Current Legislation

There are three main branches to our Australian government: the legislature, the executive and the judiciary.  Each has its own powers and responsibilities.  The Legislature consists of two houses of Parliament.  Federally there is the Senate and the House of Representatives.  In NSW the two houses are the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council.  To find out who represents you go to the Contact your MP page.

 MAKING THE LAW
The Parliamentary process of law making in New South Wales is similar to that of other Australian and Westminster-style Parliaments. Broadly the proposed law (i.e. the Bill), once drafted by the Parliamentary Counsel’s office, is introduced in one house (most commonly the Legislative Assembly) where it must pass through three stages: First reading, Second reading and Third reading.  Debate on the Bill occurs during the Second Reading stage.

If the Bill is passed by a majority in the House of introduction it then passes on to the second house (most often the Upper House) which acts as a house of review, where it must pass through the same process again. If both houses agree on the Bill it passes on to the Governor of New South Wales for approval (i.e. Royal Assent) after which it becomes an Act of Parliament and part of the Law of New South Wales.  For more information on this process read Our Form of Government in Australia.

  Bills in the NSW Parliament - www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/nswbills.nsf/V3BillsHome

Legislation affecting Agriculture
Current legislation before the NSW Parliament of interest to the Association are the Protection of Agricultural Production (Right to Farm) Bill 2004 introduced by Don Page MP and the Water Management Amendment (Water Property Rights Compensation) Bill 2006 introduced by Peter Draper MP.  The Association supports both Bills.  These Bills are listed for debate in the Legislative Assembly.  For further information on Bills or debates in the Parliament please look at the Parliamentary internet pages listed on our Links page.

When does the Federal or NSW Parliament next sessional sitting occur?
 
 NSW Parliament sitting day’s link - www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/web/common.nsf/key/HHBSitDay2007

 Federal Parliament sitting day’s link - www.aph.gov.au/house/info/sittings/index.htm

 Bills to be introduced in the Spring 2007 sitting of Federal Parliament

 Legislation of interest to the Association

Government Bills - 2007

Appropriation Bill 2007
A Bill to appropriate out of the Consolidated Fund sums for the recurrent services and capital works and services of the Government for the year 2007–08 and to make additional appropriations to give effect to budget variations for the years 2006–07 and 2005–06. The following Bills are cognate with this Bill: Appropriation (Parliament) Bill 2007; Appropriation (Special Offices) Bill 2007; Payroll Tax Bill 2007; State Revenue and Other Legislation Amendment (Budget) Bill 2007.
Assembly: Second read 19.6.07.  Passed 21.6.07
Council: Second read, debate in committee, passed 27.6.07

Biofuel (Ethanol Content) Bill 2007
A Bill to provide for a minimum ethanol content requirement in respect of the total volume of petrol sales in the State.
Assembly: Second read 20.6.07. Passed 26.6.07
Council: Introduced, second read, debated and passed 27.6.07

Standard Time Amendment (Daylight Saving) Bill 2007
A Bill to amend the Standard Time Act 1987 to extend the daylight saving period from the first Sunday in October to the first Sunday in April; and for other purposes
Assembly: Introduced and second reading speech 27.6.07 - Adjourned

National Parks and Wildlife Amendment (Leasing and Licensing) Bill 2007
A Bill to amend the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 with respect to certain commercial activities in state conservation areas, regional parks, karst conservation reserves and Aboriginal areas; the granting of leases and licences in relation to certain Aboriginal lands reserved as state conservation areas and regional parks; and for other purposes
Assembly: Introduced and second read 27.6.07 - Adjourned

Private Member Bills – 2007

Rural Communities Impacts Bill 2007 [Mr Stoner]
The object of this Bill is to require Ministers to consider the likely impact of certain legislation and other government proposals on rural communities.
Assembly: Introduced and second read 31.5.07. Debated 7.6.07 - AdjournedActs passed in 2007