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How the Parliament of New South Wales navigated the COVID-19 pandemic

How the Parliament of New South Wales navigated the COVID-19 pandemic

Advice on legislation or legal policy issues contained in this paper is provided for use in parliamentary debate and for related parliamentary purposes. This paper is not professional legal opinion.
Research paper 2023-01 by Lenny Roth and Nicola Dunbar

​The ongoing operation of all parliaments during the COVID-19 pandemic was an essential part of the democratic process at a time of considerable community uncertainty and anxiety. This paper provides an overview of the operation of the Parliament of NSW between March 2020 and December 2022. Ensuring the Parliament could operate effectively during this time was an urgent priority of the Department of the Legislative Council, the Department of the Legislative Assembly and the Department of Parliamentary Services. Changes included putting in place COVID-safe work practices, adapting and where necessary introducing new practices and procedures, and widespread use of virtual committee meetings. The innovations introduced in response to the pandemic have strengthened the ongoing operations of Parliament.