President of the New South Wales Legislative Council

The role of President has generally been a partisan office, filled by the governing party of the time.

On the other hand, the President does not usually take part in debates in the Council and does not speak in public on party-political issues.

The president, in conjunction with the speaker of the Legislative Assembly, also administers Parliament House, Sydney, with the assistance of administrative staff.

Following the Westminster tradition inherited from the House of Lords of the United Kingdom, the traditional dress of the speaker includes components of Court dress such as the black silk lay-type gown (similar to a Queen's Counsel gown), a wing collar and a lace jabot or bands (another variation included a white bow tie with a lace jabot), bar jacket, and a full-bottomed wig.

However, upon his election, President Harwin returned to tradition by wearing the gown during question time and on significant occasions such as the Opening of Parliament.

Originally titled Chairman of Committees, the current style was adopted on 5 May 2004 during the term of the first female holder of the office.