This index lists all items identified as Explanatory Memoranda or as Comparative Memoranda from 1901 to the end of 1982 (1^st–32^nd Parliaments). From 1982, the provision of Explanatory Memoranda has been standard practice for government Bills introduced into the Commonwealth Parliament. A small selection of Explanatory Memoranda from 1982 has also been published and are linked to below. From 1996, most Explanatory Memoranda are available online through the Parliament House website or ComLaw; in each case, locate the Bill first: the Memorandum is linked to the Bill.

Explanatory Memoranda (mainly for Bills introduced in the Senate and Supplementary Explanatory Memoranda for Bills introduced and amended in the House of Representatives) are also available in the Historical Senate Tabled Papers (1901-2013) database. As the database can be difficult to use, the searching tips should be read first.

• About this index
• ‘Was there an EM?’: History of Explanatory Memoranda and Explanatory Statements in the Commonwealth Parliament
• Browse the index:
       1901–09      1910–13     1914–19      1920–25     1926–31
       1932–34      1934–37     1937–40      1940–49     1950–60
       1960–66      1967–69     1970–72      1973–75    1976–77
       1978–80:     A–F    G–M    N–Z
       1980–82:     A–B    C–D    E–H    I–R    S–W
  1983+ (copies of selected Explanatory Memoranda only)
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       Word (3.1 MB, separate listings of Senate and House of Representatives EMs)
• How to get copies of Explanatory or Comparative Memoranda