There are a number of key figures, who are either elected representatives or employed by the Parliament, that work in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly Chamber on a sitting day and perform a range of important tasks.
The Speaker
The Speaker is the Presiding Officer of the Legislative Assembly. The Speaker must act with both authority and impartiality. The Constitution Act 1902 (NSW) describes the Speaker as the Legislative Assembly's "independent and impartial representative".
The Speaker's role in the House is to preside over proceedings and maintain order. In doing so, the Speaker interprets and applies the Standing and Sessional Orders and practices of the Assembly by making rulings and decisions. As the representative of the House, the Speaker is responsible for conveying messages and addresses from the Legislative Assembly to the Legislative Council and the Governor.
When presiding, the Speaker only has a casting vote (the deciding vote when votes are equal). When not presiding, the Speaker can participate in debates and vote in divisions in the same way as any other Member.
The Speaker is also responsible for upholding the rights and privileges of Members and has extensive administrative duties, being responsible, with the President of the Legislative Council, for the overall direction of the Parliament.
The Deputy Speaker, Assistant Speaker and Temporary Speakers
The principal responsibility of the Deputy Speaker is to perform the duties of the Speaker, both in the Chair and when the House is not sitting, when the Speaker is not available.
In the absence of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker, the Assistant Speaker performs the duties of the Speaker.
The Speaker can also nominate up to five Members to serve as Temporary Speakers. In the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker and the Assistant Speaker, Temporary Speakers may perform the duties of the Speaker.
The Premier
The principal responsibility of the Deputy Speaker is to perform the duties of the Speaker, both in the Chair and when the House is not sitting, when the Speaker is not available.
In the absence of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker, the Assistant Speaker performs the duties of the Speaker when presiding in the Chamber.
The Speaker can also nominate up to five Members to serve as Temporary Speakers. In the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker and the Assistant Speaker, Temporary Speakers may perform the duties of the Speaker when presiding in the Chamber.
Ministers
Ministers are senior parliamentary members of the Government.
Ministers generally have one or more government departments or agencies which they are in charge of and responsible to the Parliament for. They may also have a number of laws which they and their departments administer. The decisions made by Ministers, either individually or together as the Executive Government, shape the Government's overall direction and policies. Under their direction the various agencies and departments carry out the administration of government in the State.
Ministers who are Members of the Legislative Assembly also represent electorates and have local electorate responsibilities. The majority of Ministers are Members of the Legislative Assembly.
Parliamentary Secretaries
Parliamentary Secretaries are Members who are appointed by the Premier to assist Ministers with their portfolio responsibilities, and to act on behalf of Ministers in respect of many of their duties in the Legislative Assembly.
The Leader of the Opposition
The Leader of the Opposition is the leader of the largest non-Government party (or coalition of parties) and is chosen by the party.
In our Westminster system the Opposition is the alternative government ready to assume power should the government lose the confidence of the House or be defeated at an election.
The duties of the Leader of the Opposition include leading and directing the Opposition's policies and strategies, presenting alternative policies to those of the Government, being the chief Opposition spokesperson, leading the 'Shadow Ministry', and leading the Opposition at NSW General Elections.
The Leader of the House and Manager of Opposition Business
The Leader of the House is appointed by the Government to manage Government business in the Legislative Assembly.
The Leader arranges the Government's program of business, including the bills that the Executive Government wants to deal with in the Legislative Assembly, and is the Government's main spokesperson on procedural matters.
Generally, the Leader of the House is a Minister. This is because the Standing Orders specify that only Ministers can introduce certain Government business.
The Manager of Opposition Business is appointed by the Opposition to liaise with the Leader of the House to facilitate the orderly conduct of business in the Legislative Assembly.
Party Whips
The Government and Opposition Parties elect what are called 'Whips' from among their elected Members. The duties of the Whips are, in the main, to liaise with Party Leaders and Ministers about business of the House, and to:
- ensure that Members attend in the Chamber (especially during divisions);
- arrange for speakers in debates;
- arrange 'pairs'[1] for divisions; and
- act as intermediaries between the party leaders and backbench Members.
Officers of the Legislative Assembly
The permanent officers of the Legislative Assembly are the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, the Deputy Clerk, the Clerk-Assistants, and the Serjeant-at-Arms.
The Clerks are accountable to the Speaker and the House and are independent of the Government or Opposition. The Clerks provide independent procedural advice to Members, keep the records of the House, support proceedings in the Chamber and committees, and managing the Department of the Legislative Assembly.
When the Legislative Assembly is sitting, the Clerks sit at a table in front of the Speaker where they are well positioned to give quick procedural advice to the Speaker and other Members when it is required.
[1] A pair is an arrangement between parties whereby two Members from opposing sides of the House do not vote on a particular occasion. This is so that one or both Members can be absent without affecting the vote.
