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Jennifer Ball, President of the Law Society, said this move “seeks to bypass proper parliamentary and public scrutiny and undermines the democratic process.”

“We are deeply concerned about the Government’s disregard for the vote of the Legislative Council to initiate the Inquiry, the work of the Public Accountability and Works Committee, and the many witnesses – including the Law Society of NSW – who provided submissions and gave evidence in the Inquiry’s public hearing”, says the statement.

While agreeing there is a need for reform in this area, Ball said the lack of consultation in such reforms is detrimental to the parliamentary process.

“Respect for, and observance of, good public administration is critical to safeguard the public interest and preserve the integrity of our democratic institutions,” she said.

The Government claims the changes address “agreed amendments” and justified introducing the new bill to Parliament with the urgency to support small businesses, the not-for-profit sector, and injured workers.

“The lack of certainty is creating even more pressure on businesses who need an urgent resolution”, said NSW Treasurer Daniel Moohkey. “I don’t think it is unreasonable for those businesses and disability organisations to simply say to the Parliament, do your job.”

The NSW Greens also condemned the Government’s decision, calling it a subversion of the parliamentary process.

“The intent of the inquiry is not to delay unreasonably or otherwise seek to frustrate the legislation, but in fact to grapple with the complex issues and problematic proposals the government has put forward,” Greens MP Abigail Boyd said in a statement.

The Law Society of NSW called for the NSW Government to return the legislation to the design stage and “engage in meaningful and inclusive consultation, rather than proceed with another rushed bill.”