This week in the Legislative Council was marked by debate over the Government’s ongoing failure to comply with orders for papers. In a notable turn of events, the Leader of the Government in the Upper House was suspended from the House for length of time unprecedented in recent years, while the Deputy Leader was also found guilty of contempt and suspended for part of Thursday.
Beyond these significant developments, the House passed four government bills, agreed to seven orders for papers, and disallowed one regulation concerning public forum meetings held by local councils.
Additionally, members debated a matter of public importance, moved by the Hon Mark Banasiak (Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party), regarding EnergyCo’s mistreatment of regional landholders.
Read on to find out more about what happened in the Legislative Council this week…
SUSPENSION OF THE LEADER OF THE GOVERNMENT IN THE UPPER HOUSE
The Government’s continued non-compliance with an order for documents related to an incident at NSW Parliament House was once again a focus of House this week. On Tuesday, a motion moved by the Hon Mark Latham (Independent) led to the suspension of the Leader of the Government in the Council from the chamber for 14 calendar days – the Leader’s fourth suspension this year.
When asked to explain the Government’s reasons for continued non-compliance with the orders for papers, the Leader of the Government in the Council the Hon Penny Sharpe tabled redacted advice from the Crown Solicitor’s Office in support of the Government’s position, Response to further order under standing order 52 – Incident at NSW Parliament House
Later that sitting day, Mr Latham indicated that after considering the tabled advice, he would proceed with his motion seeking to adjudge Minister Sharpe guilty of contempt for the Government’s failure to table the documents sought and suspending her from the service of the House for 14 calendar days. The motion was agreed to on division (Ayes: 20/Noes: 15), whereupon the Leader was escorted from the chamber by the Usher of the Black Rod. Read the full motion in the Hansard record.
For more on the ongoing situation relating to this order for papers, see our previous blog.
SUSPENSION OF THE DEPUTY LEADER OF THE GOVERNMENT IN THE UPPER HOUSE
On Thursday, the House debated a motion, moved by Dr Amanda Cohn (The Greens) to adjudge the Deputy Leader of the Government in the Council the Hon John Graham guilty of contempt (in the absence of the Leader of the Government who had already been suspended) for non-compliance with an order for papers. This order for papers was for the Review of criminal law protections against the incitement of hatred (also known as the Sackar review). Read the full motion in the Hansard record. Minister Graham was censured during the previous sitting week for the same reason.
After a lengthy debate, the motion was agreed to on division (Ayes: 20/Noes: 14) and Minister Graham was suspended from the chamber for the remainder of the sitting day. Read the full debate in the Hansard record, and continued here.
BILLS INTRODUCED
BILLS DEBATED
BILLS PASSED
- Road Transport Amendment (Non-registrable Motor Vehicles) Bill 2026
- Fair Trading Amendment (FuelCheck) Bill 2026
- Road Transport Amendment (Demerit Points Reduction) Bill 2026
- Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026
DISALLOWANCE MOTIONS
One of the Legislative Council’s robust powers is its ability 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 Council debated a disallowance motion, moved by Ms Sue Higginson (The Greens) related to the Petroleum (Onshore) Amendment (Petroleum Exploration Licence) Regulation 2026. This motion was negatived on division (Ayes: 5/Noes: 32).
The Council also debated a disallowance motion moved by Dr Amanda Cohn (The Greens) related to the Local Government (General) Amendment (Model Code of Meeting Practice) Regulation 2025. This motion was agreed to on division (Ayes: 20/Noes: 14), meaning that this regulation immediately ceased to have effect.
IN COMMITTEES
The following new inquiry was reported in the House this week:
- Dingoes in national parks in New South Wales, Animal Welfare Committee
The following committee reports were either tabled or reported in the House this week:
- Delegated Legislation Monitor, report no. 6 of 2026 of the Delegated Legislation Committee, dated May 2026
- Legislation Review Digest No. 46/58, report of the Legislation Review Committee, dated 26 May 2026
- Report no. 48 of the Selection of Bills Committee, dated 26 May 2026
- Integrity, efficacy, and value for money of the Local Small Commitments Allocation process, report no. 8 of the Public Accountability and Works Committee, dated May 2026
- Legislation Review Digest No. 45/58, report of the Legislation Review Committee, date 12 May 2026
- Provisions of the protocol with the Independent Commission Against Corruption adopted by the Legislative Assembly, report no. 106 of the Privileges Committee, dated May 2026
- Possible breach of privilege and contempt arising from an inquiry by Portfolio Committee No. 5, report no. 107 of the Privileges Committee, dated May 2026
- Alleged unauthorised disclosure of in camera evidence to the Public Accountability and Works Committee, report no. 108 of the Privileges Committee, dated May 2026
- Citizen’s Right of Reply (Ms Nathalie Matthews), report no. 109 of the Privileges Committee, dated May 2026
- Early childhood education and care sector in New South Wales, report no. 55 of Portfolio Committee No. 3 – Education
GENERAL MOTIONS
| Topic | Moved by | Agreed to? |
| Censure of the Honourable John Graham MLC and continued here | The Hon Chris Rath (Liberal) | Agreed to on division (Ayes: 20/Noes: 13) |
| Default electricity prices in New South Wales | The Hon Bob Nanva (Labor) | Agreed to, on division (Ayes: 27/Noes: 8) |
| Ministerial direction to Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission | The Hon Emma Hurst (Animal Justice Party) | Agreed to, on division (Ayes: 20/Noes: 15) |
| East Coast nuclear base | Ms Abigail Boyd (The Greens) | Negatived |
ORDERS FOR PAPERS
| Request | Moved by | Agreed to? | Due date |
| Commonwealth funding for New South Wales infrastructure | The Hon Natalie Ward (Liberal) | Agreed to | 17 June 2026 |
| Ivan Robert Marko Milat | The Hon Jeremy Buckingham (Legalise Cannabis Party) | Agreed to | 24 June 2026 |
| Racing NSW and its administration of Workers Compensation | The Hon Mark Latham (Independent) | Agreed to, as amended | 17 June 2026 |
| Gunnedah Hospital helipad | The Hon Sarah Mitchell (Liberal) | Agreed to | 17 June 2026 |
| Regional Roads Fund project | The Hon Scott Barrett (The Nationals) | Agreed to | 17 June 2026 |
| Recruitment for NSW Ambulance in 2025 | The Hon Rod Roberts (Independent) | Agreed to, as amended | 17 June 2026 |
| Moore Park Golf Course and Moore Park South | The Hon Chris Rath (Liberal) | Agreed to, as amended | 17 June 2026 |