"There have been extraordinary scenes in NSW parliament...

"There have been extraordinary scenes in NSW parliament overnight, with the Labor Government unexpectedly suspending the sitting of the upper house.

The Government removed all its ministers from the Legislative Council at around 1am, fearful the Opposition would bring forward Government legislation to sell the state-owned lottery company, and the bill would be defeated. Without a minister present, the house cannot sit.

The Opposition understands the upper house will now be suspended, rather than formally adjourned, until the next official sitting week at the beginning of September.

It is believed to be the first time in more than 150 years such a mechanism has been used to avoid a legislative defeat.

The Government’s problems in the upper house stem from stalled negotiations with the Shooters Party over a bill to allow hunting of feral animals in national parks.

The Government does not enjoy a majority in the Council, where the Shooters Party has two members."

* * * From the Australian Newspaper Online 25 June 2009

The ABC news tonight said that the Shooters Party are ready to deal but are demanding their bill also be allowed to pass the Upper House of Parliament.