ellenWhat Hansard is
Hansard is the official record of the proceedings of Parliament. It is the name used for the published reports of what is said in parliament, including debates and questions.
In Australia, the Parliament itself has always managed the printing of Hansard, but the name has been retained in deference to history and tradition. The name Hansard stuck as a synonym for parliamentary record, and Hansard's origins lie in the parliamentary traditions of the United Kingdom.
Hansard reports form a complete record of parliamentary debates and questions.
Where the record comes from
Hansard is published for Australian state and federal governments and parliamentary publications. South Australian Hansard is also available on the website of the South Australian Parliament.
One library holds a complete set of the Official Reports of the Parliamentary Debates (Hansard) for both the South Australian House of Assembly and the Legislative Council. The set is available in the Government Publications area, and digitally via the NED platform from 2018/2019.
How online access changed
From the mid-1990s the Australian Parliament, through an arrangement with the Australian National University, began to publish records of what was said in Parliament – called Hansard – on the internet.
Public access to the work of the Australian Parliament greatly increased as people had access to the internet, with the text of bills, transcripts of debates, records of votes and transcripts of committee hearings published for anyone to read online.
Reading Hansard today
Hansard remains the official record of parliamentary proceedings. The printed volumes and the online versions serve the same purpose: giving readers a complete record of debates and questions.
For federal Hansard, the record is published by the Australian Parliament. For South Australian Hansard, the South Australian Parliament's website is one place to read it.
FAQ
What does Hansard contain?
Hansard reports form a complete record of parliamentary debates and questions. It is the official record of the proceedings of Parliament.
Why is it called Hansard?
The name Hansard stuck as a synonym for parliamentary record. Hansard originated in the United Kingdom, and in Australia the Parliament itself has always managed the printing of Hansard, but the name has been retained in deference to history and tradition.
When did Australian Hansard go online?
From the mid-1990s the Australian Parliament, through an arrangement with the Australian National University, began to publish records of what was said in Parliament – called Hansard – on the internet.
Where can I find South Australian Hansard?
South Australian Hansard is also available on the website of the South Australian Parliament. A complete set of the Official Reports of the Parliamentary Debates (Hansard) for both the South Australian House of Assembly and the Legislative Council is held in a library's Government Publications area, and digitally via the NED platform from 2018/2019.
Who prints Hansard in Australia?
In Australia, the Parliament itself has always managed the printing of Hansard.