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In the House – 13-15 October 2026

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It was an energetic and eventful week in the Upper House, with a new member elected in a joint sitting, a motion holding the Leader of the Government in contempt for the non-production of a report to Government and suspending her from the services of the House on Thursday, 16 bills introduced, debated or passed, committee reports tabled, and several new orders for papers agreed to. 

Read on to find out more about what happened in the Legislative Council this week… 

JOINT SITTING TO ELECT A NEW MEMBER

On Thursday afternoon, both Houses met in a joint sitting to fill the vacant seat in the Upper House left by the recent resignation of the Hon Greg Donnelly (Labor), reported in the House earlier in the week.  

Mr Suresh Govind (Labor), known as Bernard Govind, was elected to fill the vacant seat. Mr Govind is due to be sworn in and take his seat in the House next Tuesday.  

ADDRESS-IN-REPLY

On Tuesday, the President reported that, at Government House the previous afternoon, the House had presented to Her Excellency the Governor its address-in-reply to His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor’s speech on the opening of 58th Parliament. “I welcome this opportunity of greeting Members of the Legislative Council,” wrote Her Excellency the Hon Margaret Beazley AC KC, “and assure you of my continued close cooperation with you.” 

Read the Governor’s full answer in the Hansard record.  

SUSPENSION OF THE LEADER OF THE GOVERNMENT

On Thursday morning, the Hon Wes Fang (Nationals) moved a motion to suspend the Hon Penny Sharpe for contempt of the House. The motion was moved following the failure of the Government to return a copy of the Review of the Thoroughbred Racing Act undertaken by former minister, Brad Hazzard. The government has not provided a copy of the report on the basis that it is a Cabinet document. 

The motion was agreed to on division (Ayes: 23/ Noes: 15), with the Leader of the Government suspended from the service of the House until the end of the sitting day and escorted out of the chamber by the Usher of the Black Rod. Read the full debate in the Hansard record. The Minister was given until 4pm on 16 October to provide the document, otherwise the House may take ‘further action’ in order to protect its rights and privileges. 

REGISTER OF DISCLOSURES BY MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 

On Tuesday, the President tabled in the House the ‘Register of Disclosures by Members of the Legislative Council: First and Further Interest Disclosure Returns for the period 1 September 2026 to 9 October 2026‘.  

This register discloses the interests of all members of the Legislative Council.  

The tabling of this register followed the making of a new regulation – the Constitution (Disclosures by Members) Regulation 2026 – regulating the disclosure by members of their interests. Under the new scheme, members are required to update their interests on an ongoing basis as they change. 

DISALLOWANCE MOTION

The Legislative Council has the power to disallow delegated legislation, including regulations, statutory rules and by-laws made by the Executive under authority granted by Parliament. 

On Thursday afternoon, the House debated a disallowance motion, moved by Ms Cate Faehrmann (The Greens), regarding the Fisheries Management (Sharks taken in the Ocean Trap and Line Fishery Possession Limit) Order 202. The motion was negatived, on division (Ayes: 5/ Noes: 29).  

BILLS INTRODUCED

BILLS DEBATED

BILLS PASSED

IN COMMITTEES

The following committee reports were either tabled or reported in the House this week:  

GENERAL MOTIONS

Topic  Moved by  Agreed to?  
Tribute to the Hon Bruce Baird AM  The Hon Natalie Ward (Liberal)    Agreed to  
New South Wales cost of living relief  The Hon Bob Nanva (Labor)  Agreed to  
Planning for Aerotropolis and Badgerys Creek Airport  The Hon Mark Latham (Independent)  Negatived  
Claire’s Law Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme  The Hon Emma Hurst (Animal Justice Party)  Agreed to, as amended  
Access to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Medication  The Hon Dr Sarah Kaine (Labor)  Agreed to  
Payroll Tax Policy Reform  The Hon Scott Farlow (Liberal)  Agreed to on division (Ayes: 14/Noes: 13)  

ORDERS FOR PAPERS

Request  Moved by  Agreed to?  Due date  
Grenfell Multipurpose Service Clinical Services Plan 2020-2030  The Hon Sarah Mitchell (Nationals)  Agreed to, on division (Ayes: 21/ Noes: 14)  4 November 2026  
Ministerial Code of Conduct – Further Order  The Hon Susan Carter (Liberal)  Agreed to  4 November 2026  
National Construction Code 2022 and Australian Building Codes Board Livable Housing Design Standard  Ms Abigail Boyd (The Greens)  Agreed to, as amended  4 November 2026  
Financial Assistance Grant program for local government  The Hon Sarah Mitchell, on behalf of The Hon Nichole Overall (Nationals)  Agreed to, as amended  4 November 2026  
Memorandum of advice in the matter of Findings of the Legislative Council’s “Inquiry into Identity Protections for Proceedings Involving Children” The Hon Susan Carter (Liberal)    Agreed to  21 October 2026  
Matter of Privilege — Contempt for failure to table documents The Hon Wes Fang (Nationals) Agreed to 16 October 2026 
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