20 February: NSW Sitting Period in Review

Friday marked the start of the roll-out of the long awaited COVID-19 vaccine in New South Wales, tying a bow over what has been a busy first sitting period for 2021. However, news stories marking the occasion would not have made their way to Facebook feeds after the company removed the ability to access and share all news sources for all Australian users in response to the proposed mandatory media bargaining code.

Nevertheless, the sitting period has been full of key announcements and news. Here are the highlights from the first sitting period for the NSW Parliament.

NSW position on PEP-11 reaffirmed by key Ministers

Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes reaffirmed the position of NSW on PEP-11 this week, writing to the Federal Resources Minister Keith Pitt to recommend the licence not be renewed.

PEP-11, or the Petroleum Exploration Permit 11, is a controversial oil and gas exploration permit for offshore NSW. A statement issued by Mr Barilaro emphasized that while "the Permit was issued under Commonwealth legislation, it covers Commonwealth waters, and the final decision will be a matter for the Commonwealth government", Minister Pitt had written to the Deputy Premier for his recommendation last week.

In December last year, Surfrider Australia representatives, pro-surfer Adrian Buchan, Patagonia and Surfers For Climate ambassador Belinda Baggs and community members of Save Our Coast visited Parliament House in Canberra to raise concerns about PEP-11. They received cross-party support from Liberal MP Jason Falinski, Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi and Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, independent Zali Steggall, Labor MPs Sharon Claydon MP, Emma McBride MP and Pat Conroy MP, who also all advocated that PEP11 not be renewed.

Four Angels Law passes without Amendment

Drug and drink driving charges will be compounded and penalties increased to an $11,000 fine and two years in jail as part of the Road Transport Legislation Amendment (Drink And Drug Driving) Bill 2020. The bill is otherwise known as the Four Angels Law after the tragic deaths of Abdallah siblings Antony, Angelina, Sienna and their cousin Veronique Sakr by an alcohol and drug-impaired driver in Oatlands.

The bill was agreed to and returned to Assembly without amendment.

Dine & Discover pilot begins

The State Budget for 2020-21 announced the Out and About scheme, now Dine & Discover, to encourage people to dine out and attend arts events following the various and necessary COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions of 2020.

The trial period has now been launched in The Rocks and Broken Hill with 500 customers and 45 businesses involved, with further testing rolling out over Sydney CBD, northern beaches and Bega Valley later in February.

World Surf League comes to NSW

NSW will be delivering two World Surf League (WSL) Championships Tour events in 2021. It's the first time in 30 years the event will be held in NSW, with Deputy Premier Barilaro saying NSW has proven the "ability to host premier events while keeping people safe".

Teams will fly in on a chartered flight from Los Angeles and quarantining in the state before surfing events at Newcastle and North Narrabeen.

The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia and internationally means dramatic changes have been instituted for the 2021 WSL season. For example, because of issues with hotel quarantine arrangements, the event will not be held at Victoria's iconic Bells Beach for the first time since 1961.

Minister Stokes catches a wave at Collaroy Beach (source: SMH)

The Bergin Inquiry tabled in Parliament

The Bergin Inquiry into Crown Resorts, commissioned by the NSW Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority, was tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, February 9.

In a two-stage review, the regulator sought to consider the suitability of Crown to hold a restricted gaming licence, and the efficacy of the Casino Control Act in responding to the nature of the existing and emerging risks involved with the operation of casinos in Australia.

The scathing report shone a light on issues of corporate governance, and made a series of recommendations with respect to the ongoing regulation and oversight of the troubled industry.

Jodi McKay under fire for "letter of support"

NSW Labor Leader Jodi McKay was under fire this week for signing a 'letter of support' on behalf of a constituent for a Tamil refugee, who in 2017 was convicted of a sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl residing in Sydney.

The letter, which McKay maintains was not an act of advocating on his behalf, or an endorsement of the man, was later tendered in a matter concerning him before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

McKay has shot back at the extensive criticism and has written to the tribunal to request a clarification on the nature and characterization of the document for the public record.

Fallout from Parliamentary Inquiry into Regional Health Care in NSW

The Inquiry into Health Outcomes and Access to Health and Hospital Services in Rural, Regional, and Remote New South Wales was heard by the Portfolio Committee No.2 - Health.

In a large volume of submissions, the committee heard that there was an alarming disparity between health outcomes in regional and rural NSW as compared with their city counterparts. The inquiry will begin public hearings on March 19.

Batemans Bay Hospital (source: SMH)

Further Information

For more information about what went on in Parliament this week, please contact Ian Hancock on (02) 9223 0311 or via email at ih@premierstate.net