NSW Legislative Assembly

The Procedural Digest for the August sitting period is out.
The digest provides a summary of the significant procedural events and precedents that occurred in the Legislative Assembly during the August sitting weeks.
Link to the digest in the comments.

There’s still time to have your say!

How can we make sure our essential workers have access to affordable housing?

The Select Committee on Essential Worker Housing wants to hear from essential workers, community housing providers, legal and research centres, local governments and councils, community groups and the public.

Submissions are open until 11:59pm on Friday, 13 September 2024. Link to lodge a submission is in the comments.

How can you contribute to law reform or a change in Government policy? One way is to make a submission to a parliamentary committee.

Parliamentary committees are groups of members of Parliament appointed to examine issues in more detail than is possible if the matter was considered in the House.

A committee inquiry increases public awareness and debate on an issue and benefits the community by reviewing proposed laws, facilitating more informed policy making and ensuring greater government accountability.

During an inquiry, a committee will invite interested people and organisations to submit their views in writing. The committee will then hold public hearings and go on site visits to hear about ideas and opinions from the community. Then the committee will produce a report with recommendations on what action the Government should take.

Engagement with the community is a key part of the committee process and your input can make a difference.

Follow us here on Facebook to find out when new inquires start. Click on the link in comments to check out current inquiries and how you can make a submission.

This week, the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, The Hon. Greg Piper MP, was visited by Mr Yong Jun Choi, Consul General of Korea in Sydney and Ms Minseo Park, Consul of Korea.
주시드니대한민국총영사관 Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Sydney

Today, the Joint Select Committee on the NSW Reconstruction Authority held a second public hearing as part of the statutory review of the NSW Reconstruction Authority Act 2022.

Witnesses include:
🔸 Local Government NSW
🔸 Country Mayors Association of NSW
🔸 Central Darling Council
🔸 Central NSW Joint Organisation ​
🔸 Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC)
🔸 Hawkesbury City Council
🔸 Blacktown City Council
🔸 Sydney Coastal Councils Group
🔸 Northern Beaches Council
🔸 Newcastle City Council
🔸 Central Coast Council
🔸 MidCoast Council
🔸 City of Coffs Harbour
🔸 Narrabri Shire
🔸 Warren Shire Council
🔸 Byron Shire Council
🔸 Lismore City Council
🔸 Wollondilly Shire Council
🔸 City of Wollongong
🔸 Riverina Eastern Regional Organisation of Councils
🔸 Coolamon Shire Council
🔸 Bega Valley Shire Council
🔸 Shoalhaven City Council

For more info: https://loom.ly/DtZW5Wo

This week, the Public Accounts Committee conducted two days of site visits as part of its ongoing inquiry into the assets, premises, and funding of the NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS).

The Committee visited the NSW RFS headquarters and met with councils, local RFS staff and brigades across the Hawkesbury and Cessnock regions.

The Committee thanks the NSW Rural Fire Service, Hawkesbury City Council, Cessnock City Council, Maitland City Council, Port Stephens Council, Singleton Council, and Lake Macquarie City Council for their hospitality, for showing the Committee around their facilities, and for engaging in productive discussions.

The Committee on the Independent Commission Against Corruption has tabled its Review of the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 Annual Reports of the ICAC and the Inspector of the ICAC

Link to report in comments.

Today, the Public Accounts Committee held a public hearing as part of its inquiry into the assets, premises, and funding of the NSW Rural Fire Service.
The Committee heard about the management and funding of RFS assets, the effectiveness of agreements with Councils, the role of local authorities, and the sustainability of local government contributions.

Witnesses included:
🔸 Local Government NSW
🔸 Public Service Association of NSW
🔸 Menindee Headquarters Brigade
🔸 Jindabyne Bush Fire Brigade
🔸 REROC
🔸 Coolamon Shire Council
🔸 Canberra Region Joint Organisation
🔸 Northern Beaches Council
🔸 Hornsby Shire Council
🔸 Sutherland Shire Council
🔸 Hawkesbury City Council
🔸 Central Coast Council
🔸 Gwydir Shire Council
🔸 Eurobodalla Shire Council
🔸 Blue Mountains City Council
🔸 Tamworth Regional Council
🔸 Bega Valley Shire Council
🔸 Murrumbidgee Council

Today, the Joint Select Committee on the NSW Reconstruction Authority held a public hearing as part of the statutory review of the NSW Reconstruction Authority Act 2022.
🔸 Australian Red Cross
🔸 Uniting NSW/ACT
🔸 Resilient Lismore
🔸 Community Disaster Action Group - CDAG
🔸 Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals
🔸 Nimbin Neighbourhood and Information Centre
🔸 Western Sydney University ‘Building resilient communities’ project
🔸 Lifeline
🔸 BlazeAid
🔸 NSW Council of Social Service - NCOSS
🔸 Financial Counselling Australia
🔸 Floodplain Management Australia
🔸 Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia
🔸 Moore Point Landowners Group
🔸 Insurance Council of Australia
🔸 Allianz Australia
🔸 The Law Society of NSW
🔸 Legal Aid NSW
🔸 Aboriginal Legal Service
🔸 The Centre - Northern Rivers Community Legal Centre

For more information on this inquiry: https://loom.ly/DtZW5Wo

The Committee on the Ombudsman, the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission and the Crime Commission has tabled its report on the 2023 review of annual and other reports of oversighted agencies.

Read the report at the link in comments.

Today is Private Members Day, when time is set aside for non-Government bills to be introduced and debated.

Public submissions deadline extended! There’s still a chance to have your say.

The parliamentary inquiry into a framework for driving wellbeing outcomes in NSW is now accepting submissions until Saturday, 31 August 2024.

The Committee is looking at how to measure the NSW Government’s performance and how to drive wellbeing outcomes for NSW residents. Wellbeing themes include being healthy, being skilled, and living in a safe society.

To see more information about the inquiry and to make a submission, see comments below.

🏠 Register now for an Open House like no other!

On Sunday 25 August, NSW Parliament is opening our doors to the community!

Join us for a FREE, fun-filled day of festivities to mark the Bicentenary of the NSW Legislative Council — 200 years to the day of the Council’s first ever meeting.

Come and explore Australia's oldest public building and see Parliament House in all its architectural glory following recent restoration — including spaces not usually open to the public.

There’s something for everyone to enjoy!

🎺 Live music performances and DJ
🎭 Historical re-enactments
👩🏻‍🏫 Guided tours
📽️ Exhibitions
🖼️ Art
🐥 Children’s activities
🎤 High school public speaking competition
🥂 High tea
🌭 Food and plenty more!

You’ll also have the chance to experience the world premiere of the Bicentenary music composition ‘Reflect. Celebrate. Imagine’ by the Sydney Conservatorium of Music!

When: Sunday 25 August from 10:00am to 4:00pm (last entry at 3:30pm)
Where: NSW Parliament House (6 Macquarie St, Sydney)
Cost: General entry is free! Some activities have limited capacity and require additional bookings.

Reserve your spot and learn more: https://loom.ly/ZfJJZu8

Open House at NSW Parliament The Parliament of New South Wales acknowledges and respects the traditional lands of all Aboriginal people, and pays respects to all Elders past and present. We acknowledge the Gadigal people as the traditional custodians of the land on which the Parliament of New South Wales stands.

The Legislative Assembly is in session this week.

Click the links in the comments to watch proceedings live and find a list of all business currently before the House.

Today, Brendan Moylan MP, gave his inaugural speech in the NSW Legislative Assembly.

During his speech, Mr Moylan said "To stand in this place as the Member for Northern Tablelands, I think will always be the greatest privilege of my life. To be able to stand up in Parliament and fearlessly represent the people of my electorate is an honour and incredible humbling."

Watch his full inaugural speech in the video below.

"Politics is about winning the future. You do that by having ideas, and may the best ideas win."

Yesterday, The Hon. Dominic Perrottet, Member for Epping gave his valedictory speech in the NSW Legislative Assembly.

Mr Perrottet was elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly in 2011. Under the previous government, he served as Treasurer from 2017 to 2021 and Premier from 2021 to 2023.

Watch his valedictory speech in full below.

Brendan Moylan MP, who was elected at the recent Northern Tablelands by-election, was today sworn in as a Member of the Legislative Assembly.

When being sworn in, Members must take either the Pledge of Loyalty ("to Australia and to the people of New South Wales") or Oath of Allegiance ("to His Majesty King Charles III, His heirs and successors") and sign the Roll of the House. Under the Constitution Act, a Member cannot sit or vote in the House until they have taken the Pledge or Oath.

The Legislative Assembly is in session this week.
Click the links in the comments to watch proceedings live and find a list of all business currently before the House.

On Wednesday, the Committee on Investment, Industry and Regional Development visited Gallagher Animal Management as part of its inquiry into the Virtual Stock Fencing Bill.

The Committee got to see first-hand the eShephard in action. This GPS-enabled neckband allows farmers to draw virtual fences on their property, with cattle learning to move with and remain inside the virtually fenced area.

These devices are currently used in Queensland and Tasmania, and the Virtual Stock Fencing Bill 2024 aims to legalise their use in NSW by amending the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

Today the Select Committee on Residential Tenancies Amendment (Prohibiting No Grounds Evictions) Bill 2024 held its second public hearing.
The Government recently announced that it will introduce new legislation to end no grounds evictions following its own stakeholder consultation. Evidence from this inquiry will provide important information for this reform.
The Committee heard from a range of witnesses at the hearing about grounds for evictions, enforceability, and possible unintended consequences.

Witnesses include:
🔸 Faith Housing Alliance
🔸 Bridge Housing Limited
🔸 NSW Aboriginal Tenancy Advice and Advocacy Services
🔸 NSW Ageing on the Edge Coalition
🔸 COTA New South Wales
🔸 Property Investment Professionals of Australia
🔸 Property Investors Australia
🔸 Real Estate Institute of New South Wales [REINSW]
🔸 NSW Fair Trading
🔸 NSW Department of Communities and Justice

Check out the photo gallery below:

Earlier this month, the Electoral Commission returned the writ for the Northern Tablelands by-election held on Saturday 22 June 2024.

Brendan Moylan MP was elected to the NSW Legislative Assembly and will be sworn in as a Member of Parliament next Tuesday 6 August.

Prior to entering politics, Mr Moylan worked as a solicitor in Moree where he lives with his wife and three young children.

Today the Select Committee on Residential Tenancies Amendment (Prohibiting No Grounds Evictions) Bill 2024 held a public hearing.
The bill aims to amend the Residential Tenancies Act 2010 to prohibit landlords from terminating fixed-term or periodic lease agreements without cause and introduces specific grounds for tenant eviction.
The Committee is inquiring into the bill provisions and heard from a range of witnesses at the hearing about grounds for eviction, enforceability, and possible unintended consequences.

Witnesses included:

🔸 Tenants' Union of NSW
🔸 National Association of Renters' Organisation
🔸 Community Housing Industry Association NSW
🔸 NSW Council of Social Service - NCOSS
🔸 Justice and Equity Centre
🔸 Dr Chris Martin – UNSW City Futures Research Centre
🔸 Everybody's Home Campaign
🔸 Homelessness Nsw
🔸 Shelter NSW
🔸 People with Disability Australia
🔸 Domestic Violence NSW
🔸 Women's Community Shelters
🔸 Women’s & Girls’ Emergency Centre WAGEC
🔸 Community Industry Group
🔸 New England and Western Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service
🔸 Central Coast Tenants' Advice and Advocacy Service
🔸 Hunter Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service
🔸 Change the Record
🔸 Western Sydney Community Forum
🔸 The Committee for Sydney









Check out the photo gallery below:

Today, the Committee on Transport and Infrastructure held a public hearing and heard from NSW Treasury about the transport infrastructure required to support the new Western Sydney International Airport and its integration with Sydney's broader transport system

Witnesses included:
🔸NSW Treasury

Check out the photo gallery below.

Want to know what is up for debate in the Legislative Assembly? Then check out the Business Paper.

The Business Paper is a list of all the business currently before the House. Like an agenda for a meeting, the Business Paper outlines all items, including bills, that may be debated in the Assembly.

It also includes motions which members have given notice that they intend to move on a subsequent day. With only a few exceptions, members must give notice for any business they want debated in the House. This gives time for other members to consult constituents and key stakeholders, form an opinion and prepare a speech.

Once a member has introduced their bill or motion, it becomes an Order of the Day. The Orders of the Day are debated in the order they are listed in the Business Paper.

Click on the link in the comments to read the current Business Paper.

Welcome to the Assembly. The Legislative Assembly has 93 members representing the 93 electorates of New South Wales. Members of the Assembly are elected every four years and one of them represents you!

It’s the job of the Legislative Assembly, alongside the NSW Legislative Council, to represent you, make laws for you and scrutinise the Government on your behalf.

There are two things that only the Assembly can do. Firstly, it’s the Assembly that determines which party gets to form Government. If the party you voted for can gain the support of a majority of seats in the Assembly, they get to be in charge. Secondly, only the Assembly can propose money bills like the Budget, which determines how much public money is spent on things like hospitals, schools and public transport.

Known for its strong debating style, the Assembly has earned the nickname "the bear pit", with its table historically set two sword lengths apart—just like the table in the House of Commons at Westminster in the United Kingdom.

Want to know more? Stay tuned to learn the ABCs of the Assembly!