NSW Legislative Council

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The Legislative Council is the Upper House of NSW Parliament. We're sometimes called 'the house of review' because of the role we play in scrutinising legislation and holding the government of the day to account. Follow us on Facebook to learn more about our work, and to take a closer look (and take part in!) the various inquiries into key issues and bills that our committees are conducting at any

given time. Sign up to The House in Review blog to receive recaps of House sitting days, unpack procedural matters and more: https://thehouseinreview.com/

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Last week, the Parliament of NSW hosted our 2026 Regional Roadshow in Cowra! Students warmed the room during the Public ...
22/06/2026

Last week, the Parliament of NSW hosted our 2026 Regional Roadshow in Cowra!

Students warmed the room during the Public Speaking Competition and the Youth Forum with their bright minds and passionate voices, sharing inspiring words about their community and futures 🎤

Host of the Youth Forum and President of the Legislative Council Ben Franklin was joined by Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke MP, and members of the Legislative Council Cate Faehrmann and Scott Barrett MLC.

Congratulations to the winner of the Public Speaking Competition Bella Starr from Scots All Saints College Bathurst, and Jonah Grimshaw from Condobolin High School and Rhys Hutchins from Official Parkes High School who are the runners up 🎊

Our Upper House committee reviewing the Electric Vehicles (Revenue Arrangements) Act 2021 held its first public hearing ...
18/06/2026

Our Upper House committee reviewing the Electric Vehicles (Revenue Arrangements) Act 2021 held its first public hearing at NSW Parliament House yesterday.

This Act introduces a road user charge for electric and certain low-emissions vehicles. Through this inquiry, the committee is examining whether the Act’s objectives, including the EV road user charge, align with current and future trends in electric vehicle use and projected revenue needs.

During yesterday's hearing, the committee heard evidence from Professor Emerita Anne Twomey, Associate Professor Lael Weis and representatives from The Australia Institute, AEVA Australian Electric Vehicle Association, Electric Vehicle Council, National Roads and Motorists' Association, Road Freight NSW, Infrastructure Partnerships Australia, Motor Traders' Association of New South Wales and Australian Automotive Dealer Association.

Find out more about this inquiry, including transcripts and recordings of hearings, at the links below.

From New South Wales’s first official census in 1828 to today, the census has helped capture who we are as a community.T...
16/06/2026

From New South Wales’s first official census in 1828 to today, the census has helped capture who we are as a community.

The NSW Legislative Council passed the Census Act in June 1828, establishing the first official population count of NSW. It replaced the annual musters counting the colony's population, but did not include Aboriginal peoples or the military.

Today, the Census aims to count everyone in Australia, including Indigenous Australians.

The 2026 Census will be held on 11 August, run by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

🗺️ Pictured here, a 1828 map of the Colony of New South Wales by Sidney Hall, which at that time covered the entire east coast of the continent!

Our Upper House committee inquiring into unsolved murders and long-term missing persons cases travelled to the Southern ...
12/06/2026

Our Upper House committee inquiring into unsolved murders and long-term missing persons cases travelled to the Southern Highlands this week for a site visit and public hearing.

This inquiry is examining past investigations of cases in New South Wales between 1965 and 2010, including case studies and possible links between crimes. It is also considering whether changes in policy, practice and technology could improve outcomes for victims and their families.

The committee travelled to the Belanglo State Forest to visit the memorial to the seven backpackers murdered in the forest between 1989 and 1992. The committee also walked through sections of the forest to view two murder sites. Ivan Milat was convicted of all 7 murders in 1996.

During the public hearing, the committee heard evidence from families of missing persons and victims as well as representatives from Search Dogs Sydney and NSW Police Force.

Find out more about the inquiry, including hearing recordings and transcripts, at the link below.

The Parliament of NSW travelled to Bowral this week for our 2026 Regional Roadshow!Students from across the Southern Hig...
12/06/2026

The Parliament of NSW travelled to Bowral this week for our 2026 Regional Roadshow!

Students from across the Southern Highlands and Illawarra took part in the public speaking competition and youth forum, sharing their views on issues including cost of living, the environment, housing and the future of employment.

The youth forum was joined by Judy Hannan MP - Member for Wollondilly, Mark Buttigieg MLC, The Hon. Jacqui Munro MLC, The Hon. Rachel Merton MLC and hosted by Ben Franklin, President of the Legislative Council.

Congratulations to William Norman from Wollondilly Anglican College, winner of the Public Speaking Competition, and runner-up Luciana Ku from St Paul's International College, Moss Vale, Australia 👏🏆

The ideas shared by students in Bowral were a strong reminder of the value of hearing directly from young people across NSW. The future of the region is in good hands!

In June and July 1843, the first elections were held across New South Wales. Over several weeks, more than 9,000 votes w...
10/06/2026

In June and July 1843, the first elections were held across New South Wales.

Over several weeks, more than 9,000 votes were cast to elect 24 members of the Legislative Council, then the only House of NSW Parliament. Prior to this, all members of the Council were directly appointed.

Voting was limited to men who owned land worth £200 or more or who rented a dwelling for £20 or more a year. The elections were not without drama, with one man shot in Sydney and brawls breaking out elsewhere.

Despite this, the elections marked a significant shift for democracy: the first example of representative government in Australia!

Pictured, the first meeting of the NSW Legislative Council after the 1843 election (this chamber is now home to the NSW Legislative Assembly)

🎶 Calling all music lovers 🎶 The remaining dates for our 2026 Lunchtime Concert series are now available! Join us in the...
06/06/2026

🎶 Calling all music lovers 🎶

The remaining dates for our 2026 Lunchtime Concert series are now available!

Join us in the Fountain Court at Parliament of NSW on the dates below to enjoy stunning performances from talented young musicians, like those from Musica Viva, who we had the pleasure of watching on Wednesday 🎻 🎼

📅 Wednesday 5 August,
📅 Wednesday 23 September,
📅 Wednesday 21 October, and
📅 Wednesday 18 November

We hope to see you there! Get your free ticket at the link below 👇️

It was almost back to business as usual in the Legislative Council this week, with the House debating and passing bills,...
05/06/2026

It was almost back to business as usual in the Legislative Council this week, with the House debating and passing bills, motions and orders for papers at a steady pace.

However, the ongoing disagreement between the House and the Government in relation to orders for papers was not entirely forgotten.

Find out more in our sitting week recap, The House in Review, via the link in the comments 👉

Earlier this week, Upper House Committees ran a hands-on workshop, in conjunction with NSW Council of Social Service - N...
04/06/2026

Earlier this week, Upper House Committees ran a hands-on workshop, in conjunction with NSW Council of Social Service - NCOSS, aimed at helping community sector workers get the lowdown on facing parliamentary inquiries.

Led by knowledgeable staff from the Legislative Council and NCOSS, the session was packed with practical tips showing community sector workers how to make a real impact in parliamentary inquiries — from writing submissions to appearing as a witness.

The group was also joined by Stephen Lawrence MLC who shared valuable insights into the inquiry process from a members' point of view.

If you work in the community sector, find out when the next workshop is happening on the NCOSS website

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Parliament House, 6 Macquarie Street
Sydney, NSW
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