The President and other officeholders

There are​ a number of key office holders in the NSW Legislative Council. These roles perform specific functions to enable the conduct of proceedings.

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​​​The President

President Frankin.jpg

President of the Legislative Council

On 9 May 2023 the Honourable Ben Franklin MLC was elected as the President of the New South Wales Legislative Council. The President is the Presiding Officer of the Legislative Council and is independent and impartial.

The primary role of the President is to preside over sittings of the Council (also known as the House). The President is responsible for maintaining order and interpreting and applying and interpreting the practices and procedures of the House, relying on the standing orders, precedents, rulings of past Presidents and various other procedural authorities.

The President is also the spokesperson of the House, and is its sole representative in relations with the Governor, the Legislative Assembly, the Executive Government and other persons and organisations outside of Parliament.

Outside of sittings, the President performs various ceremonial duties including in relation to the opening of Parliament, receiving visits from foreign Heads of State and foreign delegations, and representing the Council at conferences and events.

In addition, the President has extensive corporate functions within the Parliament. The President is responsible, with the Speaker, for the control of the parliamentary precincts under the Parliamentary Precincts Act 1997 and for the overall administration of Parliament.

The President is also the head of the Department of the Legislative Council, and is responsible to the Council for its operation. As such, the role of the President is similar to that of a minister in a government department.​

The President is elected by the House as the first item of business at the first meeting of the Council following an election, and continues in office until the next election unless they resign, are voted out of office or cease to be a member.

More information

Read about the role of the President, in New South Wales Legislative Council Practice, Chapter 6.

Find a list of all Former Presidents of the Legislative Council

Other office holders

The Hon Rod Roberts MLC 

The Hon Rod Roberts MLC

On 9 May 2023 the Honourable Rod Roberts MLC was elected as the Deputy President and Chair of Committees of the New South Wales Legislative Council.


The role of the Deputy President and Chair of Committees

The Deputy President and Chair of Committees acts as President when the President is absent or requests the Deputy President do so, and may exercise and perform all the powers, authorities, duties and functions of the President.

In addition, the Chair of Committees presides over the consideration of bills, including amendments, in a committee of the whole House.

The Deputy President is elected by the House in a similar manner to the President.

More information on the role of the Deputy President and Chair of Committees

The Hon Peter Primrose MLC

On 9 May 2023 the Honourable Peter Thomas Primrose MLC was elected as the Assistant President of the New South Wales Legislative Council.

The role of the Assistant President

The Assistant President performs the duties of the President in the absence of both the President and Deputy President on a day the House is sitting. In doing so, the Assistant President exercises the same authority and has the same duties and powers as the President.

The Assistant President is elected by the House in a similar manner to the President and Deputy President.

The President nominates at least three members to be Temporary Chairs of Committees at the beginning of each session of Parliament. Temporary Chairs act for the President, the Deputy President and the Assistant President on a temporary basis whenever required. In doing so, they exercise the same authority and have the same duties and powers as the President.

Ms Abigail Boyd MLC

Ms Abigail Boyd MLC

On 23 May 2023 Ms Abigail Boyd MLC was appointed as a Temporary Chair of Committees.

The Hon Emma Hurst MLC

The Hon. Emma Hurst MLC

On 23 May 2023 the Honourable Emma Hurst MLC was appointed as a Temporary Chair of Committees.

The Hon Dr Sarah Kaine MLC

The Hon. Dr Sarah Kaine, BEc, PhD MLC

On 23 May 2023 the Honourable Dr Sarah Kaine MLC was appointed as a Temporary Chair of Committees.

The Hon Taylor Martin MLC

The Hon. Taylor Martin MLC​

On 27 May 2025 the Honourable Taylor Martin MLC was appointed as a Temporary Chair of Committees.​​

​BH-28881%20-%20Clerk

Mr Steven Reynolds
Clerk of the Parliaments and Clerk of the Legislative Council

Mr Reynolds was appointed Clerk of the Parliaments on 29 March 2025.

The role of the Clerk

The Clerk of the Parliaments, also known as the Clerk of the Legislative Council, is responsible for providing independent expert advice on parliamentary law, practice and procedure to the President, Deputy President, ministers and members of the Council and its committees.

The Clerk is also responsible to the President for the administration of the Department of the Legislative Council. The Clerk works collaboratively with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly and the Executive Manager of Parliamentary Services in relation to the administration of matters relating to the New South Wales Parliament as a whole.

The Clerk is appointed by the Governor with the advice of the Executive Council pursuant to section 47 of the Constitution Act 1902.

More information on the role of the Clerk
New South Wales Legislative Council Practice, Chapter 6.

Tina Higgins Clerk Assistant​​​​

Tina Higgins
Usher of the Black Rod

​Ms Higgins was appointed as the Usher of the Black Rod on 15 April 2025.

The role of the Usher

The Usher of the Black Rod is the most senior protocol position in the Council. The name of this position comes from the ebony cane carried by the Usher of the Black Rod as a symbol of authority. On important ceremonial occasions, such as the opening of Parliament, the Usher of the Black Rod leads the ceremony while carrying the Black Rod.

When the Council is sitting, the Usher’s main responsibility in the Chamber is to help the President maintain order in the House. This includes removing members from the Chamber when ordered to do so by the President.

Outside the chamber, the Usher of the Black Rod has ceremonial responsibility in the relation to visits by the Governor and other dignitaries, the management of security, and the use of the public areas at Parliament House.​

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