Minutes No. 151, 19 June 2013, item no. 4, page 1825 1. That this House:
(a) notes the recent public debate about alcohol consumption by members during
the sitting hours of the House,
(b) reiterates its commitment to the highest standards of behaviour during
sitting hours,
(c) confirms that it is inappropriate for a member to attend the House while
under the influence of alcohol, and
(d) urges members who are unable to control their use of alcohol to seek
professional assistance.
2. That the Procedure Committee inquire into and report on the regulation of
the consumption of alcohol by members during sitting hours, including
suggestions for changes to standing orders, sessional orders, the Code of
Conduct for Members or other relevant instruments that:
(a) would ensure to the extent possible that the decision making capacity and
behaviour of all members attending the House are not impaired or adversely
influenced by the consumption of alcohol on sitting days,
(b) would address the use of the pair system for members who are under the
influence of alcohol, and
(c) would seek to provide the people of New South Wales with confidence in the
House and respect their demand for sober and sensitive decision making.
3. That the Procedure Committee is to:
(a) take into account public expectations of the behaviour of members of
Parliament and the regulation of alcohol consumption in other workplaces
characterised by high consequence decision making, and
(b) give consideration to a total ban on alcohol consumption by members on
sitting days before the last bell and appropriate ways to enforce it.
4. That the Procedure Committee report by Friday 27 September 2013.
On 11 September 2013, the House resolved that the reporting date for the
inquiry be extended to Wednesday 27 November 2013.
1. That this House:
(a) notes the recent public debate about alcohol consumption by members during
the sitting hours of the House,
(b) reiterates its commitment to the highest standards of behaviour during
sitting hours,
(c) confirms that it is inappropriate for a member to attend the House while
under the influence of alcohol, and
(d) urges members who are unable to control their use of alcohol to seek
professional assistance.
2. That the Procedure Committee inquire into and report on the regulation of
the consumption of alcohol by members during sitting hours, including
suggestions for changes to standing orders, sessional orders, the Code of
Conduct for Members or other relevant instruments that:
(a) would ensure to the extent possible that the decision making capacity and
behaviour of all members attending the House are not impaired or adversely
influenced by the consumption of alcohol on sitting days,
(b) would address the use of the pair system for members who are under the
influence of alcohol, and
(c) would seek to provide the people of New South Wales with confidence in the
House and respect their demand for sober and sensitive decision making.
3. That the Procedure Committee is to:
(a) take into account public expectations of the behaviour of members of
Parliament and the regulation of alcohol consumption in other workplaces
characterised by high consequence decision making, and
(b) give consideration to a total ban on alcohol consumption by members on
sitting days before the last bell and appropriate ways to enforce it.
4. That the Procedure Committee report by Friday 27 September 2013.
On 11 September 2013, the House resolved that the reporting date for the
inquiry be extended to Wednesday 27 November 2013.