, as amended, on division (Ayes: 19/Noes: 16) |
In addition to the above motions debated in the chamber, the following motions were agreed to without debate, during the morning’s formal business:
- Lion Dance Kids First Competition 2023, moved by the Hon Mark Buttigieg (Labor)
- World Blood Donor Day 2024, moved by Dr Amanda Cohn (The Greens)
- Service of Mr Lawrence Dimech OAM MOM, moved by the Hon Mark Buttigieg (Labor)
- Use of shock collars on animals, moved by the Hon Emma Hurst (Animal Justice Party)
- Outcome of Republic of China (Taiwan) Election 2024, moved by the Hon Rachel Merton (Liberal)
- Physical books in NSW schools, also moved by Ms Merton
ORDERS FOR PAPERS
| Request | Moved by | Agreed to? | Due date |
| Sydney Fish Market redevelopment and Infrastructure NSW governance | The Hon Mark Banasiak (Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party) | Agreed to | 15 July 2024 |
| Greyhound welfare | The Hon Emma Hurst (Animal Justice Party) | Agreed to | 10 July 2024 |
| Budget efficiency dividends | The Hon Susan Carter (Liberal) | Agreed to, as by leave amended | 17 July 2024 |
DOCUMENTS TABLED AND REPORTED IN THE HOUSE
The sixth Delegated Legislation Monitor report published by the Legislative Council Regulation Committee was tabled in the House. A full list of other reports received and tabled can be found in the Tabled Papers Database.
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