This background note presents excerpts of parliamentary speeches relating to Australian immigration policies between 1901 and World War One. It is the first in a series of Parliamentary Library publications that plan to address major immigration debates in Australian history. The purpose of this paper is to outline the views of senators and members, the...

This Background Note documents the evolution of the international responses to the uprising in Syria from March 2011 to June 2012. This includes the reactions of international bodies such as the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), as well as key individual countries. On 12 June 2012 the...

This is a compilation of actions undertaken over the past decade relating to the establishment of a second Sydney airport. This is a compilation of actions undertaken over the past decade relating to the establishment of a second Sydney airport. For the period prior to 2002, readers should consult the Parliamentary Library Chronology No. 2...

The industrial dispute between Qantas and three of its unions can be seen in the context of Qantas’ attempts to remain viable in a highly competitive domestic and international aviation environment. This note details the background to the enterprise bargaining disputes in 2011 between Qantas and three of the unions with traditional membership coverage in...

This paper provides brief background information on the origins of the Olympics and a snapshot of the development of the Games since the first modern Olympics were held in 1896. Particular reference is made to the Melbourne Olympics in 1956 and the Sydney Olympics in 2000. The achievements of Australian Olympians are also a special...