The Legislative Council was back on Tuesday for the first day of October sittings! The House saw two bills introduced and passed three others, related to the creation of an Agriculture Commissioner, the introduction of average speed cameras for light vehicles and water licences.  Interestingly, two of the bills passed originated as private member’s bills in the Legislative Assembly and were picked up by the Government in the Upper House. Read on for more…

INTRODUCED: 24-HOUR ECONOMY LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (VIBRANCY REFORMS) BILL 2024

The 24-Hour Economy Legislation Amendment (Vibrancy Reforms) Bill 2024 was introduced in the Legislative Council by Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy the Hon John Graham on Tuesday. Building on the 24-Hour Economy Legislation Amendment (Vibrancy Reforms) Bill 2023, the bill seeks to amend a number Acts relevant to the night-time economy including the Major Events Act 2009, the Liquor Act 2007, and the Environment Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

In his second reading speech, the Minister explained that the bill seeks to establish a mediation framework within the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner Act 2023, allowing the relevant minister to refer live music and performance venues with legitimate disputes for mediation or case management. Amendments to the Liquor Act 2007 and related laws address noise complaints, trading hours, and venue operations. It also creates provisions for establishing “special entertainment precincts,” where sound regulations and extended trading hours apply. The bill would also amend the Major Events Act 2009 to reduce administrative burden for the State’s ‘foundation’ events, allowing event details to be determined via ministerial order, rather than simply by regulation. It also includes new rules for advertising, road closures, and crowd management, removes certain restrictions on entertainment activities in specific areas and simplifies regulatory oversight. The bill forms part of a broader Government commitment to support a vibrant and diverse 24-hour economy, including a target of doubling the number of live music venues across the state within 4 years.

Find further details on the bill in Mr Graham’s second reading speech which begins in Hansard here, and concludes here.

After its introduction in the chamber, the bill was adjourned for five calendar days, according to the standing order.

INTRODUCED: CREATIVE STATEMENT TO PARLIAMENT BILL 2024

The Creative Statement to Parliament Bill 2024 was introduced by Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy the Hon John Graham on Tuesday. The bill seeks to mandate the preparation and tabling of a ‘Creative Statement to Parliament’ tracking the status, health and progress of the arts, culture and creative industries in NSW every three years.

In his second reading speech, the Minister explained that this bill seeks to foster the transparency and accountability required to drive improvements in the creative industries, as well as identify challenges and opportunities. This measure would recognise the economic significance of ‘culture’ to the State, accounting for nearly 10% of the State’s workforce and generating significant export revenue. The bill would require that these creative statements be made publicly available on a NSW Government website. The bill has arisen through the NSW Government’s 10-year Creative Communities policy, released in December 2023, and seeks to ensure long-term monitoring and accountability for the arts, culture and creative industries in NSW.

You can find further details on the bill in Mr Graham’s second reading speech.

After its introduction in the chamber, the bill was adjourned for five calendar days, according to the standing order.

PASSED: AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER BILL 2024

The Agriculture Commissioner Bill 2024 passed the Legislative Council on Tuesday. This bill establishes the office of the Agriculture Commissioner and provide for the functions of the office. Read more about the bill in our previous blog.

The House resolved into committee of the whole to consider three amendments, moved by Ms Sue Higginson on behalf of The Greens. These amendments sought to include ‘agroecology’ (which applies ecological and social principles to the design and management of food and agricultural systems) in the definition of ‘agricultural matters’, amend the functions of the Agriculture Commissioner and to require the commissioner to prepare and publish maps of NSW in relation to agricultural matters. These amendments were agreed to on the voices. See the full committee of the whole proceedings in the Hansard record.

With the third reading agreed to on the voices, the bill as amended was sent on to the Legislative Assembly for concurrence.

PASSED: ROAD TRANSPORT LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (SPEED CAMERA DETECTION) BILL 2024

Also passing the Legislative Council on Tuesday was the Road Transport Legislation Amendment (Speed Camera Detection) Bill 2024. The bill amends the Road Transport Act 2013 to provide that the average speed detection cameras that operate to monitor the speed of heavy vehicles would, in some specific locations, now apply to monitor the speed of all vehicles. Read more about the bill in our previous blog.

When the House resolved into committee of the whole…

  • One amendment was moved by the Hon Natalie Ward on behalf of the Opposition which sought to insert the trial period for the use of average speed detection cameras on light vehicles into the bill. This amendment was negatived on division (Ayes: 13/Noes: 19)
  • One amendment was moved by Ms Cate Faehrmann on behalf of The Greens which sought to require the Minister to conduct a review into the new use of average speed detection cameras within an 18-month period. This amendment was agreed to on the voices.

Read the full committee of the whole proceedings in the Hansard record, and continued here.

The House divided on the third reading of the bill (Ayes: 27/Noes: 7), before the bill as amended was sent on to the Legislative Assembly for concurrence.

PASSED: REGIONAL COMMUNITIES (CONSULTATION STANDARDS) BILL 2024

The Regional Communities (Consultation Standards) Bill 2024 passed the Legislative Council on Tuesday, having originated in the Assembly as a private members’ bill introduced by the Member for Barwon Mr Roy Butler MP (Independent). With the bill having the support of the Government, it was taken on as a Government bill in the Legislative Council, “picked up” by Minister for Regional NSW the Hon Tara Moriarty.

In her second reading speech, Minister Moriarty explained that the bill seeks to introduce a standard for how the government consults with regional communities. The bill stipulates how consultation with regional communities must be carried out, by or on behalf of government bodies and agencies. Consultations with regional communities must follow the Consultation with Regional Communities Guide if they primarily impact the health, cultural, economic, educational, or other well-being of the community and are conducted by the State, a NSW Government agency, or a statutory body. Exceptions include consultations required by other Acts or those outside ministerial control, and non-compliance with the guide does not invalidate a consultation. The guide, which has not yet been created, would be issued by the Premier and published in the Government Gazette. Read more about the bill in Minister Moriarty’s second reading speech.

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

When the House resolved into committee of the whole one amendment was moved by Ms Sue Higginson on behalf of The Greens. This amendment sought to specify that environmental factors be included as one of the factors whereby the consultation process must be carried out. This amendment was agreed to on the voices.

With the third reading agreed to on the voices, the bill as amended was sent on to the Legislative Assembly for concurrence.

PASSED: WATER MANAGEMENT AMENDMENT (WATER ACCESS LICENCE REGISTER REFORM) BILL 2024

Having passed the Legislative Assembly in a previous sitting period, the Water Management Amendment (Water Access Licence Register Reform) Bill 2024 passed the Council on Tuesday. This bill was also a private members’ bill, introduced by the Member for Murray Ms Helen Dalton MP (Independent) in the Assembly, and “picked up” by the Government in the Council. This bill amends the Water Management Act 2000 in relation to information on the water access licence register and requires operating licences holders to be members of a prescribed dispute resolution organisation.

Minister for Water the Hon Rose Jackson explained that with amendments made to the bill in the Legislative Assembly, the Government has agreed to take carriage of the bill in the Council. The bill mandates that water access registers are regularly updated and publicly accessible. The bill introduces a code of conduct for water brokers and establishes penalties for non-compliance. It also requires trusts holding water access licences to report foreign beneficiaries annually, increasing transparency around foreign ownership of water resources. Statutory irrigation corporations must join a dispute resolution organisation, ensuring customers have independent avenues to resolve complaints. Additionally, the bill supports the introduction of unique identifiers for water access licence holders. Read more about the bill in Minister Jackson’s second reading speech.

Contributions to the second reading debate were made by members of the Nationals and The Greens. Read the full debate in the Hansard record.

Both the second and third readings of the bill were agreed to on the voices, with the bill then returned to the Assembly, ready to be forwarded to the Governor for assent.  

GENERAL MOTIONS

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

IN COMMITTEES

Over the course of Tuesday’s proceedings, the establishment of a new inquiry for the Modern Slavery Committee was reported to the House by the Hon Sarah Kaine (Labor). The committee will inquire into and report on modern slavery risks faced by temporary migrant workers in rural and regional New South Wales. Read the terms of reference on our website and keep an eye out for information on hearing dates and submissions.

Membership of the Select Committee on PFAS Contamination in Waterways and Drinking Water Supplies Throughout New South Wales was also reported to the House, with the Hon Greg Donnelly, the Hon Stephen Lawrence and the Hon Cameron Murphy representing the Government. The Hon Scott Barrett and the Hon Aileen Macdonald will be representing the Opposition.

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

The following committee reports and government responses were also tabled in the House on Tuesday:

ORDERS FOR PAPERS

RequestMoved byAgreed to?Due date
Correspondence regarding animal welfareThe Hon Emma Hurst (Animal Justice Party)Agreed to5 November 2024

DOCUMENTS TABLED AND REPORTED IN THE HOUSE

Among the documents tabled and reported in the House on Thursday were:

Find all documents tabled and reported in our Tabled Papers Database.   

3 thoughts on “In the House – Tuesday 15 October 2024”

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