Skip to Main Content

Law Subject Guide

Find online and print resources for law

Bills and related material

Bills and related material

The following resources include or link to bills and related documents from various Australian jurisdictions (coverage varies). Resources specifically for Commonwealth and Queensland materials are shown further down this page.

LexisNexisAustralia, 'Lexis Advance: Browsing for Bills, EMs and 2nd Reading Speeches' (YouTube, 8 July 2019).


Bills and related material

A Bill is draft legislation presented to Parliament for consideration.

Commonwealth Bills

Queensland Bills

(Use the Bills option to access Bills from 1992 onwards. Watch Where can I find Bills on this website? for help)

Explanatory documents accompany Bills and may assist with interpreting Parliament’s intention behind enacting a particular statute.

  • Explanatory Memoranda have become standard for Commonwealth Bills since 1982
  • Explanatory Notes have become standard for Queensland Bills since 1990.

These documents explain clauses, provide extra information and discuss the intended purpose.

Commonwealth Explanatory Memoranda

Queensland Explanatory Notes

  • Explanatory Notes are available November 1992 onwards in the Bills area.
  • Select a year or letter then refer to the EN column in the table.
  • Explanatory Notes are available via the Legislative history area within Acts.
  • For help, watch the video on How do I find explanatory notes for Bills.

Second reading speeches for Bills are part of Hansard, the official record of parliamentary proceedings, and outline the intent behind the Bill. This includes both the introducing Member’s second reading speech and any speeches in reply.

Commonwealth second reading speeches

Queensland second reading speeches