The Legislative Council was back for the November sittings on Tuesday, the final two weeks of the sitting calendar for 2024. Over the course of the day the House passed four bills, of which one related to setting a long-duration storage infrastructure objective for 2034, and heard the introduction of another that will establish NSW Motorways to manage toll roads in the state. As is standard during Tuesday sittings, the House also took part in a ‘take note’ debate on a number of committee reports. Read on for more…

PRESIDENT’S STATEMENT: 67TH COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE

Early in the sitting day, President of the Legislative Council the Hon Ben Franklin made a statement concerning the 67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference hosted by the CPA NSW Branch in Sydney in the previous week.

The Conference hosted over 700 parliamentarians and parliamentary officials from across 120 parliaments and legislatures, with the theme Engage, Empower, Sustain: Charting the Course for Resilient Democracy explored through many activities and presentations. Read the President’s Statement in full in the Hansard transcript.

INTRODUCED: TRANSPORT ADMINISTRATION AMENDMENT (NSW MOTORWAYS) BILL 2024

The Transport Administration Amendment (NSW Motorways) Bill 2024 was introduced in the Legislative Council on Tuesday by Minister for Roads, the Hon John Graham. This bill seeks to amend the Transport Administration Act 1988 to establish NSW Motorways and make provision for its functions, management and status.

In his second reading speech, Minister Graham explained that the bill would establish NSW Motorways as a new statutory corporation, specifically focused on the management of toll roads, both publicly and privately owned.  NSW Motorways’ powers will include land management and business functions similar to other transport agencies. Its CEO will be appointed by the Transport Secretary with Ministerial approval, following directions from Transport for NSW. It will have provisions for delegation and is obligated to follow Ministerial guidance on priorities.

Notably, the bill introduces specific powers to collect and disclose information for toll schemes, requiring toll entities to comply under penalty. It also establishes the NSW Motorways Fund for revenue, including toll receipts, and allows asset transfers to NSW Motorways. The Roads Act 1993 would be amended to implement an independent tollway ombudsman for dispute resolution, funded by toll operators. IPART would also be granted oversight to investigate toll road operations, pricing, and community impacts upon Ministerial request. Read more about the bill in Minister Graham’s second reading speech.

Following the bill’s introduction, debate was adjourned for five calendar days, according to standing order.

PASSED: JUSTICE LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (CHILDREN) BILL 2024

The Justice Legislation Amendment (Children) Bill 2024 passed the Legislative Council on Tuesday. This bill amends various Acts in the Communities and Justice portfolio relating to children. Read more about the bill in our previous blog.

Contributions to the second reading debate were made by members of the Opposition. Read the full debate in the Hansard record.

With the second and third reading of the bill agreed to on the voices, the bill was then forwarded to the Legislative Assembly for concurrence.

PASSED: WATER LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL 2024

The Water Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 passed the Legislative Council on Tuesday, having been introduced by Minister for Water, the Hon Rose Jackson during the previous sitting period. This bill amends legislation administered by the Minister related to the making of water management regulations. It would also repeal the Water Management Amendment Act 2010 and the Water Management Amendment Act 2014. Read more about the bill in our previous blog.                                                                                                                          

During the second reading debate, contributions were made by members of the Opposition and The Greens. Read all member contributions in the Hansard record.

With the second and third reading of the bill agreed to on the voices, the bill was then forwarded to the Legislative Assembly for concurrence.

PASSED: STATUTE LAW (MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS) BILL (NO. 2) 2024

Also passing the Legislative Council on Tuesday was the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill (No. 2) 2024. This bill, and other similar statute law bills dealing with ‘miscellaneous provisions’ are used to make a suite of minor amendments across a large number of Acts at the same time. Read more about the bill in our previous blog.

Contributions to the second reading debate were made by members of the Opposition and the Government. Read the second reading debate in full in the Hansard record.

The second and third reading of the bill were agreed to on the voices and the bill was then forwarded to the Legislative Assembly for concurrence.

PASSED: ENERGY AMENDMENT (LONG DURATION STORAGE AND INVESTMENT) BILL 2024

The Energy Amendment (Long Duration Storage and Investment) Bill 2024 was back in the Legislative Council on Thursday. This bill would amend the Electricity Infrastructure Investment Act 2020 and the Energy and Utilities Administration Act 1987 to set a long-duration storage infrastructure objective for 2034. It would also provide for matters relating to the Australian Energy Regulator’s functions, the NSW renewable energy sector plan, the administration of access schemes and infrastructure project financial matters. Read more about the bill in our previous blog.

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

When the House resolved into committee of the whole, two amendments were moved by the Hon Scott Farlow on behalf of the Opposition which sought to ensure that decommissioning plans are part of all future renewable energy projects and are supported by remediation bonds. These amendments were negatived on division (Ayes: 14/Noes: 18).

With no amendments made, the bill’s third reading was agreed to on the voices and it was sent to the Legislative Assembly for concurrence.

GENERAL MOTIONS

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

IN COMMITTEES

Membership of the Select Committee on Foundational and Disability Supports Available for Children and Young People in New South Wales was reported in the House on Tuesday, with the Hon Mark Buttigieg, the Hon Anthony D’Adam and the Hon Camron Murphy representing the Government; the Hon Sarah Mitchell representing the Opposition; and the Hon Taylor Martin representing the crossbench.

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

The receipt of the following committee reports and Government responses were reported in the House:

ORDERS FOR PAPERS

RequestMoved byAgreed toDue date
Agency recouping of merchant interchange feesMs Abigail Boyd (The Greens)Agreed to3 December 2024

REPORTS TABLED AND REPORTED IN THE HOUSE

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

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

One thought on “In the House – Tuesday 12 November 2024”

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