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

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