In a first for a NSW Legislative Council committee, participants in the Inquiry into the Bullying of Children and Young People will be able to make a contribution via online consultation. The committee overseeing the inquiry is committed to innovative methods for engaging stakeholders in the parliamentary process. The online consultation, publicised and conducted using social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace, will give us a new method to communicate with young people and hear their views. Details of when and how the consultation will take place will be announced soon.

The NSW Government has announced the State Budget for 2009-2010 and already it is clear that Kevin Rudd's stimulus package has masked an $8 billion four-year deficit. The budget was very light on the ground, with little for roads, rail and small business for example. In his budget reply, Leader of the NSW Opposition, Barry O'Farrell, outlined the NSW Coalition's priorities to return growth, restore opportunity and repair services to the people of NSW.

As Chair of GPSC2 I am please to announced the tabling of the report on the Governance of NSW universities. The report makes 12 recommendations to improve university governance. Universities today are substantial corporations and how they are governed is a matter of considerable importance, particularly as universities face additional challenges posed by the global financial crisis.