The Legislative Council was back in session on Tuesday for a busy and varied day of Government business! The day kicked off with a statement by the President announcing the next Clerk of the Legislative Council before the House agreed to censure the Leader of the Government in the Council for non-compliance with an order for papers. Two bills were passed related to the Automatic Mutual Recognition scheme and the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, and two others were introduced including one aimed at strengthening the screen industry in NSW. Read on for more…

PRESIDENT’S STATEMENT – APPOINTMENT OF CLERK OF THE PARLIAMENTS

Early in the sitting day, the President made a statement announcing the outcome of recruitment action to appoint the next Clerk of the Legislative Council and Clerk of the Parliaments, following the planned retirement of current Clerk David Blunt AM.

Steven Reynolds will be appointed to the position. Mr Reynolds has worked at the NSW Legislative Council since 1999, holding key leadership positions including Usher of the Black Rod and, since 2011, Deputy Clerk.

Steven will officially commence as Clerk on 29 March 2025.

Read the President’s statement in full in the Hansard record.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS – MINISTERIAL RESHUFFLE

During the days’ proceedings, the Leader of the Government in the Council, the Hon Penny Sharpe, made statements announcing changes to ministerial portfolios, Senior Ministers, representation of the Government in the Council and Parliamentary Secretaries. Find the full details in the Hansard record.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT – WORKPLACE PSYCHOLOGICAL INJURIES AND THE WORKERS COMPENSATION SCHEME

Treasurer, the Hon Daniel Mookhey also made a statement relating to psychological injuries in the workplace. In his statement he explained that the Government would soon be introducing legislation seeking to address the rising number of psychological injuries in the workplace. With psychological injury claims doubling over the past six years, the Government plans reforms to prioritise prevention over compensation, improve legal clarity, and enhance system administration. Key measures include expanding the NSW Industrial Relations Commission’s role, defining psychological injury in law, adopting reforms from other states, and strengthening anti-fraud protections. Read the Minister’s full statement in the Hansard record.

The Leader of the Opposition, Hon Damien Tudehope (Liberal) also addressed the House.

CENSURE OF THE LEADER OF THE GOVERNMENT – NON-COMPLIANCE WITH AN ORDER FOR PAPERS

Ms Abigail Boyd (The Greens) successfully moved a motion to suspend standing orders to bring on a debate on a motion to censure the Leader of the Government, Minister Penny Sharpe, for the Government’s non-compliance with an order for papers related to the early childhood education and care sector. The motion called on Minister Sharpe to provide the documents by 1 April 2025 and stated that if the documents are not provided, the House will be open to take all necessary measures, including further censuring the Leader of the Government, declaring them in contempt, and suspending them from the service of the House for as long as needed to ensure compliance with this order.

Speaking to the motion, Ms Boyd detailed her efforts over a five-month period to secure the documents and explained the Government’s justifications for their non-compliance, including claims of ongoing investigations and IT limitations. She referenced an interim report by the Hon Keith Mason AC KC, which did not uphold the Government’s privilege claims over Boyd’s arguments calling for publication to facilitate transparency and parliamentary scrutiny.

Contributions to the debate were made by the Hon Sarah Mitchell on behalf of the Opposition and Minister Sharpe.

The motion was agreed to on division (Ayes: 20/Noes: 15), with members of the Government and the Legalise Cannabis Party voting in the negative.

Read the full debate in the Hansard record.

INTRODUCED: SCREEN AND DIGITAL GAMES INDUSTRIES BILL 2025

The Screen and Digital Games Industries Bill 2025 was introduced in the Legislative Council by Minister for the Arts the Hon John Graham. This bill seeks to assist, promote and strengthen the screen and digital games industries in NSW.

In his second reading speech, Minister Graham explained that the bill seeks to modernise terminology and regulatory frameworks to better support the evolving screen and digital games sectors in the state. It recognises screen and digital games storytelling as a public good and promotes collaboration between the government, local councils, and industry. A key feature of the bill is the inclusion of guiding principles for decision-makers to streamline processes, such as ensuring minimal fees, timely application processing and practical access to locations for productions. The bill also introduces a “screen production friendly” accreditation for councils, incentivising them to support and attract productions, benefiting both local economies and the broader state industry.

Additionally, the bill establishes the Screen and Digital Games Industries Advisory Committee, replacing the existing Film and Television Industry Advisory Committee. The updated committee expands in scope and size, ensuring representation from the digital games industry and Indigenous communities while incorporating a diverse skillset. Governance reforms also include appointing an industry-experienced chair and an independent deputy chair. Furthermore, amendments to the Local Government Act 1993 streamline filming approvals, allowing more flexibility in fee structures and faster application processing. These reforms seek to reduce red tape and enhance NSW’s attractiveness for screen and digital games production.

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.

INTRODUCED: PRODUCT LIFECYCLE RESPONSIBILITY BILL 2025

Also introduced in the Legislative Council was the Product Lifecycle Responsibility Bill 2025. This bill, introduced by Minister for Environment the Hon Penny Sharpe, seeks to establish a product stewardship framework for brand owners of certain products.

The bill seeks to establish a regulatory framework for product stewardship in NSW to minimise environmental and health impacts throughout a product’s lifecycle. Minister Sharpe explained that the bill mandates that suppliers take responsibility for reducing potential harm and promoting a circular economy. The bill applies to brand owners, even if they are not manufacturers, and enables regulation of products sold online or manufactured outside NSW.

Key provisions include setting product stewardship targets, mandatory reporting and penalties for non-compliance. It introduces action plans to ensure compliance and allows for regulatory oversight, including audits and financial assurances. While the bill applies broadly, its initial focus is on addressing the dangers of lithium-ion battery disposal, aiming to reduce fire risks and improve collection infrastructure. Read more about the bill in Minister Sharpe’s second reading speech.

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

PASSED: AUTOMATIC MUTUAL RECOGNITION LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL 2024

The Automatic Mutual Recognition Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 passed the Legislative Council on Tuesday, having been introduced by parliamentary secretary the Hon Mark Buttigieg in a previous sitting period. This bill amends occupational licensing legislation to take account of amendments to the Commonwealth’s Mutual Recognition Act 1992 which introduced an automatic mutual recognition scheme. Automatic Mutual Recognition (AMR) allows individuals with a licence or registration for an occupation in one Australian State or Territory to work in another without requiring additional approvals or fees, using their existing home State licence. Read more about the bill in our previous blog.

Contributions to the second reading debate were made by members of The Greens, the Government and Independent member the Hon Rod Roberts. Read all member contributions 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 for the Governor’s assent.

PASSED: STATUTE LAW AMENDMENT (ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS TRIBUNAL) BILL 2025

The Statute Law Amendment (Administrative Appeals Tribunal) Bill 2025 also passed the Legislative Council on Tuesday, having been introduced on the previous sitting day. This bill amends certain Acts and instruments as a result of the enactment of the Commonwealth Administrative Review Tribunal Act 2024. Read more about the bill in our previous blog.

Members of the Opposition and the Government made contributions to the second reading debate. Read these contributions in the Hansard record.

The second and third readings of the bill were both agreed to on the voices, with the bill then returned to the Assembly, ready for the Governor’s assent.

IN COMMITTEES

Early on Tuesday, the President announced receipt of correspondence advising a delay in the Government response to report No. 52 of the Standing Committee on State Development, Ability of local governments to fund infrastructure and services. Under standing order 240, when a Government response is not received within the three month period as required, the President must report this to the House and seek an explanation from the Minister of the reason for non-compliance. Minister the Hon Tara Moriarty representing the Minister for Local Government made a statement and made a commitment that the response would be tabled as a matter of priority. Read more in the Hansard record.

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

During the day’s proceedings, the following committee reports and Government responses were tabled and reported in the House:

GENERAL MOTIONS

A motion moved by the Hon Natalie Ward (Liberal), related to a  NSW Parliamentary Friends of Israel Event 2025, was agreed to without debate during the morning’s formal business.

REPORTS TABLED AND REPORTED IN THE HOUSE

Among the documents tabled on Tuesday were:

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

2 thoughts on “In the House – Tuesday 18 March 2025”

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