NSW Eligibility for New Zealand Citizens to Join the NSW Police Force

Justice Legislation Amendment (Civil) Bill 2024

18 Mar 2025: Passed by Parliament and signed off by the governor.

This bill kicks in: TBA

Legislative Assembly

Legislative Council

Assent

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Topics

births and deaths registration environmental law legal profession regulation modern slavery police recruitment power of attorney public service employment

Introduced by: Michael Daley MP (ALP); The Hon Daniel Mookhey 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:

New Zealand citizens with a special category visa can now join the NSW Police Force
The Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages can hire public service employees or contractors to help run the registry; this includes using labour hire
The Registrar can delegate tasks to these new employees and contractors
The Land and Environment Court can now hear Class 4 proceedings under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act
Local regulators can now name a specific person or fund to receive costs orders from a tribunal
Presiding Officers must table modern slavery reports within five sitting days of receiving them
The Clerk of the House can receive and publish modern slavery reports when Parliament is not sitting
Interstate enduring powers of attorney are now defined as documents from other states that stay valid if the person loses mental capacity

The Debate

What different members said when this bill was debated:

Susan Carter LIB

“On behalf of the Opposition, I speak in debate on the Justice Legislation Amendment (Civil) Bill 2024. I indicate that we are happy to support the bill, as these are all sensible housekeeping measures that keep our legislation streamlined, efficient and fit for purpose. That is all the bill is—legal housekeeping. It is not a statement of vision; it is not implementing any reform agenda.”

Official source →

Sue Higginson GRN

“On behalf of The Greens, I indicate that we support the Justice Legislation Amendment (Civil) Bill 2024. As the Hon. Susan Carter just expressed, it is mere housekeeping. On the Thursday of our first week back in Parliament, 13 February 2025, we are doing some Justice portfolio housekeeping for the justice work of this State. But next week we will see the real agenda.”

Official source →

Anthony D'Adam ALP

“I contribute to debate on the Justice Legislation Amendment (Civil) Bill 2024. I listened to the contributions from other members. Government is about doing good things, but good government is about making sure that minor housekeeping matters are kept in order. These types of bills are necessary.”

Official source →

Mark Buttigieg ALP

“Susan Carter, Ms Sue Higginson and the Hon. Anthony D’Adam. The amendments in the Justice Legislation Amendment (Civil) Bill 2024 will update the law so that it is fit for purpose and delivers on the expectations of communities.”

Official source →

News articles and press releases

Justice Legislation Amendment (Civil) Bill 2024

Dr HUGH McDERMOTT, Member for Prospect — 2024-10-23

Schedule 1 to the bill will amend the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1995 to authorise the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages to employ contingent labour and allow for functions to be delegated to contingent labour. Currently, the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act only authorises the registrar to employ staff under the Public Sector Management Act 1988—now superseded by the Government Sector Employment Act 2013—and to delegate functions to persons employed in the public sector. In practice, this means that the registry cannot engage contingent labour because even data entry and administrative functions are performed under delegation.