There was a total of 3 private members’ bills before the Legislative Council on Wednesday, with one related to the use of mobile phones as vehicle navigational aids passing the House. The House also debated more than ten general motions and agreed to four orders for papers. Read on for more…
PRESIDENT’S STATEMENT – BICENTENARY CONCERT SERIES
At the beginning of the sitting day, the President made a statement regarding the ongoing Bicentenary Concert Series taking place in NSW Parliament’s Fountain Court. These concerts have been held throughout the year to celebrate the Legislative Council’s Bicentenary, inviting audiences to enjoy musical performances while contemplating the Council’s history, celebrating its achievements, and envisioning the future.
On Wednesday, we were joined by young singers from The House that Dan Built who shared their original compositions with a crowd of over 150 people.
Take a look at some photos from the concert below and register to attend our upcoming October and November concerts!
INTRODUCED: ANTI-DISCRIMINATION AND CRIMES LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (DISABILITY) BILL 2024
Early on Wednesday, the Anti-Discrimination and Crimes Legislation Amendment (Disability) Bill 2024 was introduced in the Legislative Council by Ms Abigail Boyd (The Greens). This bill would amend the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 and the Crimes Act 1900 to make it unlawful to vilify a person or group of persons on the grounds of disability. It would make it unlawful to offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate a person or a group of people on the grounds of certain attributes and create an offence of threatening or inciting violence on the grounds of disability.
In her second reading speech, Ms Boyd explained that the bill proposes amendments to the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 and the Crimes Act 1900 to include protections against vilification based on disability. It would make it unlawful to incite hatred, serious contempt, or ridicule towards individuals on the grounds of disability, and create an offence for threatening or inciting violence for the same reason. Additionally, the bill introduces new provisions in the Anti-Discrimination Act, making it unlawful to offend, insult, humiliate, or intimidate a person or group based on their race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, intersex status, or HIV/AIDS status. Read more about the bill in Ms Boyd’s second reading speech.
Following the bill’s introduction, debate was adjourned for five calendar days, according to standing order.
PASSED: 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 passed the Legislative Council on Wednesday. This private members’ bill, introduced by the Hon John Ruddick (Libertarian Party) in June, would amend the Road Rules 2014 allowing provisional licence holders over the age of 25 to use their mobile phones as GPS navigational aids. Read more about the bill in our previous blog.
Contributions to the second reading debate were made by members of the Government, the Opposition and The Greens. Read all contributions in the Hansard record.
The second and third readings of the bill were agreed to on the voices with the bill then forwarded to the Legislative Assembly for concurrence.
INTRODUCED: LOCAL GOVERNMENT AMENDMENT (PECUNIARY INTERESTS) BILL 2024
The Local Government Amendment (Pecuniary Interests) Bill 2024 was introduced by the Hon Tania Mihailuk (Pauline Hanson’s One Nation) on Wednesday. This bill seeks to amend the Local Government Act 1993 requiring councillors to disclose all pecuniary interests, including those held outside NSW.
In her second reading speech, Ms Mihailuk explained that currently a councillor’s pecuniary interest in a matter does not exist if “the interest is so remote or insignificant that it could not reasonably be regarded as likely to influence any decision the person might make in relation to the matter or if the interest is of a kind specified in a code of conduct as not being required to be disclosed”.
This bill aims to prevent this discretion over pecuniary interest disclosures by amending the model code of conduct to mandate the reporting of pecuniary interests, inside and outside NSW, for both councillors and general managers. The bill would also remove a provision that allows the model code of conduct to control disclosures, instead making it a direct requirement under the Local Government Act. Read more about the bill in Ms Mihailuk’s second reading speech.
Following the bill’s introduction, debate was adjourned for five calendar days, according to standing order.
GENERAL MOTIONS
The following motions were debated in the House over the course of the day:
| Topic of motion | Moved by | Agreed to? |
| Special Commission of Inquiry into the Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) contamination | The Hon Sarah Mitchell (Nationals) | Negatived on division (Ayes: 12/Noes: 22) |
| Train drivers on Sydney Metro line | The Hon Damien Tudehope on behalf of the Hon Natalie Ward (Liberal) | Negatived on division (Ayes: 15/Noes: 22) |
| Privileges Committee – Reference | The Hon Mark Latham (Independent) | Agreed to on division (Ayes: 24/Noes: 13) |
| Select Committee on the Proposal to Develop Rosehill Racecourse – Extension of reporting date | The Hon Scott Farlow (Liberal) | Agreed to |
| Elsie Women’s Refuge | The Hon Dr Sarah Kaine (Labor) | Agreed to |
| Conflict in Artsakh | The Hon Susan Carter (Liberal) | Agreed to |
| Select Committee on PFAS Contamination in Waterways and Drinking Water Supplies Throughout New South Wales – Reference | Ms Cate Faehrmann (The Greens) | Agreed to |
| Availability of Naloxone | The Hon Jeremy Buckingham (Legalise Cannabis Party) | Agreed to, as amended |
| Country Women’s Association in Regional NSW | The Hon Rachel Merton (Liberal) | Agreed to, as amended |
| 2024 Startup Muster Report Funding | The Hon Jacqui Munro (Liberal) | Negatived, on division (Ayes: 12/Noes: 20) |
| Final report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide | The Hon Emily Suvaal (Labor) | 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:
- World Maritime Day 2024, moved by the Hon Cameron Murphy (Labor)
- Motion to table report of the Independent Arbiter – Police Management and Administration, moved by the Hon Rod Roberts (Independent)
- Metro Assist Lunar New Year Celebration 2024, moved by the Hon Mark Buttigieg (Labor)
- Clontarf Foundations Ross Kelly Cup Dinner 2024, moved by the Hon Aileen MacDonald (Liberal)
- Keith’s Closet charity, moved by the Hon Rachel Merton (Liberal)
- NCOSS report on cost of living, moved by Ms Abigail Boyd (The Greens)
- Sydney Chocolate Ball 2024, moved by the Hon Jacqui Munro (Liberal)
- 30th Anniversary Nan Tien Temple, also moved by Ms Munro
ORDERS FOR PAPERS
| Request | Moved by | Agreed to? | Due date |
| Correspondence on the Animal Research Amendment (Right to Release) Act 2022 | The Hon Emma Hurst (Animal Justice Party) | Agreed to | 16 October 2024 |
| McPhillamys Gold Mine project and heritage protection | The Hon Sam Farraway (Nationals) | Agreed to, as amended | 9 October 2024 |
| Racing NSW and the NSW Police Force – Further order | The Hon Mark Latham (Independent) | Agreed to, on division (Ayes: 22/Noes: 13) | 16 October 2024 |
| Health care in Albury | Dr Amanda Cohn (The Greens) | Agreed to | 16 October 2024 |
IN COMMITTEES
Over the course of Wednesday’s proceedings, a new select committee was established on the motion of Ms Cate Faehrmann (The Greens), to inquire into and report on PFAS contamination in waterways and drinking water supplies throughout New South Wales. Read the terms of reference on our website and keep an eye out for more information about this committee including hearing dates and a call for submissions. The Select Committee on the Proposal to Develop Rosehill Racecourse also had its reporting date extended until 6 December 2024.
The following changes in committee membership were also reported in the House on Wednesday:
- Portfolio Committee No. 2 – Health: The Hon Wes Fang has replaced the Hon Bronnie Taylor who resigned.
- Portfolio Committee No. 5 – Justice and Communities: The Hon Scott Barrett has replaced the Hon Wes Fang.
- Portfolio Committee No. 8 – Customer Service: The Hon Scott Barrett has replaced the Hon Bronnie Taylor who resigned.
- Public Accountability and Works Committee: The Hon Sarah Mitchell has replaced the Hon Bronnie Taylor who resigned.
DOCUMENTS TABLED AND REPORTED IN THE HOUSE
Among the documents tabled and reported in the House on Wednesday were:
- Disputed Claim of Privilege—Police management and administration, A Report of the Independent Legal Arbiter dated 19 September 2024
- Delegated Legislation Monitor No. 10 of 2024, report of the Regulation Committee dated 25 September 2024
Find all documents tabled and reported in our Tabled Papers Database.
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