Dr McGirr, along with Sydney MP Alex Greenwich and Lake Macquarie MP Greg Piper wrote to Premier Gladys Berejiklian this week asking for the lower house to return in October.

In their letter, the MPs pointed out that workers from a number of sectors, including emergency services, food, freight and public transport, have been required to work during the lockdown.

"Maintaining the systems of representational government democracy through the Parliament is also essential work," the MPs stated.

The August and September Parliament sittings were postponed due to the Delta variant COVID-19 outbreak in Sydney.

Dr McGirr said the independent MPs took NSW Health advice and Public Health Orders seriously, but they believed there needed to be a return to Parliament as soon as possible, with regional MPs attending via videoconference.

"It could be that sittings will not proceed in the traditional way," he said.

"We might need to consider a hybrid sitting that combines both limited in-house and virtual attendance.

"Additionally, we could consider...agreements between parties for pairing, to reduce demand for in-person attendance.

"This government, like any other, needs scrutiny and without Parliament sitting, it is difficult to provide the scrutiny needed. I believe we should be exploring all options that will allow Parliament to safely sit."

Ms Berejiklian's office has yet to respond publicly to the letter but the government is working on ways to have Parliament resume in a safe manner.

In other news

Wagga-based Nationals MLC Wes Fang said MPs' work had not stopped after they left Sydney.

"I will serve in my role in whatever way the government determines, and if it's determined that we return to Parliament I will serve the people that way," he said.

"While the optics of Parliament are always good for the opposition and crossbench, the reality is that government members are on the ground providing support to businesses, community members and front line staff."

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