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A History of Old Parliament House

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A History of Old Parliament House A HISTORY OF OLD PARLIAMENT HOUSE RESOURCE THE CONTENTS INTRODUCTION Introduction . 3 THE BUILDING The building that shaped a nation . 4 Design and construction . 5 The House of Representatives Chamber . 6 The Senate Chamber . 7 King’s Hall . 8 The Cabinet Room . 9 The Gardens . 10 THE EVENTS Old Parliament House opens 1927 . 11 The Second World War 1939-45 . 12 The Federal Election 1949 . 13 The Royal Visit 1954 . 14 The Dismissal 1975 . 15 THE DECISIONS The National Service Act 1964 . 16 The Referendum 1967 . 17 The Racial Discrimination Act 1975 . 18 The World Heritage Properties Conservation Act 1983 . 19 THE PRIME MINISTERS The Prime Ministers of Old Parliament House . .. 20-25 THE WEBSITE moadoph gov. au/learning. @moadlearning @museumofaustraliandemocracy A HISTORY OF OLD PARLIAMENT HOUSE — P.2 THE INTRODUCTION A national icon, and a place a nation in its own right . Over the people in it . Produced in a of great beauty, magnificent that time, the building was the fact sheet format with each page design and historical signifi- theatre in which the politics of covering one topic, it can be used cance, Old Parliament House is the day were played out and as information for background home to the Museum of Austra- momentous decisions made . research for a unit on Federal lian Democracy (MoAD) . Parliament and as a starting Today, the importance of the point for further study and dis- As a modern day town square, building lies in its historical and cussion on democracy . we celebrate the Australian social value to the Australian democratic spirit, champion people . The building is a na- For further information and national leadership and continue tionally significant ‘museum of resources check our website at to explore and promote the work itself’ and of Australia’s polit- moadoph .gov .au/learning of key thinkers who shaped who ical heritage . It is listed on the we are today . National Heritage Register and as such, is a precious place . MoAD Learning The 61 years that Old Par- liament House served as the MoAD Learning has prepared Republished June 2016 home of the Federal Parliament this resource in response to re- was a time of enormous change quests from teachers, students in Australia . The country grew and parents for information on from an Imperial Dominion to the history of the building and A HISTORY OF OLD PARLIAMENT HOUSE — P.3 THE BUILDING THE THAT SHAPED BUILDING THE NATION Old Parliament House was the home of the Federal Parliament from 1927 to 1988 . During this time, great changes took place in Australian social and political life . This is the building in which democracy matured in Australia . It was here the nation was shaped . The building was designed by John Smith Murdoch; the first Commonwealth government architect . He was asked to design OLD PARLIAMENT HOUSE OPENS IN 1927. a ‘provisional’ building intended to NATIONAL LIBRARY OF AUSTRALIA serve as a parliament for 50 years . Around the building grew the new Australian capital city of Canberra . served as Parliament House, there Today, the building is listed on the The need for a national capital were many changes in the size and National Heritage Register and is arose when the Australian colonies nature of the Federal Parliament . home to the Museum of Australian united to form the Commonwealth During this time the House of Democracy—a museum that tells of Australia in 1901 . Representatives grew from 76 the story of Australia’s democracy, Parliament House was like a to 148 members and the Senate including the history and heritage town within the city of Canberra . from 36 to 76 members . In 1927, of the building . It had its own library, post office, only the Speaker of the House, barber, carpentry workshop, bars the President of the Senate, the and dining room . By the 1980s, Prime Minister, the Leader of the thousands of people worked in Government in the Senate and the building including politicians, ministers had their own offices. parliamentary staff, Hansard By the 1980s, the building had reporters, journalists, dining room exceeded its capacity with almost and bar staff. 3000 people crowded into a build- OLD PARLIAMENT HOUSE IN THE 1950S. NATIONAL LIBRARY OF AUSTRALIA During its life as a working ing originally intended for a few parliament, this building was the hundred . Members and senators setting for many of Australia’s had offices of their own, most of major political events . Debates them tiny and overcrowded . that influenced the future of A new and permanent Par- the nation took place here, key liament House was completed decisions were taken, political in 1988 . In June of that year, careers were made and ended . members sat for the last time In the 61 years that the building after 61 years in the old building . A HISTORY OF OLD PARLIAMENT HOUSE — P.4 THE DESIGN & BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Construction started in 1923 and workers and building materials TWO YOUNG GIRLS STAND ON COURTYARD STEPS OF came from all parts of Australia . THE BUILDING DURING ITS CONSTRUCTION IN 1926. Timber from nearly every State NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF AUSTRALIA was used inside to reflect the federal nature of the building . Bricks came from nearby Yar- ralumla brickworks, transported to the site by light rail . The cost of the building and the furnishings was more than £600 000—almost three times the original estimate . There were many changes and additions over the years as the number of members, senators, staff and journalists increased. Windows were blocked off and verandahs glassed in . Extensions The Old Parliament House gold decoration on the glass doors . changed the shape of the building, building was designed by Chief The building is filled with natural in particular those to the sides Commonwealth Government light from windows, skylights and and front of the building from the architect John Smith Murdoch . It light wells . Gardens and courtyards 1940s to the 1970s . is the last and best known of his offer places for recreation or quiet government buildings . His designs thought . Covered walkways sur- can be found all over Australia round and link parts of the building . from the Perth GPO to the South The three storey building is Brisbane Telephone Exchange . He planned around the two legislative DEMOLITION WORK IN PROGRESS AS PART OF designed East and West Blocks or law-making Chambers—the THE EXTENSIONS THAT WERE CARRIED OUT IN in Canberra to complement the House of Representatives and the 1972–73. THIS INCLUDED THE ADDITION OF A building . The foundations of West Senate . The legislative section at NEW PRIME MINISTER’S SUITE. Block were raised so the roofs the front includes party meeting CANBERRA TIMES PHOTO ARCHIVE of all three buildings were at the rooms and offices as well as the same height . Chambers . The recreational areas, Murdoch’s design for the building located at the back of the building, was thought to be very modern for comprise the dining room and bar . its time . Square and circular motifs Press offices occupy most of the were features of the architecture upper floor, while offices, kitch- and furniture throughout the build- ens, plant rooms and storage are ing . These appear on balcony rails, located on the lower floor. floor design, light fittings and the A HISTORY OF OLD PARLIAMENT HOUSE — P.5 THE HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES BUILDING CHAMBER and senior members of the Op- ment in 1901 . He served until position sat behind them on the 1952, when he died in office at the front benches . The backbenchers age of 90 . initially had no offices of their own Some major turning points in the building . They worked at the in Australian history have been desk in front of them and in their announced and debated in this party rooms, and kept their papers room . In the early 1950s, the in the lockable drawer under their Chamber saw passionate debates seats . Hansard reporters were when Robert Menzies argued for seated at the central table on the the banning of the Communist Opposition side . They recorded Party of Australia . The consti- by hand, and later by machine, all tutional amendment to give the parliamentary sessions, except for Commonwealth power to legislate some secret meetings held during for Aboriginal people was debated the Second World War . in 1967 and overwhelmingly Many remarkable characters supported when it was put to have sat in the Chamber. The fiery the people in a referendum . In Labor politician Eddie Ward holds 1975, Malcolm Fraser told the the record for 15 suspensions House of Representatives that from the House of Representa- the Governor-General had THE SPEAKER’S CHAIR CAME FROM BRITAIN. tives for misconduct . Billy Hughes dismissed the Whitlam Gov- IN THE CHAMBER ALL NON-LABOR SPEAKERS was the longest serving member . ernment and appointed him WORE FORMAL DRESS OVER A BLACK SUIT Prime Minister from 1915–23, Caretaker Prime Minister . SPEAKERS FROM THE LABOR PARTY Hughes was one of the original NEVER WORE THE REGALIA. members of the Federal Parlia- NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF AUSTRALIA The House of Representatives THE LAST SITTING OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN MAY 1988. is the place where Australia’s gov- BOB HAWKE WAS THE LAST PRIME MINISTER TO SERVE IN THIS CHAMBER. ernments are formed by the ma- JOAN CHILD WAS THE SPEAKER AND THE FI RST WOMAN TO HOLD THIS POSITION. jority party or coalition of parties . ROBERT MACFARLANE, DEPT. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Major decisions were made in this Chamber that continues to affect our lives today . It was the scene of debate and argument, regu- lated by rules known as ‘Standing Orders’ . The Speaker, who sat in the carved chair at the head of the centre table, was in charge of the debate .
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