This report outlines five key lessons of the value and usefulness of the Statement of Public Interest (SPI), introduced in the NSW Parliament in 2022 as a mechanism to support high quality and evidence-based legislative policymaking processes. It also makes six associated recommendations to overcome identified challenges to the SPI delivering on its objectives.

Key lessons

• The SPI is regarded by parliamentarians as a valuable policymaking accountability mechanism but utilisation in the Legislative Council is low.
• The usefulness of the SPI is limited because it only applies to government bills in the Legislative Council, and not the Legislative Assembly.
• The quality of SPIs tabled in the NSW Legislative Council are not always sufficient to fulfil the stated objectives of the SPI
  to inform decision-making and demonstrate sound policymaking.
• There are limitations to the wording of SPI questions that affects the usefulness of the information provided.
• There is a need to enhance the accessibility and awareness of the SPI to improve the transparency of policymaking for public audiences.

Recommendations

1. The NSW Legislative Council Procedure Committee reviews the operation of the SPI in the Legislative Council on a regular basis to ensure compliance and quality, and support enhanced utilisation by members of parliament.
2. The NSW Legislative Assembly adopts the SPI requirement for government bills in its standing orders.
3. Develop comprehensive guidelines to support those developing SPIs, including updating the Template Statement of Public Interest and Example Statement of Public Interest included in the Premiers Memorandum.
4. The NSW Government focus its efforts to improve the consistency and quality of SPIs as part of their ongoing commitment to supporting high quality policymaking practices and informed political debate.
5. Refine and update SPI questions to address identified problem areas and gaps.
6. Support greater accessibility and awareness of the SPI.