Guide to Archives Collection - Hansard

A BRIEF HISTORY OF "HANSARD"
At the inception of the first Legislative Council in 1824, it was not possible for the press to either report on the debates or to publish the votes and proceedings. In 1832 the press was granted the privilege of publishing the Votes and proceedings. In 1836 the Council petitioned the King and the House of Commons for permission to admit the public; in 1838 the public were admitted and the press permitted to report on debates (as well as publish the official votes and proceedings). It was not until 1879, thirty-one years later and twenty-three years after Responsible Government (1856) that the Parliament of NSW appointed an official Reporting Staff or Hansard, headed by a Principal Reporter (Charles Robinson) to report and publish the debates in both Houses of Parliament. The official 'Parliamentary Debates' began on 28 October 1879. The new Parliamentary Reporting Staff were originally placed under the control of the Colonial Secretary, but by 1888 they had been transferred to the control of the Presiding Officers of Parliament. The title of the head of the department was changed from Principal Reporter to Editor of Debates in 1948.

Last modified 26/02/2008 11:12:51 : Update this page