They are also given certain additional rights under parliamentary standing orders, such as extended time limits for speeches.
The position was established in New South Wales in 1986, with Peter Collins becoming the first person to hold it in its formalised capacity.
Before this, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition was largely informal, with no clear mandate or responsibilities.
The position of Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council dates back to at least 1966, when James Maloney was formally recognized as the first Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council according to the Alphabetical Roll of Members from the Parliament of New South Wales.
Despite not having a formally established date, the position of Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council remains an important figure in NSW politics and an essential part of the opposition party's leadership team.