This research guide provides advice about where to find and how to use Western Australian Government publications.
This guide assists with locating Western Australian Government publications online and in the collection of the State Library Victoria.
Law Courts and Gardens, Perth, Western Australia, ca 1920-1950; Accession no. H86.98/438
The website of the Western Australian Parliament provides an overview of the history and processes of Western Australia's Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly.
The website of the Western Australian Government provides information on government services and departments.
The Colony of Western Australia's first legislative body met in February, 1832. However, as Western Australia was a penal colony between 1850 and 1868, it was not granted representative government until 1870. In 1890 Western Australia was then granted responsible government and established a bi-cameral system of parliament. Western Australia was one of the first places in the world to grant women the vote with Edith Cowan being the first woman elected to a parliament in Australia. It was not until 1962 that Aboriginal people were granted the right to vote.
