The Legislative Council is known as the 'House of Review', and the exercise of its 'review' function – and in particular the volume of activity in this space – is setting the 57th Parliament apart from ones that have come before. Let's take a look at how the Council's powers of scrutiny have been used … Continue reading Under scrutiny: Reflecting on the power of review in the Upper House
Roundtable on orders for papers
Last November a roundtable was held to discuss the Legislative Council's orders for papers. Here's what happened... The idea for a roundtable came from the independent legal arbiter, the Hon Keith Mason AC QC. Mr Mason is appointed by the President to assess disputes on claims of privilege made on returns to order under standing … Continue reading Roundtable on orders for papers
In the House – Wednesday 26 August 2020
On Wednesday the Legislative Council debated a no confidence motion in the Treasurer and icare and considered a range of other bills and motions, including relating to nursing homes, road tolls and uranium mining.
In the House – Wednesday 17 and Thursday 18 June 2020
On the final sitting days before the winter break, the Upper House elected a new Assistant President, considered a range of private members' bills and motions and passed two items of government legislation. In addition there were further developments regarding a significant non-compliance with an order for the production of government documents.
Maintaining scrutiny under challenging circumstances – An orders for papers update
During challenging times, it is more important than ever for the Legislative Council to maintain one of its key functions of scrutinising the Executive Government. As our readers are aware, our members routinely use the well-established order for papers process to assist them in this role. In this space it's been business as usual in … Continue reading Maintaining scrutiny under challenging circumstances – An orders for papers update
Public or privileged?: Part 2
The substantial rise in the number of orders for government papers in 2019 has also seen a rise in the number of disputes over confidentiality. Read more in our 'public or privileged' update.
2019 in review – A year in stats
The numbers are in. The Legislative Council has finished its sittings for another year. Check out all our sitting day stats for 2019.
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 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 – Thursday 24 October 2019
Read about private members' business day on 24 October 2019 where we considered five bills and nine motions