Jokes, gaffes as NSW parliament opens

Jokes, cheap shots and plenty of gaffes have characterised the first day of sitting for the new upper house of NSW parliament.

On Tuesday, Liberal Party MP Don Harwin was elected unopposed to the position of president of the Legislative Council.

Liberal upper house leader Mike Gallacher attempted to nominate Mr Harwin but had the wrong papers in front of him and inadvertently began reading the names of other Liberal MPs.

"Get it right," yelled out former treasurer and Labor MP Eric Roozendaal.

"We haven't even started yet and you're getting it wrong."

When Mr Harwin did stand to take the seat of president, fellow Liberal MP John Ajaka also stood and made a joking motion as if Mr Harwin had to be pushed forward to assume the job.

"Put some muscle into (it)," another MP yelled out to Mr Ajaka.

The chief responsibility of president is to preside over the upper house as referee and keep order when debate gets out of hand.

In his brief speech, Mr Harwin paid tribute to former presidents, notably his predecessor Amanda Fazio.

"I hope from each of them I will learn something that will help make me a better president and your servant," Mr Harwin said.

Liberal MP Jenny Gardiner was elected unopposed as deputy president and Christian Democratic Party leader Reverend Fred Nile was re-elected as assistant president, defeating Greens MP Kate Faehrmann in a ballot.

Half of the upper house members, those who were elected or re-elected at the March 26 state election, took a pledge of loyalty and signed the roll of the house.

When it was his turn, former planning minister and Labor MP Tony Kelly took a shot from Liberal MP Charlie Lynn.

"Did you have your fingers crossed there, Tony?" Mr Lynn yelled out.

Mr Roozendaal was also ribbed from the coalition side of the house.

"Big smile, big smile, Eric," one MP yelled out.

The house was adjourned until 2.30pm (AEST) on Tuesday, when Governor Marie Bashir will deliver a speech.

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Jokes, gaffes as NSW parliament opens

MANILA, Philippines — Making bomb jokes in Manila could land you in jail, if an ordinance passes in the city council.

The proposed ordinance, authored by Manila Second District Councilor Rodolfo Lacsamana, has been approved on first reading.

It imposes a jail term of three days and a fine of P5,000 on persons who shall cause or stir public anxiety or fear by making calls or statements of a false bomb threats in public places in the city.

“Considering the seriousness of the matter, the panic it will cause after the threat which insensitive people will think is funny, the person who makes it should be held liable. The threat of a bomb is no longer an object of humor nowadays. People have died because of bombs,” Lacsamana told the Manila Bulletin.

“Simply put, a joke could not only throw you in jail, but also cost you R5,000 in penalties,” he said.