Parliament of New South Wales

Parliament of New South Wales
Name	Parliament of New South Wales
House type	Bicameral
Foundation	1824
Leader1 type	Monarch
Leader1	Charles III
Leader2 type	Governor
Leader2	Margaret Beazley
Leader3 type	President of the Legislative Council
Leader3	Matthew Mason-Cox
Leader4 type	Speaker of the Legislative Assembly
Leader4	Jonathan O'Dea
Members	136 (93 Assembly; 42 Council; 1 vacancy)
Voting system1	Full preferential voting single-member district
Voting system2	Proportional representation single transferable vote with optional above-the-line
Last election1	2019 New South Wales state election
Last election2	2019 New South Wales state election
Next election1	2027 New South Wales state election
Session room	Parliament House, Sydney
Meeting place	Sydney; Parliament House, Sydney

Parliament of New South Wales is the bicameral legislature of the Australian state of New South Wales, comprising a lower chamber, the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, and an upper chamber, the New South Wales Legislative Council, together with the Monarchy of Australia represented by the Governor of New South Wales. It traces origins to early 19th-century colonial institutions including the New South Wales Legislative Council (1824) and constitutional developments shaped by actors such as William Charles Wentworth and statutes like the New South Wales Constitution Act 1855. The Parliament legislates under the framework of the Constitution of New South Wales and interacts with federal institutions including the Parliament of Australia, the High Court of Australia, and Commonwealth laws.

History

Colonial governance in New South Wales evolved from appointed bodies such as the original New South Wales Legislative Council (1824) to representative institutions influenced by figures like Edward Deas Thomson and movements including the Australian Chartists and advocates such as William Bland. The New South Wales Constitution Act 1855 granted responsible government, establishing the bicameral system with a partially elected Legislative Council of New South Wales and an elected Legislative Assembly of New South Wales, amid debates involving James Martin and Henry Parkes. Twentieth-century reforms introduced universal suffrage, the direct election of the Legislative Assembly, and alterations to the Legislative Council by premiers such as Jack Lang and Robert Askin, with key episodes involving the 1928 New South Wales referendum, the 1978 creation of a fixed four-year term and later redistricting influenced by the NSW Electoral Commission.

Constitutional role and powers

Under the Constitution Act 1902 (NSW), Parliament holds legislative authority within enumerated state heads of power, subject to Commonwealth supremacy under the Australian Constitution and scrutiny by the High Court of Australia in cases like Amalgamated Society of Engineers v Adelaide Steamship Co Ltd. Royal assent is given by the Governor of New South Wales acting on advice from ministries led by premiers such as Gladys Berejiklian and Chris Minns. Parliamentary privileges and procedures draw on precedents from the Parliament of the United Kingdom, with judicial review of validity in matters involving statutes such as the State Pollution Control Act adjudicated through courts including the Supreme Court of New South Wales and appellate bodies like the New South Wales Court of Appeal.

Structure and composition

The New South Wales Legislative Assembly comprises 93 members elected from single-member districts, historically linked to figures like John Robertson and electoral reforms championed by Sir Henry Parkes. The New South Wales Legislative Council has 42 members elected via proportional representation, a chamber reformed by events including the 1933 Legislative Council Referendum and the advocacy of leaders like Bob Carr. Party representation includes the Australian Labor Party (New South Wales Branch), the Liberal Party of Australia (New South Wales Division), the National Party of Australia – NSW, the Greens NSW, and various minor parties and independents such as those associated with Clive Palmer-linked movements or crossbenchers like Alex Greenwich. Parliamentary officers include the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, the President of the Legislative Council, and clerks drawn from traditions in the Westminster system.

Legislative process

Bills are introduced in either chamber, commonly beginning in the Legislative Assembly by ministers from cabinets led by premiers such as Barry O'Farrell or opposition leaders including Luke Foley. Bills pass through stages—first reading, second reading, committee scrutiny, third reading—with select committees and standing committees conducting inquiries, echoing procedures in bodies like the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services. Money bills originate in the Legislative Assembly per constitutional convention; fiscal instruments such as the State Budget of New South Wales require appropriation acts and scrutiny by estimates committees. If both houses concur, the Governor provides royal assent and parts of statutes may be challenged in courts, citing precedents involving the Commonwealth v Tasmania decisions.

Executive and parliamentary relations

The executive is formed by the party or coalition commanding confidence in the Legislative Assembly, with premiers like Dominic Perrottet sworn by the Governor and ministers drawn from both houses as in the cabinets of Nathan Rees or Mike Baird. Collective ministerial responsibility and question time link to accountability mechanisms including parliamentary committees, no-confidence motions, and supply control reminiscent of episodes such as the 1975 Australian constitutional crisis at the federal level. Interactions with public agencies like the Independent Commission Against Corruption and the NSW Audit Office shape administrative oversight, while cabinet confidentiality and caucus discipline reflect party practices of the Australian Labor Party and Liberal Party of Australia.

Elections and membership

Elections are administered by the NSW Electoral Commission; the Legislative Assembly uses full-preferential voting in single-member districts established by redistribution, while the Legislative Council uses proportional representation via the single transferable vote. Suffrage expansions occurred through reforms championed by activists such as Maybanke Anderson and legislation like the Electoral Act 1912 (NSW), with enrollment and turnout monitored during contests including the 2019 New South Wales state election and earlier polls featuring leaders Mike Baird and Gladys Berejiklian. Eligibility, disqualification, and casual vacancy procedures reference constitutional instruments and cases like those adjudicated by the High Court of Australia.

Parliamentary building and precincts

Parliament sits at Parliament House, Sydney in Macquarie Street, Sydney, adjoining landmarks including the Domain (Sydney), the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney, and Sydney Opera House to the east. The complex incorporates chambers, committee rooms, and heritage structures linked to the colonial architect Francis Greenway and Victorian-era additions, with security and public engagement programs managed alongside institutions like the State Library of New South Wales and Museum of Sydney. Public galleries, education services, and ceremonial events such as the Opening of Parliament showcase traditions inherited from the Westminster system and local civic culture.

Category:Parliaments in Australia