The Legislative Council was back on Tuesday for a full day of Government Business. The House passed two bills, one related to transport administration and the promotion of active transport and one that will update the administrative arrangements for the Regional Development Trust Fund. The President made a statement about the recent unveiling of the Bicentenary artwork, Ngurra Jagun, and a number of committee reports were tabled and reported in the House. Read on for more…
PRESIDENT’S STATEMENT: UNVEILING OF BICENTENARY ARTWORK
Early on Tuesday, the President made a statement to the House about the recently unveiled the artwork Ngurra Jagun by Gumbaynggir/Bundjalung artist Kim Healey. This artwork was commissioned by the Parliament of NSW on the occasion of the Bicentenary of the Legislative Council.
The large-scale artwork inspires deep reflection on our collective past, present and future and celebrates the connection of our State’s First Nations people with the land, waters and sky where we live and where Parliament meets. “Ngurra” is a Gumbaynggirr word for “home” or “shelter”, and “jagun” is a Bundjalung word that means “country”. Together, they mean “homeland” or “home country”.
Ngurra Jagun has taken up permanent residence on the north wall in Parliament’s Fountain Court, be sure to stop by for a look when you next visit NSW Parliament House!
INTRODUCED: AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER BILL 2024
After the days’ formal business, the Minster for Agriculture the Hon Tara Moriarty introduced the Agriculture Commissioner Bill 2024. This bill would establish the office of the Agriculture Commissioner and provide for the functions of the office. This bill is the first time the new sessional order enabling the Government to give notice of a bill and introduce it on the same day was used.
In her second reading speech, Minister Moriarty explained that the state currently has a non-statutory Agriculture Commissioner and that this bill seeks to enshrine this role in legislation. The Agriculture Commissioner would give advice about and undertake reviews into agriculture matters, including agricultural productivity, land use conflicts and food security. They would provide independent and impartial expert advice and recommendations to the Government and be required to produce and publish reports about the reviews undertaken. The bill would require Ministers to respond to recommendations made by the Commissioner and establish powers for the commissioner to require information from public service agencies. Read more about the bill in Minister Moriarty’s second reading speech.
Following the bill’s introduction, debate was adjourned for five calendar days, according to standing order.
PASSED: TRANSPORT ADMINISTRATION AMENDMENT BILL 2024
The Transport Administration Amendment Bill 2024 passed the Legislative Council on Tuesday. This bill amends the Transport Administration Act 1988 to promote active transport and to improve the activation of public spaces. It also converts the Transport Asset Holding Entity of NSW (TAHE) into the Transport Asset Manager NSW (TAM) and provides for its functions, management and status. Read more about the bill in our previous blog.
With the second reading debate having taken place on a previous sitting day, when the House resolved into committee of the whole…
- Two amendments were moved by Ms Abigail Boyd on behalf of The Greens which sought to update the definition of ‘active transport and activation purpose’ to include making active transport accessible for those living with a disability. These amendments were agreed to on the voices.
- Two amendments were moved by Ms Abigail Boyd on behalf of The Greens which sought to amend the objectives of public service agencies to make them people focused, putting the needs and expectations of the person at the forefront of transport design. These amendments were negatived on the voices.
- Seven further amendments were moved by Ms Abigail Boyd on behalf of The Greens which sought to increase transparency and accountability of the TAM by adjusting the content of their corporate plans and annual reports, including ensuring they report on the proposed sale, lease or disposal of land in the upcoming financial year. These amendments were agreed to on the voices.
Read the full committee of the whole proceedings in the Hansard record.
With the third reading of the bill agreed to on the voices, the bill was then returned to the Legislative Assembly, ready for the Governor’s assent.
PASSED: REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AMENDMENT BILL 2024
The Regional Development Amendment Bill 2024 also passed the Legislative Council on Tuesday. This bill makes miscellaneous amendments to the Regional Development Act 2004, including to update the administrative arrangements for the Regional Development Trust Fund.
The introduction of this bill by Minister Tara Moriarty began on the last sitting day, with Minister Moriarty concluding her second reading speech on Tuesday. In this speech, she explained that the bill’s proposed changes to the Act were informed by a 2024 review of the Act and the related Consultation Report. The bill seeks to update the objects of the Act to reflect changing needs and expectations of regional NSW, extend the types of financial assistance made available through the Act and introduce a new governance framework and reporting provisions for the Act.
Key provisions of the bill include promoting economic growth and sustainability in regional NSW, supporting Aboriginal enterprises, and encouraging local collaboration. The bill allows the Minister to grant financial assistance for projects aligned with the new objects of the Act, including loans and grants. It also mandates a governance framework, investment strategy and annual reporting on fund disbursements. The bill introduces flexibility in funding and investment decisions aimed at fostering regional development. Read more about the bill in Minister Moriarty’s second reading speech, and continued here.
Contributions to the second reading debate were made by members of the Opposition, The Greens, and the Government. Read all member contributions here, and continued here.
When the House resolved into committee of the whole…
- Four amendments were moved by the Hon Emma Hurst on behalf of the Animal Justice Party which sought to expand the object of Act to include consideration of animal welfare. Three of these amendments were negatived on the voices, and one lapsed as it was the same as an amendment moved by The Greens, which passed.
- Five amendments were moved by Ms Sue Higginson on behalf of The Greens which sought to expand the object of the Act to include consideration of the environment and ecologically sustainable development. These amendments were agreed to on the voices.
- Seven amendments were moved by the Hon Sarah Mitchell on behalf of the Opposition which sought to update the object of the Act, change proposed loans from the Trust to grants, amend the governance framework and investment strategy for the Trust to include pathways for local councils or businesses and not-for-profits, and change the membership of the Regional Development Advisory Council. These amendments were negatived on the voices.
- Two further amendments were moved by Ms Sue Higginson on behalf of The Greens which sought to ensure the Minister considers Advisory Council advice and that the actions taken as a result of this are documented in the Annual Report. These amendments were agreed to on the voices.
Read the full committee of the whole proceedings in the Hansard record.
The House divided on the third reading of the bill (Ayes: 22/Noes: 11), with members of the Opposition and the Libertarian Party voting in the negative. The bill was then sent on to the Assembly for consideration of the changes.
DEBATED: PORTS AND MARITIME ADMINISTRATION AMENDMENT BILL 2024
The Ports and Maritime Administration Amendment Bill 2024 was debated in the Legislative Council on Tuesday. This bill would amend the Ports and Maritime Administration Act 1995, the Ports and Maritime Administration Regulation 2021 and the Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Regulation 2017 to implement recommendations arising from an independent review of the Act. Read more about the bill in our previous blog.
Contributions to the second reading debate were made by members of the Opposition, The Greens and the Government. Read all member contributions in the Hansard record.
When the House resolved into committee of the whole, Ms Abigail Boyd moved two amendments on behalf of The Greens which sought to ensure that the Maritime Advisory Council included a union representative and amend how penalty notice offences are issued. These amendments were agreed to on division (Ayes: 19/Noes: 13). Read the committee of the whole proceedings in the Hansard record.
With the hard adjournment time of 10pm looming, the committee reported progress to the House and further debate on the bill was adjourned until a future sitting day.
GENERAL MOTIONS
The following motions were agreed to without debate, during the day’s formal business:
- Jewish Community Law Service 2024, moved by the Hon Mark Buttigieg (Labor)
- Service of Councillor Dr George Greiss, moved by the Hon Rachel Merton (Liberal)
IN COMMITTEES
Reported in the House on Tuesday, the Education Committee’s inquiry into children and young people with disability in NSW educational settings has had its reporting date extended to 22 August 2024. An update on the membership of the Standing Committee on Social Issues was also given to the House, with the Hon. Jeremy Buckingham tending his resignation from the committee on 10 September 2024. The Clerk has sought nominations from members of the crossbench to fill the vacancy.
The House also heard ‘take note’ debates on the following committee reports:
- Veterinary workforce shortage in New South Wales, report No. 58 of Portfolio Committee No. 4 – Regional NSW dated June 2024
- Budget Estimates 2023-2024, report no. 22 of Portfolio Committee No. 6 – Transport and the Arts dated June 2024
- Budget Estimates 2023‑2024, report No. 62 of Portfolio Committee No. 5 – Justice and Communities dated June 2024
The receipt of the following committee reports was reported in the House:
- Children and young people with disability in New South Wales educational settings, report No. 52 of Portfolio Committee No. 3 – Education dated August 2024
- Draft Constitution (Disclosures by Members) Regulation 2024, report No. 96 of the Privileges Committee dated September 2024
- Recommendations of the ICAC arising out of Operation Keppel, report No. 97 of the Privileges Committee dated September 2024
- Review of Independent Complaints Officer system (2023), report No. 98 of the Privileges Committee dated September 2024
- Review of the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 annual reports of the ICAC and the Inspector of the ICAC, report 1/58 of the Committee on the Independent Commission Against Corruption dated August 2024
- Legislation Review Digest No. 18/58, report of the Legislation Review Committee dated 17 September 2024
- Erratum to Children and young people with disability in New South Wales educational settings, report No. 52 of Portfolio Committee No. 3 – Education dated 4 September 2024
- Report No. 22 of the Selection of Bills Committee, dated 17 September 2024
Government responses to the following committee reports were also reported in the House:
- Government response to Birth trauma, Report No. 1 of the Select Committee on Birth Trauma
- Government response to NSW Government’s use and management of consulting services, Report No. 3 of the Public Accountability and Works Committee
- Government response to Equity, accessibility and appropriate delivery of outpatient and community mental health care in New South Wales, Report No. 64 of Portfolio Committee No. 2 – Health
REPORTS TABLED AND REPORTED IN THE HOUSE
Just some of the reports tabled or reported in the House on Tuesday included:
- Addendum to the Report of the Registrar General dated June 2024 titled ‘Interoperability between Electronic Lodgement Network Operators, Second Progress Report to NSW Parliament, a report of the Registrar General dated August 2024
- Report of the Independent Complaints Officer of the NSW Parliament to the Legislative Council Privileges Committee and Legislative Assembly Parliamentary Privileges and Ethics Committee, for the period 1 June 2024 to 31 August 2024
- Annual Report 2022-23, a report of the Board of the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission
- Strengthening out-of-home care and the broader child protection system, a report of the Office of the Children’s Guardian dated August 2024
- Investigation into actions taken against bystander inmates following an incident at Clarence Correctional Centre, a Special Report of the NSW Ombudsman dated August 2024
- Investigation into inmate discipline in NSW correctional centres, a Special Report of the NSW Ombudsman dated August 2024