A protest in Sydney on Monday night had a significant impact on proceedings in the Legislative Council this week.
On Tuesday, on the motion of Ms Sue Higginson (The Greens) the House agreed to debate of a matter of public importance related to responses to far right extremism, white supremacy, and protest. On Thursday, Ms Higginson also moved to disallow the Major Events Amendment (Israeli Presidential Visit) Regulation 2026. Understandably, the protest was also the focus of a number of questions during Question Time and other statements by members.
Alongside these debates, the House heard the introduction of bills related to music regulation, greyhound racing reforms and body-worn video for law enforcement, and passed one bill related to digital work systems and NSW work health and safety laws.
The House also debated a significant bill in relation to the giving of evidence by witnesses before committees: the Parliamentary Evidence Amendment (Attendance of Witnesses) Bill 2026. This follows the decision of the Court of Appeal in Cullen v President invalidating key provisions of the Parliamentary Evidence Act 1901.
Read on to find out more about what happened in the Legislative Council this week…
BILLS INTRODUCED
- Music Bill 2026
- Greyhound Racing Amendment (Whole-of-life Tracking) Bill 2026
- Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) and Other Legislation Amendment (Body-worn Video and Other Matters) Bill 2026
BILLS DEBATED
- Uranium Mining and Nuclear Facilities (Prohibitions) Repeal Bill 2025
- Game and Feral Animal Legislation Amendment (Conservation Hunting) Bill 2025
- Parliamentary Evidence Amendment (Attendance of Witnesses) Bill 2026
BILLS PASSED
DISALLOWANCE MOTIONS
The Legislative Council has the power to disallow delegated legislation. This includes laws such as regulations, statutory rules, by-laws, and similar measures, which are established by the executive under the authority of Parliament.
This week the House debated two disallowance motions, both of which were negatived:
- Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment (Virtual Fencing) Regulation 2025, debate continued here
- Major Events Amendment (Israeli Presidential Visit) Regulation 2026
IN COMMITTEES
The following new inquiry was reported in the House this week:
- Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Amendment (Good Character at Sentencing) Bill 2026, Portfolio Committee No. 5 – Justice and Communities
The following committee reports were either tabled or reported in the House this week:
- Report no. 44 of the Selection of Bills of Committee, dated 10 February 2026
- Delegated Legislation Monitor, report no. 2 of 2026 of the Delegated Legislation Committee dated 10 February 2026
- Legislation Review Digest No. 41/58, report of the Legislation Review Committee dated 10 February 2026
GENERAL MOTIONS
| Topic | Moved by | Agreed to? |
| Murder of Cheryl Grimmer | The Hon Jeremy Buckingham (Legalise Cannabis Party) | Agreed to, as amended |
| Solar energy infrastructure and continued here | The Hon Stephen Lawrence (Labor) | Agreed to, as amended |
| Legislation for receipt and retention of unlawfully made recordings | Ms Sue Higginson (The Greens) | Agreed to on division (Ayes: 19/Noes: 13) |
ORDERS FOR PAPERS
| Request | Moved by | Agreed to? | Due date |
| Incident at NSW Parliament House – Further Order | The Hon Mark Latham (Independent) | Agreed to on division (Ayes: 22/Noes: 13) | 18 February 2026 |
| Arts, Music, Culture and Night-Time Economy | Ms Cate Faehrmann (The Greens) | Agreed to | 4 March 2026 |
| Loose-fill asbestos in New South Wales | The Hon Nichole Overall (Nationals) | Agreed to | 4 March 2026 |