Speaker's news and events

News and Events from the Office of the Speaker
In addition to presiding over proceedings of the House on sitting days, Mr Speaker also represents the Parliament at meetings with foreign dignitaries and oversees the operation of the Parliament with the Legislative Council President. This page features some of the news and events taking place in Parliament and across the regions of NSW.

	Governor of Tokyo’s visit to the Parliament of NSW, 6 February 2024

	On 6 February 2024, the House agreed to allow Members of both Houses to meet in the Legislative Assembly Chamber to officially welcome Her Excellency, Ms Yuriko Koike, Governor of Tokyo, to NSW Parliament. Ms Koike addressed the House following the welcomes delivered by the Speaker, the Premier, and a Member representing the Leader of the Opposition. The last time the Parliament received an address as part of a joint meeting in the Legislative Assembly was 8 September 1998, from the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese. You can learn about the parliamentary practice and procedure related to the Governor of Tokyo’s visit on the Legislative Assembly’s procedure publication – Procedure Digest.
	NSW Parliament is now beautifully restored, February 2024

	After a year of restoration work, the covers on the exterior of the Parliament House facade have now come off, allowing everyone to see the meticulous restoration of the building’s original stone colour from the early 1800s. And what about the incredible native planting scheme in the forecourt garden! People can, once again, enter the Parliament through the doors on the forecourt. The final restoration of the building's interior is on track to be completed in April 2024. Speaker Piper extended his congratulations and thanks to the parliamentary teams who have driven this massive and important project. Fun fact: Did you know that the Rum Hospital's Level 8 veranda was restored using recycled power poles? True!
	Australia Day's WugulOra ceremony, 26 January 2024

	On the Premier’s invitation, Mr Speaker and the President of the Legislative Council attended the WugulOra Morning Ceremony on Australia Day. WugulOra, meaning 'One Mob', is a symbolic moment to start Australia Day and celebrate Australia's traditional custodians.
	The Speaker is visiting Electorate Offices, from October 2023

	Electorate Officers are the backbone of our representative democracy. As the Presiding Officer overseeing the operation of the Parliament, the Speaker is planning to visit all 93 electorate offices to meet the electorate officers. So far, the Speaker has visited a few offices – plenty more to go!
	Speaker led delegation to Ghana for international conference, October 2023


	Mr Speaker, the President of the Legislative Assembly, the Member for Gosford and the Legislative Assembly's Deputy Clerk flew to Ghana to attend the week-long 66th Commonwealth Parliamentarians Conference (CPC) in October 2023. The conference was attended by more than 600 parliamentarians and parliamentary clerks representing legislatures from across the Commonwealth to discuss matters related to the event's theme: ‘Values and Principles for Parliaments to uphold’. Mr Speaker was particularly impressed to learn about the electronic voting system used for divisions, as well as the use of Artificial Intelligence in parliamentary practice and processes.