The first private members’ day of the sitting fortnight saw the Legislative Council debate eleven general motions as well as another private members’ bill, related to pecuniary interests of local government councillors. 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 2024 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 a string quartet from Sydney Youth Orchestras who performed a repertoire of both classical and contemporary pieces.
Take a look at some photos from the concert below and register to attend our Christmas-themed final concert in November.
DEBATED: LOCAL GOVERNMENT AMENDMENT (PECUNIARY INTERESTS) BILL 2024
The Local Government Amendment (Pecuniary Interests) Bill 2024, a private members’ bill previously introduced by the Hon Tania Mihailuk (Pauline Hanson’s One Nation), was debated in the Council on Wednesday. This bill seeks to amend the Local Government Act 1993 requiring councillors to disclose all pecuniary interests, including those held outside NSW. Read more about the bill in our previous blog.
Members of the Government and the Opposition contributed to the second reading debate. Read their contributions in full in the Hansard record.
Debate on the bill was then 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? |
| Anniversary of the 7 October 2023 Attack on Israel | The Hon Chris Rath (Liberal) | Agreed to, as amended |
| Bulga State Forest Logging Operations | Ms Sue Higginson (The Greens) | Agreed to, as amended |
| Blayney Gold Mine Bill 2024 | The Hon Sam Farraway (Nationals) | Negatived on division (Ayes: 18/Noes: 21) |
| Role of Regional Newspapers | The Hon Sarah Mitchell (Nationals) | Agreed to, as amended |
| World Homelessness Day 2024 | The Hon Dr Sarah Kaine (Labor) | Agreed to |
| Protests Organised by Palestine Action Group Sydney | The Hon Rachel Merton (Liberal) | Negatived on division (Ayes: 15/Noes: 21) |
| Nature Positive Actions | Ms Abigail Boyd (The Greens) | Negatived on division (Ayes: 5/Noes: 30) |
| Sydney Metro 24/7 Services | The Hon Natalie Ward (Liberal) | Agreed to, as amended |
| Regulation of the Prescription of Medicinal Cannabis | The Hon Jeremy Buckingham (Legalise Cannabis Party) | Agreed to |
| Mental Health Awareness Month 2024 | The Hon Emily Suvaal (Labor) | Agreed to |
| Shortages and Unreliable Supply of Essential Medicines | Dr Amanda Cohn (The Greens) | 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:
- Australian Ireland Finance Forum 2024, moved by The Hon Cameron Murphy (Labor)
- Emmaus Village and Community Centre opening, also moved by Mr Murphy
- Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month 2024, moved by the Hon Sarah Mitchell (Nationals)
- High School Certificate examinations 2024, also moved by Mrs Mitchell
- United Together Community Commemoration, moved by the Hon Natalie Ward (Liberal)
- Israeli hostages, also moved by Mrs Ward
- Greek Festival of Sydney 2024, moved by the Hon Mark Buttigieg (Labor)
- Parliamentary Friends of Empowering Older Women event 2024, moved by the Hon Aileen MacDonald (Liberal)
- Tomato brown rugose fruit virus, also moved by Mrs MacDonald
- United Nations International Day of Rural Women 2024, also moved by Mrs MacDonald
- Order for papers – Police Management and Administration – Further Order (16 October 2024), moved by the Hon Rod Roberts (Independent)
- Motion to table report of Independent Legal Arbiter – Assisted Reproductive Technology, moved by the Hon Jacqui Munro (Liberal)
- 9th anniversary of the 2015 Parramatta shooting at NSW Police Headquarters, also moved by Ms Munro
ORDERS FOR PAPERS
| Request | Moved by | Agreed to? | Due date |
| Police management and administration – Further order (16 October 2024) | The Hon Rod Roberts (Independent) | Agreed to | 30 October 2024 |
DOCUMENTS TABLED AND REPORTED IN THE HOUSE
Among the documents tabled and reported in the House on Wednesday were:
- Report of the Music Festival Roundtable, for year ended 30 June 2024
Find all documents tabled and reported in our Tabled Papers Database.