The second reading speech, when
the Minister responsible introduces the bill to Parliament and explains in
detail its purpose and principles, is of particular importance.
Commonwealth: Debates and 2nd reading speeches
are found in the Parliamentary Debates (Hansard).
Bound Hansards for both the House of
Representatives and the Senate have consolidated indexes. Indexes to unbound
volumes are held separately on the shelves, after each House’s debates. Look in
the subject index under the term "Bills", then the name of the Bill,
to find the appropriate page numbers for all debates relating to that Bill,
including the second reading speech. Commonwealth Hansard is available online from 1981 onwards.
Parliamentary Debates for the House of
Representatives and the Senate are also available online from the
Autumn session 1995 onwards. Since 1985 the dates of second
reading speeches are given at the end of Commonwealth acts and in a footnote on
the cover page to bills.
Western Australia: WA issues a combined Hansard
for both the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council. Look in the subject index directly under the
name of the Bill to find references to debates. WA Hansard is available online from 1999/2000 onwards.
Note: Hansard is on South Wing Level 3 at GR
328.9402 A938 1
(Cth) and GR 328.94102 W527 3 (WA).
Loading content... please wait
Loading content... please wait