New South Wales Legislative Assembly

Legislative Assembly
Legislative Assembly
58th Parliament
Type
Type	Lower house of the Parliament of New South Wales
History
Founded	22 May 1856; 168 years ago
Leadership
Speaker	Greg Piper, Independent ; since 9 May 2023
Deputy Speaker	Sonia Hornery, Labor ; since 9 May 2023
Leader of the House	Ron Hoenig, Labor ; since 5 April 2023
Government Whip	Nathan Hagarty, Labor ; since 17 October 2023
Deputy Government Whip	Janelle Saffin, Labor ; since 3 May 2023
Manager of Opposition Business	Alister Henskens, Liberal ; since 3 May 2023
Opposition Whip	Adam Crouch, Liberal ; since 21 April 2023
Structure
Seats	93
Political groups	Government (45) Labor (45); Opposition (35) Liberal (24); Nationals (11); Crossbench (13) Greens (3); Independent (10);
Length of term	4 years
Elections
Voting system	Optional preferential voting
Last election	25 March 2023
Next election	2027
Meeting place
	Legislative Assembly Chamber; Parliament House, Sydney,; New South Wales, Australia
Website
	NSW Legislative Assembly

The New South Wales Legislative Assembly is the lower of the two houses of the Parliament of New South Wales, an Australian state. The upper house is the New South Wales Legislative Council. Both the Assembly and Council sit at Parliament House in the state capital, Sydney. The Assembly is presided over by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.

The Assembly has 93 members, elected by single-member constituency, which are commonly known as seats. Voting is by the optional preferential system.^[4]

Members of the Legislative Assembly have the post-nominals MP after their names.^[5] From the creation of the assembly up to about 1990, the post-nominals "MLA" (Member of the Legislative Assembly) were used.

The Assembly is often called the bearpit on the basis of the house's reputation for confrontational style during heated moments and the "savage political theatre and the bloodlust of its professional players"^[6] attributed in part to executive dominance.^[7]

History

The Legislative Assembly was created in 1856 with the introduction of a bicameral parliament for the Crown Colony of New South Wales, a process led in the Legislative Council by William Wentworth.^[8]^[9]^[10] In the beginning, only men were eligible to be members of the Assembly, and only around one half of men were able to pass the property or income qualifications required to vote. Two years later, the Electoral Reform Act, which was passed despite the opposition of the Legislative Council, saw the introduction of a far more democratic system, allowing any man who had been resident in the colony for six months the right to vote, and removing property requirements to stand as a candidate.^[8] Following Australia's federation in 1901, the New South Wales parliament became a State legislature. Women were granted the right to vote in 1902, and gained the right to be members of the Assembly in 1918,^[11] with the first successful candidate being elected in 1925.^[12]

Chamber

The Legislative Assembly sits in the oldest legislative chamber in Australia. Originally built for the Legislative Council in 1843, it has been in continuous use since 1856. The colour of the Legislative Assembly chamber is green, which follows the British tradition for lower houses.^[13]

Function

Most legislation is initiated in the Legislative Assembly. The party or coalition with a majority of seats in the lower house is invited by the Governor to form government. The leader of that party subsequently becomes Premier of New South Wales, and their senior colleagues become ministers responsible for various portfolios. As Australian political parties traditionally vote along party lines, most legislation introduced by the governing party will pass through the Legislative Assembly.^[4]

As with the federal parliament and other Australian states and territories, voting in the Assembly is compulsory for all those over the age of 18. Elections are held every four years on the fourth Saturday in March, as the result of a 1995 referendum to amend the New South Wales Constitution.^[4]^[b] An early election can only be held if the government fails a vote of no confidence and no alternative government can command a vote of confidence.^[15]

Current distribution of seats

Party	Seats held	Current Assembly
Labor	45
Labor	45
Liberal	24
National	11
Greens	3
Independent	10

47 votes as a majority are required to pass legislation.

Administrative officers

Clerk

The clerk of the house of the NSW Legislative Assembly is the senior administrative officer. The clerk advises the speaker of the Assembly and members of parliament on matters of parliamentary procedure and management. The office is modelled on the clerk of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom. The following have served as clerks:

Richard O’Connor
Charles Thompson
Oliver Kelly
Stephen Jones
Frederick Webb CMG
Richard Arnold
William Mowle
Sydney Boydell
William Rupert McCourt CMG
Frederick Langley
Harry Robbins MC
Allan Pickering CBE
Ivor Vidler CBE
Ronald Ward
Douglas Wheeler
Grahame Cooksley
Russell Grove PSM
Ronda Miller
Helen Minnican^[16]

Serjeant-at-arms

The ceremonial duties of the serjeant-at-arms are as the custodian of the mace, the symbol of the authority of the House and the speaker, and as the messenger for formal messages from the Legislative Assembly to the Legislative Council. The serjeant has the authority to remove disorderly people, by force if necessary, from the Assembly or the public or press galleries on the instructions of the speaker. The administrative duties of the serjeant include allocation of office accommodation, furniture and fittings for members' offices, co-ordination of car transport for members, mail and courier services for the House, security for the House and arrangements for school visits. Once a meeting has started in an Assembly, the serjeant will usually stand at the door to keep authority and make sure no one else comes in or out. The following have served as serjeant-at-arms:

Laurence Joseph Harnett ^[17]
John Mackenzie Webb
Harry Robbins
Ivor Percy Kidd Vidler
Hubert Pierre Scarlett
Ronald Edward Ward
Frederick Augustine Mahony
William Geoffery Luton
Peter John McHugh
William Christie^[18]
Leslie Gönye
Simon Johnston

Notes

^ Current independent MLAs: Roy Butler (Barwon), Helen Dalton (Murray), Phil Donato (Orange), Alex Greenwich (Sydney), Judy Hannan (Wollondilly), Joe McGirr (Wagga Wagga), Greg Piper (Lake Macquarie), Michael Regan (Wakehurst), Jacqui Scruby (Pittwater) and Gareth Ward (Kiama)
^ Between 1984 and 1995, the maximum term of the Assembly was four years, but could be dissolved earlier.^[14]

References

^ "The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly". www.parliament.nsw.gov.au. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
^ "Other Office Holders". www.parliament.nsw.gov.au. Parliament of New South Wales.
^ Raper, Ashleigh; Reading, Kristy (12 December 2022). "Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MPs resign from party over behaviour of leader Robert Borsak". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 23 August 2024. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Role and History of the Legislative Assembly". About us – Legislative Assembly. Parliament of New South Wales. 25 February 2008. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
^ "The Role of Members of Parliament". Members. Parliament of New South Wales. 28 February 2008. Archived from the original on 24 April 2011. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
^ Dusevic, Tom (4 December 2009). "Tawdry cast sits out dance of death playing in bearpit". The Australian. News Limited. Retrieved 20 May 2011.
^ Grove, Russell D. (Autumn 2010). "Being in Opposition – Opportunities Lost" (PDF). Australasian Parliamentary Review. 25 (1). Australasian Study of Parliament Group: 185–191. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 February 2011. Retrieved 20 May 2011.
^ ^a ^b "1856 to 1889 – Responsible Government and Colonial Development". System of Government – History of Democracy. Parliament of New South Wales. 25 February 2008. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
^ "Role and History of the Legislative Council". NSW Legislative Council. Archived from the original on 22 April 2016. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
^ "Mr William Charles WENTWORTH (1790 - 1872)". Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
^ "1901 to 1918 – The Early Federal Period and the First World War". System of Government – History of Democracy. Parliament of New South Wales. 25 February 2008. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
^ "1919 to 1929 – The Twenties". System of Government – History of Democracy. Parliament of New South Wales. 25 February 2008. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
^ "Parliament of New South Wales brochure" (PDF). Educational Publications. Parliament of New South Wales. 7 March 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
^ Constitution (Legislative Assembly) Amendment Act 1981 (NSW)
^ "Constitution Act".
^ "Other Office Holders". www.parliament.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
^ "DEATH OF MR. HARNETT. Popular Sergeant at Arms". The Sydney Morning Herald. NSW: National Library of Australia. 30 September 1911. p. 17. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
^ "DEATH OF MR. CHRISTIE". The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW: 1842–1954). NSW: National Library of Australia. 5 October 1922. p. 10. Retrieved 28 November 2013.

External links

[3] Current independent MLAs: Roy Butler (Barwon), Helen Dalton (Murray), Phil Donato (Orange), Alex Greenwich (Sydney), Judy Hannan (Wollondilly), Joe McGirr (Wagga Wagga), Greg Piper (Lake Macquarie), Michael Regan (Wakehurst), Jacqui Scruby (Pittwater) and Gareth Ward (Kiama)

[16] Between 1984 and 1995, the maximum term of the Assembly was four years, but could be dissolved earlier.^[14]

[1] "The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly". www.parliament.nsw.gov.au. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 7 April 2023.

[OOH-2] "Other Office Holders". www.parliament.nsw.gov.au. Parliament of New South Wales.

[4] Raper, Ashleigh; Reading, Kristy (12 December 2022). "Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MPs resign from party over behaviour of leader Robert Borsak". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 23 August 2024. Retrieved 12 December 2022.

[NSWpl-4-5] "Role and History of the Legislative Assembly". About us – Legislative Assembly. Parliament of New South Wales. 25 February 2008. Retrieved 3 May 2021.

[6] "The Role of Members of Parliament". Members. Parliament of New South Wales. 28 February 2008. Archived from the original on 24 April 2011. Retrieved 3 April 2011.

[7] Dusevic, Tom (4 December 2009). "Tawdry cast sits out dance of death playing in bearpit". The Australian. News Limited. Retrieved 20 May 2011.

[8] Grove, Russell D. (Autumn 2010). "Being in Opposition – Opportunities Lost" (PDF). Australasian Parliamentary Review. 25 (1). Australasian Study of Parliament Group: 185–191. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 February 2011. Retrieved 20 May 2011.

[NSWpl-1-9] "1856 to 1889 – Responsible Government and Colonial Development". System of Government – History of Democracy. Parliament of New South Wales. 25 February 2008. Retrieved 3 May 2021.

[LC-10] "Role and History of the Legislative Council". NSW Legislative Council. Archived from the original on 22 April 2016. Retrieved 28 May 2016.

[11] "Mr William Charles WENTWORTH (1790 - 1872)". Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 7 October 2024.

[NSWpl-2-12] "1901 to 1918 – The Early Federal Period and the First World War". System of Government – History of Democracy. Parliament of New South Wales. 25 February 2008. Retrieved 3 May 2021.

[NSWpl-3-13] "1919 to 1929 – The Twenties". System of Government – History of Democracy. Parliament of New South Wales. 25 February 2008. Retrieved 3 May 2021.

[14] "Parliament of New South Wales brochure" (PDF). Educational Publications. Parliament of New South Wales. 7 March 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2011.

[15] Constitution (Legislative Assembly) Amendment Act 1981 (NSW)

[17] "Constitution Act".

[18] "Other Office Holders". www.parliament.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 13 September 2017.

[19] "DEATH OF MR. HARNETT. Popular Sergeant at Arms". The Sydney Morning Herald. NSW: National Library of Australia. 30 September 1911. p. 17. Retrieved 30 March 2014.

[20] "DEATH OF MR. CHRISTIE". The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW: 1842–1954). NSW: National Library of Australia. 5 October 1922. p. 10. Retrieved 28 November 2013.

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v t e Members of the Parliament of New South Wales
Legislative Assembly	1856–1858 1858–1859 1859–1860 1860–1864 1864–1869 1869–1872 1872–1874 1874–1877 1877–1880 1880–1882 1882–1885 1885–1887 1887–1889 1889–1891 1891–1894 1894–1895 1895–1898 1898–1901 1901–1904 1904–1907 1907–1910 1910–1913 1913–1917 1917–1920 1920–1922 1922–1925 1925–1927 1927–1930 1930–1932 1932–1935 1935–1938 1938–1941 1941–1944 1944–1947 1947–1950 1950–1953 1953–1956 1956–1959 1959–1962 1962–1965 1965–1968 1968–1971 1971–1973 1973–1976 1976–1978 1978–1981 1981–1984 1984–1988 1988–1991 1991–1995 1995–1999 1999–2003 2003–2007 2007–2011 2011–2015 2015–2019 2019–2023 2023–2027
Legislative Council	1823–1843 1843–1851 1851–1856 1856–1861 1861–1864 1864–1869 1869–1872 1872–1874 1874–1877 1877–1880 1880–1882 1882–1885 1885–1887 1887–1889 1889–1891 1891–1894 1894–1895 1895–1898 1898–1901 1901–1904 1904–1907 1907–1910 1910–1913 1913–1917 1917–1920 1920–1922 1922–1925 1925–1927 1927–1930 1930–1932 1932–1934 1934–1937 1937–1940 1940–1943 1943–1946 1946–1949 1949–1952 1952–1955 1955–1958 1958–1961 1961–1964 1964–1967 1967–1970 1970–1973 1973–1976 1976–1978 1978–1981 1981–1984 1984–1988 1988–1991 1991–1995 1995–1999 1999–2003 2003–2007 2007–2011 2011–2015 2015–2019 2019–2023 2023–2027

v t e Government of New South Wales
Executive	Monarch Governor Lieutenant-Governor Executive Council Premier Deputy Premier Attorney General Treasurer Leader in the Legislative Council Cabinet Entities Police Local Government
Legislative	Parliament Legislative Assembly Speaker Leader MPs Electoral districts Legislative Council President MLCs Opposition Leader
Judicial	Chief Justice Solicitor General Supreme Court District Court Local Court Other courts and tribunals
Elections	2007 2011 2015 2019 2023 2027 By-elections Electoral Commission Caretaker government
Political parties	Labor Coalition Liberal National Greens Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Animal Justice Legalise Cannabis Libertarian One Nation Other parties

v t e Elections and referendums in New South Wales
General elections	1843 1848 1851 1856 1858 1859 1860 1864–65 1869–70 1872 1874–75 1877 1880 1882 1885 1887 1889 1891 1894 1895 1898 1901 1904 1907 1910 1913 1917 1920 1922 1925 1927 1930 1932 1935 1938 1941 1944 1947 1950 1953 1956 1959 1962 1965 1968 1971 1973 1976 1978 1981 1984 1988 1991 1995 1999 2003 2007 2011 2015 2019 2023 2027
Local elections	1941 1944 1947 1962 1965 1968 1971 1974 1977 1980 1983 1987 1991 1995 1999 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 2017 2021 2024 2028
Mayoral elections	1941 1944 1947 1962 1965 1968 1971 1974 1977 1980 1983 1987 1991 1995 1999 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 2017 2021 2024 2028
Referendums	1898 1899 1903 1916 1928 1933 1947 1954 1961 1967 1969 1976 1978 1981 1991 1995
See also: Legislative Assembly by-elections Legislative Council by-elections