It was an eventful day of government business on Thursday to cap off the March sitting period. A bill to increase youth representation in the governance of the State’s cultural institutions was introduced, and bills related to contract arrangements for gig workers and the prohibition of ‘claim farming’ passed. The House additionally heard a Ministerial Statement in relation to the passing of a former Lower House member, and members shared tributes to the departing Clerk, David Blunt AM during a vote of thanks. Read on for more… 

VOTE OF THANKS – CLERK of the parliaments, DAVID BLUNT AM 

In the afternoon, business of the House was interrupted to allow Deputy President of the Legislative Council the Hon Rod Roberts to move a motion without notice relating to the vote of thanks for the service of Mr David Blunt AM.  

Over two hours, more than 25 members expressed their profound gratitude to the departing Clerk of the Parliaments and Clerk of the Legislative Council, sharing fond memories and wishing Mr Blunt well in retirement. Heartfelt tributes acknowledged the Clerk’s unwavering dedication, integrity, and kindness, as a leader not just respected and revered, but “frankly, loved.”  

The Clerk drew various comparisons to a school principal, pastoral carer or counsellor, a chess master, the wizard Gandalf – and even a deity. On his last day of duty, Mr Blunt was serenaded with song lyrics and passages of literature, before the vote of thanks concluded with a standing ovation. 

Read all of the tributes here in the Hansard record. 

INTRODUCED – CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL 2025 

The Hon John Graham in his capacity as Minister for the Arts introduced the Cultural Institutions Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 on Thursday.  

The bill would amend legislation establishing several significant cultural institutions in New South Wales to increase the membership of each institution’s governing body to include at least one young person. In his second reading speech, the Minister explained that the bill is a step forward in actively giving young cultural leaders seats at the table shaping the State’s creative future, while also ensuring the institutions remain relevant, innovative and accessible.  

Changes would be made to six acts, requiring that the following all include at least one member between the age of 18 and 28 years old: the Art Gallery of New South Wales Trust, the Australian Museum Trust, the Library Council of New South Wales, the Trustees of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, the Board of Museums of History New South Wales, and The Sydney Opera House Trust. Read more about the bill in the Minister’s second reading speech.  

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

PASSED: INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AMENDMENT (TRANSPORT SECTOR GIG WORKERS AND OTHERS) BILL 2025

Having passed the Legislative Assembly the prior day, the Industrial Relations Amendment (Transport Sector Gig Workers and Others) Bill 2025 was introduced by Treasurer the Hon Daniel Mookhey in the House on Thursday. The bill amends the Industrial Relations Act 1996 and Industrial Relations (General) Regulation 2020 to extend provisions relating to contracts of carriage to transport sector gig workers and make further provision about contracts of bailment and contracts of carriage. 

In his second reading speech, the Minister said that the bill aims to modernise chapter 6 of the Industrial Relations Act to keep it fit for purpose. The bill expands who is covered by the protections in chapter 6 by removing outdated exemptions and granting the NSW Industrial Relations Commission the power to declare a particular contract or class of contracts to be contracts of carriage. It also improves transmission of business provisions, clarifies how agreements are terminated and updates dispute resolution and bargaining under the chapter.  

The Minister explained that the Federal Government legislated to provide gig workers with access to the Fair Work Commission in 2024, also allowing for the Commission to make minimum standard orders for this category of worker and providing workers with access to unfair deactivation remedies. Rather than duplicating federal legislation, the new bill creates a mechanism allowing these workers to access the chapter 6 protections if the transport industry decides that some sectors of the transport gig economy are better left to regulate at State levels.  

Read more about the bill in the Minister’s second reading speech here, and continued here in the Hansard record.  

Contributions to the debate were made by members of the Opposition, the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party, the Government, the Libertarian Party, the Greens, and Independent member the Hon Mark Latham.  

With its second and third readings agreed to on the voices, the bill passed without amendment and was returned to the Legislative Assembly, ready for the Governor’s assent.  

PASSED: CLAIM FARMING PRACTICES PROHIBITION BILL 2025

The Claim Farming Practices Prohibition Bill 2025 also passed the Legislative Council on Thursday, having passed the Legislative Assembly on the previous sitting day. This bill prohibits “claim farming,” a practice where third parties procure personal information about potential claimants and pressure them into making personal injury claims. 

In his second reading speech, Treasurer the Hon Daniel Mookhey explained that claim farmers often misrepresent themselves, harass individuals and sell claims to lawyers without the claimant’s consent, leading to unethical and exploitative conduct. This bill makes it an offence to solicit claimants for financial gain, sell or buy claim referrals, and impose hidden costs on claimants. It establishes strict penalties, including fines of up to $55,000, and ensures that convicted law firms forfeit any legal fees related to claim farming cases. 

To safeguard access to justice, the bill provides exemptions for legitimate legal practices, such as law firms continuing representation or making referrals for necessary expert services. It also clarifies that general legal advertising is not considered claim farming. The legislation includes enforcement provisions, a two-year limitation period for offences, and oversight mechanisms, including a statutory review after two years. 

Read more about the bill in Treasurer Mookhey’s second reading speech.  

Contributions to the second reading debate were made by members of the Opposition, The Greens, the Government, the Legalise Cannabis Party and Independent member the Hon Rod Roberts.  

With its second and third readings of the bill agreed to on the voices, the bill passed the Legislative Council and was returned to the Legislative Assembly, ready for the Governor’s assent. 

DEBATED: ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AND ASSESSMENT AMENDMENT BILL 2025 

The Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment Bill 2025 was introduced by Environment Minister the Hon Penny Sharpe on Thursday after having passed the Legislative Assembly on the previous sitting day. This bill seeks to make miscellaneous amendments to the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 in order to simplify the planning system. 

In her second reading speech, Minister Sharpe explained that the bill seeks to restore certainty in planning assessment decisions in NSW by addressing legal ambiguities arising from three court decisions. It amends key sections of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 to clarify the powers of consent authorities in modifying development approvals, counting public submissions and assessing subsequent development applications. The bill would also remove the requirement for the Independent Planning Commission to advise on certain residential State Significant Developments (SSD), speeding up approvals. It introduces a more flexible Housing Delivery Authority meeting process, shortens public exhibition periods for specific SSD projects, modernises affordable housing contribution requirements, and updates regional strategic planning processes. Read more about the bill in Minister Sharpe’s second reading speech.  

Members of the Opposition, The Greens and Independent member the Hon Mark Latham made contributions to the second reading debate. Read the debate in full in the Hansard record. 

The second reading of the bill was agreed to before the House resolved into a committee of the whole to consider proposed amendments… 

  • One amendment was moved by Ms Sue Higginson on behalf of The Greens which sought to expand the matters considered when assessing development applications to include natural hazards such as bush fires and floods. This amendment was negatived on the voices. 
  • One amendment was moved by the Hon Scott Farlow on behalf of the Opposition, seeking to give the planning secretary the power to direct a council to amend a local strategic planning statement if it is inconsistent with a strategic plan. The amendment was agreed to on the voices.  
  • A further six amendments were moved by Ms Sue Higginson, seeking to create an explicit power for consent authorities to initiate a review or modification of consent conditions in the public interest, to increase transparency around meetings held by planning bodies, and omit in full any sections that referenced the defunct Six Cities Region framework. These amendments were negatived on the voices. 

When the hard adjournment time of 10pm was reached, debate on the bill was adjourned until the next sitting day. 

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT – Tribute to Nickola Lalich, Former Member for Cabramatta 

Early in the day, the Hon Penny Sharpe made a Ministerial Statement acknowledging the passing of Nick Lalich, former member for Cabramatta and a member of the Lower House from 2008-2023. The Leader of the Government recalled Mr Lalich’s dedicated service to the public and his popularity among fellow members and constituents alike.  

The Leader of the Opposition the Hon Damien Tudehope echoed Ms Sharpe’s sentiments, and independent member the Hon Mark Latham also rose to share a personal reflection.  

View the full statement in the Hansard record. 

GENERAL MOTIONS

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

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