Hansard (also known as parliamentary debates) is the name given to transcripts of parliamentary proceedings and is the official record of what is said in parliament. It also provides a record of the progress of a Bill through both houses of Parliament and records the debates about the Bill.
Hansard includes the transcript of the Second Reading Speech for Bills. The Second Reading Speech is where the Minister introduces the Bill to the House of Parliament, explaining its general principles and purpose. Bills are usually introduced into the lower house of Parliament, so this is where the most useful Second Reading Speeches are recorded. You should also check Upper House for Second Reading Speeches. Bills are often accompanied by an Explanatory Memoranda which explains each clause of the Bill in detail.
For more information about Hansard see Reporting Services (Hansard) from the Parliament of Western Australia website.
Information is available to help you gain a better understanding of an Act.
Western Australia
Law Reform Commission of Western Australia - Find Reports & Papers under the Publications link
Federal
Australian Law Reform Commission - Click on Publications to access reports & papers
Parliament of Western Australia. Committees
Access to Reports (1997+ ) is by Report name, Committee name or Reports published in the previous 6 months. You can also conduct a search.
Commonwealth
The Committees tab on the Parliament of Australia website provides access to Senate and House of Representatives Committee reports and further information about Committees.
Western Australia
Available for most Bills from 2000 onwards on the Bills tab on the Parliament of Western Australia website. If an EM is available it will be listed on the Bill homepage (click on the name of the Bill to see the Bill homepage)
Explanatory Memoranda (Pre-2000)
Commonwealth
Before 1982: use the Index to Explanatory Memoranda 1901-1982 on the Parliamentary Library webpage
From 1996 EMs are available online under the Bills tab on the Parliament of Australia webpage. Browse the alphabetical list of Bills by the name of the Bill. EMs are linked from the Bill homepage
Lawlex
Explanatory statements are available from either the Act homepage or from the Bill homepage if not yet assented.
CTH - 1996+
WA - 2001+ (where available)
Hansard is found on the relevant parliament website. Explanatory memoranda are also found on these websites.
Western Australian Hansard
In Western Australia, hansard for the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council are combined.
The Parliament of Western Australia website provides access to:
Commonwealth hansard is produced in separate volumes for the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Edith Cowan University acknowledges and respects the Noongar people, who are
the traditional custodians of the land upon which its campuses stand and its programs
operate.
In particular ECU pays its respects to the Elders, past and present, of the Noongar
people, and embrace their culture, wisdom and knowledge.