1
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
No. 1
TUESDAY 5 MAY 2015
Contents
1 Opening of Parliament ...... 2 2 Proclamation ...... 2 3 Commission to Open Parliament ...... 2 4 Commissioners’ Message to the Council and Assembly ...... 3 5 Members elected at Periodic Council Election ...... 4 6 Commission to Administer the Pledge of Loyalty or Oath of Allegiance to Members ...... 4 7 Members Sworn ...... 5 8 Vacancy in the Office of President ...... 6 9 Election of President ...... 6 10 Prayer ...... 6 11 Presentation of President to His Excellency the Governor ...... 6 12 Election of Deputy President and Chair of Committees ...... 6 13 Election of Assistant President ...... 7 14 Conduct of Business ...... 7 15 Ministerial Statement—New Administration ...... 7 16 Ministerial Statement—Senior Ministers ...... 9 17 Ministerial Statement—Parliamentary Secretaries ...... 9 18 Leadership—Government ...... 10 19 Government Whip ...... 10 20 Ministerial Statement—Representation of Government in the Legislative Council ...... 10 21 Leadership—Opposition ...... 11 22 Opposition Whip ...... 12 23 The Greens—Leadership...... 12 24 Christian Democratic Party (Fred Nile Group)—Leadership ...... 12 25 Shooters and Fishers Party—Leadership ...... 12 26 Pro-forma Bill—Law of Evidence Bill ...... 12 27 Presence of Governor ...... 12 28 Adjournment ...... 24 29 Attendance ...... 25
2 Legislative Council Minutes No. 1—Tuesday 5 May 2015
1 OPENING OF PARLIAMENT
The Council met at 10.00 am according to Proclamation of His Excellency the Governor.
2 PROCLAMATION
The Proclamation convening Parliament was read by the Clerk, as follows:
PROCLAMATION
NEW SOUTH WALES By His Excellency General The Honourable DAVID HURLEY, TO WIT Companion of the Order of Australia, Distinguished Service Cross, (Retired), DAVID HURLEY Governor of the State of New South Wales in the Commonwealth of Governor Australia
WHEREAS the Legislative Council now stands prorogued to Tuesday, 5 May 2015; Now I, in pursuance of the power and authority vested in me by the Constitution Act 1902, hereby proclaim that the said Legislative Council and also the Legislative Assembly shall assemble for the despatch of business on 5 May 2015, at 10:00 o’clock in the morning, in the premises known as Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney: and the Members of the Legislative Council and the Legislative Assembly are hereby required to attend at that time and place.
GIVEN under my hand and Seal, at Sydney, this twenty ninth day of April 2015.
By His Excellency’s Command, MIKE BAIRD Premier
GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!
3 COMMISSION TO OPEN PARLIAMENT
The Clerk informed the House that His Excellency the Governor of the State of New South Wales had been pleased to cause a Commission to be issued under the Public Seal of the State, appointing the Honourable Duncan John Gay MLC, Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight, and Vice-President of the Executive Council, the Honourable John George Ajaka MLC, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability Services, and Minister for Multiculturalism, and the Honourable Niall Blair MLC, Minister for Primary Industries, and Minister for Lands and Water, Commissioners, for the opening and holding of this session of Parliament.
The Commissioners took their places on the Dais.
A Commissioner (Mr Gay) directed the Usher of the Black Rod to let the Legislative Assembly know that the Commissioners request the immediate attendance of the Legislative Assembly in this House to hear the Commission for the opening of Parliament read.
The Assembly came.
Members of both Houses were seated at the request of the Commissioners.
A Commissioner (Mr Gay) said:
HONOURABLE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
3 Legislative Council Minutes No. 1—Tuesday 5 May 2015
His Excellency has been pleased to cause a Commission to be issued under the Public Seal of the State constituting us Commissioners with full power, in the name of His Excellency, to open this session of the Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly and to deliver messages to the Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly, and to do all such things as may be necessary to enable Parliament or the Legislative Council or Legislative Assembly to proceed to despatch of business.
The Clerk read the Commission, as follows:
His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley, Companion of the Order of Australia, Distinguished Service Cross, (Retired), Governor of the State of New South Wales in the Commonwealth of Australia
GREETING:
Whereas by Proclamation made by me this day, I, General The Honourable David Hurley, AC DSC (Ret’d), Governor of the State of New South Wales, in pursuance of the power and authority vested in me by the Constitution Act 1902, proclaimed that a Session of the Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly should be held and should commence on Tuesday, the fifth day of May 2015, at the time and place mentioned in the said Proclamation; NOW I, General The Honourable David Hurley, AC DSC (Ret’d), Governor of the State of New South Wales, trusting in the Honourable Duncan John Gay MLC, Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight, and Vice-President of the Executive Council, the Honourable John George Ajaka MLC, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability Services, and Minister for Multiculturalism, and the Honourable Niall Blair MLC, Minister for Primary Industries, and Minister for Lands and Water, with the advice of the Executive Council, give and grant unto the said DUNCAN JOHN GAY MLC, JOHN GEORGE AJAKA MLC, and NIALL BLAIR MLC, or any two of them, full power in my name to open the said Session of the said Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly on the fifth day of May 2015, and in my name, at the opening of the said Parliament, to deliver messages to the Legislative Council and to the Legislative Assembly, and to do all such things as may be necessary to enable Parliament or the Legislative Council or the Legislative Assembly to proceed to dispatch of business.
Given under my Hand and the Public Seal of the State, this twenty ninth day of April 2015.
By His Excellency’s Command,
MIKE BAIRD DAVID HURLEY Premier Governor
4 COMMISSIONERS’ MESSAGE TO THE COUNCIL AND ASSEMBLY
A Commissioner (Mr Gay) then said:
HONOURABLE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
We have it in command from the Governor, to acquaint you that the Governor desires that you take into your earnest consideration such matters as may be submitted to you.
A Commissioner (Mr Ajaka) then said:
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
It being necessary that a President of the Legislative Council be first chosen, it is the Governor’s pleasure that once Members of the Legislative Assembly have returned to their Chamber, that you, Members of the Legislative Council, after Members have taken the Pledge of Loyalty or Oath of Allegiance, proceed to the election of one of your number to be your President.
4 Legislative Council Minutes No. 1—Tuesday 5 May 2015
A Commissioner (Mr Blair) then said:
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
It being necessary that a Speaker of the Legislative Assembly be first chosen, it is the Governor’s pleasure that you, Members of the Legislative Assembly, return to your Chamber, and there, after Members have taken the Pledge of Loyalty or Oath of Allegiance, proceed to the election of one of your number to be your Speaker.
We are further commanded to acquaint you that the Governor desires that measures be taken by you, as may be deemed expedient, to provide for the peace, welfare and good government of the State.
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The Assembly then withdrew.
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5 MEMBERS ELECTED AT PERIODIC COUNCIL ELECTION
The Clerk announced receipt of the Writ for the periodic Council election, held on 28 March 2015, which was returned to His Excellency the Governor, endorsed with the names of the following members who were elected at that election:
AJAKA, John George COTSIS, Sophie KAYE, Roland John FRANKLIN, Benjamin Cameron SECORD, Walter William FARUQI, Mehreen Saeed MASON-COX, Matthew Ryan VOLTZ, Lynda Jane HARWIN, Donald Thomas MOSELMANE, Shaoquett TAYLOR, Bronwyn VEITCH, Michael Stanley AMATO, Louis SEARLE, Adam David MALLARD, Maxwell Shayne KHAN, Trevor John FARLOW, Scott Glynn HOUSSOS, Courtney BORSAK, Robert NILE, Frederick John PEARSON, Mark Anthony.
6 COMMISSION TO ADMINISTER THE PLEDGE OF LOYALTY OR OATH OF ALLEGIANCE TO MEMBERS
The Clerk announced to the House that His Excellency the Governor of the State of New South Wales had been pleased to cause a Commission to be issued under the Public Seal of the State, authorising the Honourable Duncan John Gay MLC, Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight, and Vice-President of the Executive Council, the Honourable John George Ajaka MLC, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability Services, and Minister for Multiculturalism, and the Honourable Niall Blair MLC, Minister for Primary Industries, and Minister for Lands and Water, Commissioners, to administer to all or any members of the
5 Legislative Council Minutes No. 1—Tuesday 5 May 2015
Legislative Council the Pledge of Loyalty or Oath of Allegiance required by law, which Commission was read by the Clerk as follows:
His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley, Companion of the Order of Australia, Distinguished Service Cross, (Retired), Governor of the State of New South Wales in the Commonwealth of Australia
GREETING:
Pursuant to the power and authority vested in me by the Constitution Act 1902, I, General The Honourable David Hurley, AC DSC (Ret’d), Governor of the State of New South Wales, hereby authorise the Honourable Duncan John Gay MLC, the Honourable John George Ajaka MLC and the Honourable Niall Blair MLC, or any one or more of them, as persons before whom the Pledge of Loyalty or Oath of Allegiance, required by law to be taken by every Member of the Legislative Council before that Member shall be permitted to sit or vote in the Legislative Council, may be taken.
Given under my Hand and the Public Seal of the State, this twenty ninth day of April 2015.
By His Excellency’s Command,
MIKE BAIRD DAVID HURLEY Premier Governor
7 MEMBERS SWORN
The following members took the Pledge of Loyalty or Oath of Allegiance before the Commissioners, and signed the Roll of the House:
The Honourable John George Ajaka The Honourable Sophie Cotsis The Honourable Dr Roland John Kaye The Honourable Benjamin Cameron Franklin The Honourable Walter William Secord The Honourable Dr Mehreen Saeed Faruqi The Honourable Matthew Ryan Mason-Cox The Honourable Lynda Jane Voltz The Honourable Donald Thomas Harwin The Honourable Shaoquett Moselmane The Honourable Bronwyn Taylor The Honourable Michael Stanley Veitch The Honourable Louis Amato The Honourable Adam David Searle The Honourable Maxwell Shayne Mallard The Honourable Trevor John Khan The Honourable Scott Glynn Farlow The Honourable Courtney Houssos The Honourable Robert Borsak The Reverend the Honourable Frederick John Nile The Honourable Mark Anthony Pearson.
The Commissioners then withdrew.
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8 VACANCY IN THE OFFICE OF PRESIDENT
The Clerk announced that as this was the first meeting of the House following the periodic Council election held on 28 March 2015, under section 22G of the Constitution Act 1902, the office of President of the Legislative Council was vacant, and it was necessary to choose a member to be President before the House proceeded to the despatch of business.
9 ELECTION OF PRESIDENT
The Clerk called for nominations for the office of President.
Mr Gay, addressing himself to the Clerk, proposed to the House and moved: That the Honourable Donald Thomas Harwin do take the Chair of this House as President.
The Honourable Donald Thomas Harwin submitted himself to the House.
There being only one nomination, the Honourable Donald Thomas Harwin was therefore declared elected President.
The President-elect expressed his sense of the honour to be conferred on him and was conducted to the Chair.
The President returned his acknowledgement to the House for the honour conferred on him in choosing him as its President.
The President took the Chair.
Honourable members congratulated the President.
The President acknowledged the members’ remarks.
10 PRAYER
The President read the prayers.
The President acknowledged the Gadigal clan of the Eora nation and its elders and thanked them for their custodianship of this land.
11 PRESENTATION OF PRESIDENT TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR
Mr Gay advised the House that he had ascertained it to be the pleasure of His Excellency the Governor to receive the Legislative Council to present their President to His Excellency in the Jubilee Room at 12 noon this day.
12 ELECTION OF DEPUTY PRESIDENT AND CHAIR OF COMMITTEES
The President informed the House that, following the periodic Council election held on 28 March 2015, according to standing order, the office of Deputy President and Chair of Committees of the Legislative Council was vacant and it was necessary to choose a member to be Deputy President and Chair of Committees.
The President called for nominations for the office of Deputy President and Chair of Committees.
7 Legislative Council Minutes No. 1—Tuesday 5 May 2015
Mr Gay, addressing himself to the President, proposed to the House and moved: That the Honourable Trevor John Khan be Deputy President and Chair of Committees.
The Honourable Trevor John Khan submitted himself to the House.
There being only one nomination, the Honourable Trevor John Khan was therefore declared elected Deputy President.
13 ELECTION OF ASSISTANT PRESIDENT
The President informed the House that, following the periodic Council election held on 28 March 2015, according to resolution of the House of Thursday 28 June 2007, the office of Assistant President of the Legislative Council was vacant and it was necessary to choose a member to be Assistant President.
The President called for nominations for the office of Assistant President.
Mr Gay, addressing himself to the President, proposed to the House and moved: That the Reverend the Honourable Frederick John Nile be Assistant President.
The Reverend the Honourable Frederick John Nile submitted himself to the House.
There being only one nomination, the Reverend the Honourable Frederick John Nile was therefore declared elected Assistant President.
14 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
Mr Gay sought the leave of the House to move a motion forthwith relating to the conduct of business of the House this day.
No objection taken.
Leave granted.
Mr Gay moved, by leave and without notice: That, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the standing orders:
(a) there be no question time this day,
(b) the question on the motion for the adjournment of the House this day be put without amendment or debate, and
(c) for the sittings of the House on Tuesday 5 May 2015 and Wednesday 6 May 2015, members may give notices of motions by delivering a signed copy to the Clerks at the Table. Such notices will be entered by the Clerk on the Notice Paper in random order.
Question put and passed.
15 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT—NEW ADMINISTRATION
Mr Gay informed the House that on 2 April 2015, His Excellency the Governor accepted the resignation of the Honourable Michael Bruce Baird MP, as Premier, Minister for Infrastructure, and Minister for Western Sydney, and as a member of the Executive Council, which action involved the resignations of his colleagues from their respective offices and as members of the Executive Council.
8 Legislative Council Minutes No. 1—Tuesday 5 May 2015
On the same day, His Excellency the Governor appointed the following persons to the offices indicated:
The Honourable Michael Bruce Baird MP Premier, and Minister for Western Sydney
The Honourable Troy Wayne Grant MP Deputy Premier, Minister for Justice and Police, Minister for the Arts, and Minister for Racing
The Honourable Gladys Berejiklian MP Treasurer, and Minister for Industrial Relations
The Honourable Adrian Piccoli MP Minister for Education
The Honourable Duncan John Gay MLC Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight, and Vice-President of the Executive Council
The Honourable Anthony John Roberts MP Minister for Industry, Resources and Energy
The Honourable Jillian Gell Skinner MP Minister for Health
The Honourable Andrew James Constance MP Minister for Transport and Infrastructure
The Honourable Bradley Ronald Hazzard MP Minister for Family and Community Services, and Minister for Social Housing
The Honourable Robert Gordon Stokes MP Minister for Planning
The Honourable Dominic Francis Perrottet MP Minister for Finance, Services and Property
The Honourable Gabrielle Cecelia Upton MP Attorney General
The Honourable Prudence Jane Goward MP Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Medical Research, Assistant Minister for Health, Minister for Women, and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
The Honourable John George Ajaka MLC Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability Services, and Minister for Multiculturalism
The Honourable Stuart Laurence Ayres MP Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events, and Minister for Sport
The Honourable Victor Michael Dominello MP Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation
The Honourable (John) Giovanni Domenic Barilaro MP Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Skills, and Minister for Small Business
The Honourable Paul Lawrence Toole MP Minister for Local Government
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The Honourable Niall Blair MLC Minister for Primary Industries, and Minister for Lands and Water
The Honourable Mark Raymond Speakman SC MP Minister for the Environment, Minister for Heritage, and Assistant Minister for Planning
The Honourable David Andrew Elliott MP Minister for Corrections, Minister for Emergency Services, and Minister for Veterans Affairs
The Honourable Leslie Gladys Williams MP Minister for Early Childhood Education, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, and Assistant Minister for Education.
16 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT—SENIOR MINISTERS
Mr Gay informed the House that, effective from 2 April 2015, the following ministers were designated as Senior Ministers:
The Honourable Gladys Berejiklian MP
The Honourable Adrian Piccoli MP
The Honourable Anthony John Roberts MP
The Honourable Jillian Gell Skinner MP
The Honourable Andrew James Constance MP
The Honourable Bradley Ronald Hazzard MP
The Honourable Robert Gordon Stokes MP
The Honourable Dominic Francis Perrottet MP
The Honourable Gabrielle Cecelia Upton MP.
17 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT—PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARIES
Mr Gay informed the House that on 24 April 2015 the following persons were appointed as Parliamentary Secretaries:
The Honourable David Clarke MLC, Parliamentary Secretary for Justice
Mr Jonathan O’Dea MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Major Events and Tourism
Mr Ray Williams MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier for Western Sydney
Mr Matt Kean MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Treasury
Mr Scot MacDonald MLC, Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter and Central Coast
Mr Gareth Ward MP, Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra and South Coast
Mr Daryl Maguire MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Veterans and the Centenary of ANZAC
The Honourable Catherine Cusack MLC, Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier
10 Legislative Council Minutes No. 1—Tuesday 5 May 2015
Ms Tanya Davies MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Youth Affairs and Homelessness
Mr John Sidoti MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Transport and Roads
Dr Geoffrey Lee MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Communities
The Honourable Richard Colless MLC, Parliamentary Secretary for Natural Resources and Regional Planning
Mr Christopher Gulaptis MP, Parliamentary Secretary for the North Coast
Mr Andrew Gee MP, Parliamentary Secretary for the Deputy Premier and Regional Roads
The Honourable Sarah Mitchell MLC, Parliamentary Secretary for Regional and Rural Health and Western NSW
Ms Katrina Hodgkinson MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Southern NSW.
18 LEADERSHIP—GOVERNMENT
Mr Gay informed the House that on 2 April 2015, he had been elected Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council and appointed Leader of the House in the Legislative Council, and the Honourable John Ajaka had been elected Deputy Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council.
19 GOVERNMENT WHIP
Mr Gay informed the House that on 1 April 2015, the Honourable Dr Peter Phelps had been elected Government Whip in the Legislative Council and that on 13 April 2015 the Honourable Ben Franklin had been elected Deputy Government Whip in the Legislative Council.
20 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT—REPRESENTATION OF GOVERNMENT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
Mr Gay informed the House that in the representation of government responsibilities in this chamber he will act in respect of his own portfolios and will represent the following ministers in the other House in respect of the following portfolios:
The Hon Mike Baird MP Premier, and Minister for Western Sydney
The Hon Troy Grant MP Deputy Premier, Minister for Justice and Police, Minister for the Arts
The Hon Gladys Berejiklian MP Treasurer, and Minister for Industrial Relations
The Hon Andrew Constance MP Minister for Transport and Infrastructure
The Hon Paul Toole MP Minister for Local Government
The Hon David Elliott MP Minister for Corrections, Minister for Emergency Services, and Minister for Veterans Affairs.
The Honourable John Ajaka MLC, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability Services, and Minister for Multiculturalism, will act in respect of his own portfolio and will represent the following ministers in the other House in respect of the following portfolios:
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The Hon Jillian Skinner MP Minister for Health
The Hon Brad Hazzard MP Minister for Family and Community Services, and Minister for Social Housing
The Hon Rob Stokes MP Minister for Planning
The Hon Gabrielle Upton MP Attorney General
The Hon Stuart Ayres MP Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events, and Minister for Sport
The Hon Victor Dominello MP Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation
The Hon Mark Speakman SC MP Minister for the Environment, Minister for Heritage, and Assistant Minister for Planning.
The Honourable Niall Blair MLC, Minister for Primary Industries, and Minister for Lands and Water, will act in respect of his own portfolio and will represent the following ministers in the other House in respect of the following portfolios:
The Hon Troy Grant MP Minister for Racing
The Hon Adrian Piccoli MP Minister for Education
The Hon Anthony Roberts MP Minister for Industry, Resources and Energy
The Hon Dominic Perrottet MP Minister for Finance, Services and Property
The Hon Pru Goward MP Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Medical Research, Assistant Minister for Health, Minister for Women, and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
The Hon John Barilaro MP Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Skills, and Minister for Small Business
The Hon Leslie Williams MP Minister for Early Childhood Education, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, and Assistant Minister for Education.
21 LEADERSHIP—OPPOSITION
Mr Searle informed the House that on 5 January 2015 the Honourable Luke Foley had been elected Leader of the NSW Opposition. Mr Foley continued to hold his position as Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council until the expiry of his term as a member of the Legislative Council.
Mr Searle further informed the House that on 8 April 2015, he had been elected Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council and the Honourable Walt Secord had been elected Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council.
12 Legislative Council Minutes No. 1—Tuesday 5 May 2015
22 OPPOSITION WHIP
Mr Searle informed the House that on 8 April 2015, the Honourable Shaoquett Moselmane had been elected Opposition Whip in the Legislative Council and that on 4 May 2015 the Honourable Greg Donnelly had been elected Deputy Opposition Whip in the Legislative Council.
23 THE GREENS—LEADERSHIP
Ms Barham made a statement concerning the leadership of The Greens.
24 CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY (FRED NILE GROUP)—LEADERSHIP
Revd Mr Nile informed the House that he would continue as leader of the Christian Democratic Party (Fred Nile Group).
25 SHOOTERS AND FISHERS PARTY—LEADERSHIP
Mr Borsak made a statement concerning the leadership of the Shooters and Fishers Party.
26 PRO-FORMA BILL—LAW OF EVIDENCE BILL
Mr Gay presented a bill titled “A Bill to amend the law of evidence” and moved: That this bill be now read a first time.
Question put and passed.
Bill read a first time.
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The President left the Chair at 10.54 am for the presentation of the President to the Governor in the Jubilee Room. ______
The House resumed at 2.30 pm. ______
27 PRESENCE OF GOVERNOR
His Excellency the Governor, accompanied by Mrs Linda Hurley, and attended by the Official Secretary (Colonel Michael Miller RFD) and the Aides-de-Camp to the Governor, was announced by the Usher of the Black Rod and conducted to the Vice-Regal Chair by the President (the Honourable Mr D Harwin).
Being seated, the Governor commanded the Usher of the Black Rod to let the Legislative Assembly know that it is His Excellency’s pleasure they attend him immediately in the Legislative Council chamber.
The Assembly, with their Speaker and other officers of the House, being in attendance accordingly and seated by desire of His Excellency the Governor—
His Excellency read the following speech:
We are meeting today on the traditional lands of the Gadigal people and I acknowledge them as the custodians and traditional owners of this land.
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I extend my respect to their elders, past and present.
Honourable members of Parliament,
You have been called together to consider proposals from the Government and other honourable members for the first session of the fifty-sixth Parliament of New South Wales.
I know that the honourable members sitting in this historic Parliament the oldest in Australia have different loyalties’ their own priorities and their own passions.
But I also know there is one thing that unites you all and it is that which has called you here today. The desire to make a difference in people’s lives in a real and meaningful way.
You the men and women gathered in these Chambers have the authority and the opportunity to implement lasting and meaningful change.
You have been chosen by the community to represent them and act in their interests. There can be no greater honour – or trust.
Over the next four years you will be called upon to act with integrity, wisdom and, sometimes, courage in the interests of all our citizens.
I commend you to the task.
NSW
NSW is the oldest state in the Commonwealth of Australia.
We are also the nation’s largest economy and the strongest.
There is an expectation on us to lead the way and over the past four years NSW has embraced its role as a leader and set a benchmark for strong economic growth.
But this Government has made it clear that while strong economic growth is the hallmark of a successful state - our economic might is meaningless unless it is used to support the most vulnerable, to protect the environment and provide opportunity for all its citizens.
Over the last four years the Government has worked hard to establish a secure foundation upon which it now intends to deliver a clear and sustainable plan for the future.
A positive plan that is ambitious in its scope but realistic in its deliverables.
A plan that is fully-funded, that will set Sydney for its future as a global city and provide generational change for all citizens of New South Wales.
On the 28th of March the people of New South Wales delivered to the Government a mandate to act upon this plan. Those people have the right to expect that the Government will act upon the commitments it made and the Government has an obligation to deliver.
These commitments, outlined in the Government’s program, which I am about to speak to, build on the many achievements set during the fifty-fifth term of Parliament.
This program focusses on delivering the best outcomes for all citizens of New South Wales a positive vision which focuses on the infrastructure and services which make a genuine difference in people’s everyday lives.
The Government’s program is built around five key elements:
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1. Strengthening the economy, to secure and create jobs.
2. Building new infrastructure, such as roads and railways that mean people spend more time with their families and less time commuting.
3. Delivering better services such as providing better schools to educate our kids and hospitals to look after the sick.
4. A safer and stronger community and environment with lower crime rates, and less litter
5. Protecting the vulnerable, delivering greater assistance for those in our community who need it the most.
STRENGTHENING THE ECONOMY
Rebuilding the New South Wales economy was the centrepiece of the Government’s achievements during the fifty-fifth Parliament.
Not only is the economy $40 billion larger than it was four years ago New South Wales now leads the nation on the key economic indicators and is ranked in the number one position in the CommSec State of the States Report.
The Government has kept expenses within the Budget every year for the past four years and delivered $9.7 billion in savings.
State debt has been reduced, lowering interest costs for government which, in turn, delivers more funding for the services that people need.
New South Wales has also secured a Triple A credit rating from both major agencies Moodys and Standard & Poors protecting the State’s ability to invest in critical infrastructure and services.
By getting the economy moving the Government instigated a trickle-down effect that kick-started jobs, invigorated spending and encouraged investment.
A healthy and strong, broad economy has an impact on the community and we have seen the benefits.
More than 175,000 jobs have been created over the last four years, building a stronger more stable and prosperous State.
Residential construction reached a ten-year high in 2014, and more than 160,000 new homes have been approved in the last four years.
Infrastructure spending is at record highs, setting our state up as the infrastructure capital of the world.
The Government is proud of this record but the work is far from done.
By continuing to build on the stable framework of a strong economy the Government is committed to ensuring its citizens reap the benefits of NSWs fiscal strength, and to make life easier where possible.
To this end the Government has committed to creating an additional 150,000 jobs during the term of the fifty-sixth Parliament.
One way to achieve this is an extension of the $5,000 payroll tax rebate for companies that employ new eligible workers, for the term of the Government.
The Government has received more than 90,000 applications for the rebate to date testament to the health and vibrancy of our economy.
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The Government will also establish a new $2,000 Small Business Employment Incentive which will reward small businesses for every additional employee that they take on.
The Government recognises that for many people the relentless juggle of work and family is putting pressure on their home and work life.
To ease this burden, the Government will invest $20 million to allow 45,000 more children access to quality Before- and After-school Care in both government and non-government schools.
In our hospitals the Government has committed to thousands more healthcare workers working in new and upgraded hospitals across the state.
Students of NSW will be learning in 1,000 new and upgraded public school classrooms, with around 1,500 additional school teachers, counsellors and Student Support Officers.
There will be at least 300 more police in NSW communities, keeping our streets safer.
And commuters will benefit from a once-in-a-lifetime investment in roads and rail which will significantly reduce congestion.
This program of investment which I will talk to in more detail shortly will ‘rebuild NSW’ and is only made possible by the long-term lease of 49 per cent of the New South Wales electricity network.
Sydney and NSW in ten years time will be a very different place to be, because the people of NSW have embraced this opportunity.
The lease will generate a $20 billion Fund “Rebuilding NSW” which the Government will redirect into the infrastructure and services that the people want and the State needs to deliver long-term prosperity.
The people of New South Wales voted to support the lease and the benefits that will flow from it and the Government is committed to honouring the trust the people have placed in it.
The Government has issued a price guarantee to be overseen by former Chairman of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Professor Alan Fels that the people of New South Wales will not pay more for electricity as a result of the long-term lease of these assets.
Recognising that low-income households may need a little extra support in meeting their energy bills the Government will extend its energy rebate scheme to include a $90 gas rebate for this first time.
BUILDING NEW INFRASTRUCTURE
Over the last four years, the Government has committed $61.5 billion to future-proofing this State’s infrastructure needs through a long-term, sustainable program of investment based on the advice of the expert independent body, Infrastructure NSW.
Over the next four years, the Government will oversee its roll out with the same discipline that has characterised the last four.
Here in Sydney once-in-a-lifetime projects which were strategically selected to provide the most benefit to the community are already underway:
• The South-West Rail Link opened a year ahead of schedule and $300 million under budget and provides much-needed improvements to public transport access and links to employment in this growth area of Sydney.
• Construction of Australia’s largest public transport infrastructure project the North-West Rail Link is well underway. Rapid transit rail services are on track to begin in the first half of 2019when customers will wait no longer than four minutes for a train in the peak period.
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• The Government has also commenced construction of Australia’s largest road project WestConnex. This project alone has created 10,000 jobs.
• Construction of NorthConnex began in February 2015. When it is completed, this link between the M1 Pacific Motorway and the M2 will take around 5,000 trucks off the Pennant Hills Road every day creating a faster and safer commute for thousands of motorists.
• Soon to be an unforgettable part of the city’s skyline, Sydney’s largest redevelopment project Barangaroo will inject more than $1.5 billion into the New South Wales economy every year. Construction of Barangaroo is creating around 11,000 jobs on and off site.
• And the new International Convention Centre at Darling Harbour is due to open at the end of this year providing Asia Pacific’s premier integrated convention, exhibition and entertainment precinct. The ICC will help deliver the Government’s commitment to make Sydney the event capital of Australia.
These projects have provided the city with a backbone of infrastructure that will set it up for the future.
But the long-term lease of part of the New South Wales electricity network will also afford the Government an opportunity for even more significant investment in Sydney’s roads and public transport ensuring the city will have the truly world-class transport system it needs.
Reforms to the system have already delivered 10,500 more public transport services every week.
But a rising population means that our transport system must continue to evolve.
To that end the centrepiece of the Government’s new $20 billion investment in infrastructure will be the $7 billion which have been dedicated to funding a second Sydney Harbour rail crossing with a new fast- tracked Sydney Rapid Transit line delivering travellers to stations in the CBD and on to Bankstown.
And beyond Bankstown, the Government will deliver the Western Sydney Rail Upgrade Program to improve the reliability and deliver more and faster services on the T1 Western Line, including Penrith and Sydney’s second CBD at Parramatta.
But building a better transport network is just part of the transport solutions of this Government.
The Government has committed to delivering northern and southern extensions to the existing WestConnex project as well as a program targeting pinch points and clearways, and improvements to traffic management systems and the Transport Management Centre.
And beyond the completion of Westconnex, the Government will build a new Western Harbour Tunnel.
Not only will the Tunnel allow up to 50,000 vehicles to bypass the CBD, it will alleviate congestion on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Sydney Harbour Tunnel, the Anzac Bridge and the Eastern Distributor.
That means less time spent on the road and more time spent at home or with friends and family.
HUNTER/ILLAWARRA AND REGIONAL NSW
The cranes we now see across Sydney signal to the state that NSW is on the move, but the Government’s commitment to infrastructure extends across NSW.
The same project of revitalisation will be seen in the Hunter and Illawarra regions over the next four years, funded through the long-term lease of the Port of Newcastle and Port Kembla.
• The Hunter Infrastructure and Investment Fund will support economic growth and enhance the liveability of the region through infrastructure investment in transport, education, water and health.
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• The 25-year Urban Renewal Strategy will re-energise Newcastle through the creation of a new transport interchange and revitalisation of the city centre which includes connecting the city to its waterfront and re-establishing Hunter Street as Newcastle’s main street.
The Illawarra Infrastructure Fund is delivering 12 priority infrastructure projects which will improve services and drive economic growth in the region.
This includes investment in aged and health care facilities, services for people with disability, a technology hub, road links and tourism infrastructure.
Regional communities play a vital role in our State’s ongoing prosperity and are recognised in the Rebuilding NSW plan with nearly a third of the funds raised through the long-term lease of the electricity network funding important regional infrastructure projects.
A lot has already been achieved to improve regional infrastructure and the Government has many more projects underway which will deliver once-in-a-lifetime reforms including upgrading roads and bridges, and protecting the safety and viability of local communities with major investment in water infrastructure.
In fact major upgrades and maintenance projects have begun on two of our State’s major highways the Pacific Highway and the Princes Highway.
But this is not where the transformation stops
Regional NSW will soon see the same kind of evolution that Sydney will enjoy.
A Regional Water Security and Supply Fund will focus on securing and delivering long-term sustainable water supplies to drought-affected communities around the State.
The Government will deliver major projects for country rail, in particular to ensure our regions can meet a forecast growth in freight demand.
A $300 million Regional Environment and Tourism Program will invest in regional tourism assets.
This will build on the Government’s work to date by attracting and delivering major events in our State’s regional centres, like the Toyota Country Music Festival in Tamworth, Orange F.O.O.D. Week and the Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin.
The Government is committed to projects which will sustain growth in the regional communities that are such an integral part of our State.
ARTS AND CULTURE
This Government has often said that key infrastructure is the backbone of a modern city, but the arts and culture are at its heart.
That is why the Rebuilding fund will create a $600 million Arts and Cultural Infrastructure Fund, including $202 million to upgrade the Sydney Opera House, and a further $139 million to develop the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct.
This Government has also committed to providing $30 million over four years to grow the Arts and Cultural sector in Western Sydney.
This commitment doubles Western Sydney’s share of funds, raising it from 7% to 14% of Arts NSW funding, which includes $10 million to relocate the iconic Powerhouse Museum to the heart of Sydney Parramatta.
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EXPANDING SERVICES
While politics is what plays out between these walls, the purpose of Government is to serve the people it is the reason Government exists.
From the very beginning of its first term, the Government has had as its core principle that government services be designed to meet the needs of people, not for the convenience of government.
Getting the policy right for the purpose of serving the people is at all times the Government’s priority.
It is about making people’s lives easier and that is why the Government will continue to roll out Service NSW across the State.
Service NSW is a single point where people can undertake any one of 800 different transactions either online, via a 24/7 phone service or at a service centre transactions such as drivers’ licences and vehicle registrations, Senior Card applications or owner building permits.
Since Service NSW was launched it has served more than 8 million customers.
There are now 24 Service NSW centres and three digital stores. Five more Service NSW shops are under construction in Grafton, Armidale, Bondi Junction, Broken Hill and Albury.
The disadvantaged among us are often more reliant on the support of Government services than other citizens.
There is much the Government can do to support the vulnerable – but a good Government recognises it cannot do it alone.
Old problems need new solutions and that is why the Government has undertaken major reforms to the way it delivers services to people in need.
Non-government and private sectors have important resources, expertise and ideas to contribute to the way our society meets these needs.
That is why the Government has reinvented the way it partners with these sectors and is delivering Australia’s first Social Benefit Bonds trials.
This innovative approach represents a potentially game-changing way of tackling entrenched disadvantage.
Through a Social Benefit Bond private investors provide up-front funding to service providers to deliver improved social outcomes.
If service providers are effective if people’s lives are improved the cost savings to government can be used to pay back the up-front funding as well as providing a return on the original investment.
In 2013, the Government began two Social Benefit Bond trials.
• UnitingCare Burnside’s Newpin program works with families at risk of entering the child protection system or with children already in care.
• It works with parents with the aim of returning children safely to their care.
• It’s hard to imagine more important work than this. Giving parents the chance to be a functioning family, and in doing so opening up a world of opportunity for their children.
• The second trial is supporting the Benevolent Society to work with up to 400 families to address issues such as domestic violence, substance misuse and mental health issues.
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Evaluation of these trials is ongoing but shows early positive signs.
Building on these encouraging outcomes, the Government will now roll out a Social Impact Investment Policy the first policy of its kind in Australia.
The Policy will take the Government’s commitment to innovate and partner with other sectors to the next level for the benefit of the people of New South Wales.
The delivery of social policy is not the only area in which the Government is exploring innovative ways of delivering integral services.
In regional New South Wales, the Government has introduced Local Land Services.
These Services are revolutionising the way agricultural services are delivered resulting in real results for productive agriculture, natural resources, biosecurity and communities across the State.
There are 11 Local Land Services, led by local boards, working with their local communities to create an efficient and flexible model for service delivery which is driven by local decision making and accountability.
PROTECTING COMMUNITIES
Among the most important services that Government delivers are those that ensure our children and young people get a good education, that our healthcare needs are met and that our communities are safe and secure.
During the period of the fifty-fifth Parliament, the Government has increased the Health Budget by 20 per cent.
• For the people of New South Wales that means 6,000 additional front line staff like doctors, nurses and paramedics.
• It means nearly $5 billion invested in more than 130 projects to rebuild, redevelop and upgrade hospitals and health services across the State from Blacktown to Bega, from Westmead to Wagga Wagga.
• It also means an improvement in waiting times in Emergency Departments and in the percentage of elective surgeries being completed within the clinically recommended timeframe across all categories.
Targeted funding for mental health services has also increased by 32 per cent on the 2010-2011 Budget.
The Government knows dollars alone are not enough to guarantee the level of health services the people of New South Wales deserve.
In 2012 the Government established the Mental Health Commission.
The Commission delivered the State’s first Mental Health Strategic Plan in 2014 representing a long-term investment in this traditionally neglected field.
The Government will now focus on thorough implementation of the Plan over the next three years.
The Government does not shy away from making difficult decisions.
Introducing a trial of medicinal cannabis was the right and compassionate thing to do to ease suffering and further explore the role medical cannabis can play.
NSW is leading the country and the world on this important issue.
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The Government is committed to seeing the trials through and has a responsibility to find out whether safe and effective cannabis-based products can offer relief to some patients.
To further ease the burden of people suffering from serious illnesses people who have enough challenges to face without struggling to find the money to pay for the medication they need the Government will invest $76 million over four years to remove the fee for all highly specialised drugs.
Through “Rebuilding NSW”, the Government will also deliver an additional $1 billion for health capital works over the next four years.
The Government will focus on building new hospitals in areas of high population growth, like Sydney’s west.
In the regions, the Government will deliver Multi-Purpose Services designed to deliver a range of vital healthcare services such as emergency care, primary, community and ambulatory care, all from one location.
And the Government will provide 19 new ‘one-stop-shops’ across New South Wales under the Care Co- Location Program.
These services will provide access to a range of services like allied and mental health, early childhood and youth and Aboriginal health services.
Our children and young people need to be prepared to keep up with a world where technology is reinvented on an almost daily basis.
Access to a good education is often the key to unleashing potential in children who have had an unfair start to life.
Education can overcome challenges and open up a world of opportunity for our children and young people.
That is why the Government was the first in Australia to sign up to the Gonski reforms.
With a funding formula based on the circumstances of the individual student, the Gonski reforms direct education dollars to where they are most needed regardless of where a child lives or whether they attend a government or non-government school.
The Gonski Agreement has delivered 16 per cent more funding for New South Wales school students.
It also builds on the Government’s long-term agenda for educational reform.
The Government will continue to deliver targeted investment to provide critical support for literacy and numeracy and to work with peak and industry bodies and the tertiary education sectors to ensure our children have the best teachers in Australia.
Rebuilding NSW will provide the Government with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to invest in schools and transform existing classrooms to meet the needs of 21st century learning.
Through the Future Focused Schools program, the Government will deliver the education infrastructure needed to meet a growing demand for high quality public education, especially in growth areas like Western Sydney.
Today, perhaps more than ever before, education does not end at the school gate.
With the Rebuilding NSW plan, the Government envisions a very different NSW in the future.
But this future is one that needs smart, young people prepared to take the state where it needs to go.
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Our hospitals, our laboratories, our offices, boardrooms, farms and homes all house a high calibre of graduates who are breaking new ground in many fields of innovation and development and making NSW the business and information technology capital of Australia.
The modern workplace demands highly trained and highly skilled people.
The NSW Government recognises that we need a 21st century training system to support the fastest growing economy in the country.
The Government’s reform of Vocational Education and Training will provide an additional 60,000 places in 2015.
And to ensure that the benefits of our booming economy are available to all the Government will ensure that 225,000 TAFE scholarships will be available for young people experiencing disadvantage, such as residents of social housing.
The Government has struck an agreement with peak employer and industry groups to deliver more jobs for apprentices who will benefit from on-the-job training.
With the significant infrastructure building program being undertaken across the state, this agreement will provide valuable opportunities on some truly iconic projects.
It has been said that the true measure of a civilised society is how well it treats its most vulnerable citizens.
The Government is proud to be the first in Australia to sign up to the National Disability Insurance Scheme or NDIS.
The launch site in the Hunter is already proving the effectiveness of the NDIS in providing people with disability greater autonomy and real choice over what services they receive, how they receive them and from whom.
The full roll-out of the scheme was originally due to commence in July 2016.
However, given the positive change that the NDIS is effecting in the Hunter, the Government will deliver the NDIS one year ahead of schedule in several locations in Western Sydney.
This early roll-out will involve 2,000 young people who will receive NDIS support from July this year.
The Government believes young people and their families deserve to receive the care that suits them and that they choose.
Few are perhaps more vulnerable than the victims of domestic violence.
People hurt by those who claim to love them most.
The Government does not believe this situation should be tolerated any longer and has appointed a Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.
Domestic and family violence presents not only an immediate physical danger to its victims it too often leads to complex social problems such as homelessness and brings families into contact with the child protection system.
The Government will continue its reforms of the homelessness system in New South Wales to deliver more and better services, including early intervention services to prevent people becoming homeless in the first place.
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For children who cannot live at home safely because of family and domestic violence or other risks the Government will continue its hard work to provide better protections.
The Government will continue to roll out its Safe Home for Life program.
With a new emphasis on finding permanent homes for children who cannot be returned safely to their families including through adoption Safe Home for Life clearly and unapologetically prioritises the needs of the child.
And, recognising that the stresses of parenthood can begin in the very earliest stages the Government will expand the Sustaining NSW Families program which provides nurse-led home visits for vulnerable mothers and their families in high-needs areas across the State.
Almost 20 per cent of mothers experience post-natal depression.
They should not have to face it alone.
New South Wales, as home to around a third of Australia’s Indigenous population, has particularly benefitted from the enormous contributions that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to make in a wide variety of fields.
At the same time, the Government recognises that many Aboriginal people and communities face the added obstacle of inter-generational disadvantage steeped in the complex history of our nation.
During its first term, the Government consulted widely with Aboriginal communities across New South Wales to develop OCHRE, its plan for Aboriginal Affairs.
OCHRE stands for Opportunity Choice Healing Responsibility Empowerment.
OCHRE is delivering educational and employment opportunities, Aboriginal Language and Culture Hubs, and increased capacity and Local Decision Making to return the accountability of government in the delivery of Aboriginal programs to Aboriginal people.
A modern state is nothing if its citizens do not feel safe on their streets.
Community safety remains a key priority for the NSW Government.
In the past two years, New South Wales has delivered significant declines in reported crime rates with all major crime categories stable or falling across the state.
This is the first time since these statistics have been recorded, that we have had such a uniform improvement in public safety.
The NSW Police Force has been relentless and pro-active in their work to make the streets, homes, pubs and roads safer places for us all.
Our Police Force is among the finest in the world and we thank them everyday for putting their safety last and our community first. And we thank their families for entrusting us with their sons and daughters, mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers.
The NSW Government is committed to providing our Police Force with the resources it needs to continue to do their jobs safely and effectively.
This includes cutting-edge technology like the new counter terrorism helicopter PolAir 5 and the new fixed wing PolAir 7.
The safety of our frontline officers is paramount these are the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect us every day.
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Police across the State have now been issued with new ballistic vests and thigh holsters.
Working closely with the NSW Police Force, the Government has backed up their field work with tougher sentences to combat gun crime and organised crime, and a range of measures to tackle drug and alcohol-fuelled violence.
A strong economy has also allowed the Government to invest in the recruitment of 679 new Police over the last term with another 80 added to the force this month.
The Government is committed to increasing the authorised strength of the NSW Police Force to a record 16,795 by December 2018.
PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
The care we take of our environment is an investment in our future, but perhaps more importantly, in our children’s and our grandchildren’s futures.
New South Wales was the first state in Australia to create a national park the stunning Royal National Park south of Sydney.
It was just the second national park to be declared in the world.
The Government has created 10 new parks and made 64 additions to existing parks.
To further protect our wilderness from the risk of bushfires and from litter, the Government banned smoking from all 860 New South Wales national parks.
This Government committed to introducing reverse vending machines across the state as part of a cost- effective container deposit scheme for the recycling of drink containers, empowering local communities to look after their patch of land and be rewarded for their efforts. NSW will by 1 July 2017 be able to use reverse vending machines at popular beaches, parks, and public spaces across the state.
While the Government takes litter seriously, it takes potential environmental impacts of chemical spills and radiation waste even more seriously.
The Government re-established the Environmental Protection Authority as an independent environmental regulator with real teeth.
Legislation now requires polluters to report incidents immediately, and has doubled the maximum penalty for failing to do so.
Increased penalties, including on-the-spot fines and court imposed penalties, are in place to deter offenders and re-offenders to protect our environment, our people and our communities.
The coal seam gas industry continues to be a source of controversy across New South Wales, Australia and the world.
It is about getting the balance right.
That is why the Government has accepted all of the recommendations of the independent Chief Scientist and Engineer to inform its regulation of the coal seam gas industry.
The Government has introduced more than 60 protections giving New South Wales the strongest regulation of the coal seam gas industry in the country, and has reduced its footprint from 60 per cent of the state to 15 per cent.
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The Government will continue to evaluate coal seam gas proposals on a case-by-case basis, judging each proposal on its individual merits.
CONCLUSION
For four years the Government worked hard to turn NSW around, to strengthen the economy, to put its citizens first.
The Government went to its people with a fully funded plan to build on that hard work and future-proof the state.
NSW has clearly signalled its support for that plan and the Government has made a firm commitment to New South Wales that it will deliver on the commitments so emphatically supported at the election.
The Government will deliver improved infrastructure and better services, protection for our environment and communities and restore accountability across government all of this underpinned by the number one economy in Australia, steady jobs growth and solid consumer and business confidence.
You - the elected members of the fifty-sixth Parliament of New South Wales - have a great responsibility and a great opportunity to serve the people of this great State.
You each represent many voices and symbolise the great diversity of NSW the many cultural and language backgrounds that have come together are the beating heart of our state.
There are many new members taking their seats for the first time today among the more established and experienced representatives.
I encourage you to learn from and support each other remember you are here to speak for your community and it is their interests that come first.
Respect for each other and the people whose voice you represent is what should underpin every debate and it is that which will lead to good policy and good outcomes for the communities you represent.
It remains for me to extend every good wish to you all.
I now leave you to the important tasks entrusted to you by the people of New South Wales.
Thank you.
His Excellency and Vice-Regal party were then conducted by the Usher of the Black Rod from the Council chamber.
On the President resuming the Chair, the Assembly with their Speaker and other officers of the House, withdrew.
28 ADJOURNMENT
Mr Gay moved: That this House do now adjourn.
Question put and passed.
The House adjourned at 3.23 pm until Wednesday 6 May 2015 at 11.00 am.
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29 ATTENDANCE
All members present, except Mrs Maclaren-Jones.
David Blunt Clerk of the Parliaments
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Authorised by the Parliament of New South Wales