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48-717: Opposition (35) Crossbench (13) Opposition (14) Crossbench (13) The Parliament of New South Wales , formally the Legislature of New South Wales , is the bicameral legislative body of the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW). It consists of the monarch , the New South Wales Legislative Assembly (lower house) and the New South Wales Legislative Council (upper house). Each house

96-422: A duty of 3 shillings a gallon. They were able to sell it for a huge profit and in turn the government refunded them the duty as a payment for their work, thereby gaining for their construction the title of the 'Rum Hospital'. Originally consisting of three buildings, the central main building was demolished in 1879 to make way for the new Sydney Hospital , which was completed in 1885. The first building, now known as

144-559: A focus on maternal and child health, and for a chair of obstetrics at the medical school, sarcastically calling for "'Horses' rights for women" after the University of Sydney instead established a course in veterinary obstetrics. Preston-Stanley had her detractors: Theo. H. Hill , while conceding her power as an orator, criticised her work ethic — she received £875 per year as a legislator, yet seldom attended sittings. He used her record to support his opposition to appointment of women to

192-562: A long history, and owe much to Victorian era romanticism, having only been worn on the bonnet since the mid-19th century when the buckled strap device commonly used by the Order of the Garter was adopted as a popular design to encircle monogram escutcheons and heraldic crests. The crest badge came to be accepted in the mid-20th century as the emblem of both houses of Parliament. The emblem appears on official stationery, publications and papers, and

240-424: A united bloc opposed to the government of the day. Some well-organised democracies, dominated long-term by a single faction, reduce their parliamentary opposition to tokenism . In some cases, in more authoritarian countries, tame "opposition" parties are created by the governing groups in order to create an impression of democratic debate. Some legislatures offer opposition parties particular powers. In Canada ,

288-739: Is directly elected by the people of New South Wales at elections held approximately every four years. The legislative authority of the parliament derives from section 5 of the Constitution Act 1902 (NSW). The power to make laws that apply to New South Wales is shared with the Federal (or Commonwealth) Parliament . The houses of the New South Wales Parliament follow the Westminster parliamentary traditions of dress, green–red chamber colours and protocols. The houses of

336-555: Is stamped on various items in use in the Parliament, such as cutlery, silverware and china. Senate House of Rep. Council Assembly Council Assembly Council Assembly Council Assembly Council Assembly Council Assembly Assembly Assembly 33°52′03″S 151°12′46″E  /  33.86739°S 151.21269°E  / -33.86739; 151.21269 Parliamentary opposition In first-past-the-post assemblies, where

384-702: The Australian Colonies Government Act was passed by the Imperial Parliament , which expanded the New South Wales Legislative Council so that by 1851 there were 54 members – again, with two-thirds elected. In 1853, a select committee chaired by William Wentworth began drawing up a constitution for responsible self-government in the colony. While many of the provisions in the committee's proposed constitution were accepted when placed before

432-511: The Cabinet , and reflects the legislative agenda for which they seek the agreement of both houses of Parliament. Queen Elizabeth II opened the New South Wales Parliament on two occasions, on 4 February 1954, as part of her first visit to Australia, which was also the first occasion in which a monarch of Australia had opened a session of any Australian parliament. The other occasion was on 20 February 1992, during her visit to Sydney to celebrate

480-651: The Sydney Mint , was given to the Royal Mint in 1851 to become the Australian branch of its operations; it remained a mint until 1927. The second building, originally built as the Chief Surgeon's quarters, was given to the government in 1829 for the purposes of a Parliament chamber. This chamber was added to following the growth of the legislature in 1843, and again in 1856. The last major renovation to

528-470: The United Kingdom , and New Zealand , 20 days each year are set aside as " Opposition Days " or "Supply Days", during which the opposition gets to set the agenda. Canada also has a Question Period , during which the opposition (and the Parliament generally) can ask questions of government ministers. Millicent Preston-Stanley Millicent Preston-Stanley (9 September 1883 – 23 June 1955)

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576-456: The tendency to gravitate into two major parties or party groupings operates strongly, government and opposition roles can go to the two main groupings serially in alternation. The more proportionally representative a system, the greater the likelihood of multiple political parties appearing in the parliamentary debating chamber . Such systems can foster multiple "opposition" parties which may have little in common and minimal desire to form

624-647: The Health Act, and better housing. She delivered her inaugural address to the Legislative Assembly of the New South Wales Parliament on 26 August 1925, using the opportunity to address those of her colleagues who did not believe that women had a role in politics. She said: Some hon. members have been kind enough to suggest that women should be protected from the hurly-burly of politics. This attitude of mind may do credit to

672-477: The Legislative Assembly are elected at each general election from single-member districts using optional preferential voting to terms of up to four years. The 42 Legislative Council members are elected for two terms (a maximum of eight years), with half elected at each general election. Elections for the Legislative Council are conducted on a statewide, at-large basis (meaning all members represent

720-415: The Legislative Assembly was reduced from 109 to 99 Members and then to 93 members in 1999. The Parliament building was originally built on the orders of Governor Lachlan Macquarie , to be Sydney's second major hospital. In 1810, he awarded the contract to Garnham Blaxcell , Alexander Riley and D'Arcy Wentworth . The contract gave the builders the right to import 45,000 gallons of rum, for which they paid

768-423: The Legislative Council in 1921, but the appointment was ruled out of order. The first two women appointed to the Legislative Council were both Labor Party members proposed on 23 November 1931: Catherine Green , who took her seat the following day, and Ellen Webster , who joined her two days later. In 1925, 1926, and 1929, Premier Jack Lang made unsuccessful attempts to abolish the Legislative Council, following

816-653: The Legislative Council in August that year, a proposal to create a colonial nobility was subject to heavy criticism and later withdrawn. The approved bicameral structure included a fully elected Legislative Assembly, as well as a Legislative Council whose members were appointed for life. A government assumed most of the Governor's legislative powers. The new constitution was sent to the Imperial Parliament and passed into law on 16 July 1855. On 22 May 1856,

864-606: The Legislative Council. This authority is granted by section 5 of the Constitution Act 1902 (NSW); an act that itself was passed by the NSW Parliament under the authority granted to it from the Constitution Act 1855 . This was an act originating from a bill from the pre-responsible government Legislative Council, that was slightly modified and given the force of law by an act of the UK parliament. All 93 members of

912-783: The Peace, and was President of the Women's Justices' Association from 1923 to 1926. Around 1929 the Feminist Club was in discussion with the Women's League of N.S.W. and the Women Voters' Association to form a unified lobby group, but the Feminist Club, which had developed into a private club for professional women, voted against joining the United Associations , resulting in the resignation of numerous members, including

960-617: The Upper House. The Eastern Suburbs seat was abolished in 1927 and in the fresh elections both Preston-Stanley and H. V. Jaques stood as Nationalist candidates for the single-member seat of Bondi , and Jaques was successful. That was her last attempt at parliamentary honours. Preston-Stanley was actively involved in women's groups such as the Women's Liberal League. She re-formed the Feminist Club of New South Wales and served as its president from 1920 to 1928 when Ada S. Holman

1008-435: The advice of the premier of New South Wales . The premier and government are directly accountable to Parliament through its control of public finances and the need for its confidence, and to the public through members of Parliament. The governor chooses the premier, usually depending on the results of the general election, who then forms a government from members of the houses of Parliament. This must be someone who can command

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1056-507: The attention of the government particular issues affecting their constituents. For a bill to become law, it must be passed by both the Legislative Council and the Legislative Assembly and be assented to by the governor. Under Section 5A of the New South Wales Constitution Act (1902), a bill appropriating revenue for the ordinary annual services of the government can be presented to the governor for assent even if

1104-481: The building was undertaken between 1974 and 1985, which saw a jumble of buildings that had become the parliamentary chambers demolished and replaced by a 12-story block linked by a fountain court to the original Parliament House. The building was also restored to its 1908 appearance. The legislative authority, the King-in-Parliament , has three separate elements: the monarch; the Legislative Assembly; and

1152-460: The cause of actress Emélie Polini , whose ex-husband and his mother had custody of their daughter Patricia. In 1924 Emélie sued for the right to take her daughter on a trip to London after they refused her permission. This was denied by Mr Justice Harvey. Though her private member's bill on equal custody rights failed she continued the campaign. She wrote a play Whose Child? based on this case. She also lobbied for family planning and sex education,

1200-436: The confidence of a majority in the Legislative Assembly. This is usually a straightforward decision, though occasionally the governor has to make a judgment, as in August 1939 when the governor, Lord Wakehurst , handled a major political crisis brought about when the former deputy leader of the governing United Australia Party , Eric Spooner , brought down Premier Bertram Stevens in a motion of no confidence . Wakehurst asked

1248-480: The entire state) using the single transferable vote system similar to that used for elections to the federal Senate . In the running of Parliament, the two presiding officers have a role that is similar to Ministers and their departments. The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and the President of the Legislative Council are responsible for the employing of staff. In consultation with the parliamentary clerks,

1296-499: The example of the Queensland Legislative Council in 1922. These attempts led to further reform, and in 1933 the law was changed so that a quarter of the Legislative Council would be elected every three years by members of the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council, rather than being appointed by the Governor. From 1926, people receiving aid could again be on the electoral roll. Compulsory voting

1344-661: The legislature are located in Parliament House on Macquarie Street , Sydney . The Parliament of New South Wales was the first of the Australian colonial legislatures, with its formation in the 1850s. At the time, New South Wales was a British colony under the control of the Governor . A small, appointed Legislative Council began meeting in 1824 to advise the Governor on legislative matters. By 1843, this had been enlarged, with two-thirds of its members elected by adult males who met certain property requirements. In 1850,

1392-769: The loss of the Queensland seats. In 1901, New South Wales became a state of the Commonwealth of Australia , and many government functions were transferred to the new Commonwealth government. In 1902, the current constitution of New South Wales was adopted. Women gained the right to vote in Commonwealth elections in April 1902, and in New South Wales state elections in August 1902. In 1918, reforms permitted women to be members of Parliament, although no woman

1440-474: The nation. In addition, her inaugural address argued against reducing the 48 hour workweek to 44 hours, arguing that the Labor Party should first shorten the average woman's workweek, which she claimed was 112 hours. In parliament she campaigned on the issues of women's mortality in childbirth, child welfare, institutional care for the mentally ill, and custody rights in divorce. She personally took up

1488-418: The newly constituted New South Wales Parliament opened and sat for the first time. With the new 54-member Legislative Assembly taking over the council chamber, a second meeting chamber for the 21 member upper house had to be added to the Parliament building on Macquarie Street. The Electoral Act of 1858 made additional changes. The right to vote was extended to most males over 21 years of age. However, men "in

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1536-691: The president, Jessie Street . A fervent supporter of the United Australia Party (UAP) — a precursor to the Liberal Party — Millicent Preston-Stanley brought the Feminist Club to prominence in the 1930s. Under her leadership the club stood apart from many other women's organisations that existed in the period in that the latter — like the Australian Women's Guild of Empire — concerned themselves with matters revolving around home keeping, family, and religiosity. Their purpose

1584-574: The presiding officers determine policy for the operation of their respective chambers and jointly for the Parliament. The final step for a bill passed by the houses of parliament to become a law is the granting of royal assent by the governor on behalf of the King. Other powers of the governor in relation to Parliament include the power to prorogue, summon and dissolve the houses, issue writs for elections and administer oaths to new members of parliament. These powers are in almost all circumstances exercised on

1632-429: The receipt of aid from any charitable institution" were ineligible. This was deemed to include all people living on Aboriginal stations and reserves . Other men not able to vote included those "of unsound mind", incarcerated individuals, and members of the military or the police. In 1859 Queensland separated from New South Wales to form an independent colony. The Legislative Assembly was reduced from 80 to 72 members by

1680-709: The sesquicentenary of the incorporation of the City of Sydney , on which occasion she stated: This is my second opportunity to address this Parliament – a Parliament which I described on the previous occasion, in 1954, as the Mother Parliament of Australia. It is interesting to reflect that that was the first time on which the Sovereign had opened a Session of an Australian Parliament. I was also on my first visit to Australia as your Queen. I have returned to New South Wales eight times since then and am always delighted by

1728-406: The softness of their hearts, and I think it may also be taken as prima facie evidence of a little softening in their heads. … I believe that women's questions are national questions, and that national questions are women's questions, and it may be shown that woman can take her place amongst the representatives of the people in the Parliament of the country and play her part in the political life of

1776-583: The state attending. The New South Wales Parliament maintains many of the traditions of the original Parliament of the United Kingdom , from which the New South Wales Parliament was founded. The governor, or occasionally the monarch , reads a prepared speech, known as the Speech from the Throne , outlining the government's agenda for the coming year. The speech is not written by the governor, but rather by

1824-416: The treasurer, Alexander Mair , to form a government. The current premier of New South Wales is Chris Minns of the Labor Party . Government ministers (including the premier) must regularly answer questions in the chambers and there are a number of select committees that scrutinise particular issues and the workings of the government. There are also mechanisms that allow members of Parliament to bring to

1872-561: The upper house has not agreed to it. The state opening of Parliament is an annual event that marks the commencement of a session of the Parliament of New South Wales. It is held in the Legislative Council Chamber, usually in November or December, or in a general election year, when the new Parliament first assembles. It is an occasion for much pomp and ceremony, usually with a guard of honour and with dignitaries of

1920-426: The warm and generous hospitality accorded to Prince Philip and me by the people of this State. On this occasion I have come to join in commemorating Sydney's first one hundred and fifty years as a city. The official emblem of the New South Wales Parliament is a crowned circlet featuring the coat of arms of New South Wales taking the form of a Scottish crest badge . Crest badges, much like clan tartans , do not have

1968-623: Was Mrs Molyneux Parkes . Her bid in 1922 for one of the four multi-member Eastern Suburbs seats on the New South Wales Legislative Assembly failed (having been placed fifth on the Coalition ticket), but in May 1925 she was successful, winning the seat for the Nationalist Party , one of the historic predecessors of today's Liberal Party . She campaigned for reductions in maternal mortality , reform in child welfare, amendments to

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2016-630: Was an Australian feminist and politician who served as the first female member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly . In 1925, she became the second woman to enter government in Australia. She was also among the first women in New South Wales to become Justices of the Peace and served as president of the Women Justices Association from 1923 to 1926. Throughout her life, Preston-Stanley advocated for women's rights, health reform, and temperance . Millicent Fanny Stanley

2064-455: Was born in Sydney in 1883. She was the daughter of Augustine Gregory Stanley, a grocer , and his wife Fanny Ellen Stanley (née Preston) (c. 1859 – 9 September 1934). After her father deserted the family, her mother obtained a divorce and adopted the surname "Preston-Stanley" for herself and her daughter. She had at least one brother, Victor Charles Preston-Stanley (died 26 June 1919), who

2112-463: Was elected to the position. and from 1952 until her death in 1955. The club was amongst the organisations that successfully lobbied for the introduction of the Women's Legal Status Act 1918, which allowed women to run for office in the Lower House and local government, and to become Justices of the Peace . She was, in 1921, one of the first women in New South Wales to be appointed a Justice of

2160-503: Was elected until 1925 when Millicent Preston-Stanley was elected to represent the Eastern Suburbs . That same year, a proportional representation system was introduced for the Legislative Assembly with multiple representatives from each electorate; this system lasted until it was abolished in 1926. Women were not able to be appointed to the Legislative Council until 1926; Premier John Storey attempted to appoint Kate Dwyer to

2208-663: Was introduced in 1928. In 1978, the Council became a directly elected body in a program of electoral reform introduced by the Wran Labor government. The number of members was reduced to 45, although transitional arrangements meant that there were 43 members from 1978 to 1981, and 44 from 1981 to 1984. Further reform in 1991 by the Greiner Liberal – National government saw the size of the Legislative Council cut to 42 members, with half being elected every 4 years. In 1991,

2256-425: Was primarily evangelical, and social, helping to cultivate resources and gatherings for women to attend and exchange information and skills in craftwork like sewing, knitting and so forth. It was precisely the entrenched notion that politics did not form part of "women's concerns" that the feminist movement of the 1930s sought to dislodge, and it was this apolitical focus that distinguished the women's organisations of

2304-425: Was the father of Major Preston-Stanley, and of Betty Preston-Stanley who married Major John Gray, and Joan Preston-Stanley. Preston-Stanley married Crawford Vaughan , former Premier of South Australia , in 1934. She died on 23 June 1955 in the Sydney suburb of Randwick from cerebrovascular disease . By 1906 Preston Stanley was a council member of the N.S.W. Women's Liberal League, when its president/secretary

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