Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, having been here for 18½ years, I believe—but I could be wrong—that the second reading speeches of ministers are relied upon by the courts in order to determine what the parliament intended by a bill. My question to you is: if the second reading speech says something that the bill does not do, how can the courts rely on that to determine the will of the parliament?

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will not enter into this. Another point has yet been made.