On the final sitting day in 2019 we considered a bill from The Greens concerning the protection of Central Coast drinking water catchments, passed four orders for government papers and ended with a motion of Christmas felicitations.
In the House – Wednesday 20 November 2019
On the final day for Government business in 2019 we passed two bills including one regarding the Children’s Guardian. We also debated a bill to further enforce 'mobile phone use while driving' offences.
In the House – Tuesday 19 November 2019
Just in: We began the final sitting week of 2019 by sitting past midnight in order to pass 2 bills & consider the Assembly's amendments to the RMS Dissolution Bill. Read our blog to find out more...
In Committees – to Tuesday 19 November 2019
New post: A new independent Commission to regulate building standards in NSW; safety measures proposed to reduce the risk of harmful dust exposure for tradespeople; and a committee hears about the radiation content of… bananas?!
In the House – Thursday 14 November 2019
Thursday was private members' business day where three bills and a raft of motions were debated. In line with previous weeks seven orders for papers were agreed to, taking the total tally for this year to 47. The day also saw the third private members' bill to pass the Legislative Council this year. Bills Fishing … Continue reading In the House – Thursday 14 November 2019
In the House – Wednesday 13 November 2019
Wednesday's sitting was dominated by the consideration of bills relating to music festivals and another about meeting critical water needs for certain regional areas. Read all about it in our blog.
In the House – Tuesday 12 November 2019
The House sat late on Tuesday in order to consider the Right to Farm Bill 2019. Members were initially also scheduled to attend Government House to present Addresses-in-Reply to the Governor of New South Wales, Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AO QC. However, this was postponed due to the catastrophic bushfire danger in the … Continue reading In the House – Tuesday 12 November 2019
In Committees – 12 November 2019
This week In Committees, the State Development Committee considers whether to repeal the ban on uranium mining, Portfolio Committee No. 5 tables its report into the Road Transport Amendment (Mobile Phone Detection) Bill 2019, and animal welfare is under the spotlight with two committees inquiring into the welfare of circus animals and exhibited cetaceans, and the effectiveness of animal cruelty laws.
Budget Estimates Round Two: Supplementary Hearings
Our portfolio committees have just completed a second round of Estimates hearings for 2019-2020 – supplementary hearings. What are supplementary hearings? The Budget Estimates resolution allows portfolio committees to hold another round of hearings after the initial round. Supplementary hearings are usually an opportunity for members to question Ministers and senior public servants on any … Continue reading Budget Estimates Round Two: Supplementary Hearings
Activating an Act: proclamation (and other commencement activities)
Our last procedural blog post detailed the assent process, noting that a bill that has passed both Houses becomes an Act when the Governor gives assent. One might think that a new law comes into effect as soon as it is assented to, but this is not necessarily the case. Some Acts commence on the … Continue reading Activating an Act: proclamation (and other commencement activities)