NSW Parliament Week in Review
One of the biggest headlines of this week was that, on Monday, there wasn’t any. This week, national newspapers united for an unprecedented press freedom campaign.
In response, another parliamentary inquiry into press freedom has been called by the Federal Government. Going forward, the main pressure point for the Government is balancing these very public calls for media reform against national security protection priorities.
Later in the week, an Australian National University report revealed that Australia’s widespread adaption of solar and wind power could potentially see carbon emissions decline by up to four percent over the next few years.
The NSW Government is continuing to go big on renewables, with Energy and Environment Minister Matt Kean revealing this week a $600,000 climate change resilience grants program for local communities, and a $15 million low income solar package rollout that will see solar installed on up to 3,000 households.
Meanwhile, in true Utopia style it was revealed this week that SafeWork NSW, the government organisation in charge of work safety in NSW, is located in a office building covered in flammable cladding, putting the safety of its staff at risk.
Monday
Sydney won the rights to host WorldPride 2023. The event will coincide with the 45th anniversary of the first Mardi Gras Parade and the 50th Anniversary of the first Australian Gay Pride Week, and is expected to attract thousands of international visitors.
Parramatta to the Sydney CBD in around 20 minutes? This is the big promise of the Western Sydney Metro. The NSW Government announced construction will begin next year, with seven station locations confirmed on Monday. The underground train will include stops at Westmead, Parramatta, Sydney Olympic Park, North Strathfield, Burwood North, Five Dock and the Bays Precinct. The State Government is also considering further stops at Rydalmere and Pyrmont. To build the project the government will acquire 93 business and 23 residential properties to build the project.
Tuesday
Festivals - Laneway Festival, Splendour in the Grass and Falls Festival (among a handful of other festivals) may be groovin’ on out of NSW. The Australian Festival Association met with the NSW Government over new legislation proposed that requires ‘high risk’ festivals to prepare safety management plans. Several music festival organisers are considering moving out of NSW, should a controversial licensing regime be reinstated.
Renewables - In renewable energy this week, free rooftop solar systems are being installed in 3,000 low income households across NSW. $15 million has been committed to reducing the impact of high energy prices as part of the Solar for Low Income Households Trial. Environment Minister Matt Kean has also said the NSW Government is committing a further $600,000 to the Increasing Resilience to Climate Change community grants program for local projects designed to reduce the impact of climate change.
Wednesday
Right to farm – Jenny Aitchison, Labor's spokeswoman for primary industries, introduced Labor’s own "right to farm" bill on Wednesday. This came after the Berejiklian government continued their attack on Labor for betraying farmers, after they voted against the Coalition’s bill in the lower house last week.
Sitting calendar – On Wednesday the Legislative Council passed the sitting calendar for next year, which includes;
45 sitting days over 15 weeks (including one reserve week)
12 days of hearings in August and September for Budget Estimates 2020/21
5 days of supplementary Budget Estimates 2020/21 hearings in October.
Certainty for mines – Resources Minister John Barilaro announced the Berejiklian government will introduce laws to stop consent conditions relating to global greenhouse gas emissions from export coal being imposed on NSW mining projects. This comes after the NSW Minerals Council launched an advertising campaign that targeted the planning system for “failing the people of NSW”.
Reforms to the construction industry – After a long wait, and numerous questions from the Opposition, the Berejiklian Government's response to widespread problems in high-rise residential buildings was released on Wednesday. The reforms will provide homeowners who buy defective apartments an easier path to pursue damages, create a new registration system for the industry and force developers to comply with "declared" building designs.
Perrottet slams Federal counterparts – NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet has criticised the Federal Government for shutting down debate over tax reform, suggesting they're more focused on ducking for cover. Perrottet this week issued another call for tax reform, controversially suggesting the base of the GST should be broadened, in a paper that aims to explore how states and the Commonwealth can change funding models. The prospect was dismissed by both Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Federal Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese
Thursday
Education - The Berejiklian Government has been doing the numbers on the NSW curriculum, announcing today that maths will be compulsory for all students in the state. The release of the NSW Curriculum Review earlier this week suggests there will be more curriculum changes to come, with maths, English and science subjects to be championed. The reforms will also mean aspiring teachers will have to achieve at least band four in HSC mathematics to work at an NSW primary school, under a plan to boost standards.
Transport – contracts for 13 of Sydney’s bus contract regions are out to tender as the NSW Government continues to privatise the transport system. Labor and the Unions are against the move, but Minister for Transport Andrew Constance has said privatisation will see Sydney’s bus fleet replaced by more environmentally and energy efficient electric models.