The Parliament of New South Wales has marked the 200th anniversary of the Legislative Council on 25 August 2024. Thousands of people joined the celebrations at a special open day at Parliament House in Sydney where they were welcomed with a traditional Smoking Ceremony before exploring the exhibitions and historic displays as well as live music performances and children’s activities.

First sitting 200 years ago, the Legislative Council of New South Wales was established as a group of just five men with no real decision-making power, appointed to advise the Governor. Over the years, the Legislative Council’s role and numbers have grown to become an Upper House of 42 Members who scrutinize and develop legislation as well as holding the government to account through parliamentary inquiries and Question Time. The Parliament also expanded in 1856, when the New South Wales Legislative Assembly was introduced as a second Chamber.