The Legislative Council dealt with three bills during Wednesday’s private members’ business day, hearing the introduction of one related to the possession of firearms, debating another about conservation hunting and negativing one related to liability for organisation child abuse. The House also agreed to establish a new Select Committee into Fertility Support and Assisted Reproductive Treatment, which will examine issues including access to IVF and surrogacy. Read on for more…
INTRODUCED: CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT (RIGHT TO POSSESS AND CARRY FIREARMS) BILL 2025
The Hon John Ruddick (Libertarian Party) introduced the Constitution Amendment (Right to Possess and Carry Firearms) Bill 2025 in the Legislative Council on Tuesday. This bill seeks to amend the Constitution Act 1902 to establish a right to possess and carry firearms.
In his second reading speech Mr Ruddick explained that the bill would enshrine a fundamental right for individuals to possess and carry firearms in the New South Wales Constitution. The bill seeks to insert Part 11 into the Constitution, establishing that every Australian citizen and permanent resident living in NSW has the right to possess and carry firearms. Read more about the bill in Mr Ruddick’s second reading speech.
Following the bill’s introduction, debate was adjourned for five calendar days, according to standing order.
DEBATED: GAME AND FERAL ANIMAL LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (CONSERVATION HUNTING) BILL 2025
The Game and Feral Animal Legislation Amendment (Conservation Hunting) Bill 2025 was back in the Legislative Council on Wednesday after having been introduced in the previous sitting week. This private members’ bill, previously introduced by the Hon Robert Borsak (Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party), seeks to formally recognise conservation hunting as a tool for managing invasive species, introduce a new conservation hunting licence and establish a dedicated Conservation Hunting Authority. Read more about the bill in our previous blog.
During the second reading debate, contributions were made by members of the Government, the Opposition, The Greens, the Animal Justice Party, the Libertarian Party, the Legalise Cannabis Party and the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party. Read all member contributions in the Hansard record.
Further consideration of the bill was adjourned until a future sitting of the House.
NEGATIVED: CIVIL LIABILITY AMENDMENT (ORGANISATIONAL CHILD ABUSE LIABILITY) BILL 2025
The Civil Liability Amendment (Organisational Child Abuse Liability) Bill 2025 was debated in the Legislative Council on Wednesday. This private members’ bill, previously introduced by the Hon Jeremy Buckingham (Legalise Cannabis Party), would amend the Civil Liability Act 2002 to extend organisational liability for child abuse perpetrated by persons associated with the organisation, and vicarious liability for child abuse perpetrated by employees and persons akin to employees, to child abuse perpetrated before 26 October 2018. Read more about the bill in our previous blog.
Contributions to the second reading debate were made by members of the Government, the Opposition and The Greens. Read all contributions in the Hansard record.
The second reading of this bill was negatived on division (Ayes: 9/Noes: 24) meaning this bill will not progress any further.
GENERAL MOTIONS
The following motions were debated in the House over the course of the day:
| Topic | Moved by | Agreed to? |
| Misuse of comity by the Executive to avoid scrutiny | The Hon Mark Latham (Independent) | Agreed to, on division (Ayes: 24/Noes:13) |
| Select Committee on Access Restrictions to Public Lands and Waterways – Amendment to Resolution | Ms Sue Higginson (The Greens) | Agreed to |
| Birth Trauma Inquiry recommendations | The Hon Emma Hurst (Animal Justice Party) | Agreed to |
| Select Committee on Fertility Support and Assisted Reproductive Treatment | The Hon Sarah Mitchell (Nationals) | Agreed to |
| Staff psychiatrists dispute | The Hon Susan Carter (Liberal) | Agreed to |
| Rising Tide People’s Blockade 2025 | The Hon Wes Fang (Nationals) | Agreed to, on division (Ayes: 27/Noes: 5) |
| NSW TrainLink Discovery Pass | The Hon Aileen MacDonald (Liberal) | Agreed to |
| Privileges Committee – Reference | The Hon Mark Latham (Independent) | Interrupted |
In addition to the above motions debated in the chamber, the following motions were agreed to without debate, during the morning’s formal business:
- Australian wool industry, moved by the Hon Aileen MacDonald (Liberal)
- Select Committee on Foundational and Disability Supports Available for Children and Young People in New South Wales—Extension of Reporting Date, moved by the Hon Natasha Maclaren-Jones (Liberal)
- Order for Papers – Moss Vale Plastics Recycling Facility, also moved by Mrs Maclaren-Jones
- 30th Anniversary of the Irish Support Agency of NSW, moved by the Hon Cameron Murphy (Labor)
- 2025 NSW Top Tourism Town Awards for Kiama, moved by the Hon Dr Sarah Kaine (Labor)
- Service of Irene Birks, also moved by Dr Kaine
- State of Origin Series 2025, moved by the Hon Nichole Overall (Nationals)
- Disaster support by the Country Women’s Association of New South Wales, also moved by Mrs Overall
- Passing of Mervyn Morgan, moved by the Hon Mark Buttigieg (Labor)
- Thank a First Responder Day 2025, moved by the Hon Rod Roberts (Independent)
- 2025 Legislative Council Regional Roadshow in Tamworth, moved by the Hon Stephen Lawrence (Labor)
- Lake Centenary Bridges Project, also moved by Mr Lawrence
- Surf Life Saving NSW, moved by the Hon Natalie Ward (Liberal)
ORDERS FOR PAPERS
| Request | Moved by | Agreed to? | Due date |
| The Bays Precinct planning proposals | The Hon Scott Farlow (Liberal) | Agreed to | 25 June 2025 |
| Moss Vale Plastics Recycling Facility | The Hon Natasha Maclaren-Jones (Liberal) | Agreed to | 2 July 2025 |
| Psychiatry workforce in New South Wales | Dr Amanda Cohn (The Greens) | Adjourned |
A NEW INQUIRY AND COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP CHANGES
During the course of the day, on the motion of the Hon Sarah Mitchell (Nationals) the House agreed to establish a Select Committee on Fertility Support and Assisted Reproductive Treatment. The committee will examine issues including access to treatment such as IVF and surrogacy, support for people with infertility or pregnancy loss, education and regulation and barriers in regional areas. Keep an eye on our website where details of the committee, including committee membership, will be published soon.
Membership of the recently established Select Committee on Access Restrictions to Public Lands and Waterways was also the subject of a motion moved by the Hon Sue Higginson (The Greens). The motion sought to change the membership of this committee from “two crossbench members, one being the Hon Mark Banasiak” to “three crossbench members, two being the Hon Mark Banasiak and Ms Sue Higginson”. With this motion agreed to on the voices, the full membership will be determined in coming days.