It was a full day of private members’ business on Wednesday, with the introduction of two bills — one concerning conservation hunting and another addressing the rights of medicinal cannabis users. The House agreed to four orders for papers, and debated a broad range of general motions, including related to issues such as recent flooding in New South Wales and the provision of humanitarian aid in Gaza. The House also resolved to establish a new inquiry: the Select Committee on Access to Restrictions to Public Lands and Waterways. Read on for more…
INTRODUCED: GAME AND FERAL ANIMAL LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (CONSERVATION HUNTING) BILL 2025
Early in the sitting day the Hon Robert Borsak (Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party) introduced the Game and Feral Animal Legislation Amendment (Conservation Hunting) Bill 2025 in the Legislative Council.
In his second reading speech, Mr Borsak explained that the bill aims to formally recognise conservation hunting as a tool for managing invasive species, supporting cultural traditions, and boosting regional economies in New South Wales. It would introduce a new conservation hunting licence, establish a dedicated Conservation Hunting Authority and expand access for licensed hunters to declared Crown and forestry lands – excluding national parks. The bill would also allow the use of sound suppressors for licensed hunters and support the introduction of bounty schemes for feral pigs, foxes and cats. Read more about the bill in Mr Borsak’s second reading speech.
Following the bill’s introduction, debate was adjourned for five calendar days, according to standing order.
INTRODUCED: ROAD TRANSPORT AMENDMENT (MEDICINAL CANNABIS-EXEMPTIONS FROM OFFENCES) BILL 2025
The Road Transport Amendment (Medicinal Cannabis-Exemptions from Offences) Bill 2025 was also introduced in the Council on Tuesday. This private members’ bill introduced by Ms Cate Faehrmann (The Greens) seeks to amend the Road Transport Act 2013 to exclude users of medicinal cannabis from the application of the offence relating to driving with the presence of certain drugs in a person’s oral fluid, blood or urine.
In her second reading speech, Ms Faehrmann explained that the bill seeks to amend the Road Transport Act 2013 to exempt drivers from prosecution for the presence of THC in their system if it was legally obtained and used under a medicinal cannabis prescription. The bill responds to a long-standing legal inconsistency that penalises medicinal cannabis users under current drug-driving laws, even when they are not impaired. It would also introduce a statutory defence, placing the onus on the defendant to prove the THC was prescribed and consumed lawfully under the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 1966. Read more about the bill in Ms Faehrmann’s second reading speech, and continued here.
Following the bill’s introduction, debate was adjourned for five calendar days, according to standing order.
GENERAL MOTIONS
The following motions were debated in the House over the course of the day:
| Topic | Moved by | Agreed to? |
| Flooding in the Hunter, Mid North Coast and North Coast Regions | The Hon Sarah Mitchell (Nationals) | Agreed to |
| Funding for animal rescue organisations | The Hon Emma Hurst (Animal Justice Party) | Agreed to |
| Access to humanitarian aid in Gaza | The Hon Anthony D’Adam (Labor) | Agreed to, as amended |
| Great Koala National Park proposal | Ms Sue Higginson (The Greens) | Negatived, on division (Ayes: 5/Noes: 26) |
| Privileges Committee — Amendment to establishing resolution | The Hon Natasha Maclaren-Jones (Liberal) | Agreed to, on division (Ayes: 19/Noes: 13) |
| Select Committee on the Relationship between the Dural Caravan Incident and Parliamentary Debates on Legislation — Amendment to Resolution | The Hon Rod Roberts (Independent) | Agreed to |
| Select Committee on Access to Restrictions to Public Lands and Waterways | The Hon Mark Banasiak (Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party) | Agreed on, as amended, on division (Ayes: 29/Noes: 5) |
In addition to the above motions debated in the chamber, the following motions were agreed to without debate, during the morning’s formal business:
- Delayed opening of Metro lines, moved by the Hon Tania Mihailuk (Independent)
- Special Commission of Inquiry into Healthcare Funding report, moved by the Hon Mark Buttigieg (Labor)
- Remembrance event for the Tamil Genocide and Mullivaikkal Day, moved by the Hon Anthony D’Adam (Labor)
- Parramatta Lord Mayor Business Forum 2025, moved by the Hon Rachel Merton (Liberal)
- The Connection Medical Centre Tumut, moved by the Hon Nichole Overall (Nationals)
- Royal Agricultural Society of NSW 2025 Charity Brunch, also moved by Ms Overall
- International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia 2025, moved by the Hon Cameron Murphy (Labor)
- NSW Law Week 2025, also moved by Mr Murphy
- National Pro Bono Day 2025, also moved by Mr Murphy
- Impact of GST distribution on New South Wales, moved by the Hon Tania Mihailuk (Independent)
- Children’s Cancer Institute, moved by the Hon Aileen MacDonald (Liberal)
- The Old Fitz Theatre, moved by the Hon Jacqui Munro (Liberal)
- Contribution of Taiwan to global healthcare, also moved by Ms Munro
- NSW Neighbourhood Centre Week 2025, moved by the Hon Abigail Boyd (The Greens)
ORDERS FOR PAPERS
| Request | Moved by | Agreed to? | Due date |
| Administration of the Opportunity Class and Selective Schools 2026 Entrance Exams | The Hon Sarah Mitchell (Nationals) | Agreed to, as amended | 25 June 2025 |
| Sydney Trains Review | The Hon Natalie Ward (Liberal) | Agreed to | 4 June 2025 |
| Appointments to the Board of Racing NSW | The Hon Mark Latham (Independent) | Agreed to, on division (Ayes: 20/Noes: 13) | 18 June 2025 |
| Exhibited animals – Further order | The Hon Emma Hurst (Animal Justice Party) | Agreed to | 24 June 2025 |
DOCUMENTS TABLED AND REPORTED IN THE HOUSE
Among the documents tabled and reported on Wednesday were:
- Report on the Statutory Review of the Mental Health Commission of New South Wales, together with a government response, dated August 2024
- Water NSW 2024 compliance report: Report to the Minister, report of Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal dated May 2025
Find all documents tabled and reported in our Tabled Papers Database.
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