The NSW Government congratulates Natasha Maclaren-Jones MLC on her election as the NSW Legislative Council’s 22nd President.
The Presidency became vacant after John Ajaka MLC announced his retirement and the House was compelled to elect a new President before conducting any further business.
Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council Don Harwin said Ms Maclaren-Jones was an outstanding and highly competent member of the Legislative Council and would make a fair and impartial President.
“Ms Maclaren-Jones has the demonstrated temperament, character and expertise to be the President of this House. She was elected to the House 10 years ago in 2011 and has served for a decade with distinction.
“As Government Whip, Ms Maclaren-Jones has been remarkably capable, with a flair for organisation of government members and also has shown a level of leadership to ensure the Chamber and its processes function effectively,” Mr Harwin said.
The Government’s position, reinforced by legal advice from the Crown Solicitor, is that Natasha Maclaren-Jones is the legitimately elected President of the Legislative Council. The Government relies on the construction of the standing orders – specifically standing order 13(2) which says,
“When 2 members have been proposed as President, ballot papers will be distributed by the Clerks to all members in their places. Members must write on the ballot paper the name of the candidate for whom they wish to vote, and deposit it in the ballot box provided by the Clerk. The candidate who has the greater number of votes is to be declared elected President, and will be conducted to the Chair.”
The Government notes that standing order 13(3) – under which the Clerk declared the ballots on Wednesday – only applies where there are more than two candidates.
The legal advice received by the Government from the Crown Solicitor has been sent to the Clerk of the Parliaments and distributed to members of the Legislative Council.
Minister Harwin said, “The Standing Orders are clear. In the case of a ballot where there are only two candidates, the candidate with the greater number of votes is to be declared elected President.”
Deputy Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council Sarah Mitchell congratulated Ms Maclaren-Jones.
“Ms Maclaren-Jones is a champion for female representation – not only in Parliament but in politics generally. She is a great role model, especially for the next generation of women and is an exceptional choice for the Presidency of the Legislative Council,” Ms Mitchell said.
“Her wealth of experience includes five years as a Temporary Chair of Committees, working with boards of women’s refuges in the Northern Beaches community and being a part of the Parliamentary Friends for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.”
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