Australian Capital Territory | Australian | New South Wales | New Zealand | Northern Territory | Papua New Guinea | Queensland | South Australia | Victoria | Tasmania | Western Australia
Constituent Libraries - Historic and current services:
Parliamentary Librarians:
Australia (Commonwealth) | Australian Capital Territory | New Zealand | New South Wales | Northern Territory | Queensland | South Australia | Tasmania | Victoria | Western Australia
APLA Libraries
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY LIBRARY
Until May 1989 the Commonwealth Government directly administered the 2,400 square kilometres of territory surrounding the national capital. The Government then legislated for the establishment of a Legislative Assembly to administer non-national government issues, comprising seventeen Members.
The library which provides Members with information services is an integrated function with the ACT Government Library, and serves Members and Staff of the Legislative Assembly of the ACT as well as officers of the ACT Public Service.
The collection includes:
* Holdings of all Assembly documents since self-government for the ACT, including full sets of ACT Hansard, committee reports and legislation;
* Official publications from ACT Departments and Agencies prior to, and since self-government, and many reports relating to ACT matters; and
* In-depth collection of press clippings relating to ACT matters.
We are a full participant in the Australian Bibliographic Network system and our symbol is ACT.
We welcome inquiries from other Parliamentary libraries.
ACT Legislative Assembly Library
Level 2 Legislative Assembly Building,
London Circuit, Canberra City 2601
Post: GPO BOX 158 Canberra City 2601
Phone: (06)2050390
Fax: (06)2050392
The Home Page of the ACT Legislative Assembly Library is at: http://www.act.gov.au/assemblylib
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AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENTARY LIBRARY
The Australian Parliamentary Library’s services are established under the statutory office of the Parliamentary Librarian with the following functions :
(a) to provide high quality information, analysis and advice to Senators and Members of the House of Representatives in support of their parliamentary and representational roles; and
(b) to undertake such other responsibilities within the joint Department, consistent with the function set out in paragraph (a), as are conferred in writing on the Parliamentary Librarian by the Secretary of the joint Department with the approval of the Presiding Officers. (Parliamentary Service Act 1999 section 38B (1))
The Library’s primary clients include Senators and Members and their staff, and committee staff. These clients entitled to use the full range of the Library’s services. Other client groups include staff of the parliamentary departments and the Governor-General. Service entitlements for all clients are outlined in the Parliamentary Library Statement of Client Services.
The Parliamentary Library is composed of the Parliamentary Librarian and the employees of the Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) assisting the Parliamentary Librarian.
The Parliamentary Library Executive comprises Ms Roxanne Missingham, Parliamentary Librarian, Dr Jane Romeyn, Assistant Secretary, Research Branch, and Ms Nola Adcock, Assistant Secretary, Information Access Branch.
The Library’s services are:
(a) Research services. These services include responding to requests from individual parliamentary clients for information and research, and the production of general distribution briefs and publications; and
(b) Information access services. Information services are provided to the Library’s clients by acquiring and providing access to information resources, through the selection, processing and indexing of material for library and media data bases in ParlInfo, and by publishing print and electronic works.
The Library’s online publications available through the Internet can be found at http://www.aph.gov.au/library/pubs/index.htm
Databases available to the public can be found at http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/
Contact information: Central Enquiry Point phone (02) 6277 2500 or email libraryenquiries@aph.gov.au
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NEW SOUTH WALES PARLIAMENTARY LIBRARY
NSW Parliament Home Page - http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au
NSW Parliamentary Library Home Page - http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/web/phweb.nsf/frames/parliamentaryservices
Mission:
To identify and fulfil the information needs of Members of Parliament and the Parliamentary Institution.
The New South Wales Parliamentary Library is the oldest of Australia's nine parliamentary libraries, and is also one of the oldest official libraries in the country. Established by the administrative action of the Legislative Council in 1840, it became a Joint Parliamentary Library with the introduction of responsible government in 1856. The Library's functions were further specified by Joint Resolutions in 1862 and 1968.
During the first one hundred or so years of its operation, in common with its contemporary counterparts, the Library might be described as a gentlemen's library with quite generously endowed collections managed along conventional lines by a relatively small staff. The style of its operation was generally responsive, rather than pro-active, reflecting the requirements of the era. 1906 saw the completion of the first ever purpose-built accommodation for the Library (now the Jubilee Room), before which the Library had functioned, as it continued to function, in a variety of converted physical surroundings, (which could generally be described as inadequate and overcrowded), both within and beyond Parliament House.
By the 1950s a number of significant developments began to occur, including professional qualifications for librarians, replacement of fixed shelf location by the Dewey Decimal Classification, and Legal Deposit status, which gradually transformed the Library and its operations into what it is today. The nucleus of a modern specialist Reference and Information Service was established in the early 1960s, and the Library began to market its services to Members and systematically to anticipate demands which might be made on it, rather than waiting for them to occur. By 1975 the advances in photocopying technology meant that the newspaper index (dating from 1910) was replaced by a more flexible newspaper clippings service.
Pressure on accommodation forced the Library to review its acquisition and retention policies, and long runs of non-essential serials and other items were progressively donated to other libraries. The expansion of library services, coupled with the growth in demand, lead to successive increases in staff. In 1955 the staff numbered 10, by 1965 this had grown to 12, rising to 19 in 1975, 30 in 1985 and 37 in 1995. Electronic media monitoring began in the late 1970s. In 1980 the entire Library operations were moved to its current accommodation, with access to on-line data bases offered progressively from the early 1980s.
The Library has traditionally been a pioneer of automation in the New South Wales Parliament and was heavily involved in the introduction of word processing throughout the Parliament during the 1980s. The Library's first PC was purchased in 1986 to allow automation of our in-house Hansard index, and overall automation of Library operations culminated in the launching of our Automated Parliamentary Library Information System (APLIS) during the Library's sesquicentennial year in 1990. APLIS was the first successful large scale automated system in the Parliament. At present the Library uses 14 on-line services, and has a rapidly expanding number of titles or services on CD-ROM. The collection has historical depths and riches in a number of areas, including a strong emphasis on official publications, as well as extensive legal resources. These, together with the effective up to date information tracking features of APLIS, provide a unique client information resource
The most significant recent development is the creation in 1993 of the Library's Research Service, which now has a staff of eight and publishes an extensive range of bills digests, briefing papers, background papers and electorate profiles. This initiative, in conjunction with the Reference Service, provides clients with a timely, objective, and politically neutral information service, personalised to meet Members' individual needs.
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NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENTARY LIBRARY
Background
Established in 1858, the Library was until 1 January 1987 called the General Assembly Library. Since 1 October 1985 it is part of the Parliamentary Service which is administered by the Parliamentary Service Commission, consisting of seven Members of Parliament chaired by the Speaker. The Commission is advised by a Library Committee of five members of Parliament, also chaired by the Speaker. The Parliamentary Librarian reports to the General Manager who is the Chief Executive of the Parliamentary Service.
Reference/Research Service
The reference service aims to supply reliable, accurate, impartial information within the Member's deadline. All enquiries are treated as confidential. A statistician provides statistics, analyses, graphs and advice on the validity and use of statistics. An economist provides information, background papers and advice on economics, trade and industry.
Bills Digest Service
The Bills Digest Service, started in 1993, provides all Members of Parliament with a concise summary and analysis of each Bill. Issued shortly after a Bills introduction, the digest contains the purpose background and main provisions. There may be notes on issues and implications arising, views of interested parties, and references to reading materials. It is also available on Kiwinet.
SDI
"PROFILE" is a selective dissemination of information service. Selected periodical articles, official publications, reports, documents and books are indexed, abstracted and stored in a database. Items corresponding with individual Members’ interest profiles are brought to their attention through periodic personalised bulletins. The system also generates a series of thirteen subject bulletins and a monthly PROFILE bulletin containing a selection of the items of greatest current interest.
Newspaper Index Database
The Reference Section's most frequently used tool is the Library's own newspaper index which is compiled daily by the Database Section. It currently indexes selected articles in the New Zealand Herald, Dominion, Evening Post, Press, Otago Daily Times and Sunday Star Times. Entries are on-line since January 1990 and on cards since 1949. The Library accesses this index, its own current catalogue and the PROFILE database through the Parliamentary computer system. Access to the newspaper index is available also to users outside the parliamentary complex via the National Library's Kiwinet system.
International Documents Collection
The International Documents Collection contains official and parliamentary publications from overseas countries and inter-governmental organisations. Access to this collection is not restricted and all who need to use it are encouraged to do so. Much material is available on interloan through other libraries.
Fax: Administration (04) 471 1250
Reference (04) 471 9619
International Documents (04) 471 2551
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QUEENSLAND PARLIAMENTARY LIBRARY
Queensland Parliament Home Page - http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au
Mission:
To provide Members with high quality information services, and to assist parliamentary staff seeking information in connection with their official duties
Established in May 1860, in the first week of the Parliament's existence, the Queensland Parliamentary Library was the first State funded library in the Colony. As such it had a broader importance than as a reference resource for Members. During the Library's formative years, the Library Committee played a key role in the acquisition of print material by authorising the purchase of a number of "gentlemen's libraries" in England, which were trans-shipped to Queensland as a basis of the collection, augmented by subsequent purchases by agents in London.
Denis O'Donovan, (1874-1902), had a revolutionary role in achieving a more logical organisation of the holdings, creating a three volume encyclopaedic dictionary catalogue to more effectively access the information. This catalogue was at the forefront of librarianship in the late nineteenth century, and gained for its author an international reputation. O'Donovan's immediate successors did not build upon his foundation, with little changes to the Library taking place until 1947.
With the appointment of Desmond Ryan, the Library gained an experienced professional graduate Librarian, who also had the confidence of the government. He introduced a card catalogue using DDC and ALA cataloguing principles, to attack the large backlog of uncatalogued material. He was also able to acquire additional staff, doubling the establishment to six. Ryan left after five years, and his successor, Stuart Gunthorpe, continued the re-organisation, introduced a news-clippings service, and provided a basic reference facility. However the amount of available floor space in the existing building restricted growth, and funding for further staff was not forthcoming.
Gunthorpe's retirement in 1972 coincided with a change in the expectations of Members about the information services necessary to operate effectively, and a major upheaval in the balance of electoral power. This resulted in a political climate in which a significant minority of Members supported enhanced services. Over the next ten years, the new management was able to gradually introduce a number of vital new services, transforming the Library into a dynamic resource centre, which today provides Members with access to the latest information from print and electronic media. They also have at their disposal a Research and Reference Service offering information specifically tailored to their individual requirements, which provides objective responses to specific queries on any topic, including apolitical analysis of initiatives proposed by parties or governments.
Queensland was the first Australian parliamentary library to make use of computerised information storage and retrieval (1976), and to employ a fully integrated Information Management System, (PARL-AIRS, 1983). It also pioneered the off-air recording and replay of current affairs video programs (1977), which was networked in 1979. Using PC's and modems, Members are able to dial up from their electorate offices, and access information stored on the Library's PARL-AIRS/CONCORD databases, which include searchable full text of newspaper extracts, parliamentary debates, and recently introduced Bills. The resources of the Internet are becoming increasingly important as more government data comes on line, but most Members do not themselves have the time and expertise to access it. The Library regularly down-loads information of relevance, and brings it to the attention of its clients, either through its customised SDI service, or its monthly accessions bulletin "Cyberia to Brisbane".
The current establishment of thirty two officers includes eight Research and Reference staff, dedicated to promptly answering specific requests from Members on just about any subject, as well as a discrete Publications Section, which writes analytical reports on Bills and Research Reports on topics of current relevance. During the current year the Library will mount a number of CD-ROM titles on the Parliament's LAN, and is in the process of transferring historic video and news-clipping files onto writeable CD's for enhanced preservation and access. From January 1996 news clips and Press Releases can be browsed in full text electronic format.
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PARLIAMENTARY LIBRARY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Staff of the Library comprise a division of the Joint Parliamentary Service. Library policy is determined by the Joint Parliamentary Service Committee and administered by the Parliamentary Librarian.
The principal objectives of the Library are:
* to develop systems of information delivery; and
* to provide confidential and impartial information and research services to Members of Parliament.
The services offered by the Library may be summarised as follows:
LIBRARY SERVICES, of a traditional kind, based on the collections, including:
* the acquisition;
* the cataloguing; and
* the circulation of documents.
The collections contain reference and background reading in a wide range of fields, especially politics, history, law and economics. There are major holdings of official publications. Suggestions for purchases are invited. The Library does not collect fiction.
The Library participates in inter-library lending and is a full member of the Australian Bibliographic Network.
INFORMATION SERVICES including:
* the supply of information on request through the Information Desk;
* the maintenance on a daily basis of files of newspaper clippings drawn from the metropolitan press and arranged under broad subject headings;
* the weekly issue of Current Reading, which provides summaries of topical articles extracted from recently acquired periodicals;
* the annotation of South Australian and Commonwealth statute and South Australian regulations; and
* access to online information services.
RESEARCH SERVICES, providing support to individual Members, involving staff with specialist backgrounds (law, economics, statistics, science) by way of:
* oral briefings;
* written reports (more usually); and
* information papers, given general distribution.
The Library is situated on two levels on the northern side of Parliament House. The main reading rooms are to be found on the ground floor conveniently close to the two chambers.
The opening hours of the Library are normally from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. On sitting days the Library remains open after 5pm so long as either House continues to sit (though with a break during the dinner adjournment). The Members Reading Room is open at all times.
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TASMANIAN PARLIAMENTARY LIBRARY AND RESEARCH SERVICES
In March 1852 a Select Committee of the Legislative Council (established in 1825) was appointed to manage the affairs of its Library. This changed to a Joint Committee when the Parliament became bicameral in 1856. Permanent staff for the Library did not eventuate until 1883, when a Library Attendant was first appointed, although the Clerks continued to oversee the operations of the Library. This modest establishment continued up to the second World War, despite burgeoning bookstocks, and inadequate housing for them. In 1940, following a major renovation of the Parliament, a new spacious room was set aside for the Library, and the following year the Librarian of the National Library in Canberra was requested to advise on Tasmanian library services, and specifically on improving the Parliamentary Library.
He recommended close co-operation with the State Library, and the provision by that organisation of a part-time trained officer who would also catalogue the collection. It was not until 1945 that the first appointee took up the post, and in 1948, following a decision to discard a considerable portion of the books, work began on a proper dictionary card catalogue. By 1962 the shelving capacity had been augmented, and Miss Masterman, by now ostensibly a full time employee, was able to gain support for a part-time assistant. However on her retirement in 1967 there was still dispute over the need to continue with a Librarian. The Committee once again sought assistance from the National Library, and in 1970 the first fully qualified permanent appointment to the position of Librarian was made. By 1974 a post of Deputy Librarian was added and a newspaper clippings file was established. This was followed by the appointment of two assistants in 1975, and by 1985 the Library had embraced the new technology by engaging in television monitoring and use of PC's.
The 1990s have proved to be an era of political instability throughout Australia, ushered in by Tasmanian elections which gave the balance of power to Independents, intent on having adequate research and reference support. This resulted in a dramatic increase in the services provided by the Library, and the number of staff necessary to implement them. Today the 12 Library and PRS staff provide a wide range of 'standard' library services, plus several unique services available only within the Parliamentary Library. Some areas worthy of note are: Referral Services to special information sources; Intermediary Service (where Library anonymity is desirable); Clippings from Tasmanian newspapers indexed both by subject and individual Parliamentarians, which can be accessed in print and via computer indexes; Monitoring of television and radio News broadcasts, which are recorded daily and indexed for replay, with tapes retained for six months, as well as a Transcription Service providing typed transcripts on request, of items (within certain limitations) monitored on TV and radio.
The Library has dial-up status to several commercial databases, and has Library Databases available over the Parliament House network. It also has a range of information which it creates for Members, including ISYS software to index Hansard (full-text); Questions and adjournments by indexing Hansard, and a Bills register indexing speeches and progress.
Within the neutral environment of the Library, the Parliamentary Research Service exists to provide Members with services which are beyond the limitations of "normal" Library activity. This research activity includes Issue Briefs, written for all Members as background papers; Research Notes, confidential personal research of a limited nature, and PRS Papers, which are longer research papers provided on request.
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PARLIAMENTARY LIBRARY PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA
Mission Statement
To support the Parliament of Victoria in its constitutional responsibilities by providing information, research and education services.
The Library of the Parliament of Victoria is distinguished as the first government library established in Victoria and as a forbear of the National Library of Australia. The appointment of the Library Committee marking the establishment of the Library took place on 13 November 1851 which was the second sitting day of the first Legislative Council. The Library of the Parliament of Victoria was thus the first constituted under the newly established Colony of Victoria. The Library's links with the National Library of Australia date from the use of the Victorian Parliament's premises by the Commonwealth Legislature from 1901 to 1926. The Commonwealth Parliamentary Library, which developed over the years in the grand building in Melbourne, later, after relocation to Canberra, formed the basis of the National Library of Australia collection.
In 1886 C.W. Holgate, in a comparative study of major Australian libraries, described the collection: "Though not so large as some others in the colonies, its editions are so good, its sets so perfect, that it struck me at once as being the most desirable for purposes of reference and study in the whole of Australia". He went on to say that space was sadly wanted. Substantial additional space was not acquired until almost one hundred years had passed and unfortunately many of the editions and sets he describes along with others acquired since have had to be relocated to the State Library of Victoria, the University of Melbourne Library and to the more recently founded Monash, La Trobe and Deakin universities.
We should not dwell on the breaking up of such a significant collection as the volumes and sets that have been relocated form the basis of other great libraries, libraries which are much more accessible to the general public than the Parliamentary Library.
Nowadays the Parliamentary Library is responsible for the provision of information and research services for Members of Parliament and their staff. These services include reference services, document delivery, electronic database searching and preparation of research papers and statistical analyses. The Library is also responsible for the public relations and education functions of the Parliament of Victoria and, in this capacity, publishes pamphlets, educational material and the Victorian Parliamentary Handbook.
The Library's collection includes books, serials and government publications, electronic resources, audio visual material as well as extensive holdings of newspapers and photographs. In total, the collection numbers over 500,000 items. The Library manages numerous in-house databases including Hansard (1991 to date), Members' press mentions, Inform (periodical articles) ministerial service etc. These, together with information on a 21 CD-ROM tower, are made available to officers of the Parliament via the Parliament House network. These services will soon be available to Members in their Parliament House offices and their electorate offices.
The Library administers the Parliament of Victoria home page at - http://www.vicnet.net.au/vicnet/vicgov/parl/parlia.html - which includes educational material, sitting dates, Members' information, Hansard (including Daily Hansard) etc. In the very near future it will provide access to Bills, Parliamentary Papers and the Statutes.
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WESTERN AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENTARY LIBRARY AND RESEARCH SERVICES
History
The Western Australian Parliamentary Library was first established as a joint Law Library under the Law and Parliamentary Library Act 1873. The joint library was physically separated in 1889 to form the Law Library under the control of the Judges of the Supreme Court and the Parliamentary Library to serve Members of the Legislature. Since then, the Library has grown into a sophisticated information service that provides a comprehensive library and information service to Members of the Western Australian Parliament.
Mission
The Parliamentary Library provides information services that are timely, effective and efficient, and functions as a central point for the collection, documentation, co-ordination and disseminiation of information to Members of Parliament.
Purpose
Resources and services offered by the Parliamentary Library are used by Members to prepare speeches, frame questions, prepare legislation, prepare media releases, contribute to party policies, for committee work and constituency work, etc.
General Information
The Library has been designed as a self-service information resource. Although that means we encourage our users to come into the Library, we also have a professionally staffed Reference Service that can be contacted by telephone, fax or e-mail. The Library databases can be accessed via the Parliament House network. Traditional library services, including relevant library collection, reference desk service, media monitoring - electronic and paper, information updating service keeps clients informed of selected new acquisitions and journal articles of interest through its current awareness service - e-currents. The Library staff can provide training in how to use the Library and its resources.
Opening Hours
Non-sitting weeks
# 8.30 am - 5.00 pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays)
Sitting weeks
# 8.30 am - 5.00 pm Monday and Friday
# 8.30 am - 10.00 pm Tuesday
# 8.30 am - 7.00 pm Wednesday
# 8.30 am - 6.10 pm Thursday
# 8.30 am - 5.10 pm Friday
Web address: www.parliament.wa.gov.au.
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Parliamentary Librarians
Australia (Commonwealth)
Roxanne Missingham
Parliamentary Librarian
Parliamentary Library
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Phone: (02) 6277 7102
Fax: (02) 6277 2403
Email: Roxanne.Missingham [at] aph.gov.au
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New Zealand
Ms Moira Fraser
Parliamentary Librarian
Parliament Buildings
Wellington 1
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: (+644) 471 9621
Fax: (+644) 471 9619
Email: moira.fraser [at] parliament.govt.nz
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Australian Capital Territory
Ms SiewChin Scholar
Librarian, ACT Assembly Library
GPO Box 1020, Canberra, ACT 2601
Phone: (02) 620 50395
Fax: (02) 620 50392
Email: siewchin.scholar [at] parliament.act.gov.au
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New South Wales
Deborah Brown
Manager, Reference & Information Services
Parliament House
SYDNEY NSW 2000
Phone: (02) 9230 2380
Fax: (02) 9231 1932
Email:Deborah.brown [at] parliament.nsw.gov.au
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Northern Territory
Ms Di Sinclair
Manager Parliamentary Library Service
Northern Territory Library
Northern Territory Library & Information Service
GPO Box 42
DARWIN NT 0801
Phone: (08) 8999 7442
Fax: (08) 8999 6920
Email: di.sinclair [at] nt.gov.au
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Queensland
Ms Mary Seefried
Parliamentary Librarian
Parliament House
Brisbane Qld 4000
Phone: (07) 340 67280
Fax: (07) 321 00172
Email:mary.seefried[at]parliament.qld.gov.au
library.inquiries[at]parliament.qld.gov.au
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South Australia
Dr Coral Stanley
Parliamentary Librarian
South Australian Parliament Research Library
GPO Box 572
ADELAIDE S.A. 5001
Phone: (08) 8237 9405
Fax: (08) 8211 7672
Email: coral.stanley [at] parliament.sa.gov.au
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Tasmania
Ms Juliet Webster
Parliamentary Librarian
Parliament House
HOBART TAS. 7000
Phone: (03) 6233 6255
Fax: (03) 6223 3964
Email: juliet.webster [at] parliament.tas.gov.au
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Victoria
Ms Marion King
Parliamentary Librarian
Parliament House
MELBOURNE VIC. 3002
Phone: (03) 9651 8630
Fax: (03) 9650 9775
Email: marion.king [at] parliament.vic.gov.au
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Western Australia
Inge Hust (31 December 2009)
Acting Parliamentary Librarian, A/Library and Information Services Manager
Parliament House
PERTH W.A. 6000
Phone: (08) 9222 7256
Fax: (08) 9222 7859
Email: ihurst [at] parliament.wa.gov.au
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