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The
Legislative
Council
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Inside the
Legislative Council.
The Legislative Council is also known as 'The Upper House' or the
'House of Review.' It has forty-two members elected by the people for 8
years. Half the members of Legislative Council are elected
at the same time of the 'General Election' for the Legislative Assembly.
The President is the Presiding Officer of the Council and is elected by
the other members of Council. The President is allowed to take part in
the debates.
The Legislative Council consists of:
- Governor or Queen's Chair
- The President
- Chairman of the Committees
- Clerk of Parliament
- Deputy Clerk / Clerk Assistant
- Leader of the Opposition
- Usher of the Black Rod
- Cross Benches
- Press Gallery
- Hansard Gallery
- Government Advisors
- Government Benches
- Opposition Benches
- Public Galleries
Many of the symbols, practices and the procedures of the NSW Parliament
come from those developed over the centuries by the
English Parliaments.
The usher of the black rod carries the black rod. He is an officer with
important administrative and ceremonial roles in the Legislative
Council. Its use can be traced back to 1361 in England. A black rod has
been used by the Upper House in NSW since 1856.
