The Legislative Council was back in session on Tuesday, passing one bill formalising the use of audio-visual links in first appearance bail matters and negativing one other related to the governance of the Sydney Metro. With three other bills introduced but not yet debated together with the day’s other key business, the House dealt with a substantial volume of Government business. Read on for more…

INTRODUCED: COMMUNITY HOUSING PROVIDERS (ADOPTION OF NATIONAL LAW) AMENDMENT BILL 2025

Minister for Housing, the Hon Rose Jackson introduced the Community Housing Providers (Adoption of National Law) Amendment Bill 2025 in the Legislative Council on Tuesday. This bill seeks to amend the Community Housing Providers (Adoption of National Law) Act 2012 to provide for the registration and management of affordable housing.

In her second reading speech, Minister Jackson explained that the bill seeks to introduce a new regulatory framework for affordable housing in New South Wales. It would establish two categories of responsible housing managers: community housing providers, who may receive government assistance and manage both community and affordable housing; and affordable housing managers, who manage affordable housing only and are subject to lighter regulation. The bill seeks to strengthen the oversight role of the Registrar of Community Housing, giving the registrar audit powers and the ability to enforce compliance through breach notices and penalties. Real estate agents would no longer be eligible to register as community housing providers and will be transitioned to the new affordable housing manager category.

A central feature of the bill is the creation of a statewide register of affordable housing dwellings, covering both for-profit and not-for-profit sectors. The bill would introduce obligations on development approvers and property owners to ensure affordable housing restrictions are registered on property titles and that responsible managers are appointed. Penalties are imposed for non-compliance. The bill also seeks to improve information sharing between housing agencies and the registrar, and regularises the Aboriginal Housing Office’s role as a housing agency. Lastly, it seeks to clarify that Commonwealth-funded affordable housing projects are to be treated as community housing assets. Read more about the bill in Minister Jackson’s second reading speech.

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

INTRODUCED: SUICIDE PREVENTION BILL 2025

Also introduced in the Legislative Council on Tuesday was the Suicide Prevention Bill 2025. This bill, introduced by Minister for Mental Health the Hon Rose Jackson seeks to provide for matters in relation to suicide prevention.

In her second reading speech, Minister Jackson explained that bill would task the Mental Health Commission with preparing and supporting the implementation of two major frameworks: a statewide suicide prevention plan and a dedicated Aboriginal suicide prevention plan. The bill also seeks to establish two advisory bodies: the Suicide Prevention Council and the Aboriginal Suicide Prevention Council. These councils would provide expert and lived experience input into the development, implementation and review of the statewide plans. Each government department, agency, and the NSW Police Force would be required to prepare their own suicide prevention action plans, tailored to the specific internal and external roles they play in mitigating suicide risk. These plans must include staff training and initiatives to increase suicide prevention capabilities, particularly for frontline workers.

The bill would also mandate annual reporting on the implementation of the statewide and agency plans, ensuring transparency and parliamentary oversight. It seeks to further embed the existing NSW Suicide Monitoring System into legislation, formalising the collection and use of suicide data to guide evidence-based policies and investments. Read more about the bill in Minister Jackson’s second reading speech.

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

INTRODUCED: GOVERNMENT SECTOR AUDIT AMENDMENT BILL 2025

The Government Sector Audit Amendment (Performance Audit Reports) Bill 2025 was introduced in the Legislative Council by Special Minister of State the Hon John Graham. This bill would amend the Government Sector Audit Act 1983 to provide for the tabling of reports about performance audits in each House of Parliament.

Minister Graham explained that the bill seeks to clarify and provide flexibility around the tabling of reports by the Auditor-General. It would allow the Auditor-General, in cases where immediate tabling is not considered in the public interest, to instead present a notice to Parliament indicating when the report will be tabled — either by a specific date or after a particular event. The bill would also ensure that if Parliament is not sitting, the report or notice can be presented to the Clerk and handled according to existing procedures. These changes are supported by minor consequential amendments to align existing provisions with the new process. Importantly, the bill confirms that these changes do not affect the requirements for special reports, which must still be presented to Parliament as soon as practicable under section 52B of the Act. Read more about the bill in Minister Graham’s second reading speech, and continued here.

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

NEGATIVED: TRANSPORT ADMINISTRATION AMENDMENT (SYDNEY METRO GOVERNANCE) BILL 2025

The Transport Administration Amendment (Sydney Metro Governance) Bill 2025 was back in the Legislative Council on Tuesday. This bill seeks to introduce a new governance framework for Sydney Metro to better reflect the organisation’s emerging role in Sydney’s broader transport network. Read more about the bill in our previous blog.

Contributions to the second reading debate were made by members of the Opposition, The Greens, the Libertarian Party and the Government. Read all member contributions in the Hansard record.

The second reading of the bill was negatived on the voices, meaning it will not progress any further.

PASSED: EVIDENCE (AUDIO AND AUDIO VISUAL LINKS) AMENDMENT (LOCAL COURT BAIL DIVISION) BILL 2025

The Evidence (Audio and Audio Visual Links) Amendment (Local Court Bail Division) Bill 2025 also passed the Legislative Council on Tuesday. This bill amends the Evidence (Audio and Audio Visual Links) Act 1998 to formalise the use of audio-visual links in first appearance bail matters and to facilitate the commencement of the Bail Division of the Local Court. Read more about the bill in our previous blog.

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

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

GENERAL MOTIONS

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

IN COMMITTEES

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

The following committee reports were also tabled and reported in the House on Tuesday:

2 thoughts on “In the House – Tuesday 3 June 2025”

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