Bills Digests
Bills Digests are written by the parliamentary library. They provide a timely and independent perspective on legislation. They are written to assist members of Parliament in their consideration of Bills. The digests provide a plain English summary of Bills and detail their purpose, background and main provisions complementing the legislative material provided by the Government.
Queensland does not have a bills digest.
Explanatory Memoranda (EM)
Explanatory Memoranda (EM) explain the contents and purpose of a bill in plain English. Explanatory Memoranda contain a clause by clause description of a bill.
In the Federal Parliament Commonwealth Explanatory Memoranda came into regular use from about 1978 / 1982 and are kept with bills. Explanatory Statements have been issued for Commonwealth Regulations since 1993.
- Vic Bills with Explanatory MemorandaExplanatory memoranda for Bills in Victoria are only available online from 2003.
Parliamentary research papers
The Parliamentary Libraries prepare papers on legislation before the Parliament and on major issues of interest to members. Papers cover a broad range of subject areas including law, politics, government, environment, economics and social issues.
Law reform papers
- Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC)The Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) undertakes research, and provides recommendations to reform the law, on topics selected by the Attorney-General of Australia. This website provides access information about all ALRC inquiries since the Commission was established in 1975.
- Australasian Law Reform LibraryThis library includes databases of law reform reports of all permanent Australian and New Zealand law reform bodies available on AustLII and NZLII.