The NSW Greens have proposed a bill that would introduce a 12-month rent freeze and other rent controls for the state's renters. Presented to Parliament on Thursday, the bill is put forward by Jenny Leong, the party's housing spokesperson. It also proposes two-year fixed terms, a permanent 2% cap on annual rent rises, and automatic backpay for increases above that cap since June 30, 2026. Ms Leong says the Government must act, while the Greens argue the bill faces an uphill battle to win support from Labor and the Liberal Party.
Independent Sydney MP Alex Greenwich has passed a bill legalising terramation, the composting of human remains, through NSW Parliament on Wednesday 21 October. The Public Health Amendment (Natural Organic Reduction) Bill 2026 allows remains to be broken down over time in nutrient-rich soil at a reduction facility. Composted remains can be returned to the person who applied, buried in a burial ground, or placed in a facility reserved for them. Reduction facilities are expected to open around 2028. A 2020 report found Sydney was running out of burial space.
Legislation to create the Great Koala National Park has been introduced to NSW Parliament. The Government says the Bill adds more than 178,000 hectares of state forest and Crown land on the Mid North Coast, protecting habitat for an estimated 12,000 koalas. Thirteen per cent of the added land will be regional park, allowing activities such as bushwalking, camping and mountain-biking. Conservation groups welcomed the move but want more consultation and scientific assessment. Timber industry representatives and North Coast Nationals MPs raised concerns, including whether carbon credit arrangements were tied to the park's creation.
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Independent Sydney MP Alex Greenwich has been nominated for a 2026 Global Trailblazer Award. The award, given by the LGBTQ+ Victory Institute, honours LGBTQ+ leaders outside the United States. Greenwich is recognised for leading Australia's marriage equality campaign and passing the Equality Bill in NSW Parliament. He has also passed more legislation than any other non-government member in the history of the NSW Legislative Assembly. Public voting closes on 30 October, 2026.
Greens MP Jenny Leong claims Sydney renters could have saved almost $7,500 if a 2 per cent rent cap had applied from 2023. She will introduce a Rent Control Bill to NSW Parliament on Thursday. The proposed bill would impose a 12-month rent freeze, with backpay for increases paid since June 30, followed by a 2 per cent annual cap. It would also make two-year leases the standard. The Minns Labor Government and the Liberal-National Coalition have previously opposed rent freezes and caps, arguing they could reduce housing supply.
Legislation to create the Great Koala National Park on the Mid North Coast has been introduced to NSW Parliament. The bill would add more than 178,000 hectares of state forest and Crown land to the park estate, protecting habitat for an estimated 12,000 koalas. Most of the land would be reserved as national park, while 13 per cent would be regional park for more intensive recreation. A support package for affected forestry workers is also included. The final creation of the park is conditional on the Clean Energy Regulator registering a carbon project.
One Nation's NSW leader, Mike Newman, was ejected from the lower house during Question Time on Wednesday after he entered the chamber uninvited. The Serjeant-at-Arms removed him. Newman said on Facebook that the government had offered his party access to the Parliamentary Budget Office but had removed him from the chamber. The government earlier said One Nation would have to submit its policy platform for review. Premier Chris Minns mocked the stunt in parliament, saying Newman had simply turned up.
A climate protester was restrained by NSW MPs after he climbed over a barrier and interrupted question time in the state parliament. Andrew Sneddon said he was protesting the state's approval of an extension to the Hunter Valley Operations coalmine. Police said he was removed from the room and issued a move-on direction, and no further action is expected. NSW Attorney General Michael Daley called the behaviour completely unacceptable.
