This paper discusses one person's experience with the library and research services of the Australian Federal Parliament. The first section describes the multiple functions and roles of politicians, as well as their various information needs, e.g., the need for information on bills, for overseas travel, for writing speeches, and to develop special interests. The second section addresses committee dependence on parliamentary information and research services. Examples are presented of two inquiries of the Senate Community Affairs References Committee that benefited from access to the expertise of parliamentary information specialists and analysts: an examination of the state of Australia's public hospital system, and an inquiry into child migration. The third section considers the significance of access to DPL (Department of the Parliamentary Library) expertise on conscience votes, i.e., free votes when party policy does not apply. The conclusion offers two suggestions: to establish a Parliamentary Library Committee with parliamentarians on the committee, and to publicize the work that the Parliamentary Library and Research services do. (MES)