NSW Greater Cities Commission Abolished and Defamation Privileges Narrowed for Some Publications

Greater Cities Commission Repeal Bill 2023

6 Feb 2024: Passed by Parliament and signed off by the governor.

This bill kicks in: TBA

Legislative Assembly

Legislative Council

Assent

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Topics

defamation freedom of speech government accountability land use regional development urban planning

Introduced by: The Hon Paul Scully MP (ALP); The Hon Penny Sharpe MLC (ALP)

Links to official parliament websites

Official page: progress through parliament

Official page: bill text and explanatory notes

Effects of this bill

If this bill passes, it means that:

The law changes which publications are protected by absolute privilege in defamation cases.
The Greater Sydney Region Plan now only applies to Sydney's three named sub-regions (the Eastern Harbour City, Central River City, and Western Parkland City).
The plan still serves as the strategic plan for the Six Cities Region.
Planning statements no longer need support from the Greater Cities Commission.
The legal definitions for the Six Cities Region and its three named sub-regions (Eastern Harbour City, Central River City, Western Parkland City) are removed from the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.
The Greater Cities Commission is abolished.

The Debate

What different members said when this bill was debated:

Mark Latham IND

“I strongly support the Greater Cities Commission Repeal Bill 2023l and congratulate the Minister, Paul Scully, on bringing it forward. You can test the merit and longevity of a government organisation by asking this simple question: What are its achievements? I do not think anyone can list any of the achievements of the Greater Cities Commission, because there are none.”

Official source →

Tania Mihailuk IND

“I make a brief contribution to debate on the Greater Cities Commission Repeal Bill 2023 and indicate that One Nation will support it. My reasons are varied. I have listened to much of the debate. From the get-go, the commission was a model that was not really the right fit for Sydney or, indeed, New South Wales.”

Official source →

Penny Sharpe ALP

“The Government’s view is that strategic planning should be performed by the agency accountable for and resourced to deliver great outcomes to the people of New South Wales. A core goal of the new department will be to facilitate the delivery of more homes in New South Wales. The alignment of strategic planning functions under one roof is critical to the department achieving that goal.”

Official source →

News articles and press releases

Second Reading Speech, Greater Cities Commission Repeal Bill 2023

Mr PAUL SCULLY, Minister for Planning and Public Spaces — 2023-11-22

I introduce the Greater Cities Commission Repeal Bill 2023. The bill is another step in the Government's commitment to create a clear line of accountability for the operation and management of planning across the public sector and to streamline and create greater efficiencies in the planning system. To achieve this, the bill will repeal the Greater Cities Commission Act 2022 and remove the Greater Cities Commission. The bill also transfers the strategic planning functions of the commission under part 3 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 to the secretary of the new Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.