Welcome to the new, weekly digest style, House in Review! The Legislative Council returned from its winter recess this week, hearing the introduction of four bills and passing four others including those related to the privacy of personal information and electricity infrastructure networks. The issue of photography in the chamber was addressed in both a ruling by the President and the adoption of a new sessional order, while the appointment of Tina Higgins as the new Usher of the Black Rod was formally announced, following the Governor’s commission in her favour. In addition, eight orders for papers were agreed to and three new committee inquiries were established, including a Privileges Committee inquiry into the unauthorised disclosure of privileged information by the Hon Mark Latham.
Find more details below…
PHOTOGRAPHY IN THE CHAMBER
The issue of photography in the Legislative Council chamber was clarified through a ruling by the President on Tuesday and a new sessional order adopted on Wednesday. The President confirmed that while official photography – such as by approved media or staff – is allowed under strict conditions, it is inappropriate and disorderly for members to take photos during proceedings. This long-standing position was formalised in the sessional order, which states that members must not use phones or electronic devices to take photographs in the chamber. Only photography authorised by the President, in line with broadcasting rules, is permitted.
Read the President’s ruling in full, and the new sessional order.
BILLS INTRODUCED
- Summary Offences Amendment (Limitation on Offensive Language) Bill 2025
- Workers Compensation Amendment (Firefighters’ Diseases) Bill 2025
- Victims Rights and Victims of Crime Commissioner Bill 2025
- Crimes Legislation Amendment (War Memorial Offences) Bill 2025
BILLS PASSED
- Local Court Amendment (Jurisdiction) Bill 2025
- Identity Protection and Recovery Bill 2025
- Electricity Infrastructure Investment Amendment (Priority Network Projects) Bill 2025
- Parliamentary Remuneration Amendment (Basic Salary) Bill 2025
GENERAL MOTIONS
The following motions were debated in the House this week:
| Topic | Moved by | Agreed to? |
| The unauthorised disclosure of privileged and protected information by the Honourable Mark Latham MLC and continued here | The Hon Penny Sharpe (Labor) | Adjourned on division (Ayes: 22/Noes: 16) |
| Privileges Committee – Reference | The Hon Penny Sharpe (Labor) | Agreed to |
| Ban on new residential and commercial gas connections and continued here | Ms Abigail Boyd (The Greens) | Negatived on divisions (Ayes: 6/Noes: 33 |
| Ukraine Independence Day | The Hon Mark Buttigieg (Labor) | Agreed to |
| Select Committee on Proposed Energy From Waste Facilities | The Hon Scott Barrett (Nationals) | Agreed to, as amended |
| Select Committee on Rural Housing and Second Dwellings Reform | The Hon John Ruddick (Libertarian Party) | Agreed to, as amended |
IN COMMITTEES
The following new inquiries were established in the House this week:
- Unauthorised disclosure of privileged information by the Honourable Mark Latham MLC, Privileges Committee
- Select Committee on Proposed Energy from Waste Facilities
- Select Committee on Rural Housing and Second Dwellings Reform
The following committee reports were tabled and reported in the House this week:
- Report no. 36 of the Selection of Bills of Committee, dated 5 August 2025
- Delegated Legislation Monitor, report no. 9 of 2025 of the Delegated Legislation Committee dated 5 August 2025
- Legislation Review Digest, Report no. 33/58of the Legislation Review Committee dated 5 August 2025
- Budget Estimates 2024-2025, report No. 67 of Portfolio Committee No. 1 – Premier and Finance dated June 2025
- Budget Estimates 2024-2025, report No. 66 of Portfolio Committee No. 2 – Health dated June 2025
- Budget Estimates 2024-2025, report No. 53 of Portfolio Committee No. 3 – Education dated June 2025
- Budget Estimates 2024-2025, report No. 61 of Portfolio Committee No. 4 – Regional NSW dated June 2025
- Budget Estimates 2024-2025, report No. 63 of Portfolio Committee No. 5 – Justice and Communities dated June 2025
- Budget Estimates 2024-2025, report No. 26 of Portfolio Committee No. 6 – Transport and the Arts dated June 2025
- Budget Estimates 2024-2025, report No. 25 of Portfolio Committee No. 7 – Planning and Environment dated June 2025
- Budget Estimates 2024-2025, report No. 3 of Portfolio Committee No. 8 – Customer Service dated June 2025
ORDERS FOR PAPERS
| Request | Moved by | Agreed to? | Due date |
| Project Mareeba | Ms Sue Higginson (The Greens) | Agreed to | 15 August 2025 |
| Workers compensation legislation – Further Order | The Hon Damien Tudehope (Liberal) | Agreed to on division (Ayes: 23/Noes: 16) | 13 August 2025 |
| Incident at NSW Parliament House | The Hon Mark Latham (Independent) | Agreed to | 13 August 2025 |
| Local Small Commitments Allocation – Further Order (6 August 2025) | The Hon Chris Rath (Liberal) | Agreed to | 13 August 2025 |
| Drake Inquiry into Greyhound Racing NSW | The Hon Emma Hurst (Animal Justice Party) | Agreed to on division (Ayes: 23/Noes: 16) | 11 August 2025 |
| Wee Waa Hospital and Health Services | The Hon Sarah Mitchell (Nationals) | Agreed to | 3 September 2025 |
| Synthetic Sports Fields | Dr Amanda Cohn (The Greens) | Agreed to | 27 August 2025 |
| Proposed reduction of Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development roles | The Hon Sarah Mitchell (Nationals) | Agreed to | 27 August 2025 |