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Structure of the Department of the Legislative Council
Structure of the Department of the Legislative Council
During 2008-2009 there was considerable change to the parliamentary environment.
In 2008 the Department of Parliamentary Services was established and a number of administrative functions were transferred from the Department of the Legislative Council. The restructure of Parliament’s administrative functions necessitated a review of the structure and role of the Department of the Legislative Council and provided an opportunity to realign some services.
The new direction of the Department of the Legislative Council is outlined in the Strategic Plan 2009-2011.
The Department of the Legislative Council provides procedural, analytical and administrative support services to enable members of the Council to effectively perform their parliamentary duties. The two principal program areas of the department are procedure and committee support.
Office of the Clerk
The Chief Executive Officer of the Department is the Clerk of the Parliaments who is also known as the Clerk of the Legislative Council. The Clerk of the Parliaments, together with the Deputy Clerk, provides expert advice and counsel on parliamentary law, practice and procedure to the President, Ministers and members of the House, and manages the operations of the Department.
Ms Lynn Lovelock was appointed Clerk of the Parliaments and Clerk of the Legislative Council on 29 July 2007 following a period as Acting Clerk from 30 January 2007. Ms Lovelock has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the management of the Parliament, and in parliamentary practice and procedure and a background in research and in the development of public sector policy.
Procedure
The Table Office
The staff of the Table Office support the operations of the House by preparing business papers such as the Minutes of Proceedings, the Notice Paper and the Questions and Answers Paper, as well as drafting procedural scripts and notices of motions. The Table Office also maintains information on the progress of bills through the House, including the registration and notification of new Acts, assent and commencement dates, and registers all tabled papers. The Office provides members with copies of bills, Acts and reports as required and maintains various databases on legislation and procedures in the House.
The Procedural Training and Research Office
The Procedural Training and Research Office provides research services and procedural advice to the President, members, members’ staff and the public. The Office provides programs to address the procedural training requirements of members and their staff, and to enhance community awareness of the role of the Legislative Council. The Office also delivers training and professional development programs to enhance the procedural knowledge and skills of Department staff.
The Procedure Team supports the Department in capacity building projects with other parliaments in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly those with which the Parliament has made ‘twinning’ arrangements under the auspices of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.
Chamber and Support Services
During the sittings of the House, Chamber and Support Services ensure the effective and efficient functioning of the House. Chamber and Support staff convey messages and deliver papers during debate and Question Time, manage and monitor the circulation of amendments to bills, locate and provide copies of tabled papers and legislation and exchange messages with the other House.
Chamber and Support Services also deliver presentations on the functions and history of the Legislative Council to a range of school and community groups. Other Chamber and Support responsibilities include assisting with visitor inquiries, managing meeting rooms, providing assistance and support to members, and providing administrative support for the Department.
Mr Steven Reynolds
Clerk Assistant-Committees and
Usher of the Black Rod
phone: (02) 9230 2464
fax: (02) 9230 2876
steven.reynolds@parliament.nsw.gov.au | General enquiries
phone: (02) 9230 2319
fax: (02) 9230 2876 |
Committees
An important part of the work performed by Members of the Legislative Council is serving on parliamentary committees. Committees enable members to examine an issue in more detail than if the matter was considered by the House as a whole. Committees also enable members to obtain expert opinions and advice on complex policy matters. Committees provide an excellent forum for individuals and groups to put their views directly to their elected representatives.
The Committee Office provides research, procedural and administrative support to the various committees of the Legislative Council. Each parliamentary inquiry established is supported by a small secretariat. A key role of the staff is to organise public hearings and forums and to make accessible the hundreds of submissions to inquiries made each year by individual members of the public and organisations. Committees provide an excellent forum for individuals and groups to put their views directly to their elected representatives.
Each year the Committee Office organises the annual Budget Estimates hearings, two weeks of public hearings in which every government minister is questioned about spending in their portfolio.
For more information see the Committees section of the website.
Mr Steven Reynolds
Clerk Assistant-Committees and
Usher of the Black Rod
phone: (02) 9230 2464
fax: (02) 9230 2876
steven.reynolds@parliament.nsw.gov.au | General enquiries
phone: (02) 9230 2412
(02) 9230 3544
fax: (02) 9230 2981 |
Last modified 21/08/2009 14:25:37 : Update this page