In the House – Thursday 21 June 2018

The House finished the week by again considering the Government’s compliance with orders for papers, and the House’s powers to compel the production of these documents – in particular Cabinet documents. The House also agreed to Assembly amendments to the Modern Slavery Bill 2018 introduced by Mr Green (Christian Democratic Party). This is the second time this Parliament that a private members’ bill originating in the Council has been agreed to by the Assembly. Several other items of private members’ business were considered, before the House finished the day by agreeing to the budget bills and returning them to the Assembly without amendment. The House stands adjourned to Tuesday 14 August 2018.

In the House – Wednesday 20 June 2018

On the last government business day before the winter recess the House adjourned in the early hours of the morning in consequence of its heavy legislative workload. The House agreed to five government bills and Assembly amendments to a sixth bill originating in the Council. The House set down consideration of a further two government bills received from the Assembly for after the winter recess.

In the House – Wednesday 6 June 2018

In another eventful day for the Council, the House again considered the Government’s response to orders for the production of documents. The documents ordered are now expected to be provided by 5.00 pm Friday 8 June. The heavy legislative workload continued in the lead up to the winter recess, with the House adjourning after midnight for the second time this week. In a significant development, the House agreed to amendments to the Government Sector Finance bills. The amendments, if agreed to by the Legislative Assembly, would reconstitute the Public Accounts Committee as a joint parliamentary committee with members from both Houses.

In the House – Tuesday 5 June 2018

The week began with the House debating an issue of great significance for its role as a House of review: the Government’s response to orders of the House for the production of documents, and the House’s powers to compel the production of these documents. After a lengthy debate the House ultimately agreed to censure the Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council for the Government’s non-compliance with these orders. The House then turned its attention to legislation, agreeing to three bills and forwarding them to the Assembly for concurrence.

In the House – Wednesday 23 May 2018

After dinner on Wednesday the House began debating the Electoral Funding Bill 2018. By the time the House rose just before 3 am on Thursday morning, and after nearly six hours of debate, 57 amendments had been moved and 16 amendments agreed to. A further four bills were introduced ahead of Friday’s cut-off date for the introduction of government bills during this sitting period. Another government bill was received from the Legislative Assembly and agreed to without amendment.

In the House – Tuesday 22 May 2018

The week started with Ministers Harwin and Blair giving notice of four new government bills, which are expected to be introduced this week. The House agreed to two government bills introduced in the Council the previous week: the Road Transport Legislation Miscellaneous Amendment Bill 2018 and the Health Legislation Amendment Bill (No 2) 2018. The bills are now with the Assembly for consideration. The House was also informed of the receipt of the report of the Independent Legal Arbiter on a disputed claim of privilege concerning certain documents produced last month relating to Sydney Stadiums. The report is available for inspection by members of the Legislative Council.

In the House – Wednesday 16 May 2018

On Wednesday the House returned two government bills to the Legislative Assembly without amendment. One of these bills was the National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse (Commonwealth Powers) Bill 2018, making New South Wales the first jurisdiction to ‘sign up’ to the national redress scheme. A further two government bills were introduced and debate was adjourned for five calendar days.

In the House – Tuesday 15 May 2018

On Tuesday the House debated the Transport Administration Amendment (Sydney Metro) Bill 2018. Debate was interrupted and continued on Wednesday. The House also considered whether to refer its first bill to a committee via the new Selection of Bills Committee procedure, in addition to taking note of several committee reports.