New South Wales

Legislative Council

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD)

Fifty-Seventh Parliament First Session

Tuesday, 7 May 2019

Authorised by the Parliament of New South Wales

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Opening of Session ...... 1 Opening of Session by Commissioners ...... 1 Members ...... 1 Periodic Legislative Council Election ...... 1 Return of Writ ...... 1 Commission to Administer Pledge of Loyalty or Oath of Allegiance ...... 2 Pledge of Loyalty or Oath of Allegiance ...... 2 Presiding Officers ...... 2 President of the Legislative Council ...... 2 Election ...... 2 Governor ...... 3 Assumption of the Administration of the Government...... 3 Presiding Officers ...... 3 President of the Legislative Council ...... 3 Presentation ...... 3 Deputy President and Chair of Committees...... 3 Election ...... 3 Assistant President ...... 4 Election ...... 4 Ballot ...... 4 Declaration of Ballot ...... 4 Announcements...... 4 Aboriginal Culture and Heritage ...... 4 Business of the House ...... 5 Conduct of Business ...... 5 Members ...... 5 Ministry ...... 5 Senior Ministers ...... 6 Parliamentary Secretaries...... 6 Leader and Deputy Leader of the Government ...... 7 Government Whip and Deputy Government Whip ...... 7 Representation of Government in the Legislative Council ...... 7 Leader and Deputy Leader of the Opposition ...... 8 Opposition Whip and Deputy Opposition Whip ...... 8 Pauline Hanson's One Nation ...... 8 Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party ...... 8 The Greens ...... 9 ...... 9 Bills ...... 9 Law of Evidence Bill 2019 ...... 9 TABLE OF CONTENTS—continuing

First Reading ...... 9 Presiding Officers ...... 9 President of the Legislative Council ...... 9 Presentation ...... 9 Governor ...... 9 Opening of Session by Her Excellency the Governor ...... 9 Message Stick ...... 9 Message Stick ...... 9 Governor ...... 10 Governor's Speech ...... 10 Adjournment Debate ...... 16 Adjournment ...... 16

Tuesday, 7 May 2019 Legislative Council Page 1

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

Tuesday, 7 May 2019

______The House met at 10:00 pursuant to the proclamation of His Excellency the former Governor. The Clerk of the Parliaments read the proclamation. Opening of Session OPENING OF SESSION BY COMMISSIONERS The CLERK: I announce that His Excellency the former Governor had been pleased to cause a Commission to be issued under the Public Seal of the State appointing the Hon. Donald Thomas Harwin, MLC, Special Minister of State, and Minister for the Public Service and Employee Relations, Aboriginal Affairs, and the Arts, and Vice-President of the Executive Council, the Hon. , MLC, Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning, and the Hon. Bronwyn Taylor, MLC, Minister for Mental Health, Regional Youth and Women, Commissioners for the opening and holding of this session of Parliament. The Commissioners took their places on the dais. The Hon. : I direct the Usher of the Black Rod to request the attendance of the members of the Legislative Assembly to hear the Commission for the opening of Parliament. The members of the Legislative Assembly attended. The Hon. DON HARWIN: Honourable members of the Legislative Council and members of the Legislative Assembly, His Excellency the former Governor 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 dispatch of business. The Clerk will now read the Commission. The Clerk of the Parliaments read the Commission. The Hon. DON HARWIN: Honourable members of the Legislative Council and members of the Legislative Assembly, we have it in command from His Excellency the former Governor to acquaint you that he desires that you take into your earnest consideration such matters as may be submitted to you. Members of the Legislative Council, it being necessary that a President of the Legislative Council be first chosen, it is the former 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. Members of the Legislative Assembly, it being necessary that a Speaker of the Legislative Assembly be first chosen, it is the former 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 former 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. The members of the Legislative Assembly having withdrawn, the Commissioners left the dais. Members PERIODIC LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTION Return of Writ The CLERK: I announce that I have received the writ for the periodic Legislative Council election held on 23 March 2019, which was returned to His Excellency the former Governor, endorsed with the names of the following members who were elected at that election: The Hon. Mark Jared Banasiak Tuesday, 7 May 2019 Legislative Council Page 2

The Hon. Niall Mark Blair Ms Abigail Selina Boyd The Hon. Mark Robert Buttigieg The Hon. Catherine Eileen Cusack The Hon. Anthony Gerard Damien D'Adam The Hon. Gregory John Donnelly The Hon. Wesley Joseph Fang The Hon. Emma Christine Hurst The Hon. Mark William Latham The Natasha Marianne Maclaren-Jones The Hon. Taylor Mitchell Martin The Hon. Sarah Ann Mitchell The Hon. Nitin The Hon. Tara Elizabeth Moriarty The Hon. Peter Thomas Primrose The Hon. Rodney John Roberts The Hon. Penelope Gail Sharpe Mr David Martin Shoebridge The Hon. Damien Francis Tudehope The Hon. Natalie Peta Ward. COMMISSION TO ADMINISTER PLEDGE OF LOYALTY OR OATH OF ALLEGIANCE The CLERK: I announce that His Excellency the former Governor had issued a Commission under the Public Seal of the State authorising the Hon. Donald Thomas Harwin, MLC, Special Minister of State, and Minister for the Public Service and Employee Relations, Aboriginal Affairs, and the Arts, and Vice-President of the Executive Council, the Hon. Sarah Mitchell, MLC, Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning, and the Hon. Bronwyn Taylor, MLC, Minister for Mental Health, Regional Youth and Women to administer the pledge of loyalty or oath of allegiance. The Clerk of the Parliaments read the Commission. The Commissioners took their places on the dais. PLEDGE OF LOYALTY OR OATH OF ALLEGIANCE The following members took the pledge of loyalty or oath of allegiance and signed the roll: The Hon. Catherine Eileen Cusack The Hon. Tara Elizabeth Moriarty Mr David Martin Shoebridge The Hon. Mark William Latham The Hon. Mark Jared Banasiak The Hon. Niall Mark Blair The Hon. Penelope Gail Sharpe Ms Abigail Selina Boyd The Hon. Damien Francis Tudehope The Hon. Gregory John Donnelly The Hon. Taylor Mitchell Martin The Hon. Anthony Gerard Damien D'Adam The Hon. Sarah Ann Mitchell The Hon. Nitin Daniel Mookhey The Hon. Natalie Peta Ward The Hon. Peter Thomas Primrose The Natasha Marianne Maclaren-Jones The Hon. Wesley Joseph Fang The Hon. Mark Robert Buttigieg The Hon. Emma Christine Hurst The Hon. Rodney John Roberts The Commissioners left the dais. Presiding Officers PRESIDENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL Election The CLERK: I announce that, as this is the first sitting of the House following the periodic election held on 23 March 2019, under section 22G of the Constitution Act 1902 the office of President of the Legislative Council is now vacant and it is necessary to choose a member to be President before the House proceeds to the dispatch of business. I now call for nominations for the office of President in accordance with section 22G of the Constitution Act. The Hon. DON HARWIN: I propose to the House and move: Tuesday, 7 May 2019 Legislative Council Page 3

That the Hon. John George Ajaka do take the chair of this House as President. The Hon. John Ajaka fulfilled this role with distinction in the previous Parliament. He has been a truly outstanding President. I hope that he will have the confidence of honourable members and be re-elected as President. The CLERK: There being only one nomination, I invite the Hon. John Ajaka to address the House. The Hon. JOHN AJAKA: Honourable members, I submit myself to the will of the House. The CLERK: The question is that the Hon. John Ajaka do take the chair of this House as President. Motion agreed to. The Hon. John Ajaka was declared elected President of the Legislative Council. Members of the House calling on the Hon. John George Ajaka to the chair, he was taken out of his place by the Hon. Don Harwin and conducted to the chair. The Hon. JOHN AJAKA: As President-elect, standing on the upper step: I express to honourable members my deep sense of the honour that this House has conferred upon me. I submit myself to the House. I convey to honourable members my deep consciousness of the honour that this House has conferred upon me in choosing me as its independent and impartial President. I express my profound thanks and gratitude for the confidence that it has reposed in me. The President took the chair. The President read the Prayers. The PRESIDENT: I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land, the Gadigal people of the Eora nation and its elders—the traditional owners of the lands we represent—and thank them for their custodianship of country. Governor ASSUMPTION OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE GOVERNMENT The PRESIDENT: I report receipt of the following message from Her Excellency the Governor: Government House Sydney Margaret Beazley GOVERNOR The Honourable Margaret Beazley, AO, QC, has the honour to inform the Legislative Council that Her Majesty The Queen has been graciously pleased, by Commission under Her Royal Sign Manual and the Public Seal of the State of New South Wales, bearing date at Saint James's the tenth day of January 2019, to appoint her to be the Governor in and over the State of New South Wales in the Commonwealth of Australia; and that this day she took the Oath of Allegiance and Judicial Oath before the Honourable Thomas Bathurst, AC, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of New South Wales, and assumed the administration of the Government of the State accordingly. Thursday, 2 May 2019 The Hon. DON HARWIN: I move: That consideration of the message stand an order of the day for the next sitting day. Motion agreed to. Presiding Officers PRESIDENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL Presentation The Hon. DON HARWIN: I inform the House that I have ascertained it to be the pleasure of Her Excellency the Governor to receive members of the Legislative Council to present their President to Her Excellency in the Jubilee Room at 12 noon today. DEPUTY PRESIDENT AND CHAIR OF COMMITTEES Election The PRESIDENT: I announce that, as this is the first meeting of the House following the periodic Council election held on 23 March 2019, according to Standing Order 15 the office of Deputy President and Chair of Committees of the Legislative Council is vacant and it is necessary to choose a member to be Deputy President Tuesday, 7 May 2019 Legislative Council Page 4

and Chair of Committees. I call for nominations for the office of Deputy President and Chair of Committees of the Legislative Council. The Hon. SARAH MITCHELL: I propose to the House and move: That the Hon. be Deputy President and Chair of Committees. Motion agreed to. The PRESIDENT: I invite the nominated member, the Hon. Trevor Khan, to address the House. The Hon. TREVOR KHAN: I thank the House. The PRESIDENT: There being only one nomination, the Hon. Trevor Khan is declared elected Deputy President and Chair of Committees. ASSISTANT PRESIDENT Election The PRESIDENT: I announce that, following the periodic Council election held on 23 March 2019, according to resolution of continuing effect, the office of Assistant President is vacant and it is necessary to choose a member to be Assistant President. I call for nominations for the office of Assistant President. The Hon. : I propose and move: That Reverend the Hon. be elected Assistant President. The Hon. : I propose to the House and move: That the Hon. Shaoquett Moselmane be elected Assistant President. The Hon. Shaoquett Moselmane has served in this House with distinction for many years, including as Opposition Whip. He is one of the finest members of the House. Reverend the Hon. FRED NILE: I submit myself to the will of the House. The Hon. SHAOQUETT MOSELMANE: I submit myself to the will of the House. The PRESIDENT: According to the standing orders, I announce that there being two nominations a ballot will be held. Before proceeding to the ballot, the bells will be rung for five minutes. Ballot The President announced that the House would proceed to a ballot; that the Clerks would distribute ballot papers for members to complete in their places; that members were requested to write upon their ballot paper the name of the candidate for whom they wished to vote; that when voting was completed the Clerks would ask members to deposit their paper in the ballot box; and that the candidates were Reverend the Hon. Fred Nile and the Hon. Shaoquett Moselmane. The ballot was conducted. Declaration of Ballot The PRESIDENT: I announce that the result of the ballot was the Hon. Shaoquett Moselmane, 20 votes, Reverend the Hon. Fred Nile, 19 votes. The Hon. Shaoquett Moselmane was declared elected Assistant President of the Legislative Council. The Hon. SHAOQUETT MOSELMANE: I am honoured and privileged to serve alongside the President. Announcements ABORIGINAL CULTURE AND HERITAGE The PRESIDENT: I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet today, the Gadigal people of the Eora nation. I pay my respects to their elders past, present and emerging, and extend that respect to any Aboriginal people in the room. In June 2016 Legislative Council Portfolio Committee No. 3 - Education inquired into and reported on reparations for the Stolen Generations in New South Wales. The report, entitled Reparations for the Stolen Generations in New South Wales: Unfinished Business, made 35 recommendations that seek to address the enduring effects of past government practices in relation to the Stolen Generations. The Government's response was developed in consultation with Stolen Generation organisations to ensure it was properly informed and reflected survivor expectations. Tuesday, 7 May 2019 Legislative Council Page 5

The Government accepted the majority of the report's recommendations and committed that the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and the President of the Legislative Council would acknowledge and promote Aboriginal culture and heritage at the commencement of each new Parliament. The Government response acknowledged that, first, in New South Wales the Aborigines Welfare Board had wideranging control over the lives of Aboriginal people, including the power to remove children from their families and place them into care under a policy of assimilation; second, the children removed by the board suffered an enduring loss of culture and belonging, with many suffering severe abuse and neglect; third, child removals had individual and widespread impacts on families and communities and that this trauma has been passed down to their descendants and continues to be felt today. Today, as a Parliament, we again acknowledge those events. We also acknowledge the steps already taken by this Parliament in response to those events. In 1983 this Parliament enacted the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Rights Act to enable Aboriginal people to claim land and to support Aboriginal communities' social and economic development. In 1997 this Parliament was the first in Australia to formally apologise to members of the Stolen Generation, recognising the injustices of the past. In 2010 this Parliament amended the New South Wales Constitution Act to formally acknowledge and honour New South Wales Aboriginal people, their ongoing connection to their traditional lands and waters and their contribution to the identity of New South Wales. In 2017, in another Australian first, the New South Wales Parliament enacted the New South Wales Aboriginal Languages Act, recognising the importance of Aboriginal languages. Still today we acknowledge that there is more to do. As members of this Parliament, we have the opportunity and the responsibility to shape our State's future—a future in which Aboriginal culture and heritage continue to thrive and are strengthened and enriched with each new generation. Let us mark the historic opening of the Fifty-Seventh Parliament with a renewed commitment to support Aboriginal people in their efforts to strengthen and share their culture and heritage and to create a future that celebrates and values every person in New South Wales. Business of the House CONDUCT OF BUSINESS The Hon. DON HARWIN: By leave and without notice: I move: That, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the standing or sessional orders: (a) there be no question time today; (b) the question on the motion for the adjournment of the House this day be put without amendment or debate, and; (c) for the sitting of the House this day, 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 the order in which they would appear if given orally. Motion agreed to. Members MINISTRY The Hon. DON HARWIN: I inform the House that, on 2 April 2019, His Excellency the former Governor accepted the resignation of the Hon. Gladys Berejiklian, MP, as Premier and as a member of the Executive Council, which action involved the resignations of her colleagues from their respective offices and as members of the Executive Council. On the same day, His Excellency the former Governor appointed the following persons to the offices indicated: The Hon. Gladys Berejiklian, MP Premier The Hon. (John) Giovanni Domenic Barilaro, MP Deputy Premier, and Minister for Regional New South Wales, Industry and Trade The Hon. Domenic Francis Perrottet, MP Treasurer The Hon. Paul Lawrence Toole, MP Minister for Regional Transport and Roads The Hon. Donald Thomas Harwin, MLC Special Minister of State, Minister for the Public Service and Employee Relations, Aboriginal Affairs, and the Arts, and Vice-President of the Executive Council The Hon. Andrew James Constance, MP Minister for Transport and Roads Tuesday, 7 May 2019 Legislative Council Page 6

The Hon. Bradley Ronald Hazzard, MP Minister for Health and Medical Research The Hon. Robert Gordon Stokes, MP Minister for Planning and Public Spaces The Hon. Mark Raymond Speakman, SC, MP Attorney General, and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence The Hon. Victor Michael Dominello, MP Minister for Customer Service The Hon. Sarah Mitchell, MLC Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning The Hon. David Andrew Elliott, MP Minister for Police and Emergency Services The Hon. Melinda Jane Pavey, MP Minister for Water, Property and Housing The Hon. Stuart Laurence Ayres, MP Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney The Hon. Matthew John Kean, MP Minister for Energy and Environment The Hon. Adam John Marshall, MP Minister for Agriculture and Western New South Wales The Hon. Anthony John Roberts, MP Minister for Counter Terrorism and Corrections The Hon. Shelley Elizabeth Hancock, MP Minister for Local Government The Hon. Kevin John Anderson, MP Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation The Hon. Dr Geoffrey Lee, MP Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education The Hon. Anthony John Sidoti, MP Minister for Sport, Multiculturalism, Seniors and Veterans The Hon. Bronwyn Taylor, MLC Minister for Mental Health, Regional Youth and Women The Hon. Gareth James Ward, MP Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services The Hon. Damien Francis Tudehope, MLC Minister for Finance and Small Business. SENIOR MINISTERS The Hon. DON HARWIN: I inform the House that, effective from 2 April 2019, the following Ministers were designated as senior Ministers: The Hon. Dominic Francis Perrottet, MP The Hon. Paul Lawrence Toole, MP The Hon. Andrew James Constance, MP The Hon. Bradley Ronald Hazzard, MP The Hon. Robert Gordon Stokes, MP The Hon. Mark Raymond Speakman, SC, MP The Hon. Victor Michael Dominello, MP. PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARIES The Hon. DON HARWIN: I inform the House that, effective from 24 April 2019, the following members were appointed as Parliamentary Secretaries: The Hon. Gabrielle Cecilia Upton, MP Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier The Hon. (Ray) Raymond Craig Williams, MP Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier and Western Sydney Ms (Steph) Stephanie Anne Cooke, MP Tuesday, 7 May 2019 Legislative Council Page 7

Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Premier The Hon. Scott Glynn Farlow, MLC Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer and Leader of the House in the Legislative Council The Hon. Catherine Eileen Cusack, MLC Parliamentary Secretary for Cost of Living Mr Mark Taylor, MP Parliamentary Secretary for Police and Justice Mr (Geoff) Geoffrey Keith Provest, MP Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism and Major Events Mr Kevin Francis Conolly, MP Parliamentary Secretary for Education The Hon. Natasha Maclaren-Jones, MLC Parliamentary Secretary for Health Ms Eleni Marie Petinos, MP Parliamentary Secretary for Transport and Roads Mr Stephen Bruce Bromhead, MP Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Transport Mr Christopher Gulaptis, MP Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Roads and Infrastructure The Hon. Natalie Peta Ward, MLC Parliamentary Secretary to the Attorney General Ms Melanie Rhonda Gibbons, MP Parliamentary Secretary for Families, Disability and Emergency Services Mr James Henry Griffin, MP Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment and Veterans Mr Michael John Johnsen, MP Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture. LEADER AND DEPUTY LEADER OF THE GOVERNMENT The Hon. DON HARWIN: I inform the House that on 2 April 2019 I was appointed Vice-President of the Executive Council and Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council, and the Hon. Sarah Mitchell was appointed Deputy Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council. GOVERNMENT WHIP AND DEPUTY GOVERNMENT WHIP The Hon. DON HARWIN: I inform the House that on 9 April 2019 the Hon. Natasha Maclaren-Jones was elected Government Whip in the Legislative Council, and on 31 March 2019 the Hon. was elected Deputy Government Whip in the Legislative Council. REPRESENTATION OF GOVERNMENT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL The Hon. DON HARWIN: I inform the House of changes in the representation of Government responsibilities in this Chamber. I shall act in respect of my own portfolios of Special Minister of State, and Minister for the Public Service and Employee Relations, Aboriginal Affairs, and the Arts and I will represent the following Ministers in the other House in respect of the following portfolios: The Hon. Gladys Berejiklian, MP Premier The Hon. Paul Lawrence Toole, MP Minister for Regional Transport and Roads The Hon. Andrew James Constance, MP Minister for Transport and Roads The Hon. Shelley Elizabeth Hancock, MP Minister for Local Government The Hon. Anthony John Sidoti, MP Minister for Sport, Multiculturalism, Seniors and Veterans. I further advise the House that the Hon. Sarah Mitchell, MLC, Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning, will act in respect of her own portfolio as well as represent the following Ministers in the other House in respect of the following portfolios: The Hon. (John) Giovanni Domenic Barilaro, MP Tuesday, 7 May 2019 Legislative Council Page 8

Deputy Premier, Minister for Regional New South Wales, Industry and Trade The Hon. Mark Raymond Speakman, SC, MP Attorney General, and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence The Hon. David Andrew Elliot, MP Minister for Police and Emergency Services The Hon. Anthony John Roberts, MP Minister for Counter Terrorism and Corrections The Hon. Dr Geoffrey Lee, MP Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education. I further advise the House that the Hon. Bronwyn Taylor, MLC, Minister for Mental Health, Regional Youth and Women, will act in respect of her own portfolio and will represent the following Ministers in the other House in respect of the following portfolios: The Hon. Bradley Ronald Hazzard, MP Minister for Health and Medical Research The Hon. Robert Gordon Stokes, MP Minister for Planning and Public Spaces The Hon. Melinda Jane Pavey, MP Minister for Water, Property and Housing The Hon. Matthew John Kean, MP Minister for Energy and Environment The Hon. Adam John Marshall, MP Minister for Agriculture and Western New South Wales. I further advise the House that the Hon. Damien Francis Tudehope, MLC, Minister for Finance and Small Business, 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. Dominic Francis Perrottet, MP Treasurer The Hon. Victor Michael Dominello, MP Minister for Customer Service The Hon. Stuart Laurence Ayres, MP Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney The Hon. Kevin John Anderson, MP Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation The Hon. Gareth James Ward, MP Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services. LEADER AND DEPUTY LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION The Hon. : I inform the House that, on 4 April 2019, I was elected by the Labor Party to be the interim Labor leader for the party. The Leader of the Opposition in the upper House is the Hon. Adam Searle. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the upper House is the Hon. . OPPOSITION WHIP AND DEPUTY OPPOSITION WHIP The Hon. PENNY SHARPE: I inform the House that the Hon. Shaoquett Moselmane will be acting as Opposition Whip in the Legislative Council until such time as the Opposition replaces all those positions after the election of our leader in the coming weeks. The Hon. will remain Deputy Opposition Whip in the Legislative Council. PAULINE HANSON'S ONE NATION The Hon. MARK LATHAM: I advise the House that I am the Leader of Pauline Hanson's One Nation party. SHOOTERS, FISHERS AND FARMERS PARTY The Hon. : I announce that I have been elected Leader of the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party. Tuesday, 7 May 2019 Legislative Council Page 9

THE GREENS Ms : I inform the House that The Greens NSW is a collaborative team and as such will not be nominating a leader. The PRESIDENT: Order! I do not want to evict members on the first day of sitting. ANIMAL JUSTICE PARTY The Hon. : The Animal Justice Party does not have a leader of the party. However, we have split the portfolios and we will be the liaison for various portfolios, which we will circulate. Bills LAW OF EVIDENCE BILL 2019 First Reading Bill presented and read a first time on motion by the Hon. Don Harwin. Presiding Officers PRESIDENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL Presentation The members of the Legislative Council proceeded at 11:09 to the Jubilee Room, there to present Mr President to Her Excellency the Governor. The House resumed at 14:30. Governor OPENING OF SESSION BY HER EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR Her Excellency the Governor was received by the President, who was accompanied by Ministers and officers of the House, and was conducted to the dais. The Usher of the Black Rod was directed to request the immediate attendance of the members of the Legislative Assembly in the Legislative Council Chamber. The members of the Legislative Assembly attended. Message Stick MESSAGE STICK Aunty Maureen SULTER: Yaama, which means "hello". I am Aunty Maureen Sulter and I am really proud and honoured to be here with you all today as a representative and elder of the Gamilaraay people. I introduce you to Donna McLaren and Keith Munro. We are all Gamilaraay. Ms Donna McLAREN: Yaama ngindaay. Hello everyone. Winangaylanha ngaya yaraaydhabaa ngiyani gurubaldanha dhawunda Gadigalgu. I acknowledge that we meet today on Gadigal land. Gayaa ngiyani guwaalanha Gamilaraaygu dhawunbaagu. The three of us are proud to be here representing the Gamilaraay nation. Maang nhalay giirr guwaalay-lanhagu, winangaylaylanhagu. Maang—this message stick—represents genuine communication, speaking to each other and really listening to each other. Giirruu winangala! Really listen. Yaluu maliyaa. Mr Keith MUNRO: Winangaylanha ngaya gurubaldanha ngiyani dhawunda Gadigalgu. As a proud Gamilaraay man, acts of cultural diplomacy have been performed on country for tens of thousands of years. Our language shapes our country and the stories connected to it. This maang—or message stick—is symbolic of two-way communication and the way we have navigated cultural and ceremonial obligations between peoples. This has been undertaken through important exchanges in dialogue that is framed by deep respect. They are all sovereign acts that reaffirm our connection to country. This has never changed. These relationships need to be acknowledged in meaningful, two-way communication. We are the people of the first sunrise. Without deep respect it is not possible to tread lightly on country, to right the wrongs of the past or to truly see each other as equals. I challenge you to foster deep respect for my people and the change we seek to discuss. Yaluu maliyaa. Aunty Maureen SULTER: Ngay gari, ngay mari girr gababaro gaar. Winangaya maridhi, dhawundi ngiyaningu. Wurraabalala walaaydhi yilambudhi. Marumala ngiyani. Murumala dhawun. Gamilu nginaalingu Tuesday, 7 May 2019 Legislative Council Page 10

yuwaaya ngarrali. Ngaaway gaba binaalgayaa buraayga miriidhi. That means my language and my people are fantastic. We must remember our people, our land and our identity. We must all share our culture and heritage, care for each other and care for the land. We must help each other and learn from each other, and find peace and happiness from within the stars. Dhamali Mirii, which means "reach for the stars". Governor GOVERNOR'S SPEECH Her Excellency was pleased to deliver the following Speech: Opening remarks 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. I pay my respect to their elders, past, present and emerging. And I extend this respect and recognition to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait people here today. 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-Seventh Parliament of New South Wales. You have the privilege of representing the people of this great State in this, the oldest Parliament in Australia. Over the next four years, you will work together on behalf, and in the best interests, of the communities by whom you have been chosen. I urge you never to forget the honour which has been bestowed on you, nor the trust that has been placed in you. Yours is an act of public service that should be commended. It demands the highest standards of integrity at all times. It calls for great wisdom, selflessness and often courage. And it requires a constant willingness to act in the best interests of the people you serve. The Parliament of New South Wales has a rich and robust history. Since its first sitting in 1824 with just five government officials, the Parliament of New South Wales has acted consistently to make a real and positive difference in people's lives. This is the tradition which is passed to you this day. And so, whether this is your first time in this Chamber, or whether you are a veteran of this place, I urge you to embrace this opportunity. And I wholeheartedly commend you to the task. Today, it is my great pleasure as my first official task in this place, to speak to the Government's program for this fifty-seventh term of Parliament. This program builds on the vision, hard work and determination demonstrated during the fifty-fifth and fifty-sixth terms of Parliament. I am advised that before the 2019 State general election, the Government set out a plan for New South Wales to:  Lock in the State's strong economy, keep the budget in surplus and help business continue to create jobs.  Take the pressure off families by helping ease the cost of living and delivering better services.  Fix our roads and transport network to ease congestion and make it quicker for people to travel around.  Invest more than ever in health so that every person has high-quality care when they need it most.  And invest more than ever in schools to give all children in New South Wales the best start in life. This is the agenda the Government put to the people of this State and the basis upon which it was elected. It is an agenda designed to secure the future for New South Wales, and will:  Deliver a strong economy, quality jobs and job security for workers of today and tomorrow.  Provide the highest quality education no matter where a person lives or what their circumstances may be.  Create well-connected communities and quality local environments.  Make government work better for people by putting the customer at the centre of everything government does. Tuesday, 7 May 2019 Legislative Council Page 11

 And break the cycle of intergenerational disadvantage by fixing problems that have been in the too-hard basket for too long. The Government has made clear that it is not here to avoid the toughest problems or simply to mark time. It is here to make a real and lasting difference for the people of New South Wales. A strong economy, quality jobs and job security for workers of today and tomorrow Over the last eight years, through a combination of hard work, fiscal responsibility and strategic investment, New South Wales has rebuilt its economy. Now the New South Wales economy is number one again—the nation's largest and strongest. Our budget too is strong and New South Wales is on track to deliver budget surpluses over the next four years. And we continue to benefit from triple-A credit ratings from both Standard and Poor's, and Moody's. New South Wales is already Australia's economic engine room and the next four years present an opportunity to consolidate our prosperity well into the future. The Government has made clear that maintaining the State's economic strength is fundamental to its vision for our State. Economic strength is key to helping deliver equality of opportunity to everyone in New South Wales, no matter where they live or what their circumstances may be. And economic strength is fundamental to continuing to grow jobs, something that has been a hallmark of the New South Wales economy over the last eight years. Over the next four years, in particular, a strong economy means the creation of quality jobs, and job security, for the workers of today and tomorrow. Right now New South Wales' unemployment rate remains the lowest of any State, and well below the national average. Since 2015 almost 400,000 jobs have been created in New South Wales. Job creation will continue to be at the heart of the Government's agenda—with a commitment to create at least 250,000 new jobs over the next four years. But this isn't just about numbers or unemployment data. The creation of quality jobs, and job security, for the workers of today and tomorrow is fundamental to the independence, dignity and wellbeing of every person in New South Wales. It is about men and women being able to provide the quality of life for themselves and their families. Jobs connect citizens to the community around them, and create a sense of contribution and belonging. And they are vital to disrupting and reducing entrenched, intergenerational disadvantage across our State. Over the next four years the Government will continue to focus on unlocking New South Wales' enormous economic potential. At the forefront of this effort is New South Wales' record $89.7 billion infrastructure program, that will continue to deliver tens of thousands of jobs across the State. This includes new jobs in some of the State's most exciting projects such as the:  Western Sydney Airport Aerospace and Defence Industries precinct;  the Randwick and Westmead Health, Education and Research precincts; and  the Parkes Special Activation precinct. These, and other similar future-proofing projects, are expanding New South Wales' diverse economy, and are a significant investment in creating the jobs of the future. They will build on our passion for innovation and our emerging strength in areas such as fin-tech, med-tech, research and development, robotics and information technology—to help secure our place as global leaders in the industries of the future. Small businesses provide employment for more than a million people in every corner of our State. Tuesday, 7 May 2019 Legislative Council Page 12

They are the backbone of the New South Wales economy and make an enormous contribution to the communities they serve. In recognition of the vital role they play, the Government will continue to reduce costs and eliminate unnecessary red tape that can be an obstacle for small business. This involves continuing to reduce payroll taxes, enhancing the Easy to do Business program to cut red tape, expanding the Energy Switch Program to small businesses, and encouraging New South Wales government agencies to consider small business suppliers for everything they do. During the life of this next Parliament, the Government has also set out plans to:  help start-up businesses grow and thrive in New South Wales;  increase the number of women running small businesses; and  encourage international investment to drive economic and jobs growth in some of the State's most exciting projects. Highest quality education no matter where you live or what your circumstances may be Our world is changing at an ever-increasing pace and, with it, the challenges and opportunities present in our workforce. The Government has set out an agenda to ensure that every person in New South Wales has the education and skills they will need to flourish and excel in this exciting future. This is an agenda to ensure our State has the most dynamic, qualified and skilled workforce in the world. Now, any investment in quality education must start early because we know that quality early childhood education can have long-lasting, positive impacts right through to adulthood. That's why New South Wales was the first State in Australia to subsidise preschool education for three-year-olds, and why the Government will continue to work with the community preschool sector to ensure a quality preschool education is available to even more children. This work will help ensure more children have the best possible transition to school, setting them up to reach their full potential. Key to any investment in quality education are quality teachers. Evidence demonstrates that teacher quality is a major factor in student performance and most people will attest that, in their own lives, a well-informed, passionate and engaged teacher can inspire their students to dream big and achieve great things. New South Wales has led the charge to increase the educational standards required to become teachers, helping to send a message that teaching is one of the most important jobs in our community, and that we should work to attract the strongest and most committed people to the role. Among the Government's key election commitments is the recruitment of 4,600 new teachers to our public schools, as well as 100 school counsellors and 350 student support officers, to ensure every public high school has access to mental health and wellbeing supports. The Government recognises that modern schools need to be fit for purpose and able to meet the demands of a twenty-first century education. That is why the Government is investing record amounts to upgrade and, where needed, build new schools, to meet demand—and why the Government has committed to clearing the school maintenance backlog by July 2020. Of course, education today extends well beyond the school gates. TAFE, and the broader vocational education sector, has been a mainstay of our economy and education program for decades, providing high quality training for many of the roles that our economy and community depend on. TAFE, for example, now partners with our schools to prepare high school students to transition seamlessly into the workforce, and is there for people throughout their lives, supporting them to get their first jobs, or to retrain for a whole new career. The Government will continue to support this vital institution to provide the highest quality technical and further education, including building eight new campuses in rural and regional locations and delivering 100,000 free TAFE courses over the next four years. Tuesday, 7 May 2019 Legislative Council Page 13

The Government is also supporting, and partnering with, the university sector in New South Wales, which is one of the finest and most progressive in the world. Well-connected communities with quality local environments Infrastructure is at the very heart of our communities, and at the very heart of this Government's agenda. From the road and transport projects that help keep business booming, to the social infrastructure that makes our communities more supportive and livable—the infrastructure being built and opened across the State is making a huge difference to the lives of the people of New South Wales. Infrastructure means a state-of-the-art road, or a more efficient and reliable train service that helps people spend less time commuting and more time doing the things that matter to them. But infrastructure also means the schools our children attend and the hospitals we rely on when we are not feeling our best. And infrastructure means the places where we watch and play sport, and the parks and public spaces where we relax and connect with our stunning natural environment. Infrastructure investment and delivery has been a defining feature of this Government. And over the next four years a number of key projects are due to be completed, delivering major benefits for families across the State. These include the transformative Metro North West project, on track to open later this month, which includes a train every four minutes at the busiest times. The new M4 tunnels from Homebush to Haberfield are due to open in August this year—a project that will take some 10,000 trucks off Parramatta Road every day. WestConnex is due to be completed in 2023, providing more than 30 kilometres of continuous motorway connecting Sydney's west and southwest with the city, airport and port precinct—a journey that will allow drivers to travel from Penrith to the Anzac Bridge without having to stop at a single traffic light. The difference this will make in commuters' lives—especially for those in Western Sydney—cannot be underestimated. Connectivity is also a top priority for our regions—because regional businesses and families deserve a safe and efficient road network. From Nowra to Bega, from West Wyalong to Forbes, from Manilla to Boggabri—the Government will deliver safer and more efficient journeys for businesses and families. Roads in places like Dorrigo, Moss Vale, Monaro, Fingal Bay will be upgraded to make commutes safer and faster, improving the quality of life for regional drivers and their families. The Government has also established the Regional Growth Fund to invest in key regional infrastructure projects. To date some 1,300 projects have been approved which help promote regional growth and job creation, including in mining-related communities. The fund helps deliver the sports, environmental, communications and community infrastructure that is so often at the heart of country communities—and also supports regional creativity, by investing in culture and the arts to support young people and attract tourism. As drought continues to ravage New South Wales, we have all been devastated by images of livestock reduced to skin and bone and farmers reduced to tears. The Government will continue to work with regional communities to alleviate the impacts of the drought now, and to futureproof communities to the greatest extent possible. The shocking drought conditions have reinforced the Government's decision to make water security one of five areas of immediate focus for proceeds of the Snowy Hydro Legacy Fund. This investment will focus on dams and pipelines in priority catchments, and projects that will reduce the scourge of evaporation and seepage. The people of New South Wales have one of the most reliable and accessible health systems in the world. Our doctors, nurses and other health professionals are the beating hearts, and of course the brains, behind our world-class health system. Tuesday, 7 May 2019 Legislative Council Page 14

But the Government is making sure that they have the health infrastructure they need to do their vital jobs— investing in upgrading and redeveloping hospitals and health facilities across our State. This includes the redevelopment of Goulburn Base Hospital, eight new operating theatres for Sutherland Hospital, the establishment of the Liverpool Health and Innovation precinct, the upgrade of Grafton Base Hospital and the stage two redevelopment of the Children's Hospital at Westmead, starting next year. While New South Wales continues to boom, it is important that the protection of our environment is not forgotten. Communities across the State need green and open space to flourish and thrive which is why, for the first time, New South Wales now has a Minister for Public Spaces tasked with identifying and protecting publicly owned land for use as parks or public spaces. Already, existing government-owned land at Penrith, Ermington, Appin, Leppington, Frenchs Forrest, Carramar, Beaumont Hills and Hurstville has been identified to be transformed into new or upgraded public parkland. Putting the customer at the centre of everything government does I am advised that over the last eight years, a quiet revolution has been taking place in the New South Wales Government. Long gone are the days when citizens had to work around the red tape, rules and requirements of the bureaucracy. Rather, New South Wales has been leading a powerful transition towards a truly customer-centred public service, one that is designed to meet the needs of the people, rather than the other way around. This transition is being facilitated by giant leaps forward in technology and automation, and over the next term the Government will take its reforms in this area to the next level—a move marked by the establishment of the Customer Service Cluster. The establishment of this new cluster builds on key customer service based reforms implemented over the last eight years. Reforms like the Opal card that have revolutionised the way we use public transport. And the rollout of Service NSW—the Government's one-stop shop—where customers can carry out more than 850 different government transactions. This landmark reform project has seen customer satisfaction increase exponentially, with individual and business satisfaction with government services reaching almost 80 per cent in 2018. This demonstrates that while good progress has been made, there is still much more to be done. The newly created role of Minister for Customer Service will be supported by the newly established Department of Customer Service, bringing together key areas within the public service with a common purpose to improve the lives of the people of New South Wales. The Minister will lead the Government's efforts to focus on how people interact with our schools, hospitals and social services so that each of these services is redesigned to work better for each citizen, and improve their lives at an individual level. Breaking the cycle of intergenerational disadvantage With sound economic fundamentals in place the Government is in a position to make a real and lasting difference to some of the most difficult problems our community faces. Too often these challenges are relegated to the too-hard basket, meaning that intergenerational disadvantage becomes entrenched. That needs to change. During this term of Parliament, the Government will be focused on improving the lives of everyone in New South Wales, no matter where they live or what their circumstances may be. On a number of fronts, progress is being made, but there remains more to do. This work to improve lives across the State must start with children—because every child deserves to grow up in a safe and supportive home environment. That is why the Government will continue to work hard to reduce the percentage of children and young people re-reported as at risk of significant harm. Tuesday, 7 May 2019 Legislative Council Page 15

Caseworkers will continue to be supported so that they can see more children, and see them at the first opportunity—helping families who are struggling to get the support they need. And helping ensure children stay safe and have a better opportunity to thrive at home with their family. In 2018 the percentage of children re-reported at risk of significant harm fell by nearly two percentage points— meaning more than 500 children were able to stay with their families in safer and more stable homes. Homelessness does not discriminate and can affect anyone at any stage in their lives. Young people can be especially vulnerable, which is why the Government will continue to work hard to reduce the number of young people facing homelessness. In 2017-18 almost 2,000 young people moved into stable long-term accommodation with the help of a Specialist Homelessness Service—over 200 more than in the year before. Domestic and family violence is a terrible scourge in our communities. The Government has vowed to hold perpetrators to account, and to reduce domestic and family violence and its terrible consequences by reducing rates of reoffending and continuing to trial and expand the rollout of interventions to change offending behaviour. This will include enhancing community corrections supervisions and increasing the use of suspect target management plans. In our regions young people, in particular, face challenges their city peers do not. Whether it is access to education or employment opportunities, or health and mental health outcomes, the Government is taking steps to address the imbalance. The newly appointed Minister for Regional Youth will be a strong voice for young people in our regions, helping to coordinate the rollout of New South Wales' first Regional Youth Strategy. A Regional Youth Taskforce, bringing together community leaders and youth specialists, will advise and support the Minister, as will the newly established Office of Regional Youth. Aboriginal people make an enormous contribution to New South Wales. Yet, like Indigenous people across the country, too many still struggle with entrenched disadvantage. As a mark of the importance of this issue, Aboriginal Affairs has been moved into the Premier's own agency, the Department of Premier and Cabinet, where it will receive renewed focus at the heart of government. This focus will help to deliver an existing Government commitment to increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in senior leadership roles in the New South Wales public sector by 2025—to date 30 new Aboriginal senior leaders have been recruited, bringing the total to 87. In 2019, with sound economic fundamentals in place, there is no better time to build on the progress that has been made to date, and address problems that have been in the too-hard basket for too long. As elected representatives, this is both your opportunity and your obligation. And your chance to drive real change for the people of New South Wales now, and leave a real legacy for those yet to come. Concluding remarks The people of this great State have entrusted you, the members of the Fifty-Seventh Parliament of New South Wales, to represent their interests. Each of you has earned the right to speak on behalf of your community. It is a responsibility that I know you will not take lightly. I urge you to place the good of the people you represent at the forefront of every decision that you make over the next four years. I encourage you to always act with compassion and integrity, and be guided by respect for each other and the community you work for. It remains for me to extend every good wish to you all. Tuesday, 7 May 2019 Legislative Council Page 16

Mr President, Mr Speaker, honourable members, I now leave to you to the important task entrusted to you by the people of New South Wales. Her Excellency having left the dais, the members of the Legislative Assembly withdrew. Adjournment Debate ADJOURNMENT The Hon. DON HARWIN: I move: That this House do now adjourn. Motion agreed to. The House adjourned at 15:19 until Wednesday 8 May 2019 at 11:00.