(Order of Business, 28 November 2023, Legislative Assembly, NSW Parliament)

I move: That standing and sessional orders be suspended to:

(1) Permit the separation of the Equality Legislation Amendment (LGBTIQA+) Bill 2023 from the Conversion Practices Prohibition Bill 2023 and to no longer consider these bills cognate.

(2) Extend the lapsing date for the Equality Legislation Amendment (LGBTIQA+) Bill 2023 until 15 March 2024.

(3) Amend the routine of business for Thursday 8 February 2024 and, if required, for Thursday 14 March 2024 so that debate on the Equality Legislation Amendment (LGBTIQA+) Bill 2023 is given precedence at that time for considering general business orders of the day for bills.

(4) Provide that, if not yet completed, all remaining questions for each remaining stage of the Equality Legislation Amendment (LGBTIQA+) Bill 2023 to be moved without further debate at the conclusion of the time allowed in the routine of business for general business orders of the day for bills on Thursday 14 March 2024.

I thank the Government, Opposition and crossbench for considering the motion to suspend standing and sessional orders so that the Conversion Practices Prohibition Bill 2023 will now lapse. That is as a result of the ongoing work I am doing with the Government on its legislation to prohibit conversion practices in New South Wales. That process is going extremely well. There was great stakeholder engagement. The Government bill will be dealt with early in the next term of Parliament. Secondly, the Government is also engaging in good faith with me on the other elements of my legislation. Over the parliamentary break, we will continue our negotiations, conversations and targeted consultation about the wider LGBTIQA+ reforms that are included in that.

The motion also makes it clear to all members about when we will be debating and voting on the bill so that they have ample time to discuss the reform, ask any questions they may have and work with me on any proposed amendments. Today is the day in which my previous private member's bill, the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2021, comes into effect. That bill followed a great deal of consultation and, at times, disorganised debate in this Chamber, as the Leader of the House would remember. This motion will facilitate a far more organised approach for the Equality Legislation Amendment (LGBTIQA+) Bill 2023, which will be dealt with next year.

Motion agreed to.