Parliament Is Back And So Are We! NSW Parliament Wrap Up

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The start of the week saw the Berejiklian government teaming up with federal counterparts to inject $1 billion into getting critical drought-busting projects built. Wednesday marked 75 years since Sir Robert Menzies formally founded the Liberal Party of Australia, the day when Menzies wrote in his diary: "New party: 'The Liberal Party of Australia'." This still leaves the Liberals 25 years short of the NSW Nationals who celebrated their centenary in style at a Gala held at the SCG on Saturday night with a who's who of former and current Nationals members, including the Deputy PM and Deputy Premier. In the true spirit of the Coalition they even invited the (Liberal) Premier, who praised the National Party's advocacy for regional voices. 

Meanwhile, NSW Labor boss Kaila Murnain quit seven weeks after being suspended on full pay following her appearance at a corruption inquiry into the NSW wing of the party. The resignation comes well into the ongoing ICAC inquiry, which has uncovered several eye-watering allegations surrounding a prohibited $100,000 political donation. Media outlets are reporting that Murnain will recieve a $700,000 payout, but with Labor moving to ban single-use plastic bags it is unclear how it will be received...

With the Abortion Law Reform Bill (finally) assented, we're back for the first sitting week in October. The week was filled with dams, drug decriminalisation and dramatic walkouts (@Labor).

Tuesday

  • Closing the Gap: Community consultations started today, seeking feedback from Aboriginal communities about key targets and priorities for the Closing the Gap refresh.

  • Custody reforms: The NSW Government announced the provision of stronger protection for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in police custody. Attorney General Mark Speakman and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Don Harwin are implementing reforms following an inquest into the tragic death of Rebecca Maher.

  • Farewell to Niall Blair - Niall Blair gave his valedictory speech in the Legislative Council, where he served since 2011. Blair was a Minister from April 2015 to April 2019 and Leader of the Nationals in the Legislative Council from February 2017 to 2019. He is widely regarded as one of the best performing Nationals since the Coalition took Government in 2011. Blair reminisced about his time in Parliament, noting the importance of a strong Upper House to hold the Government to account and praising the work of the committee system.

  • Legislative Council - The House passed a bill to dissolve Roads and Maritime Services and transfer its assets and functions to Transport for NSW. The objective of the transfer and restructure is to provide a more integrated and customer‑focused transport system. The bill was returned to the Legislative Assembly for consideration of amendments.

Wednesday

  • Dams - The NSW Nationals announced they will introduce historic legislation to facilitate declared emergency drought works and fast track the construction of new dams across drought-stricken regional NSW. The legislation would truncate processes to fast track water projects in order to secure short-term water supply. In addition, three new dams will be given critical state significant infrastructure status; Macquarie River to Orange Pipeline, Burrendong Dam deep storage works and Chaffey Dam to Dungowan Village pipeline.

  • Music Festivals - Premier Gladys Berejiklian dismissed the coroner's call for pill testing before the report has been publicly released, instead introducing legislation to reinstate a controversial licensing scheme for music festivals. The Premier will also ignore the recommendation by the Deputy Coroner to introduce pill testing at music festivals, affirming her unwavering opposition to illegal drug use. Labor leader Jodi McKay has backed a medically supervised pill testing trial at music festivals while ruling out any support for a "watering down" of the "law and order approach" to illicit drugs.

  • Question time - Question time was more heated than usual, with the Labor party walking out after Leader of the Opposition, Jodi McKay, was thrown out from the chamber for repeated interruption and (allegedly) threatening the Speaker.

  • Legislative Council - The House came together to mark the passing of the Honourable Tim Fischer AC and considered bills on the regulation of the racing industry, modernising the process to pay fines and amending election funding processes.

Thursday

  • Plastics - The NSW Government endorsed banning single-use plastic bags during a debate in the lower house on Thursday. However, the government opposed Labor's bill for a ban within six months, with Environment Minister Matt Kean announcing his plan for a more comprehensive plastic policy.

  • Legislative Council - Thursday was a pretty standard private members’ business day. The only bill considered was Adam Searle's Industrial Relations Amendment (Contracts of Carriage) Bill 2019. Only Minister Harwin spoke, noting the Government’s opposition to the bill.

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