Finding Government Information

This guide provides links to Australian and international government websites, other sources of government information, and search tips on how to find specific government information.

Glossary of terms used in this guide

Census

The process of gathering demographic, social, economic, or other kinds of data on all members of a population, usually distinct from surveys that gather data from a sample of a population. Although the practice is ancient, with notable Roman examples, census-taking developed primarily with the emergence of the modern state, whose functions increasingly relied on the ability to count and categorize the population. These censuses were used for political representation, economic policy and taxation, and as measures of economic or military strength. Today, they underlie most political decisions about the allocation of resources. For this reason, the methodology underlying censuses has been an object of controversy—especially in the United States in recent years. The way that U.S. ethnic groups and other minority groups are labeled and counted has an effect on their political power and economic resources. The recognition that the census routinely undercounts sectors of the poor—especially transient and indigent populations without fixed domiciles—has also been a subject of debate. This concern has led to efforts to integrate sampling methods into the census count in order to better estimate the size of systematically undercounted groups.

'census' 2002, in  Dictionary of the Social Sciences, Oxford University Press viewed  25 May 2009 , http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t104.e231


Commission of Inquiry

Independent fact-finding body set up jointly by disputing states to conduct an impartial investigation of an international dispute, usually when the states concerned are unwilling to submit their dispute to arbitration.

'commission of enquiry' 2002, in Dictionary of Conflict Resolution, Wiley, viewed 25 May 2009, http://www.credoreference.com/entry/wileyconfres/commission_of_inquiry_commission_of_enquiry


Gazette

An official government journal, containing lists of government appointments and promotions, bankruptcies, etc.

'gazette' 2005, in The Macquarie Dictionary, The Macquarie Library Pty Ltd., South Yarra, VIC, Australia, viewed 25 May 2009, http://www.credoreference.com/entry/macqdict/gazette


Green Paper

A consultative or discussion document in which the government sets out its proposals for future policy for debate and discussion before a final policy decision is made. Like White Papers, Green Papers are a type of command paper and may be the subject of statements or debates in the House of Commons. Following the consultation triggered by the Green Paper, the government normally publishes a White Paper setting out firmer recommendations.

'Green Paper' 2009, in A Dictionary of Education, Oxford University Press, viewed 25 May 2009, http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t267.e431


Hansard

The official printed reports of the debates and proceedings of parliament, especially in Australia, New Zealand, Britain and Canada.

'Hansard' 2005, in The Macquarie Dictionary, The Macquarie Library Pty Ltd., South Yarra, VIC, Australia, viewed 25 May 2009, http://www.credoreference.com/entry/macqdict/hansard


InterGovernmental Organizations

These are public institutions that operate globally or regionally. They are established by the formal agreement of, and ultimately are governed by, states. Examples include the United Nations and its specialized agencies, such as WHO and the World Bank. They provide important channels of communication between states and mechanisms for galvanizing international action on issues of global concern. They are also important actors in global governance.

World Health Organisation 2009, Glossary of globalization, trade and health terms, viewed 28 May 2009,  http://www.who.int/trade/glossary/story056/en/index.html


Parliamentary Papers

Papers published on the authority of either House of Parliament. They include Bills, the Official Reports of Parliamentary Debates (see Hansard), and reports of parliamentary committees.

'parliamentary papers' 2006, in Oxford Dictionary of Law, viewed 25 May 2009, http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t49.e2782 


White Paper

A government discussion document which sets out government policy on a specific issue. It is usually the precursor of legislation, and as a type of command paper it is often the subject of statements or debates in the House of Commons. It is issued by a government department and contains detailed proposals for legislation. It represents the final stage in the process of creating legislation before the government introduces its proposals to Parliament in the form of a bill. For example, the 1991 White Paper Education and Training for the 21st Century set out the government's argument that colleges of further education would operate more effectively if they were given freedom from local authority control, and was followed in 1992 by the Further and Higher Education Act, which legislated to bring this about. White Papers are often prefaced by a statement in the House from the secretary of state of the government department sponsoring the proposals. In the case of education White Papers, this will be either the Secretary of State for Schools, Children, and Families, or the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities, and Skills. A White Paper is sometimes produced following the consultation process which is undertaken when the government issues a Green Paper.

'White Paper' 2009, in A Dictionary of Education, Oxford University Press, viewed 25 May 2009, http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t267.e1088