9 MAY 2018

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House

Dr Joy McCann, Anna Hough
Politics and Public Administration Section
with Dr Dianne Heriot, Parliamentary Librarian

Australian Parliament House during the Enlighten Festival, 2011

Howard Moffat/AUSPIC
Concept created by The Electric Canvas

ISSN 1834-9854
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers should exercise caution when viewing this publication as it may
contain images of deceased persons.

The Parliamentary Library wishes to acknowledge the generous assistance of the following institutions in
providing access to their collections for the preparation of this chronology.
Contents
_Toc513629989
Introduction................................................................................................. 4
Indigenous country and European settlement, pre 1788‒1900 ....................... 6
Federation and the Seat of Government debate, 1900‒1911 ......................... 8
Creating the national capital, 1912‒1953 .................................................... 16
Locating the permanent building, 1954‒1974 .............................................. 26
Planning the building, 1975‒1978 ............................................................... 35
The design competition, 1979‒1981............................................................ 37
Construction of Parliament House, 1981‒1988 ............................................ 41
The official opening, 1988........................................................................... 48
The first decade, 1988‒1998 ....................................................................... 55
The second decade, 1998‒2008 .................................................................. 73
The third decade, 2008‒18 ......................................................................... 93
2014 ........................................................................................................ 123
2015 ........................................................................................................ 133
2016 ........................................................................................................ 143
2017 ........................................................................................................ 161
2018 (to March) ....................................................................................... 190
Appendix 1: Facts and statistics ................................................................ 194
Appendix 2: Addresses to joint meetings of the Australian Parliament
since 1988................................................................................................ 195
Appendix 3: Presiding Officers since 1988 ................................................. 197
Appendix 4: Key sources and further reading ............................................ 198
Appendix 5: Key Commonwealth Acts passed since 1988 ........................... 201
Appendix 6: Acknowledgements and credits ............................................. 215
 Introduction
Australia's Parliament House turns 30 on 9 May 2018. This chronology celebrates milestones in the Parliament,
as well as significant events in the evolution of the building and its landscape setting. Originally issued in 2013 to
mark the 25th anniversary of Parliament House, this chronology is now updated and reissued to mark the 30th
anniversary, with additional content from subsequent chronologies that have continued the story over 2014–
2018.
Since 1988, Parliament House has been the meeting place of the Parliament of Australia and the symbolic heart
of parliamentary democracy in Australia. It provides the setting for ceremonial functions, for hosting state and
visiting dignitaries, and for a variety of political, community and social events, many of which are broadcast
Australia-wide. It also houses historic documents and artworks of significance to the nation, and it has welcomed
more than 30 million Australian and international visitors since it opened on 9 May 1988. It is one of the most
visited and visible buildings in Australia, and its integration of art and architecture is internationally recognised.
Parliament House has also become a symbolically significant location for Australians and their elected
representatives to promote their views on matters of importance to the nation. According to the Parliamentary
Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories in 1997:
By protesting in the national capital in front of the national Parliament, people symbolically are delivering the
1
message directly to their elected representatives.

Parliament House is also a workplace where over 5,000 people are accommodated during parliamentary sittings.
The Parliamentary departments, under the direction of the Presiding Officers, have stewardship of Parliament
House, its precincts, artworks and crafts, and most of its furniture on behalf of the Parliament and Australian
people. A noticeable aspect of this stewardship of Parliament House has been the progressive upgrading of
security measures since 1988, with the most obvious changes being those on the outside of the building such as
the construction of perimeter fencing.
At its opening in 1988, the Prime Minister the Hon. Bob Hawke described Parliament House as 'an enduring
statement of our nation's profound commitment to the principles and practices of democratic government':
It is a building for the entire Australian community, a workplace for the community's elected representatives and a
free and open forum for resolving the community's concerns….the symbolic and practical importance of the
building, as well as the very high standard of excellence of its construction and finish will be a great source of pride
2
to all Australians now and in the future.

Over the last 30 years Parliament House has seen: eleven parliaments; seven prime ministers (including
Australia’s first female Prime Minister); three changes of government; and the first Indigenous Member of the
House of Representatives, the first female Indigenous parliamentarian, and the first Indigenous minister. The
building has also seen numerous visits and addresses by foreign leaders from around the world including
Norway, Vietnam, Japan, China, the United Kingdom, India, France, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, New Zealand, Malaysia,
the United States, the Netherlands, Indonesia, Lebanon, Jordan, Zimbabwe, the Solomon Islands, Singapore, and
Timor-Leste.
The following milestones represent defining events and turning points in this history. They are necessarily
selective, and make no claim to being comprehensive or complete. They provide the historical context for the
selection of the site and the design of the building, including the ongoing significance of Parliament House and
its landscape setting for Indigenous Australians. They examine the history of the planning and building of
Parliament House. They illustrate the national implications of events taking place in the Parliament since 1988,
as well as the heritage significance of the arts and crafts and the various collections that are housed in the
building. They depict the relationship between Parliament House and the people of Australia, the ways in which
parliamentarians, staff, and visitors perceive it, and how it continues to evolve in response to changing needs
and circumstances.

1. The Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories , A right to
protest, AGPS, Canberra, 1997, pp. xx, 13.
2. Prime Minister the Hon. Bob Hawke, Speech at the opening of the new Parliament House , Canberra, 9 May 1988, accessed 2 October 2012.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 4

 This chronology has been compiled from published sources and archival records held by the Department of
Parliamentary Services, as well as from national collecting institutions, organisations and individuals. It includes
links to a range of key documents and other sources, and is available in both html and pdf formats.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 5

 Indigenous country and European settlement, pre 1788‒1900
Milestones Details Source Documents

>20 000 years Indigenous country Watch: Acknowledgement of

ago country, House of
For more than 20,000 years Indigenous people have been the Representatives, 12 March
traditional custodians of the region known as the Australian 2013
Capital Territory, including the hill on which Parliament House
now sits. This is reflected in the fact that, since 2010, the Video courtesy of DPS
Presiding Officer in the Senate and House of Representatives 3 Broadcasting, Parliament
respectively begins each sitting day with prayers and an House
acknowledgement of the traditional Indigenous custodians of Watch: Acknowledgement of
the Canberra area, the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples. 4 country, Senate, 12 March
Indigenous people have continued to live in the region and 2013
maintain a strong sense of identity and connection with the
Video courtesy of DPS
land.
Broadcasting, Parliament
House

1825‒6 European occupation

European settlers begin settling the area known as the
‘Limestone Plains’ following the first recorded visit to the area
by Charles Throsby Smith, Joseph Wild and James Vaughan in
1820.
Joshua John Moore is recorded as the first European landowner
in the area known as the Limestone Plains. On 21 October 1824
he takes out a ticket-of-occupation for 2000 acres on what is to
become the site of Canberra. In 1825 he obtains permission to
purchase 1000 acres of unoccupied land, but does not exercise
his option to purchase until 16 December 1826 when he writes:
The land I wish to purchase is situate at Canbery on the E. bank of
the river which waters Limestone Plains, above its junction with the
5
Murrumbeeja [sic], adjoining the grant of Mr Robert Campbell snr.

1826‒1900 From Limestone Plains to Canberra

Settlers establish large pastoral properties, small farming
enterprises and villages on the Limestone Plains and, by the
mid-nineteenth century, the district is being referred to as
Canberra. European occupation, here as elsewhere in south-
eastern Australia, has a major impact on the Indigenous people
of the Canberra region.

3. Prayer and acknowledgement of country, in R Laing, ed, Annotated standing orders of the Australian Senate, Chapter 8, section 50,
Department of the Senate, accessed 12 March 2013; BC Wright, ed, Acknowledgement of country and prayers, House of Representatives
Standing and Sessional Orders, Chapter 6, section 38, Department of the House of Representatives, Canberra, 20 October 2010, accessed 12
March 2013.
4. The spelling of the names varies. Authoritative sources of the Indigenous history of the Canberra region include D Horton, ed, The
encyclopaedia of Aboriginal Australia: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, society and culture, Aboriginal Studies Press for the
Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, 1994, Vol. 2, pp. 789‒90, 1008‒10; A Jackson-Nakano, The Kamberri: a
history from the records of Aboriginal families in the Canberra-Queanbeyan district and surrounds 1820‒1927, and historical overview 1928‒
2001, Weereewaa History Series, Vol. 1, Aboriginal History Monograph 8, Ann Jackson-Nakano and Aboriginal History Inc., 2001; NB Tindale,
Aboriginal tribes of Australia: their terrain, environmental controls, distribution, limits, and proper names, Australian National University
Press, Canberra, 1974, p. 198; J Flood, The moth hunters: Aboriginal prehistory of the Australian Alps, Australian Institute of Aboriginal
Studies, Canberra, 1980.
5. LF Fitzhardinge, ‘Moore, Joshua John (1790‒1864)’, Australian Dictionary of Biography, accessed 15 February 2013,

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 6

 1890s Australasian Federal Conventions
During the 1890s, a series of conventions develop the basis for
the federation of Australia.
In 1890, leading politicians from the six Australian colonies and
New Zealand attend the Australasian Federation Conference in
The Australasian Federation
Melbourne and agree to ‘an early union under the crown’. In
Conference delegates,
1891 members of the National Australasian Convention meet in
Melbourne, February 1890.
Sydney to debate how the colonies should federate and to
Photographer: Johnstone,
develop a draft constitution. The Australasian Federal
O’Shannessy & Co
Convention meets in three sessions in 1897 and early 1898 to
modify the 1891 draft. The Constitution contained in the Image courtesy of National
Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Bill is subsequently Archives of Australia
endorsed by voters of each Australian colony at referendums
held in 1898, 1899 and 1900, and is passed by the British
Parliament and given Royal Assent on 9 July 1900. 6

1899 The first Royal Commission to determine a site

The NSW Government appoints a royal commission to inquire
into suitable sites for the federal capital. Commissioner
Alexander Oliver presents his report in October 1990
recommending Bombala-Eden, Orange and Yass. 7

Report of the Commissioner on

Sites for the Seat of
Government of the
Commonwealth, NSW
Government, 30 October 1900

Image courtesy of National

Archives of Australia

6. Senate, Records of the Australasian Federal Conventions of the 1890s, accessed 1 February 2013.
7. ‘Selecting the federal capital site’, Design 29: creating a capital, National Archives of Australia, accessed 13 June 2013.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 7

 Federation and the Seat of Government debate, 1900‒1911
Milestones Details Source Documents

1900 Australian Constitution

Queen Victoria signs the Royal Commission of Assent on 9 July
1900, the Bill providing for the creation of the Commonwealth of
Australia. 8
The Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900 represents
the ‘blueprint of the Commonwealth’. It describes how the new
federation will be established and provides the authority for the
powers of the legislature, the executive and the courts. Section
125 of the Constitution describes how the seat of Government of
the Commonwealth will be established: Royal Assent of Queen Victoria
The seat of Government of the Commonwealth shall be to Commonwealth of Australia
determined by the Parliament, and shall be within territory Constitution Act of 1900
which shall have been granted to or acquired by the Image courtesy of Gifts
Commonwealth, and shall be vested in and belong to the Collection, Parliament House Art
Commonwealth, and shall be in the State of New South Collection, Canberra, ACT
Wales, and be distant not less than one hundred miles from
Sydney. Such territory shall contain an area of not less than
one hundred square miles, and such portion thereof as shall
consist of Crown lands shall be granted to the
Commonwealth without any payment therefor. The
Parliament shall sit at Melbourne until it meet at the seat of
9
Government.

1900 Commonwealth of Australia

On 17 September 1900, Queen Victoria proclaims that the
Commonwealth of Australia will come into existence on 1 January
1901. 10

1901 Federation
Australia becomes a nation on 1 January 1901 when the six
colonies federate, and the Commonwealth of Australia is
proclaimed in Centennial Park, Sydney.
Lord Hopetoun is appointed as Australia’s first Governor-General.
Edmund Barton (Protectionist, Member for Hunter, NSW, 1901‒
03) is sworn in as Australia’s first Prime Minister.
Street decorations for
Federation celebrations, 1900‒
1901

Image courtesy of Historic

Memorials Collection,
Parliament House Art Collection,
Canberra ACT

8. Royal Commission of Assent 9 July 1900 (UK), National Archives of Australia, accessed 9 August 2012.
9. The Constitution, An Act to constitute the Commonwealth of Australia [9th July 1900], section 125, accessed 19 December 2012.
10. Creating a nation, National Archives of Australia; Australian Capital Territory documents, accessed 9 August 2012, Documenting a Democracy,
National Archives of Australia.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 8

 Milestones Details Source Documents

1901 First Commonwealth Parliament

On 9 May 1901, the first Parliament of the Commonwealth of
Australia is opened by His Royal Highness Prince Albert, Duke of
York and Cornwall (later George V), on behalf of King Edward VII.
The members of the Australian Parliament assemble for the first
time in Melbourne on 9 May 1901. As a result of polls held in all Opening of the First Parliament
of the Commonwealth of
states on 29 or 30 March 1901, the Parliament comprises 111
Australia by H.R.H. The Duke of
members (36 senators and 75 members of the House of
Cornwall and York (Later King
Representatives). The Constitution provided the wording for oath
George V), May 9, 1901. (1903)
and affirmation, made by every senator or member since 1901,
by Tom Roberts (1856-1931)
before taking his or her seat:
On permanent loan to the
I, A.B., do swear that I will be faithful and bear true
Parliament of Australia from the
allegiance to His Majesty King Edward the Seventh, His heirs British Royal Collection.
and successors according to law. SO HELP ME GOD! Courtesy of Parliament House
Art Collection, Canberra ACT
I, A.B., do solemnly and sincerely affirm and declare that I Photo credit: Matt Kelso
will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King
Edward the Seventh, His heirs and successors according to
11
law.

The opening of the first Commonwealth Parliament takes place at

the Exhibition Building, Melbourne, and is captured in a painting
by Tom Roberts on display in Parliament House. The new
Constitution specifies that ‘The Parliament shall sit at Melbourne
until it meet at the seat of Government’. 12 The location is not
specified, although the predominant view is that the new
Commonwealth Parliament should occupy the State Parliament
building in Spring Street. The matter is the subject of debate
amongst the State parliamentarians, some of whom express
reservations about having to move from their building. In 1900,
however, the Victorian Parliament passes the Commonwealth
Arrangements Act 1900 containing provision for the
Commonwealth to occupy either the State Parliament building or
the Exhibition Building. The Victorian Premier, Alexander
Peacock, writes to the Prime Minister, the Rt Hon. Edmund
Barton (later Sir) (PROT, Member for Hunter, NSW, 1901‒03),
asking which building the Commonwealth Parliament will select
to use. The Prime Minister inspect both sites with members of his
ministry, and advises that the Commonwealth has chosen the
State Parliament House. The Commonwealth Parliament meets in
the State Parliament building for 26 years following Federation,
much longer than anticipated in 1901, and moves to Canberra
when the provisional Parliament House is opened in 1927. During
this period, the Victorian State Parliament occupies the Exhibition
Building. 13

11. The opening of Parliament, Senate Brief No. 2, May 2011, accessed 9 August 2012.
12. The Constitution, An Act to constitute the Commonwealth of Australia [9th July 1900], section 125, accessed 19 December 2012.
13. V Isaacs, ‘Parliament in exile: aspects of the Victorian Parliament at the Exhibition Building, 1901 to 1927’, in Australian Parliamentary
Review, Vol. 17, No. 1, Autumn 2002, p. 80.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 9

 Milestones Details Source Documents

1901 Federal Capital congress

The Congress of Engineers, Architects, Surveyors and Others
Interested in the Building of the Federal Capital of Australia meet
in Melbourne from 6‒17 May 1901, coinciding with the opening
of the first Commonwealth Parliament, resolving that ‘the Federal
Capital should be laid out in the most perfect manner possible’. 14

1901 Locating Australia’s capital city

The process of finding a location for the nation’s Parliament
House begins, in accordance with the directions for the national
capital laid out in Section 125 of the Australian Constitution:
The seat of Government of the Commonwealth shall be
determined by the Parliament, and shall be within territory
which shall have been granted to or acquired by the
Commonwealth, and shall be vested in and belong to the
Commonwealth, and shall be in the State of New South
Wales, and be distant not less than one hundred miles from
Sydney. Such territory shall contain an area of not less than
one hundred square miles, and such portion thereof as shall
consist of Crown lands shall be granted to the
Commonwealth without any payment therefor. The
Parliament shall sit at Melbourne until it meet at the seat of
15
Government.

It proves to be a complex process requiring protracted

investigation and debate, taking until 1909 for Parliament to
decide that the new capital would be in the southern part of New
South Wales, on the site which is now Canberra. 16

1902 Inspecting possible sites

In February 1902 senators and members of the House of
Representatives make the first of several tours of potential sites
for the national capital. 17

Senators bathing in the Snowy

River at Dalgety [picture], 1902

Image courtesy of National

Library of Australia

14. JC Stephens, Proceedings – the Congress of Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and others interested in the Building of the Federal Capital of
Australia, Melbourne, 1901.
15. The Constitution, An Act to constitute the Commonwealth of Australia [9th July 1900], section 125, accessed 19 December 2012.
16. History of Parliament House, Parliament of Australia, accessed 9 August 2012.
17. National Capital Authority, 'History of the capital', accessed 9 October 2012.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 10

 Milestones Details Source Documents

Commonwealth of Australia:
complete summary of
information with regard to
proposed federal capital sites,
19 February 1902

Image courtesy of National

Archives of Australia

1902 Extending the franchise

The Commonwealth Franchise Act 1902 sets out who can vote in
elections for the new Commonwealth Parliament. Women in the
states without female suffrage (NSW, Tasmania, Queensland and
Victoria) gain the right to vote (section 3). Those excluded from
voting include those of unsound mind, persons imprisoned for
one year or longer, and ‘aboriginal native[s] of Australia Asia
Africa or the Islands of the Pacific except New Zealand’ unless so
entitled under section 41 of the Constitution (section 4).
The Commonwealth Electoral Act 1924 makes voting compulsory
and establishes penalties for failure to vote. A 1925 amendment
to the Franchise Act extends the right to vote to all naturalised
Australians. In 1949, the franchise is extended to Aboriginal
veterans; and the right to vote is extended to all Aboriginal adults
in 1962, with enrolment made compulsory in 1963.

1903 Royal Commission on Sites for the Seat of Government

The Capital Sites Enquiry Board, appointed in 1902 by the Hon. Sir
William Lyne (PROT, IND, Member for Hume, NSW, 1901‒13), the
first Minister for Home Affairs, examines nine potential sites for
the capital city of the new nation: Albury, Armidale, Bathurst,
Bombala, Dalgety, Lake George, Lyndhurst, Orange and Tumut.
The Royal Commission on Sites for the Seat of Government of the
Commonwealth is subsequently established, and the Commission
report is tabled in the Commonwealth Parliament on 17 July
1903. The Commissioners favour Albury or Tumut 18. New South Wales. Department
of Lands. Map of New South
Wales showing proposed
Federal Capital sites. No. 16
[cartographic material], 1903

Image courtesy of National

Library of Australia

18 Selecting the federal capital site, National Archives of Australia, accessed 11 September 2013.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 11

 Milestones Details Source Documents

Members of the Board

appointed to report upon sites
for the Federal Capital at Cotter
River,Canberra, ca. 1909
[picture], ca. 1909

Image courtesy of National

Library of Australia

1903 Ballot to determine site

The Hon. Sir William Lyne (PROT, IND, Member for Hume, NSW,
1901‒13) introduces a Seat of Government Bill which results in a
House of Representatives ballot in October 1903 to decide on a
site for the nation’s capital. Tumut is selected but the Senate
amends the Bill replacing Tumut with Bombala, and the matter
remains unresolved while the nation votes at the second
Commonwealth election in 1903. 19

1904 Surveyor’s report

Surveyor Charles Scrivener reports on site options for the
national capital and recommends Dalgety. 20

1904 Seat of Government Act 1904 Read: J Gale, The federal capital:
Dalgety or Canberra, which?,
The second Commonwealth Parliament passes a Seat of Queanbeyan, 24 July 1907
Government Act on 15 August 1904, confirming Dalgety as the
site of the future national capital.
The NSW Government disagrees and refuses to cede the land to
the Commonwealth. The Watson Government loses office two
days later, and successive governments continue to debate
where the new capital should be located. 21

19. History of Seat of Government Acceptance Act 1909, Founding Documents, National Archives of Australia, accessed 9 August 2012.
20. National Capital Authority, ‘History of the capital’, accessed 9 October 2012.
21. Seat of Government Act 1908 (Cth), Documenting a Democracy, National Archives of Australia, accessed 13 August 2012.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 12

 Milestones Details Source Documents

1908 Site chosen for Canberra

After seven years of debate on the most suitable site for the new
capital, and following a further ballot between Dalgety and Yass-
Canberra, the Commonwealth Parliament passes the Seat of
Government Act 1908 on 14 December 1908, designating the
Yass‒Queanbeyan area for Australia’s Capital Territory. 22
The Act repeals the Seat of Government Act 1904, which had
determined an area near Dalgety. This choice was unacceptable
to the Government of New South Wales, and the matter was
reconsidered. The NSW Government cedes land in the Yass‒
Canberra district by the Seat of Government Surrender Act
1909. 23
Seat of Government Act 1908

Image courtesy of National

Archives of Australia

1909 Acquiring territory for Canberra

An Agreement of Surrender is signed by NSW Premier Charles
Wade and Prime Minister Alfred Deakin (PROT 1901-1910; Lib
1910-13, member for Ballarat) in October 1909.
This is ratified when the Commonwealth Parliament passes the
Seat of Government Acceptance Act 1909 and the New South
Wales Parliament passes the Seat of Government Surrender Act
1909 enabling the Commonwealth to formally acquire the
territory for the new capital from New South Wales. 24 These Acts
take effect on 1 January 1911.
As a result of this transfer, residents of the Territory lose all
political representation. They do not regain full voting rights at
the Federal level until 1966. (While the first representative for
the Australian Capital Territory is elected in 1949, the member
can vote only on matters relating to the ACT). The passage of the
Senate (Representation of Territories) Act 1973 provides for the
representation of the ACT, NT and the Jervis Bay Territory in the
Senate. Residents of the Territory are not represented at the
local level until the granting of self-government in 1989.
Residents of the ACT cannot participate in constitutional
referenda until 1977. 25
The Territory is known as the Federal Capital Territory until 1938,
when it is renamed the Australian Capital Territory by the Seat of
Government Acceptance Act 1938 (No 12 of 1938).

22. Seat of Government Act 1908 (Cth), Documenting a Democracy, National Archives of Australia, accessed 13 August 2012.
23. BC Wright, ed, House of Representatives Practice, sixth edn, Chapter 4, p. 105, note 5, accessed 12 January 2013.
24. Seat of Government Acceptance Act 1909 (Cth), accessed 16 October 2012; Seat of Government Surrender Act 1909 (NSW), accessed 16
October 2012.
25 M Healey, Territory Representation in the Commonwealth Parliament, Research Note Number 8, 2000-01, Parliamentary Library, 2000.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 13

 Milestones Details Source Documents

1909 Surveying Canberra

Following the Commonwealth’s acceptance of a capital in the
Yass‒Canberra district, Prime Minister the Hon. Andrew Fisher
chooses Charles Scrivener to determine the best site for the new
capital.
In March 1909 Scrivener establishes a camp on the slopes of
Kurrajong (later Capital) Hill to undertake his survey work. 26 George Fuller taking the first
Between 1908 and 1914 Scrivener produces a large number of sight in the preliminary contour
maps and at least three major contour maps of the Canberra city survey, Camp Hill, 1909
site. His second contour map, produced in 1910, is circulated to
entrants in the national capital city design competition, which is Image courtesy of National
ultimately won by Walter Burley Griffin. 27 Library of Australia

1909‒10 Scrivener’s survey camps

Charles Scrivener establishes survey camps in 1909 and 1910 on
the hill at the foot of Kurrajong Hill known as Camp Hill. The first
camp is dismantled after three weeks, and another camp set up
in the same area in 1910.
Federal Capital site survey
A concrete building survives from this period and is entered in the camp, Camp Hill, Canberra,
ACT Heritage Register. The building, known as ‘Surveyors’ Hut’, is Australian Capital Territory, ca
all that remains of the original Federal Capital Survey camp. It is 1909
also one of the earliest extant Commonwealth buildings in the
Australian Capital Territory. 28 Many such camps are subsequently Image courtesy of National
established to accommodate workers. Library of Australia

1911 Commonwealth acquires control of Federal Capital Territory

On 1 January 1911 the Commonwealth Government assumes
control of the Northern Territory and the Federal Capital
Territory, after the New South Wales Parliament passes
legislation to cede 2360 square kilometres of land, including the
seaport of Jervis Bay. 29

A 1933 map of the Federal

Capital Territory

Image courtesy of National

Archives of Australia

26. ‘Chronology of the ACT’, Canberra and District Historical Society, accessed 12 January 2013.
27. G Wood, Canberra maps and makers, ACT Government, 2009, pp. 28‒9.
28. 20008, Surveyor’s Hut, Section 7 Block 1, Capital Hill, Entry to the ACT Heritage Register, ACT Heritage Council, accessed 13 February 2013.
29. The opening of Parliament, Senate Brief No. 2, May 2011, accessed 9 August 2012.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 14

 Milestones Details Source Documents

1911 Design competition launched

On 30 April 1911 the Commonwealth Government launches an
international design competition for the Federal Capital City.
Canberra federal site from
The design brief requires entrants to ‘embody in their Designs all Rottenbury trig station, city
recent developments in the science of town planning’. 30 137 series [picture]. Part of
entries are received and examined by a technical board Australia. Department of Home
comprising John Kirkpatrick (architect), James Alexander Smith Affairs. Lands and Surveys
(engineer) and John Montgomery Coane (surveyor). Branch

The Hon. King O’Malley, Minister of State for Home Affairs (IND Image courtesy of National
1901, Member for Tas.; ALP 1901‒17, Member for Darwin, Library of Australia
retains authority over the final decision. The three are unable to
agree on the winner and runners up from a shortlist of 46, with
Kirkpatrick and Smith reporting in favour of Griffin’s design but
Coane, chair of the board, preferring a local design. In May 2012,
the board provides O’Malley with majority and minoring reports.
Following consultation with other ministers, O’Malley adjudicates
the result and accepts the majority report. 31

30 ‘Information and materials’, An ideal city?: the 1912 competition to design Canberra, National Archives of Australia, National Capital
Authority and the National Library of Australia, accessed 13 June 2013.
31 ‘A capital competition’, An ideal city?: the 1912 competition to design Canberra, National Archives of Australia, National Capital Authority and
National Library of Australia, accessed 13 June 2013.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 15

 Creating the national capital, 1912‒1953
Milestones Details Source Documents

1912 Winning design for the national capital

The winning design for the national capital, submitted by
Chicago-based designers Walter Burley and Marion
Mahoney Griffin, is announced by the Minister for Home
Affairs, the Hon. King O'Malley (IND 1901, Member for Tas.;
ALP 1901‒17, Member for Darwin).
In his plan for the national capital, Walter Burley Griffin
describes his vision for a ceremonial public building called Detail from Griffin’s plan for
the Capitol: Canberra, showing the Capitol
building as a stepped pyramid
Kurrajong’ Hill being as high a point as available for
natural water supply, for tall structure and Image courtesy of National
accessibility, is, through its central location and Archives of Australia
isolation from other heights, the dominating building
site with possibilities in a sky line. The irregularity and
variety of this hill summit affords an ideal setting for
the one isolated building and most appropriate
32
situation for the two official residences.

The Argus’ account of the event quotes O’Malley saying:

as Minister for Home Affairs, [I] would be justified in
using all the designs if necessary in order to produce
the working design on which the capital would be The birth of a continent's capitol
built. A park might be taken from one, a boulevard [i.e. capital], 1912
33
from another, and a public square from a third. Image courtesy of National
Library of Australia
The Sydney Morning Herald writes:
The city must develop as the Commonwealth
develops, so that it will become, not merely the
Federal capital, but the capital of the Federation….The
opportunity of building the city from the beginning
upon a preconceived plan is one that is given to few
countries, and as the opportunity has been given to us
we must take care that our representatives do not
34
betray their trust.

Memorandum from King

O'Malley confirming the results
of the Federal Capital City Design
Competition, 23 May 1912

Image courtesy of National

Archives of Australia

32. WB Griffin, ‘Original report’ [1912], reprinted with corrections in Senate, Report from the Select Committee appointed to inquire into and
report upon the development of Canberra, September 1955, Appendix B.
33 ‘Federal Capital: The Winning Plans’, The Argus, 24 May 1912.
34 ‘The City Beautiful, Sydney Morning Herald, 27 May 1912.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 16

 Milestones Details Source Documents

1913 Further Investigation of the designs

Following criticism of the Griffin plan, Minister for Home
Affairs, the Hon. King O'Malley (IND 1901, Member for Tas.;
ALP 1901‒17, Member for Darwin) refers it and three other
plans to a departmental board. The board reports that it
cannot recommend any of the four designs and instead
produces its own plan, an amalgam of the four designs,
which ‘should result in the creation of a city which will be
practical as well as beautiful.’ 35 The Minister accepts the
Board’s recommendation. 36 O’Malley later explains that,
though preferring Griffin’s design, he accepts the Board’s
plan on account of the ‘great and prohibitive cost of
Petition to Prime Minister Joseph
carrying [his] design into effect.’ 37
Cook requesting a royal
An outcry ensues, including a petition organised by George commission into the building of
Taylor, editor of Building magazine, calling for a royal Canberra, 1913
commission into the building of Canberra. Image courtesy of National
Responding to community pressure, in August 1913 the Archive of Australia
Acting Minster of State for Home Affairs, William Kelly [FT;
ANTI-SOC from 1906; LIB from 1910; NAT from 1917,
member for Wentworth] invites Griffin to Australia to
discuss his plan.

1913 Griffin plan reinstated

Griffin’s plan for the city is reinstated, with revisions,
following the disbanding of the departmental board that
had developed an alternative plan for the new city. The
members of the former board retain responsibility for
Commonwealth works.
Griffin is appointed Federal Capital Director of Design and
Construction, and produces a detailed textual explanation of
the design that makes ingenious use of the natural
landscape features to project axial lines that create the
fundamental form for the centre of the city. The Land Axis is
the most significant, aligning Mount Ainslie with Camp Hill
Agreement [between the
and Kurrajong (later renamed Capital) Hill to Mount Bimberi
Minister of State for Home
50 km away. He locates Parliament House on Camp Hill, and
Affairs, Joseph Cook, and Walter
reserves Kurrajong Hill as the site for a Capitol building for Burley Griffin] engaging Griffin as
ceremonial activities and public receptions that embody the Federal Capital Director of Design
spirit and achievements of the nation, rather than as the and Construction, 18 October
site of the national Parliament. The Capitol is flanked by the 1913
Governor-General’s residence to the west and the Prime
Minister’s residence to the east. 38 The Griffin plan is revised Image courtesy of National
in 1918 and the Official Plan gazetted in 1925. Archives of Australia

35 Board of Officers, November 1912, cited in Federal Capital Administration: Report of the Royal Commission: 1. Issues relating to Mr Griffin,
Melbourne, 15 March 1917, p. 7, accessed 13 June 2013.
36 ‘A capital competition’, An ideal city?: the 1912 competition to design Canberra, National Archives of Australia, National Capital Authority and
National Library of Australia, accessed 13 June 2013.
37 Federal Capital Administration: Report of the Royal Commission: 1. Issues relating to Mr Griffin, Melbourne 1917, p. 7, accessed 13 June 2013.
38. WB Griffin, ‘Original report’ [1912], reprinted with corrections in Senate, Report from the Select Committee appointed to inquire into and
report upon the development of Canberra, September 1955.

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 Milestones Details Source Documents

1913 Survey commences on Capital Hill

On 20 February 1913, the Minister for Home Affairs King
O’Malley hammers the first peg on Kurrajong (later Capital)
Hill to mark the commencement of the survey for the new
city of Canberra.

The Minister for Home Affairs,

King O'Malley, drives the first peg
in the site for Canberra, the
national capital, 1913

Image courtesy of National

Archives of Australia

1913 Naming Canberra

Canberra is officially named by Lady Denman, wife of the
Governor-General at a ceremony on Kurrajong Hill (later
Capital Hill) on 12 March 1913.
The Governor-General Lord Thomas Denman, the Prime
Minister the Rt Hon. Andrew Fisher (ALP, Member for Wide
Bay, Qld, 1901‒15), and other dignitaries are present for the
naming. Three foundation stones are laid as part of the base The Governor-General, Lord
of a Commencement Column, which is never completed. Denman, arriving at Capital Hill,
The monument includes six blocks representing each of the Canberra, for the foundation
six Australian states. Each of the three foundation stones is ceremony of the national capital
inscribed to commemorate the occasion: on 12 March 1913

Image courtesy of National

1. This stone was laid by His Excellency the Right
Archives of Australia
Honourable Sir Thomas Denman, Baron PC, GCNG. KCVO,
Governor General and Commander in Chief of the Watch: Naming of the Federal
Commonwealth of Australia on the I2th March 1913. Capital of Australia: The
ceremony, 1913.03.12: [with
2. This stone was laid by the Right Honourable Andrew commentary]
Fisher, PC, MP, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of
Australia on the 12th March 1913. Video courtesy of the National
Film and Sound Archive, No.
3. This stone was laid by the Right Honourable King 236834
O’Malley, MP. Minister for Home Affairs on the 12th March
1913. 39
Prime Minister Fisher declares that:
Here on this spot, in the near future, and, I hope the
distant future too, the best thoughts of Australia will
be given expression to…I hope this City will be the seat
of learning as well as of politics, and it will be also the
home of art.

In his responding speech, the Governor-General anticipates

that future Australian governments will find ‘inspiration in

39. National Trust Register of Significant Places citation, Commencement Column Monument (Commemoration Stone), Foundation Stones of the
Commencement Column, 13 November 1998.

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 Milestones Details Source Documents
[Canberra’s] noble buildings, its broad avenues, its shaded
parks, and sheltered gardens…’. The stones are later
removed from their original location during the building of
the new Parliament House, and all but the base courses are
re-laid in 1988 in the ceremonial Federation Mall in front of
the building, in line with the Land Axis. 40

1914 International design competition

On 1 July 1914 the Commonwealth Government launches
an international competition for the design of the
Parliament House.
Documentation for the competition is prepared with the
assistance of Walter Burley Griffin, but the competition is
withdrawn almost immediately due to the outbreak of
World War I in September 1914. 41 The Commonwealth
Government, concerned about the delay in relocating the
Seat of Government from Melbourne to Canberra, revives
the competition in August 1916, but it is withdrawn again.
The Government is forced to pay compensation to
architects who have undertaken work for the
competition. 42 As WB Griffin notes in 1923:
The war intervened, and after an interview between
representatives of the Royal British Institute of
Architects and the High Commissioner in London, the
Government decided, in consequence of conditions
arising out of the war, to postpone the completion of
the competition until after the termination of the war.
The competitors concerned were not consulted nor
43
their acquiescence secured.

40. Canberra – Capital City of the Commonwealth of Australia (Laying the Foundation Stones of the Commencement Column and Naming the
Federal City: 12 March 2013), Government Printer, Victoria, p. 31., p. 23, cited in D Headon, Canberra: Crystal Palace to golden trowels,
Canberra, 2009, p. 27, accessed 16 August 2012.
41. G Hogan, Parliament House Canberra, 1927, Records relating to the design, construction and opening of the provisional Parliament House,
National Archives of Australia, Research Guide No. 6, 2003, pp. 9‒10.
42. National Archives of Australia, The design competition, 1914‒24, accessed 13 February 2013,; G McIntosh, As it was in the Beginning
(Parliament House in 1927), Research Paper No. 25, 2000‒01, Parliamentary Library, 27 March 2001, accessed 16 August 2012.
43. House of Representatives, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works, Erection of the provisional Parliament House, Canberra, 19
July 1923, Appendix A, p. xxii, accessed 14 February 2013.

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 Milestones Details Source Documents

1915 A port for the Capital

The Seat of Government Surrender Act (NSW) Act 9 of 1915
and the Jervis Bay Territory Acceptance Act 1915 provide for
the transfer of land at Jervis Bay to the Commonwealth and
the subsequent creation of the Territory of Jervis Bay.
This 28 square mile portion of land is annexed to and
deemed part of the Federal Capital Territory to provide a
sea port for Canberra – Australia’s only inland capital. In
February this same year the Royal Australian Naval College
at Jervis Bay officially opens. The Seat of Government
Acceptance Act 1922 subsequently corrects ‘certain errors
and misdescriptions’ in the original agreement arising from
A portion of land at Jervis Bay
errors in the original surveys.
was included in the Federal
When the ACT gains self-government in 1988, Jervis Bay Capital Territory to provide a
becomes a separate Territory administered by the seaport for Australia’s only inland
Commonwealth. 44 However, the ACT retains a small area of capital
territory on the Beecroft Peninsula, in fulfilment of the Image courtesy of National
requirement in the Seat of Government Act 1908, that ‘the Archives of Australia
territory to be granted or acquired by the Commonwealth
for the Seat of Government shall … have access to the sea’.

1916 Royal Commission on Federal Capital Administration Read: Federal Capital

Administration report of the
Tensions continue to grow between Griffin and the officers Royal Commission: issues relating
of the former departmental board, notably Col David Miller, to Mr Griffin, 15 March 1917
head of the Department of Home Affairs, and Lt Col Percy
Thomas Owen, Director General of Commonwealth Works.
In June 1916, following claims of poor administration and
delays in construction, the Royal Commission on Federal
Capital Administration is established to investigate the
performance of Griffin’s contract and the implementation of
his design. Griffin says in evidence that, as of November
1915, he
…had not advised as to the erection of any of the
buildings erected meanwhile at the Federal City,
although buildings costing £30,000 had been erected
… [or] given any advice which resulted in the
construction of any building or the carrying out of any
works … and his employment was of no use whatever
to the Government in respect of any such buildings or
45
structures.

The Commission finds in March 1917 that there is 'a

combination, including the Honourable [sic] W. O. Archibald
and certain officers, hostile to Mr. Griffin and his design for
the Capital City’, and suggests that the Government should
have 'either to have cancelled the contract and reverted to

44. A.C.T. Self-Government (Consequential Provisions) Act 1988, accessed 5 April 2013.
45 W B Griffin, evidence to the Royal Commission on Federal Capital Administration, quoted in Federal Capital Administration: Report of the
Royal Commission: 1. Issues relating to Mr Griffin, Melbourne, 15 March 1917, p. 4, accessed 13 June 2013.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 20

 Milestones Details Source Documents
the design of the Departmental Board, or else to have
allowed Mr. Griffin's contract to be performed and his
design carried out'. 46
In 1920 Griffin’s role in the new capital comes to an end
when he refuses to take a place on the Federal Capital
Advisory Committee chaired by Sir John Sulman.

1921 Federal Capital Advisory Committee

Sir John Sulman is appointed as chairman of the Federal
Capital Advisory Committee established to advise the
Minister of Home Affairs on the construction of Canberra
and to review the Griffin Plan. The Committee was
abolished in December 1924 due to dissatisfaction with the
pace of development.
The Committee is replaced on 1 January 1925 by the Federal The Federal Capital
Capital Commission 47 under the leadership of Sir John Commissioners and the
Butters. Its primary task is to develop Canberra to enable Commission staff in 1925
the relocation of Parliament from Melbourne and the Image courtesy of National
transfer of departments and federal public servants to the Archives of Australia
new capital by 1927.
By 1927 the Commission has completed construction of ‘the
Parliament House, the Prime Minister's Lodge, built 500
cottages, several hotels and schools, West Block Offices, the
Albert Hall, the Institute of Anatomy, the Australian School
of Forestry and an Observatory on Mount Stromlo.’ 48 The
Commission is disbanded in 1929, due to the onset of the
Great Depression, to be replaced by a part elected/part
appointed Advisory Council. Responsibility for building the
city transferred to the Department of Works and Railways in
1930. 49

1923 A provisional Parliament House

In August 1923, after considerable debate, the Parliament
agrees to build a provisional Parliament House:
In the accepted design for the lay-out of Canberra, the
site for Parliament House is fixed on Camp Hill,
practically at the apex of the triangle formed by
Commonwealth-avenue, Federal-avenue, and the
Molonglo River, within which triangle will be located
the whole of the Government offices.

In proposing a provisional Parliament House, the

Federal Capital Advisory Committee selected as a site
for such building an area slightly below and to the
north of the permanent site, holding that in such a

46 Federal Capital Administration: Report of the Royal Commission: 1. Issues relating to Mr Griffin, Melbourne, 15 March 1917, p. 4, accessed
13 June 2013.
47 Established by the Seat of Government (Administration) Act 1924, accessed 5 April 2013,
48 ‘History of the NCA’, National Capital Authority, accessed 5 April 2013.
49 National Capital Authority, Building Canberra to 1958, NCA Factsheet, accessed 5 April 2013.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 21

 Milestones Details Source Documents
position the provisional structure-assuming that the
general scheme of development of the accepted plan
is proceeded with-will front the Parliamentary
gardens, which, in the course of time, will be
beautified, so that the provisional building, placed as
they suggest, will enjoy all the advantages of that
amenity. It is also held that in such a position
Parliament House would be conveniently situated with
regard to the proposed administrative offices, and that
Parliamentary business will not be interfered with by
the building operations when the time comes to
proceed with the erection of the permanent structure
50
on Camp Hill.

1923 Construction commences

On 28 August 1923, the first sod for the provisional
Parliament House building designed by John Smith Murdoch
is turned by the Minister for Works and Railways, the Hon.
PG Stewart (VFU; CP from 1920; C PROG from 1926,
Member for Wimmera, Vic., 1919‒31):
The Parliament House now being commenced will
Prime Minister W M Hughes with
therefore be a provisional building, but it will in no
C S Daley Secretary to the Federal
way be a mean structure. While its design is on simple
Capital Advisory Committee and
and economic lines, it will be substantially constructed
P G Stewart Minister for Works
in brick and will be of a commodious and comfortable
and Railways on the site of
character, presenting a good appearance Parliament House
architecturally … The design includes garden courts,
and conforms to the general conception of Canberra in Image courtesy of Mildenhall
51 Collection, National Library of
the first stage as a garden city.
Australia and Museum of
Australian Democracy

Parliament House rear stairway

under construction, 1 January
1926

Image courtesy of Mildenhall

Collection, National Archives of
Australia and Museum of
Australian Democracy

50. House of Representatives, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works, Erection of the provisional Parliament House, Canberra, 19
July 1923, pp. xi‒xii, accessed 14 February 2013.
51. National Archives of Australia, Record No. A199, FC24/1174, cited in House of Representatives, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public
Works, Erection of the provisional Parliament House, Canberra, 19 July 1923, p. 13, accessed 14 February 2013.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 22

 Milestones Details Source Documents

1925 Aboriginal stone artefacts

An amateur collector, Henry Percival Moss, finds numerous
Aboriginal stone artefacts in the sand ridges along the
Molonglo River, including the site of the provisional
Parliament House. 52
Moss, who was responsible for establishing the first
electricity supply in Canberra in 1914, was the
Commonwealth’s Chief Electrical Engineer until 1942. 53
1925 Structures on Capital Hill
Temporary structures are built on Capital Hill to house
workers employed on Commonwealth construction projects
including the building of the provisional Parliament House. 54
The temporary structures are removed in 1966, although
the original concrete plan room constructed by Charles
Scrivener in 1909‒10 is left intact and survives on the site to Pastoral scene on Capitol [ie
the present day. 55 Capital] Hill, Canberra [with] St.
Andrew's Presbyterian Cathedral
Church in mid‒distance, [showing
sheep and mounted stockman,
Canberra, Australian Capital
Territory

Image courtesy of National

Library of Australia

1927 Provisional Parliament House opens

On 9 May 1927 the provisional Parliament House is opened
by His Royal Highness the Duke of York (later to become
King George VI). In his speech he states:
It is impossible not to be moved by the significance of
today’s events as a great landmark in the story of
Australia. I say this not only because today sees the
opening of a new Parliament House and marks the
inauguration of a new capital city, but more because
one feels the stirrings of a new birth, a quickened
national activity, of a fuller consciousness of your
destiny as one of the great self-governing units of the
56
British empire. Proclamation, Opening of
Parliament House, Canberra,
The building is designed by Chief Commonwealth 1927, (1927) Waterlow & Sons
Government architect, John Smith Murdoch, and is the first Limited, London
purpose-built home for the Australian Parliament. The
Image courtesy of Gifts

52. LL Gillespie, Aborigines of the Canberra region, Campbell, ACT, 1984, p. 14,
53. HP Moss Collection, National Museum of Australia, Museum Metadata Exchange, updated 30 May 2012, accessed 19 December 2012.
54. D Marshall, C Burton, A Grinbergs, C Johnston and J Donkin, W Nicholls, B O’Keefe and others, Parliament House Vista Heritage Management
Plan, Vol. 1, prepared for the National Capital Planning Authority, Canberra, 2010, p. 55, accessed 19 December 2012; National Capital
Authority, An ideal city? The 1912 competition to design Canberra, accessed 2 October 2012.
55. A Gugler, A story of Capital Hill, 2009.
56. House of Representatives, Debates, 9 May 1927, p. 2.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 23

 Milestones Details Source Documents
design is considered modern for its time, featuring square Collection, Parliament House Art
and circular motifs in the architecture and furniture Collection, Canberra, ACT
throughout the building. The construction workers and
building materials come from all parts of Australia. 57 Yangar
or Nangar, a Wiradjuri man also known as Jimmy Clements
or ‘King Billy’, attends the opening with a friend, Jim Noble,
after having walked barefoot for nearly a week from their
home near Gundagai. The police try to turn them away
because they are ‘not properly attired’, but the nearby
crowd give support and they are allowed inside the building
for the ceremony and Yangar is presented to the Duke and
Duchess of York. They are the first Aboriginal elders to enter Opening of Federal Parliament at
Parliament House. 58 Canberra, 9 May 1927, 1927‒28,
by William Beckwith McInnes
(1889‒1939)

Image courtesy of Historic

Memorials Collection, Parliament
House Art Collection, Canberra
ACT

Watch: The official opening of

[provisional Parliament House]
Canberra by His Royal Highness
th
the Duke of York: May 9 1927:
Paramount Special

Video courtesy of the National

Film and Sound Archive, No.
56926

1938 Planning the Australian Capital Territory

The Federal Capital Territory is renamed the Australian
Capital Territory and the National Capital Planning and
Development Committee (1938-1957) is established as an
advisory body to the Minister of the Interior. 59 Lacking in
power and influence, the Committee is often bypassed and
little building of consequence is undertaken.
Government concerns about lack of progress and deviation
from Griffin’s Canberra plan leads to the establishment in
1954 of a Senate Select Committee on the Development of
Canberra.

1949 Limited Representation in Parliament for the Australian

Capital Territory
Australian Capital Territory Representation Act 1948 gives
residents representation in the House of Representatives,
though the Member can vote only on matters directly
affecting the Territory. This remains the case until 1966. A
parallel Act, the Representation Act 1948, increases the size

57. ‘The building: design and construction’, Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House, accessed 12 December 2012.
58. Australian Museum, ‘Yangar: Jimmy Clements’, accessed 19 December 2012.
59. National Capital Authority, Building Canberra to 1958, NCA Factsheet, accessed 5 April 2013.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 24

 Milestones Details Source Documents
of the House of Representatives from 75 to 122 seats. Lewis
Nott (Herbert Qld 1925-1928, ACT 1949-1951) is elected as
the first member for the ACT.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 25

 Locating the permanent building, 1954‒1974
Milestones Details Source Documents

1954 Senate committee reports on Canberra Read: Report from the Senate
Select Committee appointed to
The Senate appoints a Select Committee in 1954 to inquire inquire into and report upon the
into and report on the development of Canberra. development of Canberra,
The committee report, published in September 1955, notes 28 September 1955
that ‘Canberra as a city is being built to a plan which looks
centuries ahead’. However it notes that, since the Public
Works Committee enquiry of 1923, ‘there seems to have
been very little thought in regard to Capital Hill’:
Burley Griffin’s plan for this area provided for a “Capitol”
on the summit, with residences for the Governor-
General on the one side, and the Prime Minister on the
other. Parliament House was to be on a lower level at
the head of the Government Triangle on the site known
as “Camp Hill”, in direct line with the axis running from
the “Capitol” to the summit of Mt. Ainslie….No
development has taken place in regard to this area,
except for the provision of temporary workmen’s
quarters and the laying of the foundation stones of the
commencement column in 1913, and it appears in the
60
centre of Canberra as a huge vacuum.

It recommends that ‘the permanent Parliament House should

not be constructed on Camp Hill where Griffin intended, but
on Capital Hill on the site allotted to the “Capitol”’, noting
that Griffin himself had considered such an alternative. The
Committee agrees with the former Prime Minister the Rt Hon.
WM Hughes’ view that Capital Hill, with its dominating views
of the city, should be the ‘most prominent architectural
feature in the lay-out of the city’:
Having regard to the architectural features of Rome,
Athens, Washington, and all the other great capital cities
of the world, the most important building in Canberra
should be that in which Parliament sits….Therefore the
dominating site at Canberra should be utilized for
61
Parliament House.

The Committee notes that modern earth moving equipment

has removed the difficulties cited in earlier criticisms of the
site. Pending development of the area, the Committee
recommends tree planting and landscape treatment to make
Capital Hill more attractive. It also recommends the
establishment of the National Capital Development
Commission, which is subsequently created in 1958.

60. The Senate, Report from the Select Committee appointed to inquire into and report upon the development of Canberra, Canberra,
September 1955, pp. 30‒31.
61. The Rt Hon.WM Hughes cited in The Senate, Report from the Select Committee appointed to inquire into and report upon the development
of Canberra, Canberra, September 1955, p. 79.

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1957 Holford’s lakeshore Parliament House

The Menzies Government commissions British architect and
town planner, Baron William Holford, to report on the
planning and development of Canberra.
Holford presents his Observations on the future of Canberra
to the Australian Parliament. His report is supported by the
Senate Select Committee, which endorses the concept of a
‘park like landscape…in the heart of Canberra, in which
monumental buildings functioned both as symbols of
government and of Australian unity’. His report also
recommends that:
• a permanent Parliament House be built on the banks of
Lake Burley Griffin rather than on Capital Hill
• the Land Axis is ‘too long and too uneventful to register
any marked impression on the beholder’, while a
lakeshore Parliament House will define the centre of the
Land Axis rather than being located at one end of it where
it would be ‘symbolically and actually out of place’
• the Parliament, as a democratic institution, should be
located among the people, rather than on top of a hill, and
• Capital Hill should be reserved as the site of a Royal
Pavilion. 62

1957 National Capital Development Commission

The National Capital Development Commission is

established by an Act of Parliament and begins operations
in 1958 under Commissioner John Overall. The NCDC
assumes responsibility for the planning and development
of Canberra including Lake Burley Griffin, Parliament
House and the new towns of Woden Valley, Weston
Creek, Belconnen, Tuggeranong and Gungahlin. It retains
responsibility for planning, construction and urban
development in Canberra until 1989. Sir John Overall
heads the organisation until 1972.

National Capital Development

Commission Act 1957

Image courtesy of National Archives

of Australia

Sir John Overall, Robin Boyd, Sir Daryl

Lindsay, Mr Peter Nixon and Mr John
Gorton look at the plan for the new
National Gallery in Canberra,
Australian News and Information
Bureau

62. W Holford, Observations on the future development of Canberra, ACT, 1957, p. 13.

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 Milestones Details Source Documents

Image courtesy of National Archives

of Australia

1959 Holford plan approved

In May 1959 the federal Cabinet approves Holford’s plan
for the centre of Canberra which includes the
development of Parliament House on the banks of Lake
Burley Griffin rather than on Capital Hill. Work
commences on aspects of Holford’s plan. On 10 March
1962 Prime Minister Robert Menzies officially opens Kings
Avenue Bridge, and the Scrivener Dam is completed in
September 1963, allowing the waters of the Molonglo
River to form Lake Burley Griffin 63

1960 Parliamentary Library separates from National Library of

Australia
With the passage of the National Library Act 1960, the
Parliamentary Library and the National Library of Australia
are formally separated and the National Library of
Australia moves into its own building in August 1968
whilst the Parliamentary Library remains in the Provisional
Parliament House to continue serving the Parliament and
moves to the permanent Parliament House in 1988.
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Library was originally
established in 1901 to serve both Commonwealth
Parliament and the nation. The Joint Parliamentary Library
Committee responsible for establishing the Parliamentary
Library stated its objective as:
…keeping before it the ideal of building up, for the
time when Parliament shall be established in the
Federal Capital, a great Public Library on the lines of
the world-famed Library of Congress at Washington;
such a library, indeed, as shall be worthy of the
Australian Nation; the home of the literature, not of
a State, or of a period, but of the world, and of all
64
time.

In 1927 the Library was relocated with the Parliament

63. W Holford, Observations on the future development of Canberra, ACT, 1957, p. 74.
64. Cited in National Library of Australia, History of the collection, accessed 9 January 2013.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 28

 Milestones Details Source Documents
from Melbourne to Canberra.

1963 Yirrkala Bark Petitions

The Yolngu people of Arnhem Land in the Northern
Territory send two bark petitions known as the Yirrkala
Bark Petitions to the Commonwealth Parliament.
The Yolngu prepare the petitions in response to the
Government’s removal of more than 300 square
kilometres of their land in Arnhem Land, Northern
Territory, to enable bauxite to be mined. A parliamentary
committee of inquiry acknowledges the rights of Yolngu as
set out in the petitions, and recommends to Parliament
that compensation be paid for loss of livelihood, that
sacred sites be protected, and that an ongoing
parliamentary committee monitor the mining project. The
petitioners turn to the Supreme Court in the Northern
Territory but their case also fails to achieve their objective. Yirrkala artists, Dhuwa moiety.
Whilst they are not the first claims to be made by Yirrkala Bark Petition 14.8.1963, 46.9
Indigenous groups, the Yirrkala bark petitions are the first x 21 cm, natural ochres on bark, ink
traditional documents to be recognised by the on paper
Commonwealth Parliament and, as such, they represent Image courtesy of Parliament House
documentary recognition of Indigenous people in Art Collection, Canberra ACT
Australian law. The Yirrkala Petitions are subsequently
displayed to the public in the permanent Parliament
House after the permanent Parliament House opens in
1988. 65

Yirrkala artists, Yirritja moiety,

Yirrkala Bark Petition 28.8.1963, 46.9
x 21 cm, natural ochres on bark, ink
on paper

Image courtesy of Parliament House

Art Collection, Canberra ACT

65. For further history and related documents, see Yirrkala bark petitions 1963 (Cth), Documenting a Democracy, National Archives of Australia,
accessed 29 August 2012.

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 Milestones Details Source Documents

Yolngu leaders Gallarwuy Yunupingu

(left) and Silas Roberts at Parliament
House in 1977 with Jeremy Long and
the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs,
THE Hon. Ian Viner (right), looking at
the two bark petitions presented to
the House of Representatives in
1963.
Image courtesy of National Archives
of Australia

1965 Permanent Parliament House inquiry

The Parliament establishes a Joint Select Committee to
inquire into ‘certain aspects of a new and permanent
Parliament House’. The Joint Select Committee receives a
large number of submissions and undertakes a study tour
of overseas parliament buildings. Its final report is
produced in April 1970. 66

1966 Full voting rights for the ACT

In 1966, full voting rights are conferred on the Member for
the Australian Capital Territory by the Australian Capital
Territory Representation Act 1966.

1968 Capital Hill versus lakeside Read: National Capital Development

Commission, The development of the
On 15 August 1968 Prime Minister the Rt Hon. John central area of Canberra including
Gorton (LP, Senator for Victoria, 1949‒68 and Member for aspects related to the new Parliament
Higgins, Vic., 1968‒75) moves: House, 1 January 1967
That this House is of the opinion that the new and
permanent Parliament House should be situated on
67
the lakeside site.

Gordon Bryant (ALP, Member for Wills, Vic., 1955‒80)

moves an amendment to omit the words ‘lakeside site’
and replace them with ‘Capital Hill’. 68 Debate resumes on
20 August and the vote is lost. On 27 August the Senate
transmits a Resolution to the House of Representatives

66. Joint Select Committee on a New and Permanent Parliament House, The proposed new and permanent Parliament House for the Parliament
of the Commonwealth of Australia, Parliamentary Paper No. 32/70, 8 April 1970, accessed 14 February 2013.
67. House of Representatives, Debates, 15 August 1968, accessed 5 February 2013.
68. House of Representatives, Debates, 15 August 1968, accessed 5 February 2013.

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 Milestones Details Source Documents
that ‘it is of the opinion that the new and permanent
Parliament House should be situated on Capital Hill’. 69
Debate is resumed again on 17 October and the vote is
again lost. 70On 26 November the Acting Speaker
announces that the matter of alternative sites for the
permanent Parliament House be referred to the Joint
Select Committee on the New and Permanent Parliament
House to report in three months. 71

1968 Nhulunbuy bark petition

A bark petition is tabled in the House of Representatives
on 8 October 1968. The petition, signed by sixteen men
and one woman, is attached to the back of the bark in
which they asked that the town be named Nhulunbuy. 72

1969 Camp Hill site selected Read: Joint Select Committee on the
new and permanent Parliament
On 30 April 1969, the Joint Select Committee on the New House: special report on the site,
and Permanent Parliament House submits its report on 1 August 1968
the alternative sites of Capital Hill and the Camp Hill area
to Parliament. 73 Read: Joint Select Committee on the
new and permanent Parliament
The report attracts a lengthy debate in both Houses and, House, Report on the alternative sites
in a rare free non-party vote, Senators and Members of Capital Hill and the Camp Hill area
decide against the proposal for a lakeside site and it is for the new and permanent
abandoned. The Joint Select Committee subsequently Parliament House, 30 April 1969
recommends to Parliament that the New and Permanent
Parliament House should be sited at Camp Hill, as
originally recommended by Walter Burley Griffin. 74 The
House of Representatives votes to agree with the
recommendation, whilst the Senate votes to disagree with
it. The Senate also votes against a joint sitting, and the
situation remains unresolved. Prime Minister the Rt Hon.
John Gorton (LP, Senator for Victoria, 1949‒68 and
Member for Higgins, Vic., 1968‒75) makes a ministerial
statement, stating that the position cannot be allowed to
remain unresolved because of the need for planning and
construction to commence. He states:
The Government, therefore, feeling that a decision
must be made, had decided to inform the National
Capital Development Commission that Camp Hill
75
would be the site of the new Parliament House.

1970 Architectural design competition Read: Joint Select Committee on the

69. House of Representatives, Debates, 27 August 1968, accessed 5 February 2013.

70. House of Representatives, Debates, 17 October 1968, accessed 5 February 2013.
71. House of Representatives, Debates, 26 November 1968, accessed 5 February 2013.
72. Australian Government, Bark petition (transcript) tabled in the House of Representatives, 8 October 1968, accessed 10 December 2012.
73. Joint Select Committee on a New and Permanent Parliament House, The proposed new and permanent Parliament House for the Parliament
of the Commonwealth of Australia, Parliamentary Paper No. 14/69, 30 April 1969, accessed 14 February 2013.
74. Senate, Debates, 29 May 1969, accessed 5 February 2013.
75. House of Representatives, Votes and Proceedings, 96, 29 May 1969, accessed 5 February 2013.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 31

 Milestones Details Source Documents
The Joint Select Committee on the New and Permanent new and permanent Parliament
Parliament House submits a comprehensive statement of House, Report on the proposed new
the Parliament’s requirements in a new building, which and permanent Parliament House for
forms the basis for the Brief for the Architectural Design the Parliament of the Commonwealth
Competition prepared for the Parliament House of Australia, 1 March 1970
Construction Authority by the National Capital
Development Commission, in consultation with the
Parliament and approved by the JSC.
The National Capital Development Commission was
established in 1958 to plan, develop and construct
Canberra as Australia’s national capital. Preparation of the
design brief is a complex and protracted task taking more
than two years. It includes information about the site and
operations of the Parliament, and its quality, accuracy and
completeness is widely acknowledged and used as a guide
for other important public projects in Australia and
overseas. 76

1971 Lakeside proposal abandoned

The proposal to build a lakeside parliament house is
abandoned, and the National Capital Development
Commission draws up new plans for a ‘National Place’
based on a vast plaza stretching from the proposed
Parliament House on Camp Hill to the southern shore of
Lake Burley Griffin, flanked by national buildings.
The plan requires the demolition of the provisional (Old)
Parliament House. The federal Cabinet rejects the
National Capital Development Commission plan, seeking a
more open vista with fewer buildings.

1972 Aboriginal Tent Embassy

On Australia Day 1972, Aboriginal people establish a ‘Tent
Embassy’ on the lawns in front of the provisional
Parliament House in response to a policy statement by
Prime Minister the Rt Hon. William McMahon (LP,
Member for Lowe, NSW, 1949‒82) announcing a new
form of lease for Aboriginal people. Aboriginal Tent Embassy outside
Parliament House, Canberra, 1974
The Embassy’s location opposite the provisional
Parliament House is controversial. It is removed and re- Image courtesy of National Archives
established several times until 1975. A second tent of Australia
embassy is established on Australia Day 1992—the 20th
anniversary of the first Embassy—after the Parliament
passes the first federal land rights law. It continues to be a
focus for Aboriginal protest in the Parliamentary Triangle
to the present day. 77

1972 Capital Hill site petition

76. Parliament House Construction Authority, Project Parliament: the management experience, Parliament House Construction Authority,
Canberra, March 1990, p. 52.
77. C Dow, ‘Aboriginal Tent Embassy: 40th anniversary 2012’, Flagpost, 19 January 2012, accessed 21 August 2012.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 32

 Milestones Details Source Documents
Gordon Bryant (ALP, Member for Wills, Vic., 1955‒80)
organises a petition to the House of Representatives on 17
May 1972, calling on the Speaker and Members to support
the 1955 report of the Senate Select Committee
recommending that the site of the permanent Parliament
House be on Capital Hill.
Clyde Cameron (ALP, Member for Hindmarsh, SA, 1949‒
80) recalls a speech he gave to the House on 17 October
1973:
I again spoke in favour of Capital Hill as being the
one site that would not result in the demolition of
what is now called Old Parliament House. I added to
my earlier list of those who had walked and talked
and thought in its chambers and its libraries, starting
with Bruce and ending with Whitlam. I then said
‘This is a building in which future historians will give
anything to stand in the place where stood these
great men.’ I said we should occupy Capital Hill and
not leave it for future bureaucrats to be sitting there
78
looking down on the Parliament.

1974 Capital Hill site confirmed

Following a protracted debate about the site for the new
building, the Parliament Act 1974 defines the
Parliamentary Zone and confirms Capital Hill as the site for
the permanent Parliament House. As architectural
historian Andrew Hutson notes in his 2011 Senate
Occasional Lecture:
Capital Hill and State Circle
The process for selecting an appropriate site for a
Image courtesy of ACT Heritage
new and permanent Parliament House (NPH) was
Library, Canberra Times Collection
complex, lengthy and involved arguments over a
number of decades on the merits of a range of Read: Parliamentary Library, A review
potential locations within the parliamentary triangle. and discussion on the siting of the
The final location would need to balance the history new and permanent Parliament
and status of the Griffin plan, the ambitions of House, 27 March 1974
parliamentarians and the sensitivities of a wary
79
Australian public.

1974 Parliamentary representation for the ACT

The passage of the Senate (Representation of Territories)
Act 1973 provides for the representation of the ACT, NT
and the Jervis Bay Territory in the Senate. The legislation
proves controversial. The Bill is cited as one of the grounds
for the Parliament’s double dissolution in 1974 and,
having been passed in a joint sitting later that year,

78. C Cameron, The siting of Parliament House on Capital Hill: divided opinion recalled, 1 December 2004, accessed 5 February 2013; House of
Representatives, Debates, 24 October 1973, accessed 5 February 2013.
79. A Hutson, ‘Square peg in a square hole: Australia’s Parliament House’, Papers on Parliament, Lectures in the Senate Occasional Lecture Series,
and other papers, 55, Department of the Senate, Canberra, February 2011, accessed 5 February 2013.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 33

 Milestones Details Source Documents
survives two challenges in the High Court. 80
The Australian Capital Territory (House of Representatives)
Act 1974 provides the ACT two seats in the House of
Representatives. The first member for the new division of
Fraser is Kenneth Fry (ALP, Fraser 1974-1984). Keppel
Enderby (ALP ACT 1970-1974, Canberra 1974-1975), who
holds the former ACT seat, is returned for Canberra, the
second new division.
Susan Ryan (ALP 1975-1988) and John Knight (LIB 1975-
1981) are elected as the first Senators for the ACT in the
1975 election.

80 H Evans and R Laing, eds, Odgers’ Australian Senate Practice, Thirteenth edn, Department of the Senate, Canberra, 2012, Chapter 4, accessed
20 June 2013.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 34

 Planning the building, 1975‒1978
Milestones Details Source Documents

1975 Joint Standing Committee on the New Parliament House

Parliament establishes a Joint Standing Committee on the
New and Permanent Parliament House as the client for the
planning, design and construction of the building. 81
The Committee produces a number of reports and
recommends that the designer be selected through an open
two-stage architectural competition. It also endorses a
timetable to complete the first stage of approximately 51 100
square metres of usable area by 26 January 1988, and the
second stage to be completed sometime after the year 2000.
During development of the competition brief, the Committee
acknowledges that the construction may be undertaken in
one major stage, and requests an overall master plan to
guide future expansion. 82

1977 The right to vote in referenda

On 21 May 1977 residents of the Northern Territory and the
Australian Capital Territory are given the right to vote in
constitutional elections following a successful referendum to
amend section 128 of the Constitution. The question gains a
YES vote in every state.

Constitution Alteration
(Referendums) Act 1977 (No. 84
of 1977)

Image courtesy of National

Archives of Australia

1977 Canberra exhibition

The National Capital Development Commission stages an
exhibition to illustrate how Canberra will be developed.
It includes impressions of a hypothetical scheme for
Parliament House on Capital Hill prepared by Canberra
architect, Bert Read. The scheme is on public display for
several weeks, and appears in published reports from the
Joint Standing Committee on the New and Permanent
Parliament House. 83

81. Parliament House Construction Authority, Project Parliament: the management experience, Parliament House Construction Authority,
Canberra, March 1990, p. 3.
82. Parliament of Australia, Joint Standing Committee on the New and Permanent Parliament House, AGPS, 1977‒81.
83. The New and Permanent Parliament House, Canberra, first report of the Committee on the New and Permanent Parliament House, Canberra,
AGPS, 1977.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 35

 Milestones Details Source Documents

1978 A permanent Parliament House

On 22 November 1978 Prime Minister the Rt Hon. Malcolm
Fraser (LP, Member for Wannon, Vic., 1955‒83) announces
that the building of a new Parliament House will proceed, to
be completed by Australia Day 1988 in the bicentennial year
of European settlement, at an estimated cost of $151
million. 84

84. House of Representatives, Debates, 22 November 1978, accessed 12 February 2013.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 36

 The design competition, 1979‒1981
Milestones Details Source Documents

1979 Parliament House Construction Authority

The Parliament House Construction Authority is established by the
Parliament House Construction Authority Act 1979 in March 1979 as
the advisory authority on behalf of the Parliament. Its role is ‘to
undertake and carry out the design and construction of Parliament
House’.

1979 International design competition

In April 1979 the National Capital Development Commission
announces an architectural competition for the design of the New
Parliament House.
After consultation with the Royal Australian Institute of Architects
and the National Capital Development Commission, the Parliament
House Construction Authority issues a brief and competition
documents including formal guidelines called Conditions for a Two
Stage Competition. Key aspects of the brief include:
Parliament House must be more than a functional building. It
should become a major national symbol, in the way that the
spires of Westminster or Washington's Capitol dome have
become known to people all over the world. Strength and
originality of image will determine the extent to which the
building becomes associated in people's minds with national
politics....It is important that the building reflect the significance
of the national Parliament and Executive Government in the
Australian political and social context. The extent to which the
building asserts this significance is related to questions of scale
and monumentality. Careful consideration should be given to
the implications of the scale and monumentality of the design...

The building and site treatment should respond to those

qualities of environment which are uniquely Australian - climate,
landscape, vegetation and quality of light....The philosophy
which the building expresses, and its popular success, will
depend in part on the extent to which public access and
involvement is encouraged by the design. Parliament House
should not appear remote and inaccessible. Access to both the
site and the building should be facilitated. Within the building,
connotations of a 'people's Parliament' and 'open government'
will be established if people can penetrate the building and
85
observe its operation.

85. Parliament House Canberra: Competition Brief and Conditions, vol. 1. Canberra, Parliament House Construction Authority, May 1979.

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 Milestones Details Source Documents

1979 Design competition finalists

On 5 April 1979 Parliament clears the first-stage competition
documents and architects registered in Australia are invited to
register for the competition. 86
By the time registrations close on 31 May, 961 applications have
been received for the first stage of the design competition. A total of
329 entries are submitted from 28 countries by the 31 August
closing date for the Stage One competition. Of these, 10 finalists are
identified with five invited to go through to Stage Two of the
competition while five prize-winners are recognised but do not
proceed in the competition.

1979 Second Stage Competition Read: J Overall, J Andrews

and G Evans, The Parliament
The Second Stage Competition for designing Parliament House of the Commonwealth of
commences in November 1979. Australia: Parliament House
The five first-stage finalists are Bickerdike Allen Partner (London); two stage design
Denton Corker Marshall Pty Limited (Melbourne); Edwards Madigan competition assessors’ final
Torzillo Briggs International (North Sydney); Mitchell/Giurgola & report, 1 June 1980
Thorp (New York); and Christopher Waite (British Columbia). The
finalists are given a sum of money to assist in preparing the second-
stage submission which requires detailed plans and models. The
entrants are expected to demonstrate that they have the expertise
and ability necessary to complete the design process. 87

1980 Winning design Read: Parliament House

design competition: report
On 26 June 1980 New York-based architectural company by the Parliament House
Mitchell/Giurgola & Thorp is announced as the winner of Stage Two Construction Authority on
of the Parliament House design competition. winner’s design, 1 July 1980
The assessors’ report on the winning scheme notes its
unpretentiousness and accessibility where children ‘will not only be
able to climb on the building but draw it easily too’. 88 According to
the architect, Romaldo Giurgola:
The magic relationship between geometry and land
configurations of that plan, after that, often became the object
of my architectural dreams. The brief for the design of the
parliament compiled by the NCDC was possibly the best I had
ever encountered in my professional career. I plunged into
Australian literature rather than into guides and travelogues.
Patrick White, Miles Franklin, Henry Lawson and Les Murray
became my real instructors, while the sonorous voice and
accent of Richard Thorp, the Australian in our office, produced

86. Parliament House Canberra: Competition Brief and Conditions, vol. 1. Canberra, Parliament House Construction Authority, May 1979,
Chronology, pp. ix‒xi.
87. A Hutson, ‘Square peg in a square hole: Australia’s Parliament House’, Papers on Parliament, Lectures in the Senate Occasional Lecture Series,
and other papers, No. 55, Department of the Senate, Canberra, February 2011, accessed 5 February 2013.
88. A Hutson, ‘Square peg in a square hole: Australia’s Parliament House’, Papers on Parliament, Lectures in the Senate Occasional Lecture Series,
and other papers, No. 55, Department of the Senate, Canberra, February 2011, accessed 5 February 2013.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 38

 Milestones Details Source Documents
89
the right atmosphere.

The winning architectural team is responsible for the design

conception, siting and architecture, as well as the interior design,
furniture design, landscape, and coordination of the art and craft
program for Parliament House. 90 Romaldo Giurgola, moves to
Canberra to implement his design, bringing a team of eight people
from the New York office. Four of the team, including Romaldo
Giurgola, stay in Australia after the project’s completion. 91

1980 Turning the first sod

The Prime Minister the Rt Hon. Malcolm Fraser (LP, Member for
Wannon, Vic., 1955‒83) turns the first sod on the site of the New
Parliament House on 18 September 1980. 92

Prime Minister the Rt Hon.

Malcolm Fraser addresses
guests at the ceremony to
turn the first sod for
construction of the new and
permanent Parliament
House, Capital Hill, Canberra

Image courtesy of National

Archives of Australia

1980 Construction phase approved

On 28 August 1980 the House of Representatives approves the
proposal from the Parliament House Construction Authority for the
construction on Capital Hill of a new and permanent Parliament
House. 93

1981 Schematic design presented to House

On 18 August 1981 the Hon. Michael Hodgman QC (LP, Member for
Denison, Tas., 1975‒87), Minister for the Capital Territory, presents
the sixth report of the Joint Standing Committee on the New and
Permanent Parliament House relating to the revised design brief and
to the schematic design. He states:
It is my hope that this report and a separate report by the Joint
Standing Committee on the New Parliament House will result in
Parliament's agreeing to proceed with the construction of this

89. National Capital Authority, ‘Parliament House’, Capital Facts, accessed 8 February 2013.
90. R Giurgola, Submission, 27 July 2011, to Senate Standing Committees on Finance and Public Administration, Interim Report: The performance
of the Department of Parliamentary Services, 27 June 2012, accessed 5 September 2012.
91. P Cotton, ‘A symbol built to last’, About the House, August 2005, p. 32, accessed 22 August 2012.
92. Parliament House Construction Authority, Project Parliament: the management experience, Parliament House Construction Authority,
Canberra, March 1990.
93. House of Representatives, Debates, 28 August 1980, accessed 12 February 2013.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 39

 Milestones Details Source Documents
exciting and much needed building. The design has been Untitled (Prime Minister
acclaimed as a building for the 21st century and beyond and will Malcolm Fraser with shovel
be the focal point for world attention when it is completed. It and the pouring of cement
will be a measure of Australia's standing not only in architecture at Parliament House
94 construction site),
but also as a developed nation.
Parliament House Art
Collection, Canberra ACT,
No. 06/0082.015

Image courtesy of
Parliament House Art
Collection, Canberra ACT

94. House of Representatives, Debates, 18 August 1981, p. 27, accessed 12 February 2013.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 40

 Construction of Parliament House, 1981‒1988
Milestones Details Source Documents

1981 Pouring the first concrete

An exhibition centre opens to the public in October 1981 and the
Prime Minister the Rt Hon. Malcolm Fraser (LP, Member for
Wannon, Vic., 1955‒83) pours the first concrete in November,
marking the start of the construction phase.
Due to the length of time taken for the design competition, the
timeframe for construction is compressed and the Parliament
House Construction Authority adopts a ‘fast track’ process
whereby the design and construction processes are undertaken
concurrently. This is an unusual arrangement, and puts pressure
on the architects to keep ahead of construction. 95

1981 Construction begins

Major earthworks begin on the New Parliament House building,
with plans to complete it by Australia Day in 1988 in the
bicentennial year of European settlement in Australia.
The building area comprises 7.5 hectares within a 32-hectare
site, is the largest construction site in the Southern Hemisphere
Commonwealth Avenue from
at this time. Ten thousand Australians are involved in its
Capital Hill, 1981
construction—many still return periodically to celebrate their
work. 96 Image courtesy of National
Library of Australia

1982 Art Advisory Committee appointed

An Art Advisory Committee is appointed in February 1982, and
an ethos is developed for the building. 97
During construction, artists, craftspeople and fabricators
collaborate closely with the architects and the Parliament House
Construction Authority in a program to design and install some
70 separate works in metal, timber, clay, glass, fabric and stone,
each devised for a particular location. 98 As the architect
Romaldo Giurgola describes it:
There must be a slow and deliberate fusion of the spaces,
materials and surfaces into an environment in which all
elements read together in a rich and mutually descriptive
way….an integral part of the process of development of the
99
interior design.

The Parliament House Art Collection evolves into a major public

collection of significant heritage value, created specifically for

95. Parliament House Construction Authority, Ring the Bells, 31 August 1990, accessed 12 February 2013,
96. History of Parliament House, Parliament of Australia, accessed 9 August 2012.
97. Parliament House Construction Authority, Project Parliament: the management experience, Parliament House Construction Authority,
Canberra, March 1990.
98. Parliament of Australia, Architectural commissions, accessed 21 August 2012; Parliament of Australia, Foyer marquetry, accessed 21 August
2012.
99. Cited in Expressing Australia: art in Parliament House, Parliament House Construction Authority, Barton ACT, 1988, p. 6.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 41

 Milestones Details Source Documents
Parliament House, and containing a number of sub-collections.

1982 Non-building items authorised

In July 1982 the Parliament House Construction Authority is
authorised to undertake non-building items including
communications and security equipment, artworks and furniture
and furnishings, with an estimated budget of $82 million.

1983 Open Days

In January 1983 the Parliament House Construction Authority
conducts the first of nine public Site Open Days. 100

Untitled (visitors inside building

under construction)
Image courtesy of Parliament
House Art Collection, Canberra
ACT

1983 Foundation stone laid

On 4 October 1983 Prime Minister the Hon. Bob Hawke (ALP,
Member for Wills, Vic., 1980‒92) lays the foundation stone for
the new building.

Bob Hawke at Foundation Stone

ceremony at new Parliament
House

Image courtesy of National

Archives of Australia

Untitled (Prime Minister Bob

Hawke laying the foundation
stone with mallet, Parliament

100. Expressing Australia: art in Parliament House, Parliament House Construction Authority, Barton ACT, 1988, p. 6.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 42

 Milestones Details Source Documents
House)

Image courtesy of Parliament

House Art Collection, Canberra
ACT

1983 Forecourt mosaic commissioned

The architects, Mitchell/Giurgola & Thorp, commission the
Forecourt mosaic, one of a number of architectural commissions
for the new building.
The mosaic is designed by Indigenous artist Kumantye Jagamara
[Tjakamarra], a leading artist from the Papunya
community of the Northern Territory. The design of the mosaic
is based on his painting Possum and Wallaby Dreaming. It
‘describes a gathering of a large group of people from the
kangaroo, wallaby and goanna ancestors. The groups are Untitled (a construction worker
meeting to talk and to enact ceremonial obligations. The work hosing the completed Michael
derives from the sand-painting tradition of the Warlpiri people, Nelson Jagamara mosaic in
forecourt of Parliament House)
and has complex layers of meaning known only to Warlpiri
elders’. The mosaic takes stonemasons William McIntosh, Franco Image courtesy of Parliament
Colussi and Aldo Rossi 18 months to complete. 101 According to House Art Collection, Canberra
the architects: ACT

Both the imagery and style of the Papunya painters are

especially appropriate to this location, since the
iconography of their paintings is frequently one of
itineraries through the landscape, of special powers
associated with particular places, and of moments of
102
meeting and coming together.

1983 Increase in size of Houses

With the passage of the Representation Act 1983, the number of
senators is increased to 12 for each original state (effective from
the December 1984 election), and the membership of the House
is increased from 125 to 148.
Section 24 of the Constitution (known as the nexus provision)
provides that the number of members of the House of
Representatives must be twice the number of senators, or as
near as practicable. This ensures that the House of
Representatives does not become disproportionately large in
relation to the Senate. The Parliament has legislated only twice
since Federation (in 1948 and 1983 respectively) to change the
number of members in both Houses. Redistributions increase
the number of members to 150 from the 2001 general
election. 103

101. ‘Forecourt mosaic’, Parliament of Australia website, accessed 12 February 2013.

102. Mitchell/Giurgola and Thorp, Report on the Conceptual Basis of the Art Program for New Parliament House, 1983.
103. BC Wright, ed, House of Representatives Practice, sixth edn, Chapter 4: Parliament House and access to proceedings, Chapter 3: Elections and
the electoral system, p. 87, accessed 11 February 2013.

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 Milestones Details Source Documents

1984 Strike by construction workers

Workers on the New Parliament House construction site strike
for 14 weeks between February and May 1984 over negotiations
on the Site Agreement. 104

1984 Provisional Parliament House saved

In May 1984 the Joint Standing Committee on the New and
Permanent Parliament House recognises the provisional
Parliament House’s heritage values and recommends that it not
be demolished. The chief architect, Romaldo Giurgola, strongly
supports this view. The Committee notes that ‘a major part of
Australia’s post-Federation political history has been written in
the building and it has a further useful life’. Its Report on the
Future Use of the Provisional Parliament House recommends
that the building not be demolished:
The most appropriate future use would be as a museum
related to the Australian Constitution, Federation and the
105
Commonwealth Parliament.

The building is subsequently added to the Commonwealth

Heritage List in 2004 and the National Heritage List in 2006. Its
national heritage significance includes its place in the
development of Australia as a nation from its opening in 1927
until the opening of the new Parliament House in 1988, including
landmark national legislation and political events shaping
Australian society. 106 On 9 May 2009, Old Parliament House
opens to the public as the Museum of Australian Democracy.

1984 Provisional Parliament house extensions

Extensions are approved in July 1984 for the provisional
Parliament House to provide an additional 24 senators’ and 30
members’ suites, following an increase in representation in the
Senate and House of Representatives. 107
Space is at a premium. By 1983 some 3000 people are working in
the building, with more than half being accommodated in
various former hostels and other nearby buildings. In 1984, two
verandahs at the front of the building are enclosed to provide
extra office space. In 1985 an annex is built in the House of
Representatives gardens to provide additional

104. Parliament House Construction Authority, Project Parliament: the management experience, Parliament House Construction Authority,
Canberra, March 1990.
105. Joint Standing Committee on the New Parliament House, Report on the future use of the provisional Parliament House, Parliamentary Paper
No. 317/84, May 1984, Paragraph 4.13 and Recommendation 3, accessed 12 February 2013.
106. The full National Heritage List citation is contained in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, Amendment to Special Gazette No. S100, 20
June 2006, accessed 13 February 2013.
107. Joint Standing Committee on the New Parliament House, Report on the future use of the provisional Parliament House, Parliamentary Paper
No. 317/84, May 1984, Paragraph 4.13 and Recommendation 3, accessed 12 February 2013.

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 Milestones Details Source Documents
accommodation. 108 According to Senator the Hon. John Button
(ALP, Senator for Victoria, 1974‒93):
In Parliament House members work in small crowded rooms
painted in Education Department cream and furnished with
uniform carpets, railway station furniture, a tramways clock,
and an elaborately complex system of division bells
designed, one suspects, by Thomas Edison….Apart from
cramped physical conditions a member is constantly subject
to the hazards of air and noise pollution—the former from a
ferocious central heating system which dries the throat and
saps the energy (one suspects a hidden malevolent hand),
and the latter from the ubiquitous division bells. In my own
case relief from the central heating is provided only by a
heavy shower of rain, which pours through the roof of my
office, necessitating the removal of books and papers and
109
their replacement by buckets.

1984 Great Hall tapestry commissioned

Renowned Australian artist, Arthur Boyd (1920‒99), is
commissioned by the Parliament House Construction Authority
to create a painting as the design for a tapestry to hang in the
Great Hall.
The architectural vision for the Great Hall—a space intended for
ceremonial and state occasions— is for it to convey a sense of
Great Hall Tapestry (1984‒
the Australian land emphasising the importance of the physical
1988), artist: by Arthur BOYD
environment in shaping Australian values. Boyd produces three
(1920‒1999), interpretation and
large canvases, one-quarter the scale of the finished tapestry, as
execution: Victorian Tapestry
designs for the commission. Untitled (Shoalhaven Landscape) Workshop (est. 1976) Wool,
1984 is selected as the design, and the Victorian Tapestry mercerised cotton and linen
Workshop in Melbourne is chosen to create the tapestry based weft on a seine warp, 9m x 20m
on Arthur Boyd’s design. It is one of the largest tapestries in the
world, and takes a team of 13 weavers two and a half years to Image courtesy of Parliament
complete the work. 110 Halley's Comet (Comet Halley), which is House Art Collection, Canberra,
visible in the southern hemisphere in late 1985 and early 1986, is ACT
incorporated into the tapestry during the weaving process with
the approval of the artist. Whilst it does not appear in the
original painting, the artist adds a brushstroke to show where
Halley's Comet is located in the tapestry, and to indicate his
approval.

1984 Parliament House Art Collection

The Art Advisory Committee commences collecting, with the
major purchasing of artworks taking place between 1985 and
1987.

108. Commonwealth of Australia, Old Parliament House and curtilage: Heritage management plan 2008‒13, 12 November 2008, p. 290, accessed
13 February 2013,
109. J Button, ‘Federal Parliament: Decision making in a bizarre working environment’, in H Mayer and H Nelson, eds, Australian politics: a fifth
reader, Longman Cheshire Pty Ltd, Melbourne, 1980, pp.223‒4. Edited version of a paper delivered at the 48th ANZAAS Congress, 2
September 1977.
110. Parliament of Australia, Great Hall Tapestry, accessed 21 August 2012.

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 Milestones Details Source Documents
The works form part of the Parliament House Art Collection
which, by 2012, contains over 6000 art and craft works
showcasing the work of emerging Australian artists and
reflecting aspects of Australian culture, character and identity. 111

1986 Budget cuts and reinstatement

In August 1986 the Government directs the Parliament House
Construction Authority to reduce expenditure on the new
Parliament House by $43.3 million. 112
The reduced budget results in a reduction in the landscape
program and in the acquisition of commissioned art works. In
1987 $5 million is reinstated to the budget for landscape works,
and another $5 million transferred from furniture to landscape.
In the following year, a budget of $9.3 million is established for
the post-construction phase. 113

1987 New Speaker’s chair

On 6 October 1987, the Speaker, the Hon. Joan Child (ALP,
Member for Henty, Vic., 1974‒5 and 1980‒90), advises the
House of Representatives that the Joint Standing Committee on
the New Parliament House Parliament had decided that the
Speaker’s Chair should not be transferred from the provisional
Parliament House to the new building. Speaker’s Chair crafted by David
Upfill-Brown, using Australian
The Speaker presents the Committee’s reasons for reconsidering
grey box timber with Tasmanian
its earlier decision, stating that: black-hearted sassafras and six
This chair was a gift from the United Kingdom branch of the types of Australian wattle
Empire Parliamentary Association. It is a replica of the Image courtesy of AUSPIC
original chair designed for the House of Commons chamber
and contains timber from the Westminster Hall and from
Nelson's flagship, HMS Victory. Presented in 1926, it has
served as the Speaker's chair in this chamber for the whole
of Parliament's occupation of this building. In doing so, the
chair has become the central piece of this particular
chamber, without which, I suggest, the chamber could
become just another room. The design brief for the new
Parliament House drew attention to the possibility that
certain items might be transferred to the new building. One
of these was the Speaker's chair. I have no doubt that in
considering the matter last year the Joint Standing
Committee made its decision to transfer the chair on the
basis of tradition and the symbolic link with the
Westminster Parliament.

In reviewing the decision, the Committee recognised these

111. Parliament of Australia, Rotational Collection, accessed 21 August 2012.

112. Commonwealth of Australia, Joint Standing Committee on the New Parliament House, New Parliament House project—statement on cost
savings, Parliamentary Paper No. 42/87, 26 February 1987, accessed 13 February 2013.
113. Parliament of Australia, Estimates Committee E, 20 October 1988, Department of Administrative Services, Program 18: Parliament House
Construction Authority, accessed 12 February 2013.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 46

 Milestones Details Source Documents
points; however, it also recognised the significance of
preserving the integrity of the current chamber. It was felt
that removal of the chair would completely destroy the
character of the chamber and diminish its value as an
historical testament to Australia's parliamentary
development from 1927 to 1988. In this context it should be
noted that in 1984 the Joint Standing Committee
recommended that, after its vacation by the Parliament,
this building should become a museum related to the
Australian Constitution, Federation and the Commonwealth
Parliament.

The new Parliament House will be a contemporary building,

reflecting Australia's current traditions and values. It will
incorporate a great deal of Australian skill, craftsmanship
and materials. This will be particularly so in the two
legislative chambers. Construction of the new building
presents the opportunity for design and fabrication of a
new chair in keeping with the distinctly Australian character
114
of the new chamber.

The Committee’s decision is opposed by some members on the

grounds that the transfer of the Speaker’s Chair to the new
building would symbolise the continuity of the Parliament and
provide a visible link with the provisional Parliament House.

114. House of Representatives, Debates, 6 October 1987, pp. 754‒5.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 47

 The official opening, 1988
Milestones Details Source Documents

1988 Building handed over

Areas of the new building are progressively handed over to
the Parliament from January 1988. 115

1988 Barunga Statement

The Barunga Statement is presented to the Prime Minister
the Hon. Bob Hawke (ALP, Member for Wills, Vic., 1980‒92)
on 7 January 1988 at the annual Barunga Festival.
The Barunga Statement comprises two bark paintings with
text calling for ‘Aboriginal self-management, a national
system of land rights, compensation for loss of lands, respect
for Aboriginal identity, an end to discrimination, and the
granting of full civil, economic, social and cultural rights’. 116 Galarrwuy Yunupingu AM (born 1948) Gumatj
The Barunga Statement is now held in the Parliament House peoples, Marrirra Marawii (c.1937-2018)
Madarrpa peoples, Bakulangay Marawili
Art Collection. (1944-2002) Madarrpa peoples, Djambawa
Marawili AM (born 1953) Madarrpa peoples,
Dula Ngurruwuthun (1936-2001) Munyuku
peoples, Djewiny Ngurruwuthun (c.
1940-2001) Munyuku peoples, Lindsay Turner
Jampijinpa (1951-2009) Warlpiri peoples, Mr D
Williams Japanangka (1948-2013) Warlpiri
peoples, Wenten Rubuntja AM (c. 1926-2005)
Arrernte peoples

Barunga Statement, 1988

natural pigments on composition board with
collage of printed text on paper
Presented by Central and Northern Land
Councils to former Prime Minister, The Hon
Bob Hawke AC, 1988
Gifts Collection, Parliament House Art
Collection, Photography by Auspic

1988 Foundation stones relocated

On Canberra Day held on 12 March 1988, a ceremony is
conducted to commemorate the relocation of the
Commencement Column Monument (also known as the
Commemoration Stone) on Capital Hill.
The monument was originally designed to have a 20 metre
column to signify the Commonwealth. It was to be erected on
a hexagonal base comprising six granite blocks, one from each
of the original States of the Commonwealth, on the land axis
between Capital Hill and Camp Hill. Whilst the column was
never completed, the hexagonal base was constructed and,
on 12 March 1913, three foundation stones were laid, by the
then Governor-General Lord Denman, the Prime Minister
Andrew Fisher, and the Minister of Home Affairs the Hon.
King O’Malley, to commemorate the founding and naming of
Canberra as the national capital.
In 1981 the 63 stones making up the monument were

115. Parliament House Construction Authority, Project Parliament: the management experience, Parliament House Construction Authority,
Canberra, March 1990, p. 52.
116. I Howie-Willis, ‘Barunga’, in D Horton, ed, The encyclopaedia of Aboriginal Australia: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, society and
culture, Vol. 1, Aboriginal Studies Press for the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, 1994, p. 103.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 48

 Milestones Details Source Documents
removed from Capital Hill and stored prior to the
commencement of excavation work for the new Parliament
House. Following a Joint Standing Committee
recommendation in 1987, the Commencement Column
monument is relocated ‘on the land axis immediately north of
the parade ground associated with the new Parliament
House’. 117 During the relocation ceremony, three new
plaques are added to the monument as follows:
Beneath Sir Thomas Denman’s inscription:
This plaque was unveiled by His Excellency the Right
Honourable Sir Ninian Stephens, AK, GCNG, GCVO, KBE,
Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia on
12 March 1988 to commemorate the relocation of this
monument.

Beneath Andrew Fisher inscription:

This plaque was unveiled by the Honourable RJL Hawke,
AC, MP, Prime Minister on 12 March 1988 to
commemorate the relocation of this monument.

Beneath King O'Malley's inscription:

This plaque was unveiled by the Honourable Gary Punch,
MP, Minister for the Arts and Territories on 12th March
1988 to commemorate the relocation of this
118
monument.

On 12 March 2013, a formally ceremony is held to mark 100

years since the original ceremony in which Canberra was
named by Lady Denman.

1988 Legislative framework for APH

The Parliamentary Precincts Act 1988 (assented to on 5 April
1988) provides the legislative framework for the control and
management, including management and repair, of
Parliament House subject to any order of either House.
The Act, as amended, formalises the authority of the
Presiding Officers to manage and control the parliamentary
precincts, and describes the role of the Australian Federal
Police (AFP), the Australian Parliamentary Service (APS), and
the Director of Public Prosecutions within the parliamentary
precincts. The Australian Constitution provides for the
separation of powers between the parliament and the
executive. Police, as agents of the executive, have no special
rights or privileges within the precincts. As House of
Representatives Practice states:

117. Commonwealth of Australian, Joint Standing Committee on the New Parliament House, Report relating to proposed works in the
Parliamentary zone: Commencement Column Monument, Parliamentary Paper No. 213/87, 30 October 1987, accessed 13 February 2013.
118. National Trust Register of Significant Places citation, Commencement Column Monument (Commemoration Stone), Foundation Stones of the
Commencement Column, 13 November 1998.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 49

 Milestones Details Source Documents
For most practical purposes, Parliament House is regarded as
the only place of its kind, and one in which the two Houses
through their presiding officers have exclusive jurisdiction.
Thus in parliament, the police are subject to the authority of
the Speaker and President and their powers are limited by the
powers and privileges of the respective Houses. 119

1988 Opening of permanent Parliament House Watch: Speech by Queen

Elizabeth II on 9 May 1988
During Australia’s bicentenary celebrations Queen Elizabeth
II, Queen of Australia and Head of the Commonwealth, opens Video courtesy of DPS
the New Parliament House on 9 May 1988. Broadcasting, Parliament House

The building is Australia’s first permanent Parliament House

since Federation and the proclamation of the Commonwealth
of Australia in 1901. 120 It is located on Capital Hill, above the
provisional Parliament House opened by the Queen’s father
and mother in 1927. 121 In her opening speech, Queen
Elizabeth II describes the significance of the permanent
Parliament House: Opening of Parliament House by
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
This is a special occasion for the Parliament, but it is also on 9 May 1988 (1994), by Marcus
a very important day for all the people of Australia. After Beilby (1951)
eighty-seven years of Federation, a permanent home has
Image courtesy of Historic
been provided for Parliament, which is both the living
Memorials Collection, Parliament
expression of that Federation and the embodiment of
House Art Collection, Canberra
the democratic principles of freedom, equality and
ACT
justice….This new Parliament House will become the
work place for the men and women into whose hands
Australians choose to place legislative and executive
responsibility. The chambers will become the centres for
debate on all the pressing issues of government, and
future generations of Australians will look to those who
work here for national security, wise legislation and fair
122
administration.

1988 Prime Minister’s speech at opening Watch: Prime Minister the Hon.
Bob Hawke speaking at the
Prime Minister the Hon. Bob Hawke (ALP, Member for Wills, opening of the New Parliament
Vic., 1980‒92) gives an official speech to mark the opening of House, Canberra
the New Parliament House:
Video courtesy of DPS
…this building will become for our nation both the forum Broadcasting, Parliament House
for our differences and the instrument of our unity—a
building for all Australians, a Parliament reflecting the
diversity of our entire society and responding to the
123
needs of the whole community.

119. BC Wright, ed, House of Representatives Practice (sixth edn), Chapter 4: Parliament House and access to proceedings, p. 129, accessed 12
January 2013.
120. The opening of Parliament, Senate Brief No. 2, May 2011, accessed 9 August 2012,
121. National Archives of Australia, Australia’s Prime Ministers Timeline, accessed 30 August 2012.
122. The official website of the British Monarchy, ‘The Queen marks Australia’s bicentenary’, 9 May 1988, accessed 20 September 2012.
123. Prime Minister the Hon. Bob Hawke, Speech at the opening of the new Parliament House, Canberra, 9 May 1988, accessed 2 October 2012.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 50

 Milestones Details Source Documents

The Hon. Robert (Bob) JL Hawke

AC, 1992 by Bill Leak (1956‒)

Image courtesy of Historic

Memorials Collection, Parliament
House Art Collection, Canberra
ACT

1988 Indigenous protest at opening of building

During the opening ceremony of the New Parliament House
on 9 May 1988, Indigenous people and their supporters
mount a noisy protest in view of the Forecourt.
Former Liberal Minister and later leader of the Australian
Democrats in the Senate, Don Chipp (LP, AD, Member for
Higinbotham, Vic., 1960–9, Hotham, Vic., 1969–77; Senator
for Victoria, 1978–86) observes:
I began to realise that a rather wonderful thing was
taking place. In how many other countries on this planet
would such a hostile open exhibition of dissent be
allowed to proceed in full view of the reigning monarch?
In a rather strange way, this outside phenomenon
seemed to give real meaning to the many references
being made to democracy in the speeches being
124
delivered inside.

1988 Architect’s vision

In the program for the opening of Parliament House, architect
Romaldo Giurgola describes how the building is intended to
be read:
The site of the new Parliament House is at a vital point of
confluence which completes the geometry of the plan of
Canberra. As conceived by Walter Burley Griffin in 1912,
the plan is one of intense order which at the same time
125
preserves a pliable and enfolding landscape.
Aerial of New Parliament House

124. D Chipp, ‘Protests at House a source of pride’, Sunday Telegraph, 15 May 1988, cited in S Bennett, Parliament House and the Australian
people, Research paper no. 29, Parliamentary Library, 7 May 2008, p. 28, accessed 9 August 2012.
125. J Warden, A bunyip democracy: the Parliament and Australian political identity, Australian Parliamentary Fellowship Monograph, 1 January
1995, p. 36, accessed 12 February 2013.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 51

 Milestones Details Source Documents
He later reflects on the importance of the design in expressing on opening day, 1988
the relationship between the building and the people: Image courtesy of National
We felt if Australia’s new Parliament House was to speak Archives of Australia
honestly about its purpose, it could not be built on top of
the hill as this would symbolise government imposed
upon the people. The building should nest with the hill,
symbolically rise out of the Australian landscape, as true
126
democracy rises from the state of things.

1988 International recognition

The building is recognised as a major international
achievement in the integration of art and architecture, and
features numerous commissioned artworks built into the
fabric of the building.
Romaldo Giurgola is awarded the Royal Australian Institute of
Architects Gold Medal, and Parliament House subsequently Aldo Giurgola 2005 by Mandy
wins numerous awards for excellence including the Royal Martin, ochre, pigment and oil on
Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA) National Sir Zelman linen
Cowan Award 1989; Canberra Medallion, RAIA, (ACT Chapter) National Portrait Gallery,
1989; Civic Design Award (Art/Craft/Program), RAIA, (ACT Canberra
Chapter) 1991; Canberra Medallion (Water Feature in
Listen: Extract of interview with
Parliament House Forecourt), RAIA, ACT Chapter, 1991; Highly
Romaldo Giurgola. Interview
Commended, Building and Civil Design, Engineering
conducted by Professor Manning
Excellence Award, (Flagmast Structure) 1989; Special Mention
Clark and Heather Rusden
for Outstanding Structures, Federation Internationale de la between 18 March and
Précontrainte, Hamburg, 1990; BHP Australian Steel 14 October1989
Construction Award, (Flagmast Structure), 1989; Tucker
Award of Design Excellence (Landscape); Building Stone Recording courtesy of National
Institute, New York, 1990; Honour Award, American Society of Library of Australia
Landscape Architects, 1992. The building is also nominated by
the RAIA to the International Union of Architects’ World
Register of Significant Twentieth Century Australian
Architecture. 127 In 1989 Mr Giurgola is interviewed about his
views on architecture and his experiences in designing
Parliament House.

1988 Last sitting of Senate in provisional Parliament House

The Senate sits for the last time in the provisional Parliament
House on 2 June 1988. The President of the Senate, Senator
the Hon. Kerry Sibraa (ALP, Senator for NSW, 1975‒77 and
1978‒94), states:
I am sure I speak for all senators and parliamentary staff
when I say that I am experiencing mixed feelings on this
historic occasion. On the one hand I am sure that we are
all looking forward to the increased facilities and space
in the new Parliament House, while on the other it is
always with a sense of regret that one leaves familiar

126. R Giurgola cited in houseatwork, Parliamentary Education Office, Parliament of Australia, Canberra, 2001, p. 90.
127 Royal Australian Institute of Architects, New Parliament House statement of significance, accessed 11 September 2012.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 52

 Milestones Details Source Documents
surroundings behind. I do not intend to dwell on the past The Hon. Kerry Walter Sibraa,
tonight but I am certain everybody who has worked in 1991 by Bryan Westwood (1930‒
this building in whatever capacity over the past 61 years 2000)
will have memories of his or her time here: of the great
Image courtesy of Historic
characters who have served in this chamber; of the
Memorials Collection, Parliament
memorable political events which have occurred here
House Art Collection, Canberra
since 1927; of the celebrations and wakes which have
ACT
been held in various parts of the building; and of the
people who have served the Parliament in so many ways
128
over the years.

The Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Senator the Hon.

Fred Chaney (LP, Senator for WA, 1974‒90; Member for
Pearce 1990‒93), states:
From what has happened in the Senate since 1927 it can
properly be asserted that this chamber is the only
parliamentary chamber in Australia that has, in a
genuine sense, retained its legislative function. Whilst I
do not believe that that attracts widespread admiration
and support, it has been a very worthwhile development
for Australia and something which has benefited
Australia. Since 1927 we have had the establishment of
the Senate Standing Committee on Regulations and
Ordinances, which was the first time that a parliament of
this type had tackled what in the 1920s was described as
the new despotism-the great proliferation of regulations
and ordinances which removed people's freedom. This
chamber broke new ground for the parliamentary world
in its establishment of the Regulations and Ordinances
Committee. The late Senator Missen promoted
internationally what had been developed here. I believe
it has been a great contribution to Australia and to the
parliamentary world.

The introduction of a wide-ranging committee system,

promoted I think initially by the late Senator Murphy-no
doubt with the opposition of the government of the day;
as governments of the day always oppose the exercise of
parliamentary authority and power-has been an
important contribution to Australia and to its welfare.
The more recent establishment of the Senate Standing
Committee on the Scrutiny of Bills in 1981 is an
acknowledgment that for many of us the proper scrutiny
of legislation is pushed aside and into a corner. The
various people who have manned that Committee have
129
made a very significant contribution.

A number of senators also speak about the significance of the

provisional Parliament House.

128. Senate, Debates, 2 June 1988, p. 3541, accessed 12 February 2013.

129. Senate, Debates, 2 June 1988, p. 3543, accessed 12 February 2013.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 53

 Milestones Details Source Documents

1988 Last sitting of House in provisional Parliament House

The House of Representatives sits for the last time in the
provisional Parliament House on 3 June 1988.
On behalf of the House, the Prime Minister, the Hon. Bob
Hawke (ALP, Member for Wills, Vic., 1980‒92) thanks former
and present Members and staff who have contributed to the
work of the House since the provisional Parliament House
opened on 9 May 1927.
The Federal Parliament has occupied two homes since
Federation and will soon move to its third and
permanent home. In this building's 61 years as the
provisional Parliament House, 36 Commonwealth
ministries have served the nation here in the course of
26 parliaments. Madam Speaker, 61 years is a short time
for so much history. Yet there can be no doubt that,
measured by the importance of the events which have
taken place here and the stature of the Australians who
have worked here, this chamber is the most historic
room in Australia. At the opening of our new and
permanent home I referred to the ghosts and spirits of
our parliamentary past. There is no doubt, here in these
closing moments, how closely so many of them seem to
crowd in upon us. It is in this room, more than anywhere
else in Australia, that the process of our nationhood has
developed during the past 61 years. Australia now
stands as a mature, diverse, independent nation and we
have reached that stage not least because of the work
that has been done within these walls. They have been
years of tremendous and accelerating change. Yet it is a
remarkable tribute to the continuity and the stability of
the Australian democracy that this institution of
Parliament remains, I believe, as strong as ever and as
central as ever to the fabric of our national life. This
chamber-the House of Representatives, the House from
which the elected governments of this nation derive that
authority, the people's House-remains at the very heart
of that national life.

I give this striking illustration of the remarkable

continuity of this institution and, because of it, the
continuity of our nation's history. The father of this
present House, the honourable member for Reid (Mr
Uren), served in this place during eight years-almost
half-of the second prime ministership of Sir Robert
Menzies. When we reflect that the honourable member
for Reid was a Minister until 1987 in the Hawke Ministry
and a Minister throughout the Whitlam Ministry; when
we reflect that in his own person he represents a
continuum with Menzies and McEwen, Evatt and
Calwell; and when we reflect that they, in turn,
represent a larger and a longer continuum through to
Chifley, Curtin, Lyons, Scullin and Bruce, with Hughes

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 54

 Milestones Details Source Documents
providing a link with the first Parliament itself, surely we
gain a deep and poignant sense of the long and
continuing past of which we are all privileged to be a
living part. Yet, for all its fundamental continuity and
stability, this institution-and this chamber in particular-
has never lacked its capacity for drama, for the
unexpected, for turbulence and even, dare I say it, the
130
occasional unruliness and even the odd larrikinism.

The Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. John Howard (LP,

Member for Bennelong, NSW, 1974‒2007), reflects on the
way in which the provisional Parliament House has ‘been at
the very heart of our national life and our history’ for 61
years:
But more important, perhaps, even than the people of
whom the Prime Minister has spoken are the changes
that have passed through Australia over the last 61
years. Australia's population has increased enormously.
Our attitudes have changed; our allies have changed; our
interests have changed; our values, in some sense, have
changed; and we are a different nation from what we
were 61 years ago. We have gone through different
ages. Sixty-one years ago we still lived very much in an
age of colonialism. Subsequently to that, we lived in
what I think some would call an age of uncertainty and
131
exuberance.

A number of members also speak about the significance of

the provisional Parliament House.

The first decade, 1988‒1998

Milestones Details Source Documents

1988 Site handed to Parliament

In July 1988 the Parliament House Construction Authority
surrenders control of the site to the Parliament of
Australia. 132

1988 First sitting Watch: The Speaker, the Hon.

Joan Child, tabling the message
The Commonwealth Parliament sits for the first time in the from Her Majesty the Queen and
New Parliament House on 22 August 1988, with both Houses the Speech of His Excellency the
meeting on that day. Governor-General delivered in
The Senate commences sitting with the President, Senator the Great Hall
the Hon. Kerry Sibraa (ALP, Senator for NSW, 1975‒77 and Video courtesy of DPS
1978‒94) taking the chair 133 and in the House of

130. House of Representatives, Debates, 3 June 1988, p. 3274, accessed 12 February 2013.
131. House of Representatives, Debates, 3 June 1988, p. 3276, accessed 12 February 2013.
132. Parliament House Construction Authority, Project Parliament: the management experience, Parliament House Construction Authority,
Canberra, March 1990.
133. Senate, Debates, 22 August 1988, p. 1, accessed 15 February 2013.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 55

 Milestones Details Source Documents
Representatives with the Speaker, the Hon. Joan Child (ALP, Broadcasting, Parliament House
Member for Henty, Vic., 1974‒5 and 1980‒90) 134, taking the
chair. The Presiding Officer in each chamber begins by tabling
the message from Her Majesty the Queen and the address of
His Excellency the Governor-General that were delivered
earlier in the Great Hall to mark the inaugural sittings of the
two Houses in the building. The Hon. Joan Child is the first
woman to serve as Speaker in the Australian Parliament.

The Hon. Joan Child, 1988 by

Charles William Bush (1911‒
1989)

Image courtesy of Historic

Memorials Collection, Parliament
House Art Collection, Canberra
ACT

1988 Resolution acknowledges prior occupation

On the first sitting day in the new building on 22 August 1988,
the Prime Minister the Hon. Bob Hawke (ALP, Member for
Wills, Vic., 1980‒92) moves that a resolution be made by the
House of Representatives, acknowledging the prior
occupation of land by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
people, and acknowledging their dispossession and the denial
of their citizenship rights.
The resolution:
(1) acknowledges that:

(a) Australia was occupied by Aborigines and Torres

Strait Islanders who had settled for thousands of years
before British settlement at Sydney Cove on 26 January
1788;

(b) Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders suffered

dispossession and dispersal upon acquisition of their
traditional lands by the British Crown; and

(c) Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders were denied

full citizenship rights of the Commonwealth of Australia
prior to the 1967 Referendum;

(2) affirms:

(a) the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander culture and heritage; and

(b) the entitlement of Aborigines and Torres Strait

Islanders to self-management and self-determination
subject to the Constitution and the laws of the

134. House of Representatives, Debates, 22 August 1988, p. 1, accessed 15 February 2013.

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 Milestones Details Source Documents
Commonwealth of Australia; and

(3) considers it desirable that the Commonwealth

further promote reconciliation with Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander citizens providing recognition of
135
their special place in the Commonwealth of Australia.

Although the resolution is passed by the House, the

Government and Opposition are unable to agree on its
wording, preventing it from having bipartisan support. 136

1988 Proclaiming Acts

On 27 September 1988 the Senate orders the tabling of a list
of provisions of Acts not proclaimed, a statement of reasons
for the failure to proclaim them and a timetable for their
operation. 137
This order follows concern about delays in Acts being
proclaimed or not being proclaimed at all. As Odgers notes:
Under section 5 of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901, a bill
which has been assented to by the Governor-General
th
comes into operation as a law on the 28 day after the
Governor-General’s assent, unless the bill specifies
another day. Most bills specify the day of assent as the
day of commencement, but some specify a particular
date. Many bills provide that all or some of their
provisions are to commence on a day specified by the
Governor-General in a proclamation. Such a provision
allows the government to delay the operation of a
statute until administrative arrangements or delegated
legislation (see Chapter 15, Delegated Legislation) are in
place to allow the statute to operate. While this kind of
provision may be administratively convenient, it confers
a great power on the executive government, and
virtually allows the ministry to determine when, if ever,
138
a law duly passed by the Parliament will have effect.

The list is presented to the Senate on 24 November 1988. In

the debate that follows, senators express their concern over
delays in proclaiming Acts and the reasons given for those
delays, noting that legislation stated by ministers to be urgent
at the time of its passage through the Senate is often not
proclaimed for months or years after assent. On the following
day, the Senate passes a further resolution requiring such a
list and associated statement to be presented to the Senate
on or before 31 May and 30 November each year. This
requirement is subsequently included in Senate standing

135. House of Representatives, Debates, 23 August 1988, p. 137, accessed 12 February 2013.
136. House of Representatives, Debates, 23 August 1988, p.139, accessed 13 February 2013.
137. Senate, Journals, No. 92, 27 September 1988, p. 936, accessed 13 February 2013.
138. H Evans and R Laing, eds, Odgers’ Australian Senate Practice, Thirteenth edn, Department of the Senate, Canberra, 2012, Chapter 12,
accessed 8 February 2013.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 57

 Milestones Details Source Documents
order 139, and amended in 1999 to require reports to be
submitted once a year. 139

1988 ABC radio broadcasts Listen: A broadcast by the

Australian Broadcasting
In November 1988 the ABC’s radio broadcasting of the Commission of the proceedings
proceedings of the Commonwealth Parliament is moved to a in Parliament 10 July 1946. This is
new network of eight transmitters, establishing the the first time in the history of this
Parliamentary Broadcasting Network. It enables the Commonwealth that the regular
proceedings of Parliament to be heard in all capital cities and day to day proceedings of
Newcastle. 140 Parliament have been on the air.
The ABC has been permitted to broadcast the proceedings of Parts 2 and 4 cover Question and
the two Houses of the Parliament since 1946 in accordance Answer Time in the House of
Representatives (MP3 28MB)
with the Parliamentary Proceedings Broadcasting Act 1946.
Australia’s was the second national parliament of the Recording courtesy of the
Commonwealth to introduce radio broadcasting of its National Film and Sound Archive
proceedings, New Zealand having commenced in 1936. 141 of Australia, No. 228694

Listen: A broadcast by the

Australian Broadcasting
Commission of the proceedings
at Question time in the Senate,
Parliament, 17 July 1946 (MP3
17MB) Duration 18:20

Recording courtesy of the

National Film and Sound Archive
of Australia, No. 228170

1988 Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988

On 6 December 1988 the Australian Capital Territory (Self-
Government) Act 1988 is enacted by the Commonwealth,
providing for a fully elected legislature to make statutory law
for the ACT, an executive, and an independent court system.

1989 40th anniversary of Australian citizenship

Australian Parliament House hosts an Australian citizenship
ceremony commemorating the 40th anniversary of Australian
citizenship.

th
40 anniversary of first
Australian citizenship ceremony
held at Parliament House,
Canberra. Award is presented to
the recipient by Governor

139. H Evans and R Laing, eds, Odgers’ Australian Senate Practice, Thirteenth edn, Department of the Senate, Canberra, 2012, Chapter 3:
Publication of Senate proceedings, accessed 8 February 2013.
140. H Evans and R Laing, eds, Odgers’ Australian Senate Practice, Thirteenth edn, Department of the Senate, Canberra, 2012, Appendix 10: A
chronology of the Senate 1901‒2008, accessed 8 February 2013,
http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Senate/Powers_practice_n_procedures/odgers13?file=appendix10
141. Australian Broadcasting Commission, History of ABC radio, accessed 13 February 2013.

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 Milestones Details Source Documents
General, Sir Ninian Stephen, 1989

Image courtesy of Image

courtesy of National Archives of
Australia

1989 First marriage in Parliament House

On 31 March 1989 the Hon. Peter Staples (ALP, Member for
Diamond Valley, Vic., 1983‒4 and Jagajaga, Vic., 1984‒96) and
Jeanette Bourke are married in the Mural Hall of the new
building. Few wedding ceremonies have been held in
Parliament House but the marble foyer and staircases
become a popular location for wedding photographs. 142

1989 Construction phase ends

The Formal Gardens for the New Parliament House are
completed in April 1989, and a public ceremony marks the
end of the construction phase. The Government endorses a
proposal to protect the design integrity of the building. 143

1989 Tiananmen Square memorial service

Following events in China’s Tiananmen Square, Prime Minister
the Hon. Bob Hawke (ALP, Member for Wills, Vic., 1980‒92)
conducts a memorial service in the Great Hall. He reads a
cable from the Australian embassy in Beijing describing the
events in Tiananmen Square five days earlier on 4 June 1989,
then scraps his prepared speech and pays tribute to ‘acts of
indescribable bravery’ of the estimated 2000 demonstrators,
many students, who died during the incident. His government
subsequently grants visas to 42 000 Chinese students,
enabling them to stay permanently in Australia. 144

1989 Speaker resigns

The Hon. Joan Child (ALP, Member for Henty, Vic., 1974‒5
and 1980‒90), the first female Speaker in the Commonwealth
Parliament, resigns from her role on 28 August 1989.
She served as Speaker when the Commonwealth Parliament
moved from the Provisional Parliament House to the
Permanent Parliament House in June 1988. The Hon. Leo
McLeay (ALP, Member for Grayndler, NSW, 1979‒93;
Member for Watson, NSW, 1993‒2004) is elected as Speaker
on 29 August 1989, and he serves until 8 February 1993.

The Hon. Leo Boyce McLeay, 1991

142. S Bennett, Parliament House and the Australian people, Research paper no. 29, Parliamentary Library, 7 May 2008, p. 18, accessed 9 August
2012.
143. Parliament House Construction Authority, Project Parliament: the management experience, Parliament House Construction Authority,
Canberra, March 1990.
144. S Bennett, Parliament House and the Australian people, Research paper no. 29, Parliamentary Library, 7 May 2008, p. 8, accessed 9 August
2012; G Callaghan, ‘Remembering Tiananmen’, The Australian, 15 May 2009, accessed 19 December 2012.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 59

 Milestones Details Source Documents
by David Thomas (1951‒)

Image courtesy of Historic

Memorials Collection, Parliament
House Art Collection, Canberra
ACT

1989 Protest in the chamber

On 31 August 1989, a person jumps from the main public
gallery in the House of Representatives into the chamber and
is removed but not charged.
Whilst criminal law applies within Parliament House, it has
previously proven difficult to charge ‘strangers’ with creating
a disturbance until the Parliamentary Privileges Act 1987 and
Parliamentary Precincts Act 1988 provide clarity on the legal
basis for bringing charges against such people. 145

1989 Impact of new building on Parliament

Greg McIntosh, Political Science Fellow of the Australian
Parliament 1988–9, publishes his APSA–Parliamentary Fellow
Monograph Rounding up the Flock? Executive dominance and
the new Parliament House in which he analyses the impact of
the new building on the relationship between the Parliament
and the Executive. 146

1989 Referral of bills to Senate committees

On 5 December 1989, following a recommendation by the
Select Committee on Legislation Procedures in December
1988, the Senate adopts resolutions providing for the
systematic referral of bills to legislative and general purpose
standing committees, to come into effect in August 1990. 147
This is a significant refinement to the modern parliamentary
committee system established in 1970, and enables Senate
committees to have a greater role in the consideration of
legislation. The Senate committee system is restructured in
October 1994, September 2006 and again in May 2009. 148

1989 Private member’s bill passed

Senator Janet Powell (AD, Senator for Victoria 1986‒93)
becomes the first woman in either House to have a private
member’s bill passed by both houses.

145. House of Representatives, Debates, 31 August 1989, p. 745; BC Wright, ed, House of Representatives Practice (sixth edn), pp. 127‒8, accessed
12 January 2013.
146. G McIntosh, Rounding up the Flock? Executive dominance and the new Parliament House, APSA-Parliamentary Fellow Monograph,
Department of the Parliamentary Library, December 1989, accessed 12 September 2012.
147. Senate, Journals, 5 December 1989, p. 2303, accessed 8 February 2013.
148. H Evans and R Laing, eds, Odgers’ Australian Senate Practice, Thirteenth edn, Department of the Senate, Canberra, 2012, pp. 446‒7, accessed
13 February 2013.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 60

 Milestones Details Source Documents
The bill, introduced on 31 August 1989, becomes an Act on 28
December 1989 as the Smoking and Tobacco Products
Advertisements (Prohibition) Act 1989. 149

1990 36th Parliament opened Read: Governor-General’s speech

th
at opening of 36 Parliament
The Governor-General, the Hon. Bill Hayden, opens the 36th
Parliament on 8 May 1990. It is the first official opening of the
Australian Parliament since the move to the permanent
building in 1988, and follows the Commonwealth election
held on 24 March 1990 in which the ALP, led by Hon. Bob
Hawke (ALP, Member for Wills, Vic., 1980‒92), retains
government. 150 The ALP leadership changes in 1991 when the
Hon. Paul Keating (ALP, Member for Blaxland, NSW, 1969‒96)
becomes Prime Minister, succeeding Bob Hawke who leaves
parliament on 20 February 1992.

The Hon. Paul J Keating, 1997 by

Robert Hannaford (1944‒)

Image courtesy of Historic

Memorials Collection, Parliament
House Art Collection, Canberra
ACT

1990 Senate Question Time televised Watch: Senate proceedings

televised for first time
Senate proceedings are televised for the first time on 21
August 1990, 34 years after the introduction of television in Video courtesy of DPS
Australia. 151 Broadcasting, Parliament House

Senate resolves on 31 May 1990 to trial the televising of

Question time in the Senate. The motion to authorise
broadcasting is moved by Senator the Hon. Amanda Vanstone
(LP, Senator for SA, 1984‒2007), who proposes a trial period
from 21 August to 19 October 1990. 152 On 23 August 1990 the
Senate also authorises the Senate committees to permit the
broadcasting of their public proceedings. 153

1990 Hansard computerised

A major project is undertaken to computerise Hansard
operations and, on 21 August 1990, material for Hansard is
transmitted electronically to the Government Printer after
processing by Hansard staff.

1990 Forest workers demonstrate outside Parliament House

On 7 September 1990 forest workers arrive at Parliament

149. See milestones in Women in the Senate, Senate Brief No. 3, September 2012, accessed 8 February 2013.
150. The opening of Parliament, Senate Brief No. 2, May 2011, accessed 9 August 2012.
151. Senate, Journals, 31 May 1990, p. 192, accessed 8 February 2013.
152. Senate Journals, 21 August 1990, p. 1789, accessed 8 February 2013.
153. Senate Journals, 23 August 1990, p. 236, accessed 8 February 2013.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 61

 Milestones Details Source Documents
House to demonstrate their support for a plan by the Minister
for Resources, the Hon. Alan Griffiths (ALP, Member for
Maribyrnong, Vic., 1983‒96), to allow logging in six new
National Estate areas. The plan is opposed by the Minister for
Environment, the Hon. Roslyn Kelly (ALP, Member for
Canberra, ACT 1980‒95).
The forest workers begin dispersing on 14 September
following a Cabinet decision to allow logging in another 15
National Estate areas and to bring forward the deadline for a
final decision on permanent reserves. 154

1990 Nelson Mandela visit Read: Speech by Prime Minister

the Hon. Bob Hawke at luncheon
On 23 October 1990 a lunch is held in the Great Hall of in honour of Nelson Mandela
Parliament House to honour the leader of the South African
anti-apartheid movement, Nelson Mandela.
Mandela was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1964 for
plotting to overthrow the South African Government. He was
released on 11 February 1990 after 27 years in prison, and
emerged as the most significant black leader of the anti-
apartheid movement in South Africa. He was awarded the
Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 and was inaugurated as President
of a democratic South Africa on 10 May 1994 following the
end of the apartheid era. 155

1991 House of Representatives proceedings televised

Question time in the House of Representatives is televised
live for the first time on 13 March 1991. 156
At the commencement of the 38th Parliament the House had
agreed to the conditions for live broadcast and re-broadcast
of the proceedings and excerpts of proceedings of the House,
and of the Main Committee. The proceedings of the two
Houses of the Parliament have been broadcast on radio since
1946 by the ABC, as required by the Parliamentary
Proceedings Broadcasting Act 1946. Australia’s was the
second national parliament of the Commonwealth to
introduce radio broadcasting of its proceedings, New Zealand
having commenced in 1936. 157

1991 Retirement of the Clerk of the House of Representatives

Mr Alan Browning, Clerk of the House of Representatives
since July 1985, retires on 22 March 1991. The new Clerk is
Mr Lyndal Barlin, who commences in the role on 23 March
1991.

154. ‘Loggers protest outside House’, Canberra Times, 8 September 1990; ‘Logging in Estate forests extended’, Australian, 15 September 1990
155. Nelson Mandela, The Nobel Peace Prize 1993, accessed 5 February 2013.
156. House of Representatives, Debates, 13 March 1991, p. 1893, accessed 8 February 2013.
157. BC Wright, ed, House of Representatives Practice (sixth edn), Chapter 4: Parliament House and access to proceedings, p. 105, note 5,
accessed 12 January 2013.

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 Milestones Details Source Documents

1991 Aboriginal Deaths in Custody

On 9 May 1991 the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, the Hon.
Robert Tickner (ALP, Member for Hughes, NSW, 1984‒96)
tables the National Report of the Royal Commission into
Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.
The inquiry examined the circumstances involved in the
deaths of 99 Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders who
had died whilst in custody between 1 January 1980 and 31
May 1989. The Royal Commission made 339
recommendations, with the final recommendation supporting
the concept of a process of reconciliation. It concluded with:
All political leaders and their parties recognise that
reconciliation between the Aboriginal and non-
Aboriginal communities in Australia must be achieved if
community division, discord and injustice to Aboriginal
158
people are to be avoided.

The Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation Act 1991 is passed in

both Houses with unanimous support.

1991 Change of Prime Minister

The Hon. Paul Keating (ALP, Member for Blaxland, NSW,
1969‒96) succeeds the Hon. Bob Hawke (ALP, Member for
Wills, Vic., 1980‒92) as Prime Minister on 20 December 1991
following a change of ALP leadership.

1992 Sheep graze on roof

On 2 April 1992 about 100 merino sheep are brought to
Parliament House to graze on the lawns covering the roof
area as part of a promotional campaign for National Wool Day
organised by Wilson Tuckey (LP, Member for O’Connor, WA
1980‒2010).
On the same day Opposition Leader, Dr John Hewson (LP,
Member for Wentworth, NSW, 1987‒95), and the Hon.
Simon Crean (ALP, Member for Hotham, Vic., 1990‒) conduct
a wool auction in the Great Hall of Parliament House, in
order to draw public attention to the plight of the Australian
wool industry. 159

1992 Time limit in Senate

In September 1992 time limits are adopted for the first time
on questions without notice and answers during Question
Time in the Senate. 160

158. Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, ‘A brief timeline of reconciliation’, accessed 19 December 2012.
159. S Bennett, Parliament House and the Australian people, Research paper no. 29, Parliamentary Library, 7 May 2008, p. 23, accessed 9 August
2012; ‘Parliament gets real…sheep and wool’, Canberra Times, 3 April 1992.
160. Senate Journals, 14 September 1992, p. 2745, accessed 8 February 2013.

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 Milestones Details Source Documents

1992 Address by US President the Hon. George Bush Watch: Address by the President
of the United States of America,
A joint meeting of both Houses is proposed by resolution that the Hon. George Bush
the Senate and the House of Representatives will meet
concurrently in the chamber of the House of Representatives DPS Broadcasting, Parliament
on 2 January 1992 to hear the address of the President of the House
United States, the Hon. George Bush. 161
President Bush is the first foreign head of state to address a
joint meeting of the Commonwealth Parliament. The joint
meeting is the first to be held in the new Parliament House,
and is only the third joint meeting to be held in the history of
the Parliament. Between the opening of the new building in
1988 and its 25th anniversary in 2013, the Australian
Parliament receives addresses from eight foreign leaders. 162

US President the Hon. George

Bush meeting members of
Parliament in the House of
Representatives chamber, 1992

Image courtesy of National

Archives of Australia

1992 Farmers protest

More than 3000 farmers gather outside Parliament House to
demonstrate against United States trade subsidies during the
visit by US President the Hon. George Bush on 2 January 1992.

1992 Vehicle crashes into Parliament House

On 12 August 1992, a man from Adelaide drives his four-
wheel drive vehicle through the main front doors of
Parliament House, knocking the doors off their hinges,
scattering tourists and visitors, and stopping in the Great Hall.
The bomb squad and dogs search the vehicle and a shotgun
and shells are found. Damage is estimated at $55,000. On
15 August four concrete bollards are installed between the
columns under the front verandah at the main entrance of
the building to prevent vehicles driving through. 163

1993 Speaker resigns

On 8 February 1993 the Hon. Leo McLeay (ALP, Member for
Grayndler, NSW, 1979‒93 and Member for Watson, NSW,

161. House of Representatives, Debates, 2 January 1992, p. 1, accessed 13 February 2013.

162. BC Wright, ed, House of Representatives Practice (sixth edn), Chapter 4: Parliament House and access to proceedings, accessed 8 February
2013.
163. ‘Parliament gatecrasher sparks security scare’, Canberra Times, 13 August 1992, p. 1.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 64

 Milestones Details Source Documents
1993‒2004) resigns from the Speakership of the House
following accusations that he had made a false compensation
claim an unsuccessful motion of no-confidence on 2 April
1992. The accusation is later shown to be incorrect. 164

1993 37th Parliament opened Read: Governor-General’s speech

th
at opening of 37 Parliament
The Governor-General, Mr Bill Hayden, opens the 37th
Parliament on 4 May 1993, following the Commonwealth
election held on 13 March 1993 in which the ALP led by the
Hon. Paul Keating (ALP, Member for Blaxland, NSW, 1969‒96)
retains government. 165

1993 Change of Speaker

On 4 May 1993 the Hon. Dr Stephen Martin (ALP, Member for
Macarthur, NSW, 1984‒93 and Member for Cunningham,
NSW, 1993‒2002) is elected as Speaker of the House of
Representatives, succeeding the Hon. Leo McLeay.

The Hon. Stephen Paul Martin,

1995 by Wesley Barton Walters
(1928‒)

Image courtesy of Historic

Memorials Collection, Parliament
House Art Collection, Canberra
ACT

1993 Protest march by Indigenous Australians

About 500 Indigenous Australians march to Parliament House
on 27 September 1993 to protest against the government’s
Native Title Bill.
They burn a copy of the Commonwealth's draft legislation,
and Aboriginal artist Michael Nelson Jagamara symbolically
‘removes’ a stone from the centre of his mosaic in the
Parliament House forecourt as a protest against the proposed
legislation. 166

164. House of Representatives, Debates, 2 April 1992, p. 1734, accessed 13 February 2013.
165. The opening of Parliament, Senate Brief No. 2, May 2011, accessed 9 August 2012.
166. ‘Artist digs up his parliamentary mosaic in Mabo protest’, Australian, 28 September 1993.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 65

 Milestones Details Source Documents

1993 Native Title Act 1993

The passing of the Commonwealth’s native title ‘Mabo’
legislation in the Senate at 11.58 pm on 21 December 1993 is
greeted with applause from a packed gallery, following the
longest debate in the Senate’s history. The Commonwealth
Native Title Act 1993 receives Assent on 24 December 1993
The marathon 'Mabo' debate extends into Saturday 18 Two Aboriginal men on beach,
December 1993, and is the first Saturday sitting of the Senate one with fishing spear [Eddie
since 1959. The legislation is the result of a landmark majority Mabo (left) and Jack Wailu on the
judgment by the High Court of Australia in the Mabo v Island of Mer in the Torres Strait
Queensland (No. 2) 1992, which overturned the seventeenth Islands]
century doctrine of terra nullius (no-one’s land) on which Image courtesy of National
British claims to possession of Australia were based. 167 Archives of Australia

1994 New President of the Senate

On 1 February 1994 the Hon. Michael Beahan (ALP, Senator
for Western Australia, 1987‒96) is elected President of the
Senate, succeeding Senator the Hon. Kerry Sibraa. He serves
as President until 30 June 1996.

The Hon. Michael Eamon Beahan,

1998 by Bryan Westwood (1930‒
2000)

Image courtesy of Historic

Memorials Collection, Parliament
House Art Collection, Canberra
ACT

1994 Main Committee established

The House of Representatives establishes a parallel chamber
for debate called the Main Committee, which meets for the
first time on 8 June 1994.
The House Standing Committee on Procedure recommends
the establishment of a Main Committee (Legislation) in its
October 1993 report About time: Bills, questions and working
hours—inquiry into reform of the House of Representatives. 168
The new chamber is designed to extend opportunities for
debate on non-contentious bills and speed up the legislative
process, and allows private members further opportunities.
The Main Committee is subsequently renamed the Federation
Chamber on 2 February 2012 (see related milestone).

167. Mabo v Queensland No. 2 1992 (Cth), National Archives of Australia, Documenting a Democracy, accessed 9 August 2012,
http://foundingdocs.gov.au/item-did-33.html; S Bennett, Parliament House and the Australian people, Research paper no. 29, Parliamentary
Library, 7 May 2008, p. 6, accessed 9 August 2012; J Gardiner-Garden, The Mabo debate: a chronology, Background Paper, Parliamentary
Library, 14 October 1993, accessed 9 August 2012.
168. BC Wright, ed, House of Representatives Practice (sixth edn), Chapter 4: Parliament House and access to proceedings, p. 115, accessed 12
January 2013; House of Representatives Standing Committee on Procedure, Renaming the Main Committee, Canberra, 2004, pp. 2‒3.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 66

 Milestones Details Source Documents

1994 Senate committee system restructured

The Senate’s committee system is restructured following a
Procedure Committee report on the committee system.
The new system takes effect on 10 October 1994, with
legislative and general purpose standing committees and
estimates committees replaced by eight pairs of legislation
and reference committees in each subject area. The
legislation committees absorb the function of the former
estimates committees in addition to undertaking inquiries
into bills and the performance of government agencies. The
references committees conduct inquiries into any other
matters referred to them by the Senate. In 2006 the pairs of
committees in each subject area are amalgamated, returning
to pre-1994 arrangement for the legislative and general
purpose standing committees until 2009 when the post-1994
structure is restored. 169

1995 Forestry workers’ protest

More than 200 logging trucks blockade Parliament House on
30 January 1995 in protest over a forestry agreement
negotiated by the Keating Government involving saving 509
forest areas from logging out of the 1 300 areas originally
proposed by Senator John Faulkner as having conservation
value. The blockade is lifted when Cabinet decides that the
environmental assessment of the 509 areas would be
completed within eight weeks. 170

The logger blockade of

Parliament House, Canberra,
January 1995—some of the
trucks in the forecourt

Image courtesy of National

Library of Australia

1995 Interjector removed from Gallery

A person interjecting from the House of Representatives
Gallery is removed on 6 February 1995.
As this is the second time the person has been removed for
interjecting, the Speaker orders the person be excluded
permanently from the galleries. 171

1995 Buddhist Mandala circle

169. H Evans and R Laing, eds, Odgers’ Australian Senate Practice, Thirteenth edn, Department of the Senate, Canberra, 2012, Evolution of the
committee system, accessed 13 February 2013.
170. S Bennett, Parliament House and the Australian people, Research paper no. 29, Parliamentary Library, 7 May 2008, p. 36, accessed 9 August
2012; ‘Greens fury at forests backflip’, Sydney Morning Herald, 4 February 1995, p. 1.
171. House of Representatives, Debates, 6 February 1995, p. 475.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 67

 Milestones Details Source Documents
Tibetan Buddhist monks complete a two-metre Kalachakra
Mandala circle in Parliament House on 27 February 1995.
Called the ‘wheel of time’, it is an intricate work depicting 722
Buddhist deities created by placing coloured grains of sand,
one at a time, on a table. The construction takes a month,
after which, ‘in a lesson of life’s impermanence’, the work is
destroyed. 172

1995 Iron dogs exhibition

Artist Ingo Kleinert installs his ‘The eye of the dog’ exhibit
involving 400 corrugated iron dogs on the front lawn of
Parliament House to herald the Canberra National Sculpture
Forum.
The dogs are moved every four days to enable the grass to be
Tin Dog (from installation The Eye
cut, and one of the dogs is acquired for the Parliament House
of the Dog), 1995 by Ingo Kleinert
Art Collection. (1941‒))
Image courtesy of Parliament
House Art Collection, Canberra
ACT

1995 Parliament House Site Book

The Joint House Department publishes the first edition of the
Parliament House Site Book to provide guidelines on access
and safety in relation to the building for staff, contractors and
consultants.

1996 Non-members’ bar closes

The non-members’ bar in Parliament House is closed on 1
January 1996 as part of a changeover in contract providers for
catering services to the Parliament. 173
The space is eventually occupied by a childcare centre. The
Joint House Department had reported to Senate Estimates as
early as 1989 that the new non-members’ bar was running at
a loss, and the decision to close in 1996 was due to lack of
patronage:
Federal Parliament has been without a bar for nearly a
decade - since the antiseptic "non-members bar" closed
its doors. It had failed dismally to attract MPs and staff
who had migrated from the old Parliament, where
documents and punch-ups were freely exchanged in the
174
grand old bar, and democracy flourished.

172. S Bennett, Parliament House and the Australian people, Research paper no. 29, Parliamentary Library, 7 May 2008, p. 15, accessed 9 August
2012; B Gavin, ‘Monks’ quiet blessing in the furnace of politics’, Sydney Morning Herald, 18 February 1995, accessed 28 August 2012.
173. B Wedgwood, Joint House Department, ‘Parliament catering service – new contracts’, media release, undated (ca 13 November 1995).
174. A Mitchell and K Walsh, ‘A bar to fit the bill’, Sun Herald, 18 June 2006, p. 22, accessed 14 January 2013; T Fewtrell, ‘Welcome to our House’,
Canberra Times, 9 May 2008, p. 15, accessed 14 January 2013; T Payne, Backbenchers and the Press Gallery: aspects of the Canberra political
process, Information and Research Services, Research Paper No. 9, 1997‒8, 24 November 1997, accessed 14 January 2013.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 68

 Milestones Details Source Documents

1996 38th Parliament opened Read: Governor-General’s speech

th
at opening of 38 Parliament
The Governor-General, Sir William Deane, opens the 38th
Parliament on 30 April 1996, following the Commonwealth
election held on 2 March 1996 in which the Liberal‒Nationals
Coalition, led by the Hon. John Howard (LP, Member for
Bennelong, NSW, 1974‒2007), wins government after 13
years in Opposition. 175

The Hon. Sir William Patrick

Deane, AC KBE, 2001 by Robert
Hannaford (1944‒)

Historic Memorials Collection,

Parliament House Art Collection,
Canberra ACT

1996 Change of Speaker

On 30 April 1996 the Hon. Robert Halverson (LP, Member for
Casey, Vic., 1984‒98) is elected as Speaker of the House of
Representatives, succeeding the Hon. Dr Stephen Martin.

The Hon. Robert (Bob) George

Halverson, 1998 by Robert
Hannaford (1944‒)

Historic Memorials Collection,

Parliament House Art Collection,
Canberra ACT

1996 Gun control protest Watch: The Prime Minister, the

Hon. John Howard MP, speaking
A group of people stand in front of the nation’s legislature on about the Port Arthur massacre
10 May 1996 to call for changes to Australia’s gun control in the House of Representatives,
laws and to express their sorrow for the Port Arthur massacre 30 April 1996
in Tasmania in which 35 people die and 21 people are injured

175. The opening of Parliament, Senate Brief No. 2, May 2011, accessed 9 August 2012.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 69

 Milestones Details Source Documents
in a mass shooting. 176 Video courtesy of DPS
Broadcasting, Parliament House
The protest coincides with a special firearms meeting of the
Australasian Police Ministers’ Council Ministers held in
Canberra. The National Firearms Agreement is the first of the
national agreements in response to the mass shootings that
occurred at Port Arthur in Tasmania. The agreement is
implemented by the states and territories in stages in the
following years, including provision for a 12-month national
amnesty and a compensation buyback scheme. Together with
the changes to state and territory firearm and weapons laws,
the Commonwealth Parliament passes legislation relating to
the import and export of firearms and the cross-border
trafficking of firearms. 177

1996 Corridor parties protest

Senators Natasha Stott Despoja (AD, Senator for SA, 1995‒
2008),the Hon. Rosemary Crowley (ALP, Senator for SA, 1983‒
2002), the Hon. Nick Bolkus (ALP, Senator for SA, 1981‒2005),
the Hon. Chris Schacht (ALP, Senator for SA, 1987‒2002) and
Alan Ferguson (LP, Senator for SA, 1993‒2011) form a conga
line down a corridor of Parliament House in defiance of a ban
on corridor parties imposed by the Joint House
Department. 178

1996 Parliament House riot

The ‘Parliament House riot’ erupts outside Parliament House
on 19 August 1996.
The Eureka flag and Aboriginal flag are hung across the Coat
of Arms. During the peaceful rally organised by the Australian
Council of Trade Unions to protest against reforms proposed
in the Howard Government’s Workplace Relations Bill, a
group breaks away and forces entry into the building, causing
damage to people and property. 179

176. S Bennett, Parliament House and the Australian people, Research paper no. 29, Parliamentary Library, 7 May 2008, p. 16, accessed 9 August
2012.
177. J Norberry, D Woolner and K Magarey, After Port Arthur—issues of gun control in Australia, Parliamentary Library, Current issues brief 16,
1995‒96, accessed 14 January 2013; J Phillips, M Park and C Lorimer, Firearms in Australia: a guide to electronic resources, Background Notes
2007‒8, Parliamentary Library, 9 August 2007, accessed 14 January 2013.
178. ‘No dancing in this House, MPs told’, Sydney Morning Herald, 26 June 1996.
179. S Bennett, Parliament House and the Australian people, Research paper no. 29, Parliamentary Library, 7 May 2008, pp. 29‒39, accessed 9
August 2012; ‘Bloody protest’, Canberra Times, 20 August 1996, p. 1.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 70

 Milestones Details Source Documents

1996 First woman President

Senator the Hon. Margaret Reid AO (LP, Senator for the ACT,
1981‒2003), becomes the first woman to be appointed as
President of the Senate on 20 August 1996, replacing the Hon.
Michael Beahan.
She holds the position until 18 August 2002 and is succeeded
as President by the Hon. Paul Calvert (LP, Senator for
Tasmania, 1987‒2007) on 19 August 2002 following her
resignation from the role.
The Hon. Margaret Elizabeth
Reid, 1999 by Tom Alberts
(1962‒)

Image courtesy of Historic

Memorials Collection, Parliament
House Art Collection, Canberra
ACT

1996 Address by US President the Hon. Bill Clinton Watch: Address by the President
of the United States, the Hon. Bill
On 20 November 1996 United States President the Hon. Bill Clinton
Clinton addresses a joint meeting of parliament, following his
re-election to a second term of office. He is the second US Video courtesy of DPS
president to do so. 180 Broadcasting, Parliament House

1997 Bringing them home report tabled

The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, the Hon. Daryl
Williams (LP, Member for Tangney, WA 1993‒2004) tables the
Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission’s report of
the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Children entitled Bringing them home, in
the House of Representatives on 26 May 1997.
The report deals with the separation of Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander children from their families, and leads to
continuing public and parliamentary debate about the
implementation of its recommendations including an apology
and compensation for those affected. The House does not
agree to a full apology, but expresses deep and sincere regret
for unspecified past injustices as part of a Motion of
Reconciliation on 26 August 1999. It subsequently agrees to a
formal apology on 13 February 2008 (see related
milestones). 181

180. House of Representatives, Debates, 20 November 1996, accessed 23 August 2012.

181. C Dow, Sorry: the unfinished business of the Bringing Them Home report, Background Note, Parliamentary Library, 4 February 2008, accessed
4 September 2012.

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 Milestones Details Source Documents

1997 Former Speaker Sir William Aston dies

Former Speaker the Hon. Sir William Aston, KCMG (LP,
Member for Phillip, NSW, 1955–61 and 1963–72), dies on 21
May 1997 at the age of 80. He served as Speaker from 21
February 1967 to 2 November 1972.
The House of Representatives pauses to remember former
Speaker Aston with a condolence motion moved by Prime
Minister Howard on 26 May 1997. The Senate also
remembers former Speaker Aston with a condolence motion
moved by the Leader of the Government in the Senate,
Senator the Hon. Robert Hill, on 26 May 1997.

The Hon. William John Aston,

1968 by William Pidgeon
(1909–81)

Image courtesy of Historic

Memorials Collection, Parliament
House Art Collection, Canberra ACT

1997 Retirement of the Clerk of the House of Representatives

Mr Lyndal Barlin AM, Clerk of the House of Representatives
since March 1991, retires on 26 July 1997. The new Clerk is
Mr Ian Harris, who commences in the role on 27 July 1997.

1997 Sea of Hands demonstration

Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation organise the
‘Sea of Hands’, with over 60 000 individually signed plastic
hands placed in the front lawn of Parliament House on 12
October 1997 as a gesture of support for reconciliation.
The ‘Sea of Hands’ is a public protest opposing the Howard
Government’s proposed amendments to the Native Title Act The Sea of Hands
1993, and remains one of the most spectacular visual Image courtesy of ANTaR Vic
demonstrations of public sentiment in the history of the
permanent Parliament House. 182

182. S Bennett, Parliament House and the Australian people, Research paper no. 29, Parliamentary Library, 7 May 2008, p. 25, accessed 9 August
2012.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 72

 The second decade, 1998‒2008
Milestones Details Source Documents

1998 Change of Speaker

On 4 March 1998 the Rt Hon. Ian Sinclair (NP, Member for New
England, NSW, 1963‒98) is elected as Speaker of the House of
Representatives, succeeding the Hon. Robert Halverson.
Following his election, he states that:
For so long, as the Leader of the Opposition has suggested,
having been a protagonist in this place, it is somewhat
different to be sitting here to arbitrate. I confess that I come
with mixed feelings as one who loved the old place. As one
with my Sancho Panza enjoyed the venue for the course of the
Constitutional Convention, I can say to you all that it would be
my hope that we can bring to this chamber some of the magic The Rt Hon. Ian McCahon
that existed for so long down there. It was a place where Sinclair, 2001 by Charles
personal debate and policy debate I think was of a far higher Tompson (circa 1940)
order than regrettably is often achieved in this place and I
shall do what I can to ensure that we can meet these old Image courtesy of Historic
183 Memorials Collection,
standards.
Parliament House Art
Collection, Canberra ACT

1998 Marathon native title debate

The Native Title Amendment Bill finally passes the Senate in July
1998 on its third attempt. 184
The Bill was introduced by the Howard Government to implement
amendments to the Native Title Act 1993 as a result of the High
Court’s decision on the Wik case which determines that native title
can coexist on land held by pastoral leaseholders. The
amendments are collectively known as the ‘10 point plan’ and are
designed to give leaseholders ‘certainty’ as a result of the High
Court decision. The first Bill is amended by the Senate but set aside
by the House of Representatives when it couldn’t agree to the
Senate’s amendments. The second Bill is also amended by the
Senate but, following an agreement between the Government and
Senator Brian Harradine (Independent, Senator for Tasmania
1975‒2005), it is revived in the House of Representatives which
reconsiders the Senate’s amendments and makes further
amendments to give effect to the agreement. The Senate agrees to
the Bill as amended, and most of the provisions come into force on
30 September 1998. 185

1998 39th Parliament opened Read: Governor-General’s

speech at opening of 39th
The Governor-General, Sir William Deane, opens the 39th Parliament
Parliament on 10 November 1998, following the Commonwealth
election held on 3 October 1998 in which the Liberal‒Nationals

183. House of Representatives, 4 March 1998, p. 361.

184. Senate Journals, No. 192, 6 July 1998, p. 4200, accessed 8 February 2013.
185. Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, Native Title Resource Guide, accessed 4 September 2012; Parliament of
Australia, Senate statistical information, Bills debated for longer than 20 hours 1990–2012, accessed 4 September 2012.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 73

 Milestones Details Source Documents
Coalition, led by the Hon. John Howard (LP, Member for
Bennelong, NSW, 1974‒2007), retains government. 186

The Hon. John W Howard

AC, 2009 by Jiawei Shen
(1948‒)

Image courtesy of Historic

Memorials Collection,
Parliament House Art
Collection, Canberra ACT

1998 Change of Speaker

On 10 November 1998 the Hon. Neil Andrew (LP, Member for
Wakefield, SA 1983‒2004), is elected as Speaker of the House of
Representatives, succeeding the Rt Hon. Ian Sinclair.

The Hon. John Neil Andrew,

2002 by Robert Hannaford
(1944‒)

Image courtesy of Historic

Memorials Collection,
Parliament House Art
Collection, Canberra ACT

186. The opening of Parliament, Senate Brief No. 2, May 2011, accessed 9 August 2012.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 74

 Milestones Details Source Documents

1999 Former Speaker James Cope dies

Former Speaker the Hon. James Cope, CMG (ALP, Member for
Cook, NSW, 1955; Watson, NSW, 1955–69; Sydney, NSW, 1969–
75), dies on 3 February 1999 at the age of 91. He served as Speaker
from 27 February 1973 to 27 February 1975.
The House of Representatives pauses to remember former
Speaker Cope with a condolence motion moved by Prime
Minister Howard on 8 February 1999. The Senate also remembers
Mr Cope with a condolence motion moved by the Minister for the
Environment and Heritage, Senator the Hon. Robert Hill, on 15
February 1999.
The Hon. James Francis
Cope, 1973 by Judy Cassab
(1920–2015)

Image courtesy of Historic

Memorials Collection,
Parliament House Art
Collection, Canberra ACT

1999 Standard of dress for members of parliament

Speaker, the Hon. Neil Andrew (LP, Member for Wakefield, SA
1983‒2004), notes that the dress code for parliamentarians should
reflect the Parliament’s role as ‘the equivalent of the board room
of the nation'.
It is widely accepted throughout the community that the
standards should involve good trousers, a jacket, collar and tie
for men and a similar standard of formality for women. In my
view, most members would be uncomfortable with a lesser
degree of formality. My comments on an acceptable standard
of dress for members apply equally to officers and staff
occupying the advisors boxes, members of the press gallery
187
and guests in distinguished visitors gallery.

1999 Goods and Services Tax (GST) introduced Watch: Senator Brian
Harradine announcing his
The House of Representatives agrees to Senate amendments and intention to vote against
requests on 29 June 1999 in relation to A New Tax System (Goods the GST, 14 May 1999
and Services Tax) Act 1999 and related bills, and requests that the
bills be read a third time in the Senate. 188 Video courtesy of DPS
Broadcasting, Parliament
The GST is a key element of the Howard Government’s tax reform House
plan, and dominates the Government’s campaign in the lead up to
the 1998 Commonwealth election. On 14 May 1999 Senator Brian
Harradine (Tas. Ind., Senator for Tas., 1975‒2005) announces to
the Senate his intention to vote against the introduction of a GST.
The Australian Democrats, which shares the balance of power in
the Senate, uses its influence to help pass the legislation after
winning concessions from the Howard Government. The move

187. House of Representatives, Debates, 11 March 1999, p. 3787, accessed 8 February 2013.
188. House of Representatives, Debates, 29 June 1999, p. 7769, accessed 8 February 2013.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 75

 Milestones Details Source Documents
divides the parliamentary party and contributes to tensions within
the Democrats, eventually resulting in a change of leadership and
ultimately the demise of the minor party’s influence in the
Parliament. Debate on the Bill and 26 related bills lasts a total of
68 hours 54 minutes. 189

1999 Indigenous parliamentary representation

Following his election on 3 October 1998, Senator Aden Ridgeway
(AD, Senator for NSW, 1999‒2005) takes his seat in the Senate on
1 July 1999 as the second Indigenous person to be elected to the
Commonwealth Parliament.
Senate Ridgeway serves as deputy leader of the Australian
Democrats from 6 April 2001 to 21 August 2002. The first
Indigenous person to enter the Commonwealth Parliament was
Senator Neville Bonner AO (LP, Senator for Queensland, 1971‒83),
Senator Aden Ridgeway
who was appointed by the Queensland Parliament to replace
Senator (later Dame) Annabel Rankin (LP, Senator for Queensland, Image courtesy of
1947‒71). 190 Parliamentary Handbook

1999 Fire bombs thrown at Parliament House

On 11 July 1999 a man throws two fire bombs at the front doors of
Parliament House ‘to keep the bastards honest’. 191

1999 Motion of Reconciliation to Indigenous Australians Watch: Motion of

Reconciliation to
On 26 August 1999, and in the presence of members of the stolen Indigenous Australians in
generation, each of the two Houses of Parliament pass a resolution the House of
expressing deep and sincere regret for unspecified past injustices. Representatives (26 August
In the Senate, the motion is brought by Senator the Hon. Nick 1999) and in the Senate (24
Bolkus which states in part: November 1999)

Let us, as a Senate, stand with our fellow Australians Video courtesy of DPS
in their struggle for justice. Let us translate the Broadcasting, Parliament
compassion that this nation felt on the publication of House
that report into action. 192

In the House, a motion is brought by the Hon. John Howard (LP,

Member for Bennelong, NSW, 1974‒2007), which states in part:
That this House…expresses its deep and sincere regret that
indigenous Australians suffered injustices under the practices
of past generations, and for the hurt and trauma that many
indigenous people continue to feel as a consequence of those
193
practices.

189. B Bennett, A New Tax System (Goods and services Tax) Bill 1998, Bills Digest No. 97, 1998–9, 28 January 1999, accessed 13 September 2012;
C Madden, Australian Democrats: the passing of an era, Research Paper No. 25, 2008‒9, Parliamentary Library, 27 March 2009, accessed 12
September 2012; Senate, Bills debated for longer than 20 hours 1990–2012, op. cit.
190. Australian Electoral Commission, Electoral milestones – timetable for Indigenous Australians, accessed 13 September 2012.
191. ‘Man bombed Parliament “to keep the bastards honest”’, Sydney Morning Herald, 13 July 1999, p. 3.
192. Senate Journals, 24 November 1999, accessed 8 February 2013.
193. House of Representatives, Debates, 26 August 1999, p. 9205, accessed 8 February 2013; C Dow, Sorry: the unfinished business of the Bringing
Them Home report, Background Note, Parliamentary Library, 4 February 2008, accessed 4 September 2012.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 76

 Milestones Details Source Documents
Nine years later, both Houses of the Parliament agree to a formal
apology to the ‘Stolen Generations’, which is made on 13 February
2008.

1999 Senate proceedings go live

On 31 August 1999, the Senate ‘authorises the publication by
electronic means, including by the Internet, in sound and visual
images, of proceedings of the Senate and its committees, subject
to the rules applying to radio and television broadcasting of Senate
and committee proceedings’. 194

1999 ‘Shame Australia!! Shame!’ graffiti protest

On 10 September 1999 four men make their way to the roof of
Parliament House. They hang a protest banner on the coat of arms
at the front of the building’s Great Verandah as a sign of support
for East Timor which is in the midst of a violent conflict between
those who support or oppose East Timor’s independence from
Indonesia.
A former United Nations volunteer in East Timor uses spray-paint
to write ‘Shame Australia shame’ on the building. He later claims
to have been motivated by seeing school children in the foyer who
remind him of children he had left behind in East Timor and, ‘he
then decided that he wanted to do something outrageous to
match the outrageous situation in East Timor and to get maximum
publicity’. The men are subsequently found guilty of trespassing
and damaging Commonwealth property. 195

1999 Republican referendum

At a referendum held on 6 November 1999, Australians reject a
proposal to establish the Commonwealth of Australia as a republic
and the proposed insertion of an additional preamble to the
Constitution. 196

1999 White Wreath Day

White wreaths are laid on the front lawns of Parliament House on
24 November 1999 as an act of remembrance of victims of suicide.
The display marks the inaugural White Wreath Day, and is
designed to draw public attention to the tragedy of suicide and its
impact on the Australian community. 197

1999 Parliamentary Service Act 1999

The Parliamentary Service Act 1999 establishes a separate legal
framework covering staff employed by the Parliamentary
Departments.

194. Senate Journals, No. 65, 31 August 1999, p. 1606, accessed 11 February 2013.
195. D McLennan, ‘Activists fined for Parliament graffiti protest’, Canberra Times, 13 April 2000, cited in S Bennett, Parliament House and the
Australian people, Research paper no. 29, Parliamentary Library, 7 May 2008, p. 9, accessed 9 August 2012.
196. National Archives of Australia, Australia’s Prime Ministers Timeline, accessed 30 August 2012.
197. S Bennett, Parliament House and the Australian people, Research paper no. 29, Parliamentary Library, 7 May 2008, p. 16, accessed 9 August
2012.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 77

 Milestones Details Source Documents
Since the early years of Federation the Parliamentary Departments
were staffed under the common service-wide arrangements
provided by the Public Service Act 1922, which provided for the
administration of the Parliament through five Parliamentary
Departments: the Department of the House of Representatives,
the Department of the Senate, the Department of the
Parliamentary Library, the Department of the Parliamentary
Reporting Staff and the Joint House Department. 198
The Parliamentary Service Act 1999 provides for a separate
Parliamentary Service distinct from the Australian Public Service,
recognising the unique character of parliamentary service and the
obligation of parliamentary staff to serve the Parliament. It re-
establishes the Department of the Senate and the Department of
the House of Representatives, and provides for other
parliamentary departments to be established by resolution of both
Houses of Parliament. 199

2000 Parliament welcomes Australians serving in East Timor

On 7 March 2000 the President of the Senate and the Speaker of
the House of Representatives formally extend a welcome to the
commander of the international force in East Timor (INTERFET),
Major General Peter Cosgrove, who is accompanied by the Chief
and Vice Chief of the Defence Force and the Chiefs of the Navy,
Army and Air Force.
They also acknowledge the presence of troops who have returned
from INTERFET service, officers of the Australian Federal Police and
representatives of government and non-government agencies who
served in East Timor. 200 The Hon. John Howard (LP, Member for
Bennelong, NSW, 1974‒2007), hosts a luncheon at Parliament
House to recognise those who have served in East Timor.

2000 Midwinter Ball tradition

The Press Gallery at Parliament House conducts its first annual
Midwinter Ball, bringing together journalists, politicians and
corporate executives for a night of entertainment in order to raise
funds for charity.

2000 Laptops permitted in chamber

On 14 August 2000 members of parliament are given permission to
take laptop computers into the House of Representatives
chamber. 201

2001 Fatal asylum seeker protest

198. B Bennett, Parliamentary Service Bill 1999, Department of the Parliamentary Library, Bill Digest No. 18 1999‒2000, 1 August 1999, accessed
12 September 2012.
199. R Verspaandonk, Parliamentary Library, Changes in the Australian Public Service 1975‒2003, Chronology No. 1, 2002‒03, revised by I Holland,
2 June 2003, accessed 30 January 2013.
200. S Bennett, Parliament House and the Australian people, Research paper no. 29, Parliamentary Library, 7 May 2008, p. 9, accessed 9 August
2012.
201. ‘Point of order PM, you’ve got mail’, Australian, 15 August 2000, p. 1.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 78

 Milestones Details Source Documents
Parliament House is often chosen as the symbolic location for
demonstrations relating to the democratic rights of individuals. On
2 April 2001 Pakistani national Shahraz Kayani douses himself in
petrol and sets himself alight after a prolonged campaign to secure
asylum in Australia. He dies several days later. 202
James Bidgood (ALP, Member for Dawson, Qld, 2007‒10) allegedly
attempts to sell photographs taken of the man threatening to set
himself alight outside Parliament House. The Speaker of the House
of Representatives refers the incident to the Committee of
Privileges and Members’ Interests, which is proposing to review
the question of introducing a code of conduct for members. 203

2001 Commemorative joint sitting of Parliament

The Commonwealth Parliament meets in Melbourne’s Royal
Exhibition Building on 9 May 2001 in a historic joint sitting to
commemorate the Centenary of Federation and the first sitting of
the Parliament in 1901. Each House then meets in the Victorian
Parliament House on 10 May 2001.
Centenary of Federation
The first Commonwealth Parliament was opened in the Royal
Commemorative Sitting of
Exhibition Building on 9 May 1901 by the Duke of Cornwall and Federal Parliament, Royal
York, later King George V. The Constitution provided that the Exhibition Building,
Parliament would sit in Melbourne until it could meet at the seat Melbourne, 9 May 2001
(2003) by Robert Hannaford
of Government, to be determined by the Parliament. It continued
(1944-)
to meet in the Victorian Parliament House in Melbourne until the
Image courtesy of Historic
provisional (Old) Parliament House was opened in Canberra in
Memorials Collection,
1927. 204 Parliament House Art
Collection, Canberra ACT

Watch: Centenary of
Federation historic joint
sitting in the Senate and
the House of
Representatives, Victorian
Parliament, 10 May 2001

Video courtesy of DPS

Broadcasting, Parliament
House

2001 Women’s Charter for Political Reform

A Women’s Charter for Political Reform prepared by Women Into
Politics is launched on 27 June 2001. It calls for:
1. political parties to be included in the Commonwealth Sex and
Race Discrimination Acts
2. the Commonwealth Electoral Act to be amended to ensure

202. ‘Point of order PM, you’ve got mail’, Australian, 15 August 2000, p. 30.
203. D McKeown, Codes of conduct in Australian and selected overseas parliaments, Parliamentary Library, Background Note, updated 18
September 2012, accessed 30 January 2013.
204. History of Parliament House, Parliament of Australia, accessed 9 August 2012; The opening of Parliament, Senate Brief No. 2, May 2011,
accessed 9 August 2012.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 79

 Milestones Details Source Documents
around 50 per cent of pre-selection candidates are women,
penalising parties that failed to comply
3. 50 per cent of cabinets and shadow cabinets to be women
4. Parliament House to provide childcare and have family-friendly
sitting hours, and
5. public funding of elections to be increased, while donations to
be restricted to $1,000 for individuals and $10,000 for
companies. 205

2001 Explosives packages intercepted

During a regular scan of incoming mail on 3 September 2001,
Parliament House security staff intercept three packages
addressed to the Hon. Kim Beazley, Senator Natasha Stott Despoja
and Senator Bob Brown. They contain bullets and explosive
detonators.
The packages are believed to be related to their opposition to the
Government's stand on refugees. Senators Brown and Stott
Despoja have been outspoken in their condemnation of the
government's treatment of the 438 boatpeople aboard the
Norwegian freighter, MS Tampa. Mr Beazley refuses to support the
government on legislation it says it needed to back up its legal
position of refusing the right of the boatpeople to land on
Australian soil. 206

2001 9/11 service in Great Hall Watch: 9/11 service in

Great Hall, 17 September
Over 2000 people fill the Great Hall to overflowing on 17 2001
September 2001 for an inter-denominational service to
commemorate the people killed and injured by terrorist attacks in Video courtesy of DPS
New York, Washington DC, and Pennsylvania on 11 September Broadcasting, Parliament
2001. House

In attendance are most members of the Parliament, senior public

servants, diplomats, members of the armed services and members
of the public. Anglican Bishop to the Defence Force, Tom Frame,
speaks of ‘a day that has diminished our world’. 207 Immediately
following the attacks, the level of security threat is raised from low
to medium, and new measures are introduced including screening
all people entering the building, with the exception of senators
and members, and restricting the use of unaccompanied passes for
visitors to private areas of the House. 208

2001 Telecommunications upgraded

The telecommunications network in Parliament House is upgraded
with one of the most technologically sophisticated

205. S Peatling, ‘Order in the House not just a job for the girls’, Sydney Morning Herald, 29 June 2001, accessed 14 January 2013.
206. AAP, Register of events, cited in Parliamentary Library, 3 September 2001.
207. S Bennett, Parliament House and the Australian people, Research paper no. 29, Parliamentary Library, 7 May 2008, p. 16, accessed 9 August
2012.
208. D Elder, ‘The new terrorism—the example of the Commonwealth Parliament, Australasian Parliamentary Review, Spring 2004, Vol. 19, No. 1,
p. 151.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 80

 Milestones Details Source Documents
communications platforms in Australia, with the potential to bring
together the Parliament networking and IT systems with the
Internet and integrated voice communications. 209

2001 The Peoplescape

As part of the Centenary of Federation, in November–December
2001 thousands of Australians are honoured with the Peoplescape
exhibition outside Parliament House. It is the largest outdoor art
installation in Australia.

2002 40th Parliament opened Read: Governor-General’s

speech at opening of 40th
The Governor-General, the Right Reverend Dr Peter Hollingworth, Parliament
opens the 40th Parliament on 12 February 2002, following the
federal election held on 10 November 2001 in which the Liberal‒
Nationals Coalition, led by the Hon. John Howard (LP, Member for
Bennelong, NSW, 1974‒2007), retains government. 210

2002 Change of President

On 19 August 2002 the Hon. Paul Calvert (LP, Senator for
Tasmania, 1987‒2007) is elected as President of the Senate,
succeeding the Hon. Margaret Reid. He serves as President until 14
August 2007.

The Hon. Paul Henry

Calvert, 2003‒04 by Paul
Newton (1961‒)

Image courtesy of Historic

Memorials Collection,
Parliament House Art
Collection, Canberra ACT

2002 Protesters climb flagpole

On 20 August 2002, Greenpeace demonstrators climb the
Parliament House flagpole and unfurl a banner protesting at the
Governments’ refusal to ratify the Kyoto Protocol on global
warming. 211

2002 Bali bombing memorial service

Relatives and friends of victims of the terrorist bombing in Bali,
together with members of parliament, premiers, diplomats and

209. ‘Upgrade planned for Parliament House’, The Canberra Times, 12 March 2001
210. The opening of Parliament, Senate Brief No. 2, May 2011, accessed 9 August 2012.
211. ‘Greenpeace protest hits great heights’, Canberra Times, 21 August 2002, accessed 14 January 2013.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 81

 Milestones Details Source Documents
church leaders, attend a national memorial service at Parliament
House on 24 October 2002. 212 During the interdenominational
service, the relatives are invited to light candles in memory of their
loved ones and to place a flower in a specially-prepared Balinese
water garden.

2003 Anti-Iraq war protests

Four anti-Iraq war protesters walk from Melbourne to Parliament
House in Canberra in early March 2003, taking their message of
peace to country towns along the way. 213
On 24 March security guards remove a number of anti-war
protesters from the House of Representatives chamber as the
Prime Minister the Hon. John Howard (LP, Member for Bennelong,
NSW, 1974‒2007) answers questions about the war on Iraq.
Outside, a crowd of anti-war protesters attempt to storm
Parliament House, calling for the Government to bring him
Australian troops in Iraq, and a line of police with arms linked form
a barricade outside the main doors. Similar anti-war protests are
conducted in many cities around the world during 2002 and 2003.

2003 Degree conferred upon architect

The degree of Doctor of Science in Architecture (honoris causa) is
conferred upon Professor Romaldo Giurgola AO by the University
of Sydney at a ceremony on 28 March 2003. 214

Mr Giurgola (front, centre)

followed by Jan Utzon,
making their way to the
ceremony with the Dean of
Architecture, Professor
Gary Moore (front, left) and
Professor John Carter
(front, right), Civil
Engineering Adjunct
Professor and then Chair of
the Academic Board.

Image courtesy of The

University of Sydney
UniNews, 11 April 2003

2003 Breastfeeding permitted in Senate

212. R Peake, ‘Water garden tribute for House memorial’, Canberra Times, 24 October 2002, accessed 14 January 2013.
213. G Curry, ‘Long walk to bring anti-war message to Parliament’, Canberra Times, 6 March 2003, accessed 9 January 2013.
214. The University of Sydney Honorary Awards: Professor Romaldo Giurgola AO, accessed 26 September 2012.

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 Milestones Details Source Documents
On 13 May 2003 the Senate amends the Standing Orders to permit
a breastfeeding infant in the chamber. 215

2003 Governor-General resigns

On 15 May 2003 the Senate passes a resolution calling for the
removal of the Governor-General, the Right Reverend Dr Peter
Hollingworth, AC, OBE, following controversy about his role in
handling sex abuse allegations within the Anglican Church. He
subsequently resigns as Governor-General on 25 May 2003 and is
succeeded by Major General Michael Jeffery, AC, CVO, MC
(retd). 216

2003 Bali bombing memorial service Watch: National

remembrance service
A memorial to the victims of the Bali terrorist attack is unveiled by honouring the victims of
Prime Minister the Hon. John Howard (LP, Member for Bennelong, the terrorist attack in Bali,
NSW, 1974‒2007) in the gardens of Parliament House on 16 Great Hall, 16 October 2003
October 2003, witnessed by about 550 survivors and families of
bombing victims. The Prime Minister then gives an emotional DPS Broadcasting,
address to a national memorial service in the Great Hall, saying: Parliament House

By this service today I hope we may seal forever in this

national parliament their place in the heart of the nation. They
217
will never be forgotten.

Twelve doves are released to mark the occasion, and the flags
outside Parliament House are lowered to half mast.

2003 World leaders visit

In what Prime Minister the Hon. John Howard (LP, Member for
Bennelong, NSW, 1974‒2007) describes as ‘an unprecedented
sequencing of speeches’, the Commonwealth Parliament is
addressed on 23 and 24 October 2003 by two of the world’s most
powerful leaders—United States President George W Bush, and
President of the People’s Republic of China, Hu Jintao. 218

2003 President of United States addresses Parliament Watch: Address by the

President of the United
The President of the United States of America, George W Bush, States
addresses a joint meeting of Parliament on 23 October 2003.
Video courtesy of DPS
Greens Senators Bob Brown (Senator for Tasmania, 1996‒2012) Broadcasting, Parliament
and Kerry Nettle (Senator for New South Wales, 2002‒08) are House
purportedly suspended from the ‘service of the House’ for
interjecting during the address and not leaving the chamber when
directed by the Speaker to do so. 219

215. Standing Order 175; R Laing, Annotated standing orders of the Australian Senate, Department of the Senate, 2009, Appendix 1: Chronology of
procedural developments in the Senate, p. 577.
216. ‘Hollingworth resigns’, Australianpolitics.com, 25 May 2003, accessed 4 December 2012.
217. ‘PM tells Bali memorial service: they will never be forgotten’, Sydney Morning Herald, 16 October 2003, accessed 19 December 2012.
218. T Kendall, Within China’s orbit? China through the eyes of the Australian Parliament, 2007 Australian Parliamentary Fellow, Parliamentary
Library, August 2008.
219. House of Representatives, Debates, 23 October 2003, p. 21689, accessed 15 February 2013.

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 Milestones Details Source Documents

2003 President of China addresses Parliament Watch: Address by the

President of the People’s
President of the People’s Republic of China, His Excellency Hu Republic of China
Jintao, addresses a joint meeting of Parliament on 24 October
2003. 220 Video courtesy of DPS
Broadcasting, Parliament
His address follows motions from the Democrats Senator Lyn House
Allison (Senator for Victoria, 1996‒2008) that both he and the US
President George W Bush be received in the Great Hall of
Parliament House. The motions reflect minor party opposition to
an address in the House of Representatives by a non-
democratically elected head of state. Following interjections in
President Bush’s address on the previous day, Greens Senators
Bob Brown and Kerry Nettle do not attend President Hu’s address.
The events are subsequently considered by the Senate Privileges President Hu Jintao
and Procedure Committees which recommend that any future addresses a joint meeting
addresses be to the House of Representatives to which senators of the Australian
are invited as guests. The recommendation is adopted for all Parliament
future such addresses. 221
Image courtesy of AUSPIC

2003 Bogong moth infestation

Each year, Parliament House is invaded by Bogong moths (Agrotis
infusa), which migrate annually to the highest peaks in the
Southern Alps. The annual infestation is the subject of ongoing
efforts by the Joint House Department and subsequently the
Department of Parliamentary Services to repel the moths.
On 29 October 2003, during the annual ‘Bogong moth season’,
Senator Meg Lees (AD 1990‒2002, Independent 2002‒3,
Australian Progressive Alliance 2003‒5, Senator for South
Australia, 1990‒2005) expresses concern about birds around
Parliament House dying as a result of poison being used to kill the
moths. 222
Parliament House acts as a giant light trap for the moths as they
pass through the Canberra area during October and November. 223

2004 Department of Parliamentary Services established

On 1 February 2004 the Department of Parliamentary Services is
established under the Parliamentary Service Act 1999 and
resolutions passed by both Houses.
This new department is responsible for providing integrated
services and facilities to occupants of the building, and replaces
the Joint House Department, Department of the Parliamentary
Reporting Staff and the Department of the Parliamentary

220. House of Representatives, Debates, 24 October 2003, p. 21697, accessed 15 February 2013.
221. T Kendall, Within China’s orbit? China through the eyes of the Australian Parliament, 2007 Australian Parliamentary Fellow, Parliamentary
Library, August 2008.
222. Senate, Debates, 29 October 2003, p. 17067,
223. B McCormick, Bogong moths and Parliament House, Parliamentary Library, Research Briefs (Science, Technology, Environment and Resources
Section), 18 December 2006, accessed 31 January 2013.

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 Milestones Details Source Documents
Library. 224

2004 Australia–United States Free Trade Agreement

On 8 February 2004 the Minister for Trade, the Hon. Mark Vaile
(NP, Member for Lyne, NSW, 1993‒2008), announces that
Australia has entered a free trade agreement with the US, the
Australia United States Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA). There is a
simultaneous announcement by the US of a free trade agreement
with Australia. 225

2004 Man jumps onto floor of chamber

On 12 February 2004, security guards drag a man from the floor of
the Parliament after he jumps into the House of Representatives
chamber from the public gallery during Question Time.
He is later charged with disrupting the procedures of the
Parliament, causing alarm and fear to members of the House of
Representatives and intimidating officials, and is ordered to not go
within 100 metres of Parliament House or the US Embassy. The
ACT Magistrates Court later hears that he travelled from Victoria
to Canberra to protest against the presence of the US government
interests in Australia. 226

2004 Cabinet Room flooded

On 18 April 2004 the Cabinet Room at Parliament House is
flooded, resulting in extensive damage to the carpets in the
Cabinet suite, parts of the Prime Minister’s foyer and surrounding
corridors. There was also some damage to the parquetry flooring,
walls, ceilings and some furniture in the area. 227

2004 Parliament House Vista heritage-listed

The Australian Heritage Council adds the Parliament House Vista to
the Commonwealth Heritage List. 228 The heritage status of
Parliament House is the subject of ongoing debate given the
unique position of the parliamentary precincts.

2004 Twenty millionth visitor

On 12 May 2004 the President of the Senate and the Speaker of
the House welcome the twenty-millionth visitor to Parliament
House in Canberra since it opened on 9 May 1988. 229

Parliament House visitors

1988‒2011

Image courtesy of DPS

224. Department of Finance and Deregulation, Parliamentary services, accessed 11 February 2013.
225. The Hon. Mark Vaile, MP, ‘Free trade agreement with the United States’, press release, 8 February 2004.
226. ‘Man fined for jumping from public gallery’, Canberra Times, 28 May 2004, p. 3,
227. ‘Cabinet leak has PM’s office in deep water’, Australian, 19 April 2004, accessed 14 January 2013.
228. Australian Government, Commonwealth Heritage List, accessed 10 September 2012.
229. Senator the Hon. Paul Calvert, ’20 millionth visitor to Parliament House’, media release. 12 May 2004, accessed 4 December 2012.

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 Milestones Details Source Documents
Annual Report, 2010-11,
Fig. 4.8

2004 Central Reference Document

A Central Reference Document is prepared in July 2004 by Pamille
Berg AO, expressing the architect’s intent in the design of the
building and its surroundings, and to provide the Presiding Officers
and Parliamentary departments with a text to guide the daily
management of Parliament House. 230

2004 Former Speaker Dr Henry Jenkins dies

Former Speaker the Hon. Dr Henry (Harry) Jenkins (ALP, Member
for Scullin, Vic., 1969‒85), dies on 27 July 2004 at the age of 78. He
served as Speaker from 21 April 1983 to 11 February 1986.
The House of Representatives pauses to remember former
Speaker Jenkins with a condolence motion moved by Prime
Minister Howard on 3 August 2004. The Senate also remembers
Dr Jenkins with a condolence motion moved by the Leader of the
Government in the Senate, Senator the Hon. Robert Hill, on the
same day.

The Hon. Dr Henry Alfred

Jenkins, 1985 by Wesley
Walters (1928–2014)

Image courtesy of Historic

Memorials Collection,
Parliament House Art
Collection, Canberra ACT

2004 Change of Speaker

On 16 November 2004 the Hon. David Hawker (LP, Member for
Wannon, Vic 1983‒2010) is elected as Speaker of the House of
Representatives, succeeding the Hon. Neil Andrew. He has
authority to act as Speaker following the dissolution of the
Parliament on 17 October 2007 and the date of election of his
successor on 12 February 2008.

The Hon. David Peter

Maxwell Hawker, 2007 by
Jiawei Shen (1948‒)

Image courtesy of Historic

Memorials Collection,

230. Department of Parliamentary Services, Parliament House Heritage Management Framework 2011, Canberra, p. 21, accessed 4 December
2012.

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 Milestones Details Source Documents
Parliament House Art
Collection, Canberra ACT

2004 41st Parliament opening Read: Governor-General’s

st
speech at opening of 41
The Governor-General, Major General Michael Jeffrey, opens the Parliament
41st Parliament on 16 November 2004, following the federal
election held on 9 October 2004 in which the Liberal‒Nationals
Coalition, led by the Hon. John Howard (LP, Member for
Bennelong, NSW, 1974‒2007), retain government. 231

2005 Memorial Service for victims of crash of RAN helicopter on Nihas

A national commemorative service is held in the Great Hall of
Parliament House in Canberra on 15 April 2005 for nine ADF
personnel killed in the crash of a Navy Sea King helicopter on the
Indonesian island of Nias. The crash occurred while the crew was
conducting an humanitarian aid sortie.

2005 Capital Hill unconformity heritage-listed

A geological feature known as the Capital Hill unconformity
beneath Parliament House is entered in the Commonwealth
Heritage List on 3 June 2005, together with the State Circle
Cutting. Together, these sites provide the keys to interpreting the
ancient geological landscape of the Canberra region. 232

2005 White powder security incidents

The Speaker reports to the House on enhanced security measures
to reduce the risk of letters containing hazardous substances
entering Parliament House.
This follows three incidents over the previous two weeks where
white powder is found in letters delivered to the building. In all
instances the powder is found to be non-hazardous, but the new
procedures are considered a necessary security measure. 233
Parliament House correspondence is automatically security-
checked in the so-called ‘White Powder Room’ in a dedicated
room in the building’s basement. According to a submission to the
Chairman of the Joint House Committee on Privileges, the room
was installed after several incidents involving the threat of anthrax
contamination, including the death of two postal workers in the
United States. 234

231. The opening of Parliament, Senate Brief No. 2, May 2011, accessed 9 August 2012.
232. Australian Government, Commonwealth Heritage List, accessed 10 September 2012.
233. House of Representatives, Debates, 14 June 2005, p. 1, accessed 15 January 2013.
234. Letter from Senator R Lightfoot to the Chairman, Committee of Privileges, Parliament House, Canberra, 16 February 2004, accessed 15
January 2013.

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2005 Combet v Commonwealth case

On 21 October 2005 the High Court judgment in Combet v
Commonwealth places responsibility on Parliament for ensuring
that appropriations are properly expended. 235

2005 3000 Candles of Hope

On 30 November 2005, protesters light 3000 Candles of Hope in
Federation Mall at the front of Parliament House as part of a
campaign to save the life of Australian Van Tuong Nguyen who
faces execution in Singapore’s Changi Prison after being convicted
of drug trafficking on 20 March 2004. The case sparks debate in
the Parliament over the death penalty. 236
This date marks the anniversary of the first abolition of the death
penalty in a European state, the Great Duchy of Tuscany in 1786.
The Canberra vigil, hosted by the Amnesty International
Parliamentary Group, provides the opportunity for
parliamentarians, Canberrans and visitors to express their support
for Van and his family by lighting a candle and standing in silent
opposition to the death penalty. It is part of an international
action, Cities of Life—Cities against the Death Penalty, whereby
300 cities around the world including 29 capital cities. 237

2005 Joint Standing Committee on the Parliamentary Library

The Parliamentary Service Act 1999 is amended to establish the
position of the Parliamentary Librarian as a statutory position, and
a Joint Standing Committee on the Parliamentary Library which
effectively supersedes the functions previously undertaken by
standing committees of each House meeting jointly. 238

2005 Abortion pill RU486

In a rare expression of cross-party cooperation, four women from
the Australian Democrats, Australian Labor Party, Liberal Party and
National Party jointly introduce a private senators’ bill on 8
December 2005 to remove ministerial power over the availability
of the ‘abortion pill’, RU486.
The initiating senators of
Senators Claire Moore (ALP, Senator for Queensland, 2001‒) , Lyn the RU486 bill after it
Allison (AD, Senator for Victoria, 1996‒2008), Judith Troeth (LP, passed through the House
Senator for Victoria, 1993‒2011), and Fiona Nash (NP, Senator for of Representatives: (from
NSW, 2004‒) co-sponsor the Therapeutic Goods Amendment left) Claire Moore (Labor),
(Repeal of Ministerial Responsibility for Approval of RU486) Bill Lyn Allison (Australian
2005. The Bill is passed by the Parliament and assented to on 3 Democrats), Judith Troeth
March 2006, becoming one of only 13 private senators’ bills to (Liberal) and Fiona Nash

235. H Evans and R Laing, eds, Odgers’ Australian Senate Practice, Thirteenth edn, Department of the Senate, Canberra, 2012, Appendix 10: A
chronology of the Senate 1901‒2008, accessed 8 February 2013.
236. House of Representatives, Debates, 22 May 2006, p. 17, accessed 14 January 2013.
237. Amnesty International, ‘Today, Canberra joins with cities around the world in the call for the abolition of the death penalty’, 1 December
2005, accessed 18 December 2012.
238. R Laing, Annotated standing orders of the Australian Senate, Department of the Senate, 2009, Appendix 1: Chronology of procedural
developments in the Senate, p. 577.

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 Milestones Details Source Documents
pass into law since 1901. 239 (Nationals).

Image courtesy of AAP

2005 Security wall

Parliament House security is upgraded in the aftermath of terrorist
attacks overseas, including those in New York and Washington in
2001 and in Bali in 2002. A waist-high 40-centimetre thick security
wall is built around Parliament House, in response to heightened
concerns about security.
The wall replaces water-filled plastic barricades that have
surrounded the building for almost two years, and is part of an
$11.7 million security upgrade that includes retractable metal
bollards at all access roads, and strengthened external windows
around ministerial offices. 240

2006 UK Prime Minister the Hon. Tony Blair Watch: Address by the
Prime Minister of the
On 27 March 2006 the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, the United Kingdom
Hon. Tony Blair, gives an address to the Parliament. 241
Video courtesy of DPS
This is the first address given by a visiting foreign head of state Broadcasting, Parliament
where Senators are invited as guests to a sitting of the House of House
Representatives. According to the House of Representatives
Practice:
The initial practice on such occasions was that the House and
Senate would meet (concurrently rather than in joint session)
in the House of Representatives Chamber to hear the address.
The Senate met in the House Chamber at the House’s
invitation; having agreed that the Speaker would preside and
that the procedures of the House would apply so far as they
were applicable.

Following an incident in 2003, the House adopted Senate

Committee recommendations that future addresses by invited
dignitaries be given to the House of Representatives to which
senators are invited as guests. 242

2006 Beaconsfield miners’ reception Watch: Beaconsfield

miners’ reception, 30 May
The Great Hall is often the venue for commemorative or 2006
celebratory events that have particular significance or meaning for
Australians. On 30 May 2006, a public reception is hosted in the Video courtesy of DPS
Great Hall by Prime Minister the Hon. John Howard (LP, Member Broadcasting, Parliament
for Bennelong, NSW, 1974‒2007) for two Tasmanian miners, Brant House
Webb and Todd Russell, in recognition of their dramatic rescue

239. Therapeutic Goods Amendment (Repeal of Ministerial responsibility for approval of RU486) Act 2006, ComLaw, accessed 6 September 2012,; J
McCann and J Wilson, Representation of women in Australian parliaments, Background Note, Parliamentary Library, 7 March 2012, accessed
6 September 2012,; Senate Statistics Unit, Private Senators’ Bills, p. 64, accessed 12 September 2012.
240. D Elder, ‘The new terrorism: the parliamentary response—the example of the Commonwealth Parliament, Australasian Parliamentary
Review, Vol. 19, No. 1, 2004, pp. 149‒55.
241. House of Representatives, Debates, 27 March 2006, p. 3, accessed 12 February 2013.
242. BC Wright, ed, House of Representatives Practice (sixth edn), Chapter 4: Parliament House and access to proceedings, p. 242, accessed 12
January 2013.

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 Milestones Details Source Documents
from the Beaconsfield mine after 14 days trapped underground. 243

2006 Human cloning laws

On 19 October 2006 Senator Kay Patterson (LP, Senator for
Victoria, 1987‒2008) introduces a private senator’s bill dealing
with human cloning and human embryo research. It becomes one
of only 13 private senator’s bills to become law since 1901.
The bill seeks to amend the Prohibition of Human Cloning for
Reproduction Act 2002 and the Research Involving Human Embryos
Act 2002, both of which received Assent on 19 December 2002.
The amendment bill is assented to on 12 December 2006, and
becomes the Prohibition of Human Cloning for Reproduction and
the Regulation of Human Embryo Research Amendment Act
2006. 244

2006 Former President of the Senate Sir Harold Young dies

Former President of the Senate the Hon. Sir Harold Young, KCMG
(LP, Senator for South Australia, 1967‒83), dies on 21 November
2006 at the age of 83. He served as President from 18 August 1981
to 21 April 1983.
The Senate pauses to remember former President Young with a
condolence motion moved by the Minister for Finance and
Administration, Senator the Hon. Nick Minchin, on 27 November
2006.
The Hon. Sir Harold William
Young KCMG, 1983 by
Vernon Jones (1908–2002)

Image courtesy of Historic

Memorials Collection,
Parliament House Art
Collection, Canberra ACT

2006 Senate standing committee changes

The Senate standing committee system is amended to restore its
pre-1994 structure. This involves amalgamating the pairs of
committees in each subject area, and this arrangement remains
until 2009 when the post-1994 structure is restored. 245

2007 Kyoto Protocol

Australia signs the Kyoto Protocol, the international agreement to
limit greenhouse gas emissions passed by the United Nations in
1997. 246

243. S Bennett, Parliament House and the Australian people, Research paper no. 29, Parliamentary Library, 7 May 2008, p. 17, accessed 9 August
2012.
244. Senate Statistics Unit, Private Senators’ Bills, p. 66, accessed 12 September 2012.
245. H Evans and R Laing, eds, Odgers’ Australian Senate Practice, Thirteenth edn, Department of the Senate, Canberra, 2012, Appendix 10: A
chronology of the Senate 1901‒2008, accessed 8 February 2013.
246. Parliamentary Library, The Kyoto Protocol, Climate change – Background Note, 15 July 2010, accessed 14 January 2013.

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2007 Memorial service for Jeannie Ferris

Senator Jeannie Ferris (LP, Senator for South Australia, 1996‒2007)
is farewelled in a memorial service in the Great Hall following her
death from ovarian cancer in April 2007. A former journalist and
lobbyist, Ferris was Deputy Government Whip in the Senate from
2001 to 2002, and Government Whip from 22 August 2002 until
her death.
In 2006 the Senate, on the motion of Senators Ferris, Allison and
Moore, Allison, established an inquiry into gynaecological cancers.
The report, Breaking the silence: a national voice for
gynaecological cancers, highlighted the issues involved in dealing
with this form of cancer, particularly for women in rural Australia.
The government responded by accepting all recommendations,
including providing $1 million for a new gynaecological cancer
centre.

2007 Message stick tabled in the Senate Watch: Senator Bob Brown
tabling message stick in the
Senator Bob Brown is given leave by the Senate to table a message Senate
stick, plus a translation, in the course of debate on the 2007
Northern Territory emergency response legislation. Video courtesy of DPS
Broadcasting, Parliament
The message stick was presented to the Parliament by Raymattja House
Marika on behalf of the Northern Territory Indigenous peoples, at
the Gulkula meeting at Garma in the Northern Territory on 3 and 4
August 2007. The message stick reads:
Stop the legislation. Sit down and talk. No more
247
dispossession.

2007 Change of President

On 14 August 2007 the Hon. Alan Ferguson (LP, Senator for South
Australia, 1992‒2011) is elected as President of the Senate,
succeeding the Hon. Paul Calvert.

The Hon. Alan Baird

Ferguson, 2009 by Robert
Hannaford (1944‒)

Image courtesy of Historic

Memorials Collection,
Parliament House Art
Collection, Canberra ACT

247. Senate, Debates, 13 August 2007, p. 86, accessed 16 January 2013.

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2007 Canadian Prime Minister the Rt Hon. Stephen Harper Watch: Address by the
Prime Minister of Canada
On 11 September 2007 the Prime Minister of Canada, the Rt Hon.
Stephen Harper, addresses the Parliament. In accordance with a Video courtesy of DPS
procedure agreed to in 2003, the address is presented in the Broadcasting, Parliament
House and Senators attend as guests of the House. 248 House

2007 Matt Price memorial service

A memorial service is held in the Great Hall on 13 December 2007
in honour of the late Matt Price, a highly-regarded political and
sports journalist and member of the Canberra Press Gallery. The
Great Hall is often the venue for commemorative or celebratory
events that have particular significance or meaning for
Australians. 249

248. House of Representatives, Debates, 11 September 2007, p. 3, accessed 12 February 2013.

249. S Bennett, Parliament House and the Australian people, Research paper no. 29, Parliamentary Library, 7 May 2008, p. 18, accessed 9 August
2012.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 92

 The third decade, 2008‒18
Milestones Details Source Documents
2008
Landscape trial
In January 2008 the Department of Parliamentary Services
commences a landscape trial using different varieties of couch
grass on the extensive lawns of Parliament House.
The trial forms part of the environmental management
activities at Parliament House which aim to reduce energy
use, greenhouse gas emissions, water use and waste
generation. 250

2008 42nd Parliament opened Read: Governor-General’s speech

nd
at opening of 42 Parliament
On 12 February 2008 the Governor-General, Major-General
Michael Jeffery, opens the 42nd Parliament following the
federal election held on 24 November 2007 in which the ALP,
led by the Hon. Kevin Rudd (ALP, Member for Griffith, Qld,
1998‒), wins government and the Hon. Julia Gillard (ALP,
Member for Lalor, Vic., 1998‒2013) becomes Australia’s first
female deputy Prime Minister.

2008 First welcome to country ceremony Watch: Welcome to country

ceremony
At the opening of the 42nd Parliament on 12 February 2008,
Aboriginal people in traditional dress greet members of Video courtesy of DPS
Parliament in the first ‘welcome to country’ ceremony of Broadcasting, Parliament House
Indigenous music and dance to be held in the building. 251
Ngambri elder Matilda House-Williams presents Prime
Minister the Hon. Kevin Rudd (ALP, Member for Griffith, Qld,
1998‒), with a message stick. In her speech, she says:
A ‘Welcome to Country’ acknowledges our people and pays
respect to our ancestors, the spirits who created the lands….
With this welcome comes a great symbolism. The hope of a
united nation, through reconciliation we can join together the
people of the oldest living culture in the world and with
others who have come from all over the globe, and who
continue to come. And together forging a united Australia so
committed to succeeding that we will not be denied. Prime
Minister, my grandchildren have handed you a gift, a message
stick, a tangible symbol of today’s ceremony. The message
stick, it’s a means of communication used by our peoples for
thousands of years. They tell the story of our coming
together. With this renewed hope and our pride, our strength
is refreshed. Like our ancestors, we can reach new heights
soaring on the wings of the eagles. Thank you very much, and
welcome to the land of my ancestors. 252

250. Parliament of Australia, Landscape trials, accessed 24 August 2012.

251. The opening of Parliament, Senate Brief No. 2, May 2011, accessed 9 August 2012,; S Bennett, Parliament House and the Australian people,
Research paper no. 29, Parliamentary Library, 7 May 2008, p. 25, accessed 9 August 2012.
252. ‘Welcome to Country: opening of the 42nd Australian Parliament [verbatim transcript]’, Parliament House, Canberra, 12 February 2008,
Citation Id RLPP6, accessed 15 February 2013.

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 Milestones Details Source Documents
The ceremony becomes a standard feature of future openings
of parliament.

2008 Change of Speaker

On 12 February 2008 Harry Jenkins (ALP, Member for Scullin,
Vic., 1986‒2013) is elected as Speaker of the House of
Representatives, succeeding the Hon. David Hawker.
Notably, Mr Jenkins’ father, Dr Henry Jenkins, was also
Speaker of the House of Representatives (from 1983 to 1986).
Upon being elected to the Speakership Mr Jenkins
acknowledges following his father in the role.

Mr Harry Jenkins, Speaker of the

House of Representatives, 2010
by Rick Amor (1948)

Image courtesy of Historic

Memorials Collection, Parliament
House Art Collection, Canberra
ACT

2008 Nursing mothers proxy vote

On 12 February 2008, the House of Representatives passes a
resolution allowing members who are nursing mothers to
vote by proxy ‘for any division except that on the third
reading of a bill which proposes an alteration of the
Constitution’.
In doing so the House recognises that Members required to
nurse infants may not always be able to attend in the
Chamber to vote in divisions. The provision is first used on 20
October 2008 by Sophie Mirabella (LP, Member for Indi, Vic.,
2001‒2013). 253

2008 Apology to Stolen Generations

On 13 February 2008 the Prime Minister the Hon. Kevin Rudd
(ALP, Member for Griffith, Qld, 1998‒) presents an apology to
Indigenous Australians as a motion to be voted on by the
House of Representatives. The motion offers an apology to
Australia’s Indigenous peoples, and especially to members of
the ‘Stolen Generations’.
The Prime Minister follows the apology with a 20-minute The Apology Manuscript, 2008 by
speech which is witnessed in the gallery of the House by Gemma Black (1956-)
invited members of the Stolen Generation, and televised to
large gatherings of people in venues around Australia Image courtesy of Parliament
including a large crowd outside Parliament House: House Gift Collection, Canberra
ACT
We apologise for the laws and policies of successive
Watch: Apology to Stolen
parliaments and governments that have inflicted profound
Generations
grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians. We

253. House of Representatives Votes and Proceedings, 12 February 2008, item 27, pp. 27–8, accessed 26 August 2012.

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 Milestones Details Source Documents
apologise especially for the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Video courtesy of DPS
Strait Islander children from their families, their communities Broadcasting, Parliament House
and their country... 254
The Hon. Dr Brendan Nelson (LP, Member for Bradfield, NSW,
1996‒2009), Leader of the Opposition, speaks in support of
this motion. An identical motion is heard by the Senate and is
passed unanimously. Following the Apology Lorraine Peeters,
a member of the Stolen Generations, presents the Prime
Minister and the Leader of the Opposition with a glass
coolamon made by Bai Bai Napangardi, a Balgo artist. The
coolamon contains the message: ‘On behalf of our people,
thank you for saying sorry’. Tom Calma, the Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, gives a
speech in the Members’ Hall after being asked by the Stolen
Generations Alliance and the National Sorry Day Committee
to respond to the Apology. 255

2008 World Youth Day invitation

The Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell and the
Archbishop of Canberra and Bishop Anthony Fisher join
Catholic schoolchildren from across Canberra and the wider
region in welcoming a 3.8 metre cross and an icon into the
Great Hall of Parliament House on World Youth Day
celebrated on 18 February 2008.
The objects come from Ground Zero in New York City, East
Timor, and a genocide memorial in Rwanda. They are gifts
from Pope John Paul II to the young people of the world, and,
accompanied by an indigenous Australian message stick,
represent an invitation to young people from Pope Benedict
XVI, to attend World Youth Day in Sydney in July 2008. 256

2008 2020 Summit

Parliament House is the venue for a two-day Australia 2020
Summit on 19 and 20 April 2008.
Organised by the Rudd Government, the Summit is designed
to develop long-term options for the nation across 10 critical
areas. It involves 1000 Australians who are leaders in their
fields. 257

2008 20th anniversary Watch: New Parliament House

th turns 20
A ceremony to celebrate the 20 anniversary of the opening
Video courtesy of Pride of Place,

254. House of Representatives, Debates, 13 February 2008, accessed 15 February 2013.

255. Australian Government, Apology to Australia’s Indigenous peoples, accessed 25 September 2012; Australian Human Rights Commission,
Bringing them home: the ‘Stolen Children’ report, 1997, accessed 5 September 2012; S Bennett, Parliament House and the Australian people,
Research paper no. 29, Parliamentary Library, 7 May 2008, p. 13, accessed 9 August 2012; ‘The National Apology, 13 February 2008’,
Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, accessed 30 January 2013.
256. S Bennett, Parliament House and the Australian people, Research paper no. 29, Parliamentary Library, 7 May 2008, p. 15, accessed 9 August
2012.
257. S Bennett, Parliament House and the Australian people, Research paper no. 29, Parliamentary Library, 7 May 2008, p. 9, accessed 9 August
2012.

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 Milestones Details Source Documents
of Parliament House is held on 9 May 2008. House of Representatives,
Parliament House
The ceremony is themed to ‘commemorate the contribution
of those who were involved in the design and construction of
the building’. About 1000 workers take part in a special
ceremony in the Great Hall. 258

2008 Bark petition presented Read: Yirrkala Petition presented

to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in
In July 2008, following the apology to the stolen generations 2008
by the Prime Minister the Hon. Kevin Rudd (ALP, Member for
Griffith, Qld, 1998‒), Galarrwuy Yunupingu presents the
Prime Minister with a bark petition requesting ‘full
recognition of Indigenous rights in the Australian
Constitution’. Yunupingu later writes:
The invitation will be to join with him [Kevin Rudd] to hang
the 2008 Yirrkala Petition on the wall of Parliament House,
side by side with the 1988 Barunga Statement and the 1963
Bark Petition. 259

2008 Youngest woman parliamentarian

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young (Greens, Senator for South
Australia, 2007‒) takes her place in the Senate at the age of
25 on 1 July 2008 and gives her First Speech on 1 September
2008. She is the youngest woman to enter the
Commonwealth Parliament.
Former Senator Natasha Stott Despoja was previously the
youngest woman, following her commencement in the Senate
in 1995 at the age of 26. Senator Sarah Hanson-Young

Image courtesy of Parliamentary

Handbook

2008 Change of President

On 26 August 2008 Senator the Hon. John Hogg (ALP, Senator
for Queensland, 1996‒) is elected as President of the Senate,
succeeding the Hon. Alan Ferguson.

Senator the Hon. John Hogg

Parliamentary Handbook

2008 First woman Governor-General Watch: Swearing in of Governor-

General, Quentin Bryce AC
On 5 September 2008 at Parliament House, Ms Quentin Bryce
AC is sworn-in as the twenty-fifth Governor-General of the Video courtesy of DPS

258. Parliament House: 20th anniversary celebrations, House of Representatives Hansard, 13 May 2008, p. 2574, accessed 4 October 2012.
259. G Yunupingu, ‘Tradition, Truth & Tomorrow’, The Monthly, December 2008‒January 2009, cited in ‘Bark petitions: Indigenous art and reform
for the rights of Indigenous Australians’, accessed 13 December 2012.

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 Milestones Details Source Documents
Commonwealth of Australia by swearing the Oath of Broadcasting, Parliament House
Allegiance to Her Majesty the Queen, Her Heirs and
successors according to law. She is the first woman to hold
that position.

2008 Protesters removed from House of Representatives

Several protesters are removed from the House of
Representatives on 1 December 2008. An Azerbaijani man
jumps from the public gallery onto the floor of the chamber,
while another visitor calls out ‘There is no humanity here!’
The man who jumped later said he wanted to draw attention
to the plight of his family, who had been in Australia for 11
years without being able to secure permanent residence
status. They were unable to be deported to their country of
origin, which no longer existed. 260 This is one of several
incidents in this period. In late September a climate change
protester is removed from the public gallery of the Senate
after jumping into a prohibited area and, in late October,
security guards wrestle a man who threatens to jump from
the public gallery in the House of Representatives.

2008 ‘Cash for photograph’ scandal

James Bidgood (ALP, Member for Dawson, Qld, 2007‒10)
allegedly attempts to sell photographs taken of a protester
who threatens to set himself alight outside Parliament House.
The protester had earlier disrupted Question Time by jumping
onto the floor of the House of Representatives from the
public gallery. The Speaker of the House of Representatives
refers the incident to the Committee of Privileges and
Members' Interests ‘as an example of an incident of concern’,
noting that the Committee has proposed to review the
question of introducing a code of conduct for members. 261

2009 Economic stimulus package

The Rudd Government’s $42 million economic stimulus
package is passed by the Senate at the second attempt on 13
February 2009 as a key component of the Government’s
response to the global financial crisis.
The package is passed with the support of the five Greens
Senators, Family First Senator Steve Fielding (Senator for
Victoria, 2005‒11), and Independent Senator Nick Xenophon
(Senator for South Australia, 2008‒) whose support is finally
secured in a deal to bring forward money earmarked for
future years for the Murray‒Darling Basin and other water
projects. 262

260. J Massola, ‘Chamber leaper pleads to “belong”’, Canberra Times, 2 December 2008, p. 4, accessed 16 January 2013.
261. The Speaker, House of Representatives, Debates, 3 December 2008; the Speaker, House of Representatives, Debates, 4 December 2008, p.
12726.
262. Senate, Journals, No. 59, 12 February 2009, accessed 11 February 2013.

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2009 Senate committee changes reversed

On 13 May 2009 the changes to the Senate standing
committee structure agreed to in 2006 are reversed, restoring
the post-1994 structure involving pairs of committees in each
subject area. 263

2009 Childcare centre opens

After nearly three decades of surveys, reviews, committee
reports and cross-party calls for the implementation of
family-friendly facilities, an on-site childcare centre opens in
Parliament House for the care of children of members,
senators, their staff and staff of the parliamentary
departments. The centre is built in the former non-members’
bar at a cost of about $380 000.
In seeking approval for the facility, Leader of the House the
Hon. Anthony Albanese (ALP, Member for Grayndler, NSW,
1996‒) states:
The fact we have many facilities in this parliament—a snooker
room, a pool, a gym, a dining room and many other facilities
here that are appropriate in this magnificent building—but no
childcare centre reflects the parliament of the last century. It
is appropriate that the parliament of this century reflect more
adequately values such as ensuring that all parents, whether
they be men or women, have access to child care. 264
Memorial Service for Craig Senger
2009
On 31 July 2009 a memorial service is held in the Great Hall
for Craig Senger, the first Australian diplomat to be killed in a
terrorist attack. He was one of three Australians who died as
a result of terrorist bombings at the JW Marriott and the Ritz-
Carlton hotels in Jakarta on 17 July.

2009 Apology to Forgotten Australians Watch: Apology to Forgotten

Australians
In a moving ceremony held in the Great Hall at Parliament
House on 16 November 2009, the Prime Minister the Hon. Video courtesy of DPS
Kevin Rudd (ALP, Member for Griffith, Qld, 1998‒) and Leader Broadcasting, Parliament House
of the Opposition the Hon. Malcolm Turnbull (LP, Member for
Wentworth, NSW, 2004‒) apologise on behalf of the nation to
more than 500 000 ‘Forgotten Australians’ and former child
migrants, many of whom suffered abuse and neglect while in
out-of-home care during the last century. In part the Prime
Minister says:
And we come together today to offer our nation's apology. To
say to you, the Forgotten Australians, and those who were

263. H Evans and R Laing, eds, Odgers’ Australian Senate Practice, Thirteenth edn, Department of the Senate, Canberra, 2012, Evolution of the
committee system, accessed 12 February 2013.
264. A Albanese, ‘Parliamentary zone: approval of proposal’, House of Representatives, Debates, 24 June 2008, p. 5759, accessed 30 January 2013;
M Rodrigues, Children in the parliamentary chambers, Research Paper, No. 9, 19 November 2009, p. 19, accessed 30 January 2013; Australian
Institute of Landscape Architects, Capital Hill Early Childhood Centre and Garden, Parliament House, Canberra, accessed 10 December 2012;
E Macdonald, ‘Parliament to get child-care centre at last’, Canberra Times, 23 June 2006, p. 6, accessed 14 January 2013.

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 Milestones Details Source Documents
sent to our shores as children without your consent, that we
are sorry. Sorry – that as children you were taken from your
families and placed in institutions where so often you were
abused. Sorry – for the physical suffering, the emotional
starvation and the cold absence of love, of tenderness, of
care. Sorry – for the tragedy, the absolute tragedy, of
childhoods lost – childhoods spent instead in austere and
authoritarian places, where names were replaced by
numbers, spontaneous play by regimented routine, the joy of
learning by the repetitive drudgery of menial work. Sorry – for
all these injustices to you, as children, who were placed in our
care.
The text of the apology is tabled in the House of
Representatives and in the Senate, and is accompanied by a
number of moving constituency statements. The
Parliamentary Library publishes a Background Note providing
a brief overview and history of child migrants and children in
institutional care in Australia. 265

2009 Retirement of the Clerk of the House of Representatives

Mr Ian Harris AO, Clerk of the House of Representatives since
July 1997, retires on 4 December 2009. The new Clerk is Mr
Bernard Wright, who commences in the role on 5 December
2009.

2009 Retirement of the Clerk of the Senate

Mr Harry Evans, Clerk of the Senate since 1988, retires in
December 2009. Mr Evans is the longest serving Clerk of the
Australian Senate. The new Clerk of the Senate is Dr
Rosemary Laing, who commences in the role on 5 December
2009.

2010 Address by Indonesian Prime Minister Watch: Address by the President

of the Republic of Indonesia
On 10 March 2010 His Excellency, Dr Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono, President of the Republic of Indonesia, addresses Video courtesy of DPS
the Parliament. In accordance with a procedure agreed to in Broadcasting, Parliament House
2003, the address is presented in the House and Senators
attend as guests of the House. 266

2010 Welcome to country introduced

On 23 June 2010, both Houses amend their standing orders to
make an Indigenous Welcome to Country Ceremony a
permanent feature of the opening of Parliament. 267

265. Australian Government, Apology to the Forgotten Australians and former child migrants, Department of Families, Housing, Community
Services and Indigenous Affairs, accessed 4 September 2012.
266. House of Representatives, Debates, 10 March 2010, p. 2136, accessed 15 February 2013.
267. Evans, H and R Laing, eds, Odgers’ Australian Senate Practice, Thirteenth edn, Department of the Senate, Canberra, 2012, Appendix 10: A
chronology of the Senate 1901‒2008, accessed 8 February 2013. A Albanese, ‘Standing and Sessional Orders’, House of Representatives,
Debates, 23 June 2010.

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2010 First woman Prime Minister Watch: The Hon. Julia Gillard
th
sworn in as Australia’s 27 Prime
On 24 June 2010 the Hon. Julia Gillard (ALP, Member for Minister
Lalor, Vic., 1998‒2013) becomes the 27th Prime Minister of
Australia, and the first woman to hold that position having Source: Ten News
previously served as Australia’s first female Deputy Prime
Minister. 268As a Welsh-born migrant, she is also the first
Australian Prime Minister to be born overseas since the Rt
Hon. WM (Billy) Hughes.

2010 Lines that Speak exhibition

To commemorate Romaldo Giurgola’s 90th birthday on
2 September 2010, Parliament House launches an exhibition
called Lines that speak: architectural drawings of Romaldo
Giurgola (3 September‒31 October 2010). 269
The exhibition is curated by is former Mitchell/Giurgola and
Thorp colleague Pamille Berg, and presents Giurgola’s mostly
pencil renderings of elevations, plans and perspectives
including Parliament House.

2010 Opening of 43rd Parliament

Australia’s first female Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce
AC, appoints the Hon. Robert French AC, Chief Justice of the
High Court of Australia as her deputy to declare open the 43rd
Parliament on 28 September 2010, following the
Commonwealth election held on 21 August 2010. 270
The Governor-General delivers
In the closest election result since 1961, and the first hung her opening of Parliament
Commonwealth Parliament since 1941. No one party wins the address
majority of seats in the House of Representatives election
Image courtesy of AUSPIC
held on 21 August 2010. After the election, the Australian
Labor Party negotiates agreement with three Independents Watch: Opening of the 43
rd

and the Australian Greens giving it the necessary support to Parliament of Australia, 28
form a minority Government. 271 The hung parliament, and September 2010, Part 1 and Part
the resulting Agreement for a better Parliament: 2
Parliamentary Reform, have a major impact on the work and Video courtesy of DPS
practices of the 43rd Parliament including the introduction of Broadcasting, Parliament House
time limits on questions and answers, extra sitting hours, and
greatly increased opportunities for private Members including
a significant increase in the number of private members’ bills
—more than in any year since Federation in 1901. 272

2010 Changes to procedures in House of Representatives

On 29 September 2010, as a result of the federal election held

268. J McCann and J Wilson, Representation of women in Australian parliaments, Background Note, Parliamentary Library, 7 March 2012, p. 3,
accessed 6 September 2012.
269. C Vernon, ‘Lines that speak’, Architecture Australia, Vol. 100, No. 2, March 2011, accessed 3 October 2012.
270. Senate, Debates, 28 September 2010, p. 2, accessed 15 February 2013.
271. Politics and Public Administration Section, The hung Commonwealth Parliament: the first year, Background Note, Parliamentary Library, 7
October 2011, accessed 12 September 2012; Agreement for a better Parliament: parliamentary reform, 20 October 2010, accessed 5
December 2012.
272. Clerk’s review, House of Representatives, Annual Report 2011‒12, accessed 5 December 2012.

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 Milestones Details Source Documents
on 21 August 2010 and the Agreement for a better
Parliament: Parliamentary Reform, the House of
Representatives agrees to a large number of amendments to
standing orders.
An important aspect of the Agreement is the requirement for
monitoring and reporting of the procedural changes
implemented in the House of Representatives in the 43rd
Parliament, and the first report is presented by the House
Standing Committee on Procedure on 13 May 2011. 273

2010 Indigenous custodians acknowledged

Amongst the significant procedural changes agreed to by the
House of Representatives on 29 September 2010 is the
introduction of an acknowledgement of Indigenous
custodians of country, to be read by the Speaker at the start
of each sitting day before the usual prayers. 274 The Senate
agrees to incorporate an acknowledgement of country after
prayers when it amends standing order 50 on 26 October
2010. 275
The wording for both Houses is:
I acknowledge the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples who are
the traditional custodians of the Canberra area and pay
respect to the elders, past and present, of all Australia’s
Indigenous peoples. 276

2010 First Indigenous Member

The first Indigenous member of the House of Representatives
Ken Wyatt (LP, Member for Hasluck, WA 2010‒), gives his
First Speech to the House on 29 September 2010, following
his election at the Commonwealth elections held on 21
August 2010. 277
He represents the electoral division of Hasluck in Western
Australia for the Liberal Party of Australia. He is a Noongar,
Yamatji and Wangai man of Indian, English and Irish descent.
The contest for the seat of Hasluck is unusual in that three of
the seven candidates are Indigenous Australians. His speech is
witnessed by Aboriginal elders who watch from the gallery as
he describes his personal journey to becoming a member of
parliament. He wears a kangaroo skin cloak called a bookha, Watch: Ken Wyatt MP give his
the traditional cloak of the Nyungar people of Western First Speech to the House
Australia presented to him by tribal Elders. He also wears it at
Video courtesy of DPS
the opening of the 43rd Parliament on the previous day. Broadcasting, Parliament House

The first Indigenous member of

273. Interim report No. 1: Monitoring and review of procedural changes implemented in the 43rd Parliament, House Standing Committee on
Procedure, 13 May 2011, accessed 30 January 2013.
274. House of Representatives, Debates, 29 September 2010, p. 116, accessed 11 February 2013.
275. Senate Journals, No. 5, 26 October 2010, accessed 11 February 2013.
276. House of Representatives, Votes and Proceedings, no. 2, 2010, p. 34, accessed 4 December 2012.
277. House of Representatives, Debates, 29 September 2010, p. 211, accessed 13 September 2012.

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the House of Representatives,
Ken Wyatt, delivers his First
Speech to the House of
Representatives.

Image courtesy of–AAP

2010 Youngest Member

At 20 years old Wyatt Roy (LP, Member for Longman, Qld,
2010‒) is the youngest person to be elected to the House of
Representatives. He gives his First Speech to Parliament on 26
October 2010. 278

Wyatt Roy MP

Image courtesy of Parliamentary

Handbook

Watch: Wyatt Roy’s First Speech

to Parliament

Video courtesy of DPS

Broadcasting, Parliament House

2010 Senate committee system celebrated

A conference to mark the 40th anniversary of the Senate
committee system is held in November 2010. The
proceedings are published in the Senate’s journal, Papers on
Parliament, as were the proceedings of the 20th anniversary
conference in 1990. 279

2010 High-security briefing room

A high-security emergency response briefing room is built
next to the Cabinet Room in Parliament House.
It is designed to be a central coordination point during times
of national and international crisis, and is installed following a
border security review conducted in 2008. 280

2010 Policies governing protests and assemblies

The Secretary of the Department of Parliamentary Services
issues the Parliament of Australia’s Operating Policies and
Procedures No 16 governing the conduct of protests and
other assemblies in the Parliamentary precincts.

278. House of Representatives, Debates, 26 October 2010, p. 1600, accessed 14 February 2013.
279. Senate Committees and Responsible Government: Proceedings of the Conference to mark the twentieth anniversary of Senate Legislative and
General Purpose Standing Committees and Senate Estimates Committees, 3 October 1990, September 1991, Papers on Parliament,
Department of the Senate, accessed 11 February 2013.
280. S Hannaford, ‘Parliament “wrong site” for war room’, Canberra Times, 21 December 2009, p. 12.

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2011 Address by Mongolian Prime Minister Sukhbaatar Batbold

On 23 February 2011 the Prime Minister of Mongolia,
Sukhbaatar Batbold, is welcomed to Parliament House by the
Prime Minister the Hon. Julia Gillard (ALP, Member for Lalor,
Vic., 1998‒2013) as part of his official visit to Australia.
He is the first Mongolian head of government to visit Australia
since the two countries established diplomatic relations in Visit by His Excellency
1972. The leaders witness the signature of four bilateral Mr Sukhbaatar Batbold MP,
arrangements relating to vocational educational cooperation, Prime Minister of Mongolia
agricultural development, fostering public access to Image courtesy of AUSPIC
information, and collaborative opportunities in scientific fields
of common interest. 281

2011 Parliament House lights up

Parliament House is illuminated during ‘Enlighten’ Canberra in
March 2011, a new feature of the ACT Government’s
Canberra Festival. ‘Enlighten’ includes illuminated projections
on several buildings in order to showcase Canberra’s most
famous tourist attractions.
Parliament House during the
Enlighten festival, 2011

Image courtesy of AUSPIC

2011 Removal of Executive veto over Australian Capital Territory

and Northern Territory
Parliament passes a bill which removes the right of a federal
minister or the Cabinet to veto or change territory laws. It is
the first bill introduced by the Greens passed by the federal
Parliament. The veto power was used in 2006 to disallow the
ACT's civil union laws. The Territories Self-Government
Legislation Amendment (Disallowance and Amendment of
Laws) Act 2011 provides that territory laws can only be
disallowed or changed through a vote of federal Parliament.
Section 122 of The Australian Constitution gives federal
Parliament the plenary power to 'make laws for the
government of any territory'. This provision does not apply to
the states

2011 Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak

On 3 March 2011 the Prime Minister of Malaysia Najib Razak
visits Parliament House, the third visit by a Malaysian Prime
Minister in 30 years. 282

Visit by the Right Honourable

Dato Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Haji
Abdul Razak, Prime Minister of

281. Australian Government, Mongolia country brief, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, accessed 3 September 2012.
282. Prime Minister of Australia, Speech to the luncheon in honour of the PM of Malaysia, 3 March 2011, accessed 3 September 2012.

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Malaysia

Image courtesy of AUSPIC

2011 Confidence in the Speaker

On 31 May 2011, the Speaker of the House, Mr Harry Jenkins,
names a member for continuing to interject after having been
warned by the Chair. The subsequent motion that the
member be suspended from the House is defeated.
In declaring the result of the division, the Speaker states his
intention to consider his position. 283 House of Representatives
Practice notes that the naming of a Member is, ‘in effect, an
appeal to the House to support the Chair in maintaining
order’. The Leader of the Opposition immediately moves a
motion of confidence in the Speakership, which is seconded
by the Prime Minister who also speaks on the motion (as does
the member for Lyne). The motion is agreed to on the voices.

2011 Visit by Dalai Lama

The fourteenth Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, visits Parliament
House on 14 June 2011 as a guest of the All Parliamentary
Group for Tibet. It is his fourth visit to Parliament in five years,
and his eighth visit to Australia. 284

2011 Address by New Zealand Prime Minister Watch: Address by the Prime
Minister of New Zealand
On 20 June 2011 the Prime Minister of New Zealand, the Rt
Hon. John Key, becomes the first New Zealand head of state Video courtesy of DPS
to address the Parliament. In accordance with a procedure Broadcasting, Parliament House
agreed to in 2003, the address is presented in the House and
Senators attend as guests of the House. 285

2011 Solar panels fitted

In June 2011 a section of the roof of Parliament House is
fitted with solar panels as part of a pilot project to assess how
alternative technologies can be integrated into the building
systems.
There are 42 panels or 7.8 kW on the roof of the Gardeners’
Compound and 192 panels or 35.5 kW on the roof of the
Senate wing. The project forms part of the environmental
management activities at Parliament House which aim to
reduce energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, water use and
waste generation. 286
Solar panels on Parliament House
roof

283. H Jenkins, ‘Questions without Notice: Carbon Pricing’, House of Representatives, Debates, 31 May 2011, pp. 5283–84.
284. Central Tibetan Administration, ‘Top Australian leaders meet His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Parliament House’, 14 June 2011, accessed
18 December 2012.
285. House of Representatives, Debates, 20 June 2011, p. 6450, accessed 15 February 2013.
286. Parliament of Australia, Solar panels pilot project, accessed 12 September 2012.

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Image courtesy of Parliament of
Australia

2011 Indigenous banner tabled in the Senate

During a Senate debate on the National Radioactive Waste
Management Bill 2010 on 14 June 2011, Senator Scott Ludlam
(Greens, Senator for WA, 2008‒ ) is given leave to table a
banner covered in handprints and containing exhortations in
three different Indigenous languages saying ‘No waste dump
at Muckaty’.
Senator Ludlam stated that:
They asked me in Tennant Creek a month or so ago to Banner tabled in the Senate and
bring a document into the chamber for tabling, and I incorporated into the Hansard,
checked with the clerks to make sure that it qualified as 14 June 2011
a document under standing orders. Image courtesy of Hansard
Services Unit
He was given leave to have the document incorporated
in Hansard, and an image is scanned and printed
accordingly. The handprints represent all the family
287
groups involved in the Muckaty Land Trust.

2011 White powder security alert

Parliament House is locked down and 16 people isolated
following the discovery of suspicious white powder in an
envelope in an office within the ministerial wing on 10 August
2011. The incident is identified as a hoax. 288

2011 ‘Convoy of no confidence’

A ‘Convoy of No Confidence’ rally, involving 11 truck convoys
from around Australia, gathers outside Parliament House on
22 August 2011.
The rally is principally organised as a protest against the
Gillard Government’s proposal to introduce a carbon tax,
although other grievances over Government policies are
aired. The rally is addressed by several speakers including the
Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Tony Abbott (LP, Member
for Warringah, NSW, 1994‒). 289

2011 Tax summit

The Gillard Government holds a two-day tax forum for 200
participants at Parliament House on 4 and 5 October 2011.

2011 Carbon tax legislation

On 12 October 2011, the Gillard Government secures passage
of its controversial carbon tax legislation through the House

287. Senate, Debates, 14 June 2011, p. 2619, accessed 16 January 2013.

288. A Rehn, ‘Suspicious white powder found at Parliament House’, The Telegraph, 10 August 2011, accessed 15 January 2013.
289. G Muller, ‘”Convoy of no confidence” rumbles into Canberra’, ABC Rural, Bush Telegraph, 22 August 2011, accessed 22 January 2013.

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 Milestones Details Source Documents
of Representatives with the support of key crossbench
members. The Clean Energy Bill 2011 and 17 related bills pass
the Senate on 8 November after an agreement between the
ALP and the Australian Greens to truncate debate on the bills
and bring the final vote forward.

2011 Royal visit

During her 16th visit to Australia, Her Majesty The Queen,
together with His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh,
attends a reception held in the Great Hall at Parliament
House on 21 October 2011.
Her Majesty is officially welcomed by the Prime Minister the
Hon. Julia Gillard (ALP, Member for Lalor, Vic., 1998‒2013),
and gives a speech to invited guests.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Image courtesy of Parliamentary

Handbook

Watch: Royal visit by Her Majesty

The Queen and HRH The Duke of
Edinburgh

Video courtesy of DPS

Broadcasting, Parliament House

2011 Address by US President Watch: Address by the President

of the United States of America,
The President of the United States, the Hon. Barack Obama, the Hon. Barack Obama
addresses the Parliament on 17 November 2011, focusing on
Video courtesy of DPS
the relationship between Australia and the United States. 290
Broadcasting, Parliament House
In accordance with a procedure agreed to in 2003, the
address is presented in the House and Senators attend as
guests of the House. 291
President Obama is the ninth foreign Head of State or
dignitary to address the Australian Parliament since the move
to the permanent building in 1988, and he is the fourth US
President to do so. Prior to 1988, foreign dignitaries had
addressed the Australian Parliament on only one occasion—a US President Barack Obama
delegation from the House of Commons addressed the addresses a joint session of the
Parliament at the provisional Parliament House on 29 Australian Parliament in the
November 1951 and presented the Mace to commemorate House of Representatives at
the Australian Parliament’s jubilee. 292 The event requires Parliament House, Canberra on
many weeks of preparation by staff of the Parliament’s three November 17, 2011
departments.
Image courtesy of Creative

290. House of Representatives, Debates, 17 November 2011, p. 12846, accessed 15 February 2013.
291. BC Wright, ed, House of Representatives Practice (sixth edn), Chapter 4: Parliament House and access to proceedings, p. 242, accessed 12
January 2013.
292. S Fernandes, ‘Addresses to joint meetings of the Australian Parliament’, FlagPost, 11 November 2011, accessed 3 October 2012.

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Commons, Author: Pete Souza

2011 Speaker resigns

Harry Jenkins (ALP, Member for Scullin, Vic., 1986‒2013)
unexpectedly resigns as Speaker on 24 November 2011, and
leaves the Chair after inviting the Deputy Speaker, Mr Slipper,
to take the Chair.
Later in the day, an election is held for a new Speaker. The
Hon. Peter Slipper (Member for Fisher, Qld, 1984‒87 and
1993‒2013; NP, 1984‒87; LP, 1993‒2011; and Independent,
2011‒2013) is nominated, the nomination is seconded, and The Hon. Peter Slipper MP
Mr Slipper accepts the nomination. Mr Slipper is elected
unopposed. Ms Anna Burke MP is elected Deputy Speaker. Mr Image courtesy of Parliamentary
Slipper resigns from the LNP upon accepting the position as Handbook
Speaker, and remains in the House of Representatives as an
Independent Member. 293

2011 New Human Rights Act

The Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011 passes
the Parliament on 25 November 2011. The Act requires
Ministers introducing legislation to table a statement
outlining how the Bill complies with the seven main United
Nations human rights treaties to which Australia is a party,
namely the:
International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of
Racial Discrimination
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
Against Women
Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or
Degrading Treatment or Punishment
Convention on the Rights of the Child
Convention on the Rights of Person with Disabilities.
The Act also establishes a Parliamentary Joint Committee on
Human Rights to examine Bills and existing Acts for their
compatibility with human rights, and to inquire into any
matter relating to human rights which is referred to it by the
Attorney-General.
The Act fulfils certain commitments in the government’s
Human Rights Framework which was announced in 2010 in
response to the report of the National Human Rights
Consultation Committee.

293. C Madden, ‘Speaker’s resignation’, FlagPost, 10 October 2012, accessed 12 January 2013.

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2012 Aboriginal protest

On 27 January 2012, protesters from the Aboriginal tent
embassy burn the Australian flag on the front steps of
Parliament House, amid tensions over the future of the
embassy.

2012 Seven Historical Documents of Truth and Justice

In February 2012, the National Sorry Day Committee presents
Seven Historical Documents of Truth and Justice to the
Australian Parliament in a special ceremony marking the
fourth anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen
Generations. The documents include:

• Petition to King George VI & The Day of Mourning Resolution

1938

• Barunga Statement 1988

• Report of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in

Custody 1991

• Bringing them home Report 1997

• Australian Declaration Towards Reconciliation and Roadmaps

2000

• United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous

Peoples 2007, and

• Australian Parliament’s Apology to the Stolen Generations

2008.

The documents are presented in a traditional message stick

carved by Wiradjuri artist Duncan Smith. The Parliamentary
Library is the custodian of this gift, which is on display in the
Ground Floor Reading Room.

2012 Speaker’s procession introduced Watch: Speaker’s procession,

14 February 2012
The Speaker, the Hon. Peter Slipper (Member for Fisher, Qld,
1984‒87 and 1993‒2013; NP, 1984‒87; LP, 1993‒2011; and
Independent, 2011‒2013), reintroduces a formal Speaker’s
procession to the Parliament on 14 February 2012, by walking
through the Members’ Hall before entering the Chamber.
The Speaker’s procession was a tradition in the provisional
(Old) Parliament House before the Parliament moved to its
permanent home in 1988.

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2012 Federation Chamber

The Main Committee of the House of Representatives is
renamed the Federation Chamber on 27 February 2012.
The House of Representatives Committee on Procedure
originally recommends a name change in 2004 in order to
avoid confusion with the main committee room in Parliament Main Committee chamber,
House. The government of the day notes the renamed Federation Chamber
recommendations but does not support a name change. The
matter is raised again in 2012 and a motion by the Hon. Image courtesy of Parliament of
Anthony Albanese (ALP, Member for Grayndler, NSW, 1996‒) Australia
to amend the House Standing Orders is passed after debate.
The decision to change the name is announced by the
Speaker, the Hon. Peter Slipper (Member for Fisher, Qld,
1984‒87 and 1993‒2013; NP, 1984‒87; LP, 1993‒2011; and
Independent, 2011‒2013), on 7 February 2012. The
chamber’s new name is chosen in accordance with the 2004
recommendation that it should reflect ‘a significant aspect of
Australian culture or parliamentary democracy’. 294 In 2011‒
12, the Federation Chamber meets for more hours than in any
previous year. 295
2012
Visit by President of Lebanon Watch: Visit by President of
Lebanon
On 16 April 2012 the President of Lebanon, His Excellency
Michel Suleiman attended a luncheon at Parliament House Video courtesy of DPS
during his State Visit to Australia. Broadcasting, Parliament House

2012 Speaker steps aside

On 22 April 2012 the Hon. Peter Slipper (Member for Fisher,
Qld, 1984‒87 and 1993‒2013; NP, 1984‒87; LP, 1993‒2011;
and Independent, 2011‒2013) releases a statement indicating
that he will stand aside as Speaker whilst investigations are
underway into allegations of sexual harassment and
allegations of fraudulent abuse of Cabcharge vouchers, and
that the Deputy Speaker, Anna Burke (ALP, Member for
Chisholm, Vic., 1998‒), will act as Speaker. 296
On 29 April 2012 Mr Slipper issues a Statement by the
Speaker saying that there is no longer any reason for him to
step aside. On 8 May 2012 Mr Slipper makes a formal
statement to the House in which he invites the Deputy
Speaker to ‘take the chair’.

2012 Visit by Prime Minister of Thailand Watch: Visit by the Prime

Minister of Thailand
On 28 May 2012 the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of
Thailand, Her Excellency Ms Yingluck Shinawatra, attended a Video courtesy of DPS
luncheon at Parliament House during her State Visit to Broadcasting, Parliament House

294. House of Representatives Standing Committee on Procedure, Renaming the Main Committee, Canberra, June 2004, accessed 27 September
2012; S Fernandes, ‘Renaming of the Main Committee’, Flagpost, 7 February 2012, accessed 27 September 2012.
295. Clerk’s review, House of Representatives, Annual Report 2011‒12, accessed 5 December 2012.
296. C Madden, ‘Speaker’s resignation’, FlagPost, 10 October 2012, accessed 12 January 2013.

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Australia.

2012 Mabo Native Title decision remembered

On 31 May 2012, the House of Representatives marks the
twentieth anniversary of the High Court’s Mabo native title
decision.

2012 Design principles clarified

In his submission to an inquiry by the Senate Standing
Committee on Finance and Public Administration into the
Department of Parliamentary Services, the architect Romaldo
Giurgola clarifies the design principles that define the
character and meaning of the building:
...first, the significance of the building as a democratic
forum for the nation of Australia; second, making the
process of government visible and accessible to the
public; third, the building design as a symbolic sequence
of spaces with reference to Australia's historical and
cultural evolution over time; and, finally, the design of
Parliament House as a workplace which was intended to
enhance the health and wellbeing of all occupants,
which I think is important because it becomes a model
297
for everyone to look to.

2012 Visit by Prime Minister of Zimbabwe Watch: Visit by Prime Minister of

Zimbabwe
On 23 July 2012 the Prime Minister of the Republic of
Zimbabwe, the Hon. Morgan Txvangirai, attended a luncheon Video courtesy of DPS
at Parliament House during his State Visit to Australia. Broadcasting, Parliament House

2012 Parliamentary Budget Office established

The inaugural Parliamentary Budget Officer Mr Phil Bowen
takes up his appointment on 23 July 2012 as head of the
fourth Parliamentary Department—the Parliamentary Budget
Office. The role of the new department is to inform the
Parliament by providing independent and non-partisan
analysis of the budget, fiscal policy and the financial
implications of proposals.
The new department is established under the Parliamentary
Service Act 1999 and fulfils a requirement of the Agreement
for a better Parliament: Parliamentary Reform negotiated
between the Coalition, the ALP and the independents
following the 2010 Commonwealth election. 298

297. Mr Romaldo Giurgola, Committee Hansard, 16 November 2011, p. 1; Mr Romaldo Giurgola, Submission 7, pp. 1–2; cited in Senate Standing
Committees on Finance and Public Administration, Interim Report: The performance of the Department of Parliamentary Services, 27 June
2012, Chapter 3, accessed 25 September 2012.
298. Parliament of Australia, Parliamentary Budget Office, accessed 4 December 2012.

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2012 New website

The Parliament of Australia launches a new website following
a redevelopment project conducted by the parliamentary
departments.

New Parliament of Australia

website

Image courtesy of Parliament of

Australia

2012 Heritage Advisory Board

A Heritage Advisory Board is established to provide heritage
advice to the Presiding Officers and to provide oversight of
detailed heritage issues for Parliament House. The Board
meets for the first time in May 2012.

2012 Acknowledgement of Peter Norman, Athlete

In August and October 2012, the Senate and House of
Representatives acknowledge Peter Norman, silver medalist
in the 200 metres at the 1968 Mexico Games. Norman stood
in solidarity, wearing an Olympic Project for Human Rights
badge, during the medal ceremony as African-American
athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos gave the `black
power' salute. Many believe Norman was overlooked for the
1972 Olympic Games because of his actions in Mexico.
Norman died in 2006. Both chambers pass a motion
acknowledging Norman's action in the cause of racial
equality and apologizing for the treatment he received upon
his return to Australia.

2012 Opposition Leader suspended from the House

On 20 August 2012 Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Tony
Abbott (LP, Member for Warringah, NSW, 1994 ̶ ) is
suspended from the Chamber for using un-parliamentary
language during Question Time. (He is ejected under Standing
Order 94(a) which allows the Speaker to suspend a member
from the chamber for one hour without needing a vote of the
House.) Mr Abbott becomes the fourth Leader of the
Opposition to be ordered from the chamber. The others are:
John Howard in 1986, Robert Menzies 1949 and Joseph Cook
MP in 1914. No Prime Minister has been suspended from the
chamber.

2012 Visit by Prime Minister of Solomon Islands Watch: Visit by the Prime
Minister of the Solomon Islands
On 22 August 2012 the Prime Minister of the Solomon
Islands, Gordon Darcy Lilo, attends a luncheon at Parliament Video courtesy of DPS
House during his State Visit to Australia. Broadcasting, Parliament House

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2012 Change of Speaker

The Speaker, the Hon. Peter Slipper (Member for Fisher, Qld,
1984‒87 and 1993‒2013; NP, 1984‒87; LP, 1993‒2011; and
Independent, 2011‒2013), resigns on 9 October 2012 under
unusual circumstances, including an unsuccessful motion by
the Leader of the Opposition to remove the Speaker citing
section 35 of the Constitution.
This follows his formal statement to the House on 8 May 2012
in which he invites the Deputy Speaker to ‘take the chair’
following allegations of sexual harassment and allegations of
fraudulent abuse of Cabcharge vouchers. Anna Burke (ALP, Anna Burke MP
Member for Chisholm, Vic., 1998‒) is elected unopposed on 9 Image courtesy of Parliamentary
October 2012. She becomes the second female speaker of the Handbook
House of Representatives and the third female Presiding
Officer in the history of the Australian Parliament. 299

2012 Visit by Prime Minister of Singapore Watch: Visit by Prime Minister of

Singapore
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore, His
Excellency Lee Hsien Loong, attended a luncheon at Video courtesy of DPS
Parliament House during his State Visit to Australia on 11 Broadcasting, Parliament House
October 2012.

2012 Bali Bombings national commemoration

The Governor-General, Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC
CVO, leads a National Commemoration on 12 October 2012
marking the 10th anniversary of the Bali Bombings in the
Great Hall of Parliament House:
…We gather as one. People from across Australia join in
solidarity and support, in love and friendship—to National Memorial Service to
remember. mark the 10th Anniversary of the
2002 Bali Bombings

Image courtesy of AUSPIC

Watch: National commemoration

th
service marking 10 anniversary
of Bali Bombings

Video courtesy of DPS

Broadcasting, Parliament House

2012 Extension of term for Governor-General

On 24 October 2012, the term of the Governor-General, Her
Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, is extended for six
months until March 2014. The decision is welcomed by the
Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Tony Abbott (LP, Member
for Warringah, NSW, 1994 ̶ ).

2012 Apology to victims of sexual abuse in the Australian Defence Watch: Apology to victims of
sexual abuse in the Australian

299. C Madden, ‘Speaker’s resignation’, FlagPost, 10 October 2012, accessed 12 January 2013.

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Force Defence Force, 26 November
2012
On 26 November 2012 the Minister for Defence, the Hon.
Stephen Smith (ALP, Member for Perth, WA, 1993‒2013), Video courtesy of DPS
makes a ministerial statement in the House, apologising on Broadcasting, Parliament House
behalf of the Government to members of the Australian
Defence Force who suffered sexual or other forms of abuse in
the course of their service. The apology follows a report by
law firm DLA Piper which detailed several hundred allegations
of abuse within the Australian Defence Force. The Shadow
Minister for Defence, Science, Technology and Personnel,
Stuart Robert (LP, Member for Fadden, Qld, 2007‒), offers the
coalition’s ‘strongest and unqualified support’.

2012 New rules for media

On 28 November 2012 the Presiding Officers issue new rules
for media-related activity in Parliament House and its
precincts, commencing with the 2013 parliamentary sittings
on 5 February 2013 and replacing the previous rules and
guidelines on filming and photography issued in December
2008.
The rules specify locations in public and private areas where
media-related activity is prohibited, permitted, or permitted
subject to approval, and set out conditions for approvals
where required. They prohibit the digital manipulation of
broadcast material or still photographs of parliamentary
proceedings, and the previous restriction in the previous rules
on filming, and remove the previous rule regarding use of still
photography of chamber proceedings, for satire or ridicule. 300
Some aspects of these rules are still to be implemented by
changes to the broadcasting resolutions of each House.

2013 Indigenous constitutional recognition Read: Joint Select Committee on

Constitutional Recognition of
On 13 February 2013, the fifth anniversary of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Apology to the Stolen Generations, the House of Islander Peoples: Aboriginal and
Representatives passes the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Torres Strait Islander Peoples
Islander Peoples Recognition Bill 2012. Recognition Bill 2012,
The Bill acknowledges that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Commonwealth of Australia,
Islander people are the first inhabitants of this nation, and January 2013
that ‘they occupied this land from time immemorial’. It also
‘seeks to foster momentum for a referendum for
constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander peoples’, including a new legislative requirement for
a review of public support for a referendum to be tabled in
Parliament six months before any referendum bill is
proposed. 301 The Bill follows earlier unsuccessful attempts to
achieve constitutional change including the Howard
Government’s proposed preamble in 1999, and the

300. Parliament of Australia, Rules for media related activity in Parliament House and its precincts, issued by the Presiding Officers, November
2012, accessed 13 December 2012.
301 House of Representatives, Debates, 13 February 2013, p. 6, accessed 26 February 2013.

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Coalition’s election promise in 2007 to hold a referendum to
recognise Indigenous Australians in the Constitution.

2013 First female Speaker dies

The first female Speaker in the Australian Parliament, the
Hon. Joan Child (ALP, Member for Henty, Vic., 1974‒5 and
1980‒90), dies on 23 February 2013 at the age of 91.
She served as Speaker from 11 February 1986 to 5 June 1987
and from 14 September 1987 to 28 August 1989. She was
Speaker when the Parliament moved into the permanent
Parliament House in 1988. The Hon. Joan Child, 1988 by
Charles William Bush (1911‒
The House of Representatives pauses to remember former 1989)
Speaker Child with a condolence motion moved by Prime
Minister Gillard on 12 March 2013. Image courtesy of Historic
Memorials Collection, Parliament
House Art Collection, Canberra
ACT

2013 ACT Legislative Assembly able to determine its own numbers

In March 2013, Parliament passes the Australian Capital
Territory (Self-Government) Amendment Bill 2013. The Bill
gives the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly the
power to independently determine its own size (by
enactment agreed to by a two-thirds majority of the
Assembly).
This issue has been canvassed in a number of reviews since
the Territory gained self-government. In January 2013, ACT
Chief Minister, Katy Gallagher, established an Expert
Reference Group to consult with the community on the
appropriate size of the Assembly options for changing the
Assembly’s size.[53] The Group is to report by 31 March 2013.

2013 Re-enactment of the naming of Canberra Watch: Re-enactment of the

naming of Canberra
On 12 March 2013 the Governor-General, Her Excellency Ms
Quentin Bryce AC CVO, and the Prime Minister, the Hon. Julia Source: Fairfax Media
Gillard (ALP, Member for Lalor, Vic., 1998‒2013), take part in
a re-enactment of the naming of Canberra. The event is part
of celebrations to mark the capital's 100 year anniversary on
13 March, and is held on the lawns of Parliament House near
the site of the original ceremony.

2013 Tweeting from the House

On 13 March 2013 Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Anna Burke (ALP, Member for Chisholm, Vic., (1998‒), decides
not to stop members tweeting in the chamber. She makes the
ruling after the Manager of Opposition Business in the House,
the Hon. Christopher Pyne (LIB, Member for Sturt, SA, 1993‒),
asks that a government backbencher withdraw a comment
made on twitter during Question Time. Announcing her
decision, the Speaker tells the house that a twitter ban would
mean

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 Milestones Details Source Documents
…a blanket restriction on all electronic and
communication devices in the chamber. Although this
may appeal to some members, I imagine it would be
302
strongly resisted by others.

2013 The Centenary of the naming of Canberra

The Senate passes a resolution on 13 March 2013
congratulating Canberra and its citizens on their centenary.
The resolution recognises ‘Canberra, through its national
institutions, as a showcase of the hopes and aspirations,
milestones and achievements of the Australian nation’.

2013 National Apology for forced adoptions Watch: National Apology for
forced adoptions
On 21 March 2013, in a ceremony in the Great Hall at
Parliament House, the Prime Minister the Hon. Julia Gillard Video courtesy of DPS
(ALP, Member for Lalor, Vic, 1998‒2013) and Leader of the Broadcasting, Parliament House
Opposition the Hon. Tony Abbott (LP, Member for Warringah,
NSW, 1994‒) apologise on behalf of the nation to those
affected by forced adoption policies. Speaking at the event,
the Prime Minister says in part:
No collection of words alone can undo all this damage. Or
make whole the lives and families fractured by forced
adoption. Or give back childhoods that were robbed of joy
and laughter. Or make amends for the Birthdays and
Christmases and Mother’s or Father’s Days that only brought
a fresh wave of grief and loss. But by saying sorry we can
correct the historical record.
After the event, motions of apology are moved in the House
of Representatives and in the Senate. The Government also
tables in the Senate the Government’s response to the Senate
Community Affairs Reference Committee report
Commonwealth Contribution to Former Forced Adoption
Policies and Practices. The response includes funding for
practical measures to assist those affected by forced adoption
practices.
Between 2010-12 governments of all states and the
Australian Capital Territory issued apologies to those affected
by forced adoption. 303

2013 National Disability Insurance Scheme

The Parliament passes the National Disability Insurance
Scheme Bill 2013, clearing the way for the scheme (to be

302 Statement by the Speaker, ‘Disruption in the Galleries, use of Twitter’, House of Representatives, Debates, 13 March 2013, p. 1934, accessed
13 June 2013.
303. See ‘State and territory government apologies’, Attorney-General’s Department, accessed 20 June 2013.The NT Government announced on
24 January 2013 that it would issue an apology to victims of forced adoption. However the Minister for Children and Families, Alison
Anderson, issued a press release on 21 March stating: ‘We offer our heartfelt sympathy to all those Territory families, past and present, who
were separated by an adoption that was forced upon them. These policies and practices did not continue after the Territory became self
governing in 1978. Therefore the Government decided against making a separate apology, it is our view that it would be inappropriate and
indeed disingenuous. ‘Support for adoption apology on behalf of the nation’, Northern Territory Government, accessed 25 March 2013.

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 Milestones Details Source Documents
known as Disability Care Australia) to be trialled from July
2013. Introducing the Bill to the House, the Prime Minister,
the Hon. Julia Gillard (ALP, Member for Lalor, Vic., 1998‒
2013), says
Few actions in public life give me greater pleasure than
introducing the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill does
today. The scheme to be established by this bill will transform
the lives of people with disability, their families and carers.
For the first time they will have their needs met in a way that
truly supports them to live with choice and dignity. It will
bring an end to the tragedy of services denied or delayed and
instead offer people with disability the care and support they
need over their lifetimes. This is a complex bill, yet at its heart
is a very simple moral insight. 304
The bill passes the House on 20 March 2013 and the Senate
on 21 March 2013 with several amendments to which the
House agrees. Although the scheme is extensive, it is
unfunded. (The 2012-13 Budget includes $1 billion in funding
for the NDIS trial. 305) On 1 May 2013 the Prime Minister, the
Hon. Julia Gillard (ALP, Member for Lalor, Vic., 1998‒2013),
announces a 0.5 per cent increase to the Medicare Levy to
(from 1 July 2014) to part fund the scheme.

2013 APH turns 25

On 9 May 2013 the 25th anniversary of the opening of the
nation’s permanent Parliament House is marked by a morning
tea held in the Great Hall to acknowledge and thank those
who have worked at Parliament House.
Silver anniversary morning tea in
The morning tea is attended by the Prime Minister the Hon. the Great Hall
Julia Gillard (ALP, Member for Lalor, Vic., 1998‒2013), the Image courtesy of DPS
Leader of the Opposition the Hon. Tony Abbott (LP, Member
for Warringah, NSW, 1994‒), the President of the Senate
Senator the Hon. John Hogg (ALP, Senator for Queensland,
1996‒), the Speaker of the House of Representatives Anna
Burke (ALP, Member for Chisholm, Vic., 1998‒), and Senior
Ngunnawal woman Aunty Jannette Phillips, together with
about 700 current and former employees. The morning tea
also provides an opportunity to formally recognise the vision
and ongoing support of the architect of Parliament House, Mr
Romaldo Giurgola. The anniversary coincides with the
Centenary of Canberra’s celebrations, and the Centenary
organisers commission a work by the Australian Ballet
dedicated to Romaldo Giurgola’s Parliament House. The
artistic director works in consultation with Parliament House
architect Romaldo Giurgola, using the design principles of the

304 Second reading speech, National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill 2012, House of Representatives, Debates, 29 November 2012, p. 13877,
accessed 13 June 2013.
305 J Gillard (Prime Minister) and J Macklin (Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and Minister for Disability
Reform), National Disability Insurance Scheme to launch in 2013, media release, 30 April 2012, accessed 23 January 2013; J Gillard (Prime
Minister) and J Macklin (Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and Minister for Disability Reform),
Budget 2012: funding the first stage of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, media release, 8 May 2012, accessed 23 January 2013.

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building to shape the ballet.

2013 Australia’s first triangular coin to celebrate Parliament

House’s 25th Anniversary
Australia’s first triangular coin is minted to mark the 25th
Anniversary of Parliament House. Launched at Australian
Parliament House on 9 May 2013, the triangular $5 silver
proof coin, 99.9% silver, depicts Parliament House as viewed Image courtesy of the Royal
from one of its courtyards with the distinctive triangular flag Australian Mint
mast the focal point of the design. The Royal Australian Mint
produces 10,000 coins. It also produces a special 20 cent coin
made of cupro nickel, featuring Australian Parliament House
with Old Parliament House in the foreground.

2013 Questions directed to non-government members

In an unusual move during Question Time in the House of
Representatives on 28 May 2013, the Hon. Anthony Albanese
(ALP, Member for Grayndler, NSW, 1996‒) moved a
Suspension of Standing and Sessional Orders to provide the
Leader of the Opposition the Hon. Tony Abbott (LP, Member
for Warringah, NSW, 1994‒), to address the House on man-
made climate change.
Standing Order 99 provides for a question to be asked of
another Member who is not a Minister or Parliamentary
Secretary. The House of Representatives Practice notes that in
practice questions are rarely directed to private Members
and, where they have been, are often disallowed:
Questions not meeting the conditions of standing order 99,
such as questions concerning party policies and statements
made inside or outside the House, notably by the Members to
whom such questions are directed, have been ruled out of
order. 306
In this case, the question was directed by Rob Oakeshott (IND,
Member for Lyne, NSW, 2008‒2013) to both the Prime
Minister and, with the indulgence of the House, to the Leader
of the Opposition. His question did not meet the
requirements of the Standing Order, hence the motion for
Suspension of Standing and Sessional Orders to allow a
response to be made. The Speaker, Anna Burke, ruled that
the Opposition would not be able to answer the question but
would have the opportunity to address the House after
Question Time. 307

2013 ParlView launched on APH website

On 24 June 2013 the Department of Parliamentary Services
releases its innovative broadcast services, ParlView, for public
viewing. ParlView enables users to watch, search and

306 BC Wright, ed, House of Representatives Practice (sixth edn), Chapter 15: Questions, p. 551, accessed 9 July 2013.
307 S Fernandes, ‘Question Time: Questions directed to non-government members’, FlagPost, 29 May 2013, accessed 9 July 2013.

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download parliamentary broadcasts, special parliamentary
events and press conferences, and historical audio-visual
material via the Parliament House website.
Initially it contains footage of parliamentary activity from 14
August 2012, all parliamentary press conferences, and a
selection of significant historical events including the National
Apology to the Stolen Generations, the National Apology for
Forced Adoptions, and visits by the Queen and US President
Obama. Over time, it will include more than 55,000 hours of
archival parliamentary audio-visual records dating back to
1991. 308

2013 Bill to recognise local government in the Constitution

The Constitution Alteration (Local Government) 2013 passes
both Houses on 24 June 2013 to amend section 96 of the
Australian Constitution to make specific provision in relation
to the granting of financial assistance by the Commonwealth
to local government bodies. The legislation enables the
proposal to amend the Constitution to be submitted to the
electors in a referendum under section 128 of the
Constitution. 309 The Prime Minister Julia Gillard had
announced on 9 May 2013 that the federal Government
intended to proceed with a referendum to be held on the
same day as the federal election on 14 September 2013.
However, due to the date of the general election being
changed to 7 September 2013, the referendum does not
proceed. 310

2013 Fiftieth anniversary of Yirrkala bark petitions

On 26 June 2013 the Prime Minister the Hon. Julia Gillard
(ALP, Member for Lalor, Vic., 1998‒2013) and Leader of the
Opposition the Hon. Tony Abbott (LP, Member for Warringah,
NSW, 1994‒) acknowledge the 50th anniversary of the Yirrkala
Bark Petitions being brought to Parliament House by the
Yolngu people of Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory.
The Yolngu presented the petitions in 1963 in response to the
Government’s removal of more than 300 square kilometres of
their land in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, to enable
bauxite to be mined. A parliamentary committee of inquiry
acknowledged the rights of Yolngu as set out in the petitions,
and recommends to Parliament that compensation be paid
for loss of livelihood, that sacred sites be protected, and that
an ongoing parliamentary committee monitor the mining Yirrkala artists, Dhuwa moiety.
project. The petitioners turned to the Supreme Court in the Yirrkala Bark Petition 14.8.1963,
Northern Territory but their case also failed to achieve their 46.9 x 21 cm, natural ochres on
objective. Whilst they were not the first claims to be made by bark, ink on paper
Indigenous groups, the Yirrkala bark petitions are the first

308 Statement by the Speaker, House of Representatives, Debates, 24 June 2013, p. 1, accessed 8 July 2013.
309 R Lundie, ‘Constitutional Alteration (Local Government) 2013’, Bills Digest, No. 147, 2012‒13, Parliamentary Library, 19 June 2013, accessed 9
July 2013.
310. Australian Local Government Association, ALGA constitutional reform campaign website, accessed 21 October 2013.

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 Milestones Details Source Documents
traditional documents to be recognised by the Image courtesy of Parliament
Commonwealth Parliament and, as such, they represent House Art Collection, Canberra
documentary recognition of Indigenous people in Australian ACT
law. The Yirrkala Petitions were subsequently displayed to the
public in the permanent Parliament House after it was
opened in 1988. 311

Yirrkala artists, Yirritja moiety,

Yirrkala Bark Petition 28.8.1963,
46.9 x 21 cm, natural ochres on
bark, ink on paper

Image courtesy of Parliament

House Art Collection, Canberra
ACT

2013 Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd becomes Prime Minister Watch: Press conference: the
Hon. Julia Gillard MP , 27 June
On 27 June 2013 the former Prime Minister the Hon. Kevin 2013
Rudd (ALP, Member for Griffith, Qld, 1998‒) is sworn in as
Prime Minister by the Governor-General of Australia. He Watch: Press conference: the
replaces the Hon. Julia Gillard (ALP, Member for Lalor, Vic., Hon. Kevin Rudd MP, 28 June
1998‒2013), and is the first former Prime Minister to be 2013
returned to the position for a second term since the Hon. Videos courtesy of DPS
Robert Menzies (UAP, LP from 1944, Member for Kooyong, Broadcasting, Parliament House
Vic, 1934‒66) in 1949. The Hon. Anthony Albanese (ALP,
Member for Grayndler, NSW, 1996‒) is elected as Deputy
Prime Minister. The leadership changes also results in a
number of changes within the Ministry.
The Prime Minister the Hon. Julia Gillard (ALP, Member for
Lalor, Vic., 1998‒2013) had called for a leadership ballot to be
conducted by the Australian Labor Party caucus on 26 June.
This follows continuing speculation about her leadership, and
the circulation of a caucus petition seeking to allow a
challenge to her prime ministership. Her predecessor, the
Hon. Kevin Rudd MP, announced that he will challenge the
Prime Minister. He succeeded in winning the leadership ballot
by 57 votes to 45. The Hon. Kevin Rudd MP had previously
served as Australia’s 26th Prime Minister from 4 December
2006 to 24 June 2010, resigning when challenged for the

311. For further history and related documents, see Yirrkala bark petitions 1963 (Cth), Documenting a Democracy, National Archives of Australia,
accessed 29 August 2012.

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 Milestones Details Source Documents
leadership of the ALP by the then Deputy Prime Minister, the
Hon. Julia Gillard MP. He made an unsuccessful leadership
challenge on 27 February 2012 and again on 21 March 2013
before his third and successful challenge on 26 June 2013.

2013 Changes to laws for migrant workers

The Migration Amendment (Temporary Sponsored Visas) Bill
2013 is passed by the Senate on 28 June 2013 and receives
assent on 29 June 2013. The new law amends the Migration
Act 1958 to strengthen the regulation of employer-sponsored
skilled migrant workers who enter Australia under the 457
visa system.

2013 End of National Tally Room in Canberra

Australia’s Electoral Commissioner, Ed Killesteyn, announces
on 2 July 2013 that the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC)
will not operate a National Tally Room during the 2013
federal election. The AEC now delivers online election results
to the media and general public via its website, and the
National Tally Room no longer plays a role in the actual
delivery of election results. 312

2013 Visit by President of Timor-Leste Watch: State Visit by President of

Timor-Leste
On 8 July 2013 the President of the Democratic Republic of
Timor-Leste, His Excellency Mr Taur Matan Ruak, attended a Video courtesy of DPS
luncheon at Parliament House during his State Visit to Broadcasting, Parliament House
Australia.

2013 Prorogation of 43rd Parliament Watch: Prorogation of 43

rd

Parliament
On 5 August 2013 the Official Secretary to the Governor-
General reads the proclamation on behalf of the Governor- Videos courtesy of DPS
General of Australia that the 43rd Parliament is prorogued Broadcasting, Parliament House
until 7 September 2013, the date set for the 2013 federal
election.
The 43rd Parliament was the first hung Commonwealth
Parliament since 1941. After the election, the Australian
Labor Party negotiated agreement with three Independents
and the Australian Greens giving it the necessary support to
form a minority Government. The hung parliament, and the
resulting Agreement for a better Parliament: Parliamentary
Reform, had a major impact on the work and practices of the
43rd Parliament including the introduction of time limits on
questions and answers, extra sitting hours, and greatly
increased opportunities for private Members including a
significant increase in the number of private members’ bills —

312 ‘Statement on the future of the National Tally Room’, Australian Electoral Commission, Media releases 2013, 2 July 2013, accessed 8 July
2013.

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 Milestones Details Source Documents
more than in any year since Federation in 1901. 313

2013 Parliament House Open Day 2013

Parliament House, celebrating its 25th anniversary, opened its
doors to the public on 24 August 2013. Visitors were able to
walk from the ceremonial main front doors, through the
Great Hall, Members’ Hall, Cabinet Room and out into the
Prime Minister’s courtyard. More than 8 000 people visited
Parliament House and toured areas not normally open to the Parliament House 25
th

public. The Open Day featured a visit by the principal design Anniversary Open Day 2013
architect, Romaldo Giurgola, as well as artists talking about
Image courtesy of House of
their contributions to the making of the building.
Representatives

2013 Governor-General offers resignation over Labor leadership

ballot
On 13 October 2013 the Governor-General, Quentin Bryce AC,
offers her resignation to Prime Minister Tony Abbott to avoid
any perception of bias in anticipation of the election of her
son-in-law, Bill Shorten (ALP, Member for Maribyrnong, Vic.,
2007 ̶ ) as leader of the Australian Labor Party and Leader of
the Opposition. Mr Abbott declines to accept the Governor-
General’s resignation on the basis that ‘she will retire in
March next year and … the Government commands the
House of Representatives with a significant margin’.
The Governor-General is currently serving an extended term
in office that she did not seek. Her agreement to stay on was
a measure of her personal commitment to provide continuity
at a time of political turbulence and she should be
commended for her dedication to public service. 314

2013 Opening of 44th Parliament Watch: Official opening of the

44th Parliament
The Governor-General, Quentin Bryce AC, opens the 44th
Parliament on 12 November 2013, following the Read: The Governor-General’s
Commonwealth election held on 7 September 2013 at which speech
the Coalition, led by the Hon. Tony Abbott (LP, Member for
Warringah, NSW, 1994‒), wins government.
At the opening of the 44th Parliament, an Indigenous
ceremony of welcome is held in the Great Hall and the
Parliament is officially opened. Members of the House of
Representatives, Territory Senators, and Senators filling
casual vacancies are sworn in and, in the House of
Representatives, the Hon Bronwyn Bishop MP (LP, Member
for Mackellar, NSW, 1994 ̶ ) is elected as Speaker. In the
afternoon Her Excellency the Governor-General gives an
opening address.

313 M Lumb, The 43rd Parliament: traits and trends, Research Paper, Parliamentary Library, 2 October 2013, accessed 21 November 2013; B
Holmes, Hard days and nights: the final 147 days of the Gillard Government, Research Paper, Parliamentary Library, 8 November 2013,
accessed 21 November 2013.
314. Statement from the Prime Minister, Prime Minister of Australia website, 13 October 2013, accessed 21 October 2013.

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The new Speaker, the Hon.
Bronwyn Bishop MP

2013 First Aboriginal woman elected to Commonwealth Watch: First speech by Senator
Parliament Nova Peris

At the opening of the 44th Parliament on 12 November 2013 Read: First speech by Senator
Senator Nova Peris (ALP, Senator for the Northern Territory, Nova Peris
2013 ̶ ) is sworn in, becoming the first Aboriginal woman to be
elected to the Senate and to the Commonwealth Parliament
as a result of the Commonwealth election held on 7
September 2013.
Prior to the swearing-in ceremony, Senator Peris receives a
traditional Indigenous blessing from Aboriginal land owners
who travelled to Parliament House from the Northern
Territory. Senator Peris was the first Aboriginal person to win
an Olympic gold medal as a member of the Australian
women’s hockey team at the 1996 Olympic Games. As the
Senator for the Northern Territory, she takes up her seat at
the commencement of the 44th Parliament, and gives an
emotional first speech to the Parliament on 13 November
2013 still wearing white clay from the Indigenous blessing:
I was born in Darwin in the Northern Territory and I
retain my strong cultural and spiritual ties to my country,
to Mother Earth. I am a member of the oldest
continuous living culture on the earth. I am proud that
this hill that we meet on here today is culturally
significant to the Ngambri people as representing the
womb of the 'Woman' on this Country. It is very
significant to me to be the first Aboriginal woman
315
elected to the federal parliament of Australia.

2013 Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd resigns Watch: Former Prime Minister
Kevin Rudd’s resignation speech
Former Prime Minister, the Hon. Kevin Rudd MP (ALP,
Member for Griffith, Qld, 1998 ̶ ) announces his resignation Read: Former Prime Minister
from the Commonwealth Parliament on 13 November 2013. Kevin Rudd’s resignation speech
During his speech, he states:
To have served as Prime Minister of Australia has been a
great honour afforded to very few in our country's
history. For the future I wish the Prime Minister and his
government well. I do that because I wish Australia well.
The prime ministership of this Commonwealth is not
easy. It is the hardest job in the land. The expectations of
whoever holds the office are infinite, while the resources
316
available are finite.

He formally submits his resignation as Member for Griffith, The Hon. Kevin Rudd MP
Queensland on 22 November 2013, effective immediately. Mr

315 Senate, Debates, 13 November 2013, accessed 21 November 2013.

316 House of Representatives, Debates, 13 November 2013, accessed 21 November 2013.

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Rudd is the fourth of Australia’s 28 Prime Ministers to have
lost an election or the leadership of his party and resigned
from parliament shortly afterwards, thereby bringing about a
by-election. 317

2013 Retirement of the Clerk of the House of Representatives

Mr Bernard Wright AO, Clerk of the House of Representatives
since December 2009, retires on 31 December 2013. The new
Clerk is Mr David Elder, who commences in the role on 1
January 2014.

2014
Milestones Details
High Court declares void the WA half Senate election
18 February
On 15 November 2013, following the loss of 1,370 ballots, the
Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) lodges a petition with
the Court of Disputed Returns seeking an order that the
election of six senators in Western Australia be declared void.
An inquiry commissioned by the AEC and led by former
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty AO
identifies significant and systemic shortfalls and failings in
Senate ballot paper security, storage and handling in Western
Australia. 318
On 18 February 2014, the High Court, sitting as the Court of
Disputed Returns, declares void the 2013 half Senate election
in Western Australia, the first time that this has occurred. 319
On 21 February, the Special Minister for State, Senator
Michael Ronaldson (Lib, Vic.), announces the resignations of
the Electoral Commissioner, Ed Killesteyn, and the Australian
Electoral Officer for Western Australia, Peter Kramer. Tom
Rogers is appointed as Electoral Commissioner on 15
December 2014, having acted in that position since
Killesteyn’s resignation.

19 March Ministerial accountability: Assistant Treasurer stands aside

Assistant Treasurer Senator Arthur Sinodinos (Lib, NSW)
stands aside 320 after the Opposition suspends standing orders
to move a motion requiring him to provide a full explanation
to the Senate about his interest in Australian Water Holdings
after allegations about the company were raised in the NSW
Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). 321 He

317 J Wilson, R Lundie and D McKeown, ‘Zippers: former prime ministers leaving parliament’, FlagPost, 14 November 2013, accessed 21 November
2013.
318 Inquiry into the 2013 WA Senate election, December 2013, Report commissioned by the Australian Electoral Commission and produced by
M J Keelty AO, 2 December 2013.
319 High Court of Australia, ‘The Australian Electoral Commission v Johnston & Ors; Wang v Johnston & Ors; Mead v Johnston& Ors’ [2014], HCA
5 Judgement Summary.
320 A Sinodinos, ‘Australian Water Holdings’, Senate, Debates, 19 March 2014, p. 1487.
321 P Wong, ‘Australian Water Holdings’, Senate, Debates, 19 March 2014, p. 1460.

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will formally resign as Assistant Treasurer in December 2014
pending the outcome of the ICAC inquiry.

28 March New Governor-General sworn in

Peter Cosgrove is sworn-in as the 26th Governor-General of
the Commonwealth of Australia and is appointed Knight of
the Order of Australia. 322 He replaces the 25th Governor-
General, Quentin Bryce. She is the first woman to hold the
vice-regal position, and she is appointed Dame of the Order of
Image source: ParlView, 28
Australia (AD) on 25 March 2014. 323
March 2014

Watch: Governor-General
swearing-in ceremony, 28 March
2014

Read: Address to the Joint Sitting

of Parliament on the occasion of
the swearing in of the Governor-
General

28 March Motion of no confidence in Speaker

The Manager of Opposition Business, Tony Burke MP (ALP,
Watson, NSW), moves a motion of no confidence against the
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Bronwyn Bishop MP
(Lib, Mackellar, NSW), accusing her of partiality in favour of
Government members rather than acting as ‘the custodian of
Motion of no confidence in
the rights and privileges of elected Members of the
Speaker
Parliament’. 324 The motion is unsuccessful, 83 votes to 51.
Image source: ParlView, 28
According to House of Representatives Practice, the Speaker’s
March 2014
actions can only be criticised by a substantive motion,
including dissent from a Speaker’s ruling or a censure or want
of confidence motion. Whilst they are rare, there have been
several substantive motions criticising the actions of a
Speaker in the history of the Parliament. 325

5 April Western Australian Senate election

Western Australians go to the polls to elect six senators in the
2014 WA Senate election. This new election is conducted
following the discovery of missing ballots during the 2013 WA
Senate election and the decision of the High Court, sitting as
the Court of Disputed Returns, to declare the 2013 Western
Australian Senate election void. Two days before the election, Senate chamber, Parliament
the AEC admits failing to properly secure 75 ballot papers at a House
mobile pre-polling booth at an aged care facility.

322 His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) and Her Excellency Lady Cosgrove, Governor-General of the
Commonwealth of Australia website; ‘Governor-General swearing in ceremony’, Parliament of Australia, Canberra, 28 March 2014.
323 Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia website, ‘The Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE’.
The Knight/Dame of the Order of Australia was offered between 1976 and 1986 and between 2014 and 2015.
324 T Burke, ‘Motions: Speaker’, House of Representatives, Debates, 27 March 2014, p. 3404.
325 See Table 6.2: Motions of censure of or no confidence in the Speaker, Acting Speaker or Deputy Speaker, and related motions, ‘Criticism of
Speaker’s actions and conduct’, in B C Wright, ed, House of Representatives Practice, 6th edn, Department of the House of Representatives,
Canberra, 2012.

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 Milestones Details
The results are announced by the AEC on 29 April 2014. 326
The composition of the new Senate sets a record, with 18
senators on the crossbench including 10 senators
representing the Australian Greens.
As a result of the 2013 Senate election issue, questions are
raised about the need for electoral reform. The AEC
commences an overhaul of its policies and processes in
December 2013, focusing on improving ballot paper
security. 327 In May 2014 the Australian National Audit Office
undertakes an independent performance audit in the AEC,
while the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters
(JSCEM) undertakes an inquiry into the election (the final
report is released in April 2015). 328

24 April Royal reception 2014

His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge and Catherine,
Duchess of Cambridge, attend a Reception in the Great Hall at
Parliament House during their Australian tour. His Royal
Highness gives a speech reflecting on Australia’s qualities and
role in the Asia-Pacific region. 329 Image source: ParlView, 24 April
2014

Watch: Parliamentary reception

in the presence of their Royal
Highnesses the Duke and
Duchess of Cambridge

Watch: Speech to the Parliament

by His Royal Highness the Duke of
Cambridge, 24 April 2014

26 May ‘Pipe bomb’ produced at Senate Estimates hearing

Senator Bill Heffernan (Lib, NSW) produces a fake ‘pipe bomb’
at a Senate Estimates hearing of the Legal and Constitutional
Affairs Legislation Committee in order to support his
argument that ‘[t]his building is no longer secure’ because of
new security arrangements introduced by the Department of Senator Bill Heffernan with fake
Parliamentary Services. 330 The new arrangements, introduced pipe bomb at Senate Estimates
on 19 May 2014, were initially to be trialled over a twelve- hearing
month period. However, full screening is reinstated on 2 July
2014, in preparation for the visit by Japanese Prime Minister

326 Australian Electoral Commission, Senators for Western Australia have been decided, media release, 29 April 2014.
327 ‘The year in review’, Australian Electoral Commission Annual report 2013 ̶ 14, Commonwealth of Australia, 2014.
328 Australian National Audit Office, The Australian Electoral Commission’s storage and transport of completed ballot papers at the September
2013 federal general election, Audit report no 31, 2013 ̶ 14, Performance audit, 2014; Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, The
2013 federal election: report on the conduct of the 2013 election and matters related thereto, Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters,
Canberra, April 2015.
329 Parliamentary Reception in the presence of their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Parliament of Australia, 24 April
2014.
330 B Heffernan, Australian Federal Police, Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee, Estimates, Attorney-General portfolio,
26 May 2014, p. 21.

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 Milestones Details
Shinzo Abe, and remains in place thereafter. 331 Image source: ParlView, 26 May
2014

27 May Pacific nations call on Parliament to act on climate change

A delegation from the Pacific Island nations of Kiribati, Tuvalu
and Papua New Guinea perform a song on the lawns of
Parliament House, urging Australia's parliamentarians to take
urgent action on climate change. The delegation seeks cuts in
carbon emissions and assistance to mitigate the impact of
climate change on their countries.

8 June The Federation Chamber turns 20

The Federation Chamber of the House of Representatives
celebrates its twentieth anniversary. 332 The Federation
Chamber (known as the Main Committee prior to 2012) is a
debating committee established as an alternative venue to
the Chamber of the House. It operates in parallel with the
Chamber in order to allow two streams of business to be Federation Chamber, Parliament
debated concurrently. 333 House
The number of bills before the House had increased steadily
since Federation, resulting in less time for detailed
consideration of each bill. In 1986 the Procedure Committee
(34th Parliament) recommended the use of legislation
committees but, in 1993, the Procedure Committee (37th
Parliament) rejected this recommendation on the basis that
legislation committees did not appear to save the House time.
As a result the ‘committee of the whole’ stage of bill
consideration was abolished and the House agreed to several
reforms including the Main Committee to act as a second
chamber. The Main Committee met for the first time on 8
June 1994. 334 On 22 June 2015, the House of Representatives
Standing Committee on Procedure report ‘Role of the
Federation Chamber: Celebrating 20 years of operation’
becomes the first report to be tabled in the Federation
Chamber. 335

18 June A matter of privilege: the use of CCTV footage

On joint motion of Senators Cory Bernardi (Lib, SA) and John
Faulkner (ALP, NSW), the Senate refers to the Committee of
Privileges the Department of Parliamentary Service’s use of
CCTV footage in an internal disciplinary matter. The
Committee’s Terms of Reference are to inquire as to: whether
there was any improper (actual or attempted) interference

331 Senate Finance and Public Administration Committee, Answers to Questions on Notice, Parliamentary departments, Department of
Parliamentary Services, Supplementary Budget Estimates, October 2014, Question 185.
332 Standing Committee on Procedure (44th Parliament), Role of the Federation Chamber: celebrating 20 years of operation, Canberra, June
2015.
333 ‘What is the Federation Chamber?’, Infosheet 16: The Federation Chamber, House of Representatives.
334 Ibid.
335 D Farrell, ‘Committees: Standing Committee on Procedure—Report’, House of Representatives, Federation Chamber, Debates, 22 June 2016,
p. 7147.

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 Milestones Details
with a senator in the free performance of his duties; and
whether disciplinary action was taken against any person in
connection with the provision of information to a senator.
The Privileges Committee tables its report on 5 December
2014. The report examines (among other things) the use of
CCTV footage by the Department of Parliamentary Services
(DPS) for internal investigations involving DPS staff and
‘whether there was any improper interference, or attempted
improper interference, with the free performance by Senator
Faulkner or any other senator of their duties as a senator’. 336
The President of the Senate, Senator Stephen Parry, tables a
response to the Privileges Committee report on 2 March
2015. 337

7 July New President of the Senate

Senator Stephen Parry (Lib, Tas.) becomes the 24th President
of the Senate.

Senator Stephen Parry, President

of the Senate

Image source: Parliament of

Australia

7 July New Senate sworn in

The new Senate is sworn in by the Governor-General, Peter
Cosgrove). The new Senate includes 14 new senators 338 and
comprises:

• 33 Coalition senators
Image source: ParlView, 7 July
• 25 Australian Labor Party senators 2014

Watch: Senate swearing in of

• 10 Greens senators new senators followed by
Morning Tea in Members’ Hall
• 8 senators from smaller parties. 339

8 July Address by the Prime Minister of Japan

During his visit to Australia the Prime Minister of Japan,

336 Senate Standing Committee on Privileges, ‘160th Report: The use of CCTV material in Parliament House’, Parliament of Australia, Canberra,
5 December 2014, p. 1.
337 ‘Documents: Tabling’, Senate, Debates, 2 March 2015, p. 823.
338 Parliamentary Library, Parliamentary Handbook of the Commonwealth of Australia, 44th Parliament, Parliamentary Library, Canberra, 2014.
339 Parliamentary Library, ‘Composition of Australian Parliaments by Party and Gender, as at 2 July 2014’, in J McCann, ‘Women in Australian
parliaments’, FlagPost, Parliamentary Library blog, 23 July 2014.

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 Milestones Details
Shinzo Abe, gives an address to members and senators in the
House of Representatives. 340

Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo

Abe

Image source: Auspic

Watch: Address to the

Parliament by Shinzo Abe, 8 July
2014

Read: Address to the Parliament

by Shinzo Abe, 8 July 2014

19-22 July Malaysian Airlines MH17 tragedy Watch: Signing of the official
Condolence Book in support and
Prime Minister Tony Abbott MP announces that the
sympathy for those tragically
Australian National Flag will be flown at half-mast on all
killed on Flight MH17
Australian Government establishments in Australia and
overseas, including Parliament House, as a mark of respect to
the Australians who lost their lives on Malaysia Airlines Flight
17. 341 The scheduled international passenger flight from
Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur crashed on 17 July 2014 after
being shot down, killing all 283 passengers and 15 crew on
board, including 38 Australians.
On 22 July 2014 a ceremony takes place in the Marble Hall of
Parliament House for the official signing of the Condolence
Book in support and sympathy for those tragically killed on
Flight MH17. 342 A National Day of Mourning and National
Memorial Service for the victims are planned for
7 August 2014.

26 August Condolence motion for Ukraine air disaster

Prime Minister Tony Abbott MP moves a condolence motion
expressing the House of Representative’s ‘outrage and
condemnation at the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight
MH17 over Eastern Ukraine on 18 July’, and extending the
House’s sympathy to the families, friends and loved ones of Condolence motion in the House
those who perished in the disaster. 343 of Representatives for the
The Leader of the Opposition, Bill Shorten MP (ALP, Ukraine air disaster
Maribyrnong, Vic.), makes a statement in support of the Image source: ParlView, 26
condolence motion, describing the events as ‘a global tragedy

340 His Excellency Mr Shinzo Abe (Prime Minister of Japan), ‘Address by the Prime Minister of Japan’, House of Representatives, Debates, 8 July
2014, p. 7647.
341 T Abbott (Prime Minister), Flags at half-mast for victims of MH17, media release, 18 July 2014.
342 T Abbott (Prime Minister), Message of condolence, 22 July 2014.
343 T Abbott, ‘Condolences: Ukraine air disaster’, House of Representatives, Debates, 26 August 2014, p. 8549.

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 Milestones Details
which has struck at Australian hearts.’ 344 August 2014

7 Death of Harry Evans

September
Harry Evans, the longest serving Clerk of the Australian
Senate, dies. Evans served as Clerk from 1988 to 2009. 345

Former Clerk of the Senate, Harry

Evans

Image source: Brian

Jenkins/Wikimedia Commons

21 Increased security at Parliament House

September
Following an urgent review of the safety of Parliament House,
the Australian Federal Police (AFP) assumes responsibility for
internal and external security for Australian Parliament House
amid heightened security concerns. According to the Prime
Minister, Tony Abbott MP:
In this building, there will be more armed police, fewer
points of access, and more scrutiny of parliamentary
346
passes.

The move to increase security measures follows the raising of

the National Terrorism Public Alert from medium to high on
12 September, the first time the threat has been raised since
Image source: Phillip
the system was introduced in 2003. 347
Minnis/Shutterstock.com

22 National security
September
Prime Minister Tony Abbott MP updates the House of
Representatives on challenges to Australia’s national security.
He acknowledges the Opposition’s bi-partisan support for
ensuring the safety of all Australians and outlines three key
messages:
• that the Government will do whatever is possible to keep
people safe
• that Australia’s security measures at home and abroad are
directed against terrorism, not religion, and

344 B Shorten, ‘Condolences: Ukraine air disaster’, House of Representatives, Debates, 26 August 2014, p. 8551.
345 E Abetz, ‘Condolences: Mr Harry Evans’, Senate, Debates, 22 September 2014, p. 6577.
346 T Abbott (Prime Minister), ‘Ministerial statements: National security’, House of Representatives, Debates, 22 September 2014, p. 9957.
347 S Parry (President of the Senate), Security and Parliament House, n.d.

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 Milestones Details
• Australians should live normally because the terrorists’
goal is ‘to scare us out of being ourselves’. 348
The Leader of the Opposition, Bill Shorten MP, makes a
statement in reply. 349

24 Counter-terrorism Bill introduced

September
The Attorney-General Senator George Brandis (Lib, Qld)
introduces the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment
(Foreign Fighters) Bill 2014 to the Senate. 350 The Bill seeks to
respond to the threat posed by Australians engaging in, and
returning from, conflicts in foreign states, including by
implementing recommendations made in a recent review of
Australia’s counter-terrorism laws. The Bill, incorporating
amendments recommended by the bipartisan Parliamentary
Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS), is passed
by the Senate on 29 October and the House on 30 October. 351 Image source: Ken
Hodge/Wikimedia Commons

24 Recommendations on use of electronic devices

September
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on
Procedure finalises its report on the Use of electronic devices
in the Chamber and Federation Chamber. The report
recommends that:
• the current ‘Guidelines for members on the status and
handling of their records and correspondence’ be updated Image source: maradonna
to include communications by members via electronic 8888/Shutterstock.com
devices, and
• the House consider and adopt a resolution that clarifies
how electronic devices are to be used in the Chamber. 352
A motion on electronic devices in the Chamber is passed by
the House of Representatives on 26 March 2015, allowing
their use subject to certain conditions. 353

30 Guest lecture by Speaker of the House of Commons

September
The Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow MP,
addresses some of the challenges faced by modern
parliaments and representatives across the Commonwealth,
in the era of the digital revolution and ‘disruptive’
technology. 354 Image source: ParlView, 30
September 2014

348 T Abbott (Prime Minister), ‘Ministerial statements: National security’, op. cit.
349 B Shorten (Leader of the Opposition), ‘Ministerial statements: National security’, House of Representatives, Debates, 22 September 2014, p.
9960.
350 Parliament of Australia, Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (Foreign Fighters) Bill 2014 homepage, Australian Parliament website.
351 Ibid.
352 House of Representatives Standing Committee on Procedure, Use of electronic devices in the Chamber and Federation Chamber, House of
Representatives, Canberra, September 2014.
353 C Pyne (Minister for Education and Training), ‘Motions: Chamber Procedures’, House of Representatives, Debates, 26 March 2015, p. 3553.
354 The Right Honourable John Bercow MP, Speaker of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, Guest of Parliament lecture,
30 September 2014.

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 Milestones Details
Watch: The Speaker of the House
of Commons presenting a Guest
of Parliament lecture

2 October Presiding Officers’ decision on covered visitors to Parliament

House
In the context of heightened national security concerns the
President of the Senate, Senator Stephen Parry and the
Speaker, Bronwyn Bishop MP introduce interim security
measures to ban face-coverings from being worn in the
building.
On 20 October the Presiding Officers issue a further ruling
that people with face coverings be visually identified upon
entry to Parliament House, ‘thereby enabling persons with
facial coverings to move from that point freely into the public
portions of the building, including the chamber galleries’. 355

21 October Former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam dies

Former Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam (ALP,
Werriwa, NSW) dies aged 98 years. Mr Whitlam served as
Australia’s 21st Prime Minister before being dismissed from
office by Governor-General Sir John Kerr on 11 November
1975. His contribution to Australia is marked in condolence
motions led by the Prime Minister, Tony Abbott MP and
Leader of the Opposition, Bill Shorten MP.
A NSW state memorial service is held at the Sydney Town Hall
on 5 November.
Gough Whitlam (1955)

Image source: Wikimedia

Commons

Watch: Condolence motions

from the Prime Minister, Tony
Abbott MP and the Leader of the
Opposition, Bill Shorten MP

23 October Statement by Speaker regarding Parliament House security

The Speaker, Bronwyn Bishop MP makes a statement to the
House of Representatives concerning security arrangements
around Parliament House in view of the terrorist attack on
the Canadian Parliament on 22 October. She notes that the
design of the Australian Parliament is very different to that of
the Canadian Parliament, and that there are ‘layers of security
measures’ in place that would prevent such an attack from Parliament House Forecourt
succeeding here. 356

355 Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee, Official Committee Hansard, 20 October 2014, p. 9, accessed 1 July 2016,
and B Bishop (Speaker of the House of Representatives), ‘Questions to the Speaker: Parliament House Security ’, House of Representatives,
Debates, 20 October 2014, p. 11,338.
356 B Bishop (Speaker), ‘Statement by the Speaker: Ottawa: Attack, Parliament House: Security’, House of Representatives, Debates,
23 October 2014, p. 11743.

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14 Address by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

November
David Cameron, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, gives
an address to members and senators in the House of
Representatives chamber. 357

Image source: ParlView, 14

November 2014

Watch: Address by David

Cameron, MP, Prime Minister of
the United Kingdom

17 Address by the President of the People’s Republic of China

November
Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, gives a
speech at a dinner held in the Great Hall of Parliament
House. 358

Image source: ParlView, 17

November 2014

Watch: Speech by Xi Jinping,

President of the People’s
Republic of China

18 Address by the Prime Minister of the Republic of India

November
Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of the Republic of India, gives
an address to members and senators in the House of
Representatives chamber. 359

Image source: ParlView, 18

November 2014

Watch: Address by Narendra

Modi, Prime Minister of the
Republic of India

19 State visit by the President of the French Republic

November
François Hollande, President of the French Republic, visits
Parliament House during his State Visit to Australia, which
coincides with the meeting of world leaders attending the
G20 Summit in Canberra. 360
Image source:
http://parlview.aph.gov.au/
mediaPlayer.php?videoID=2

357 D Cameron (Prime Minister of the United Kingdom), ‘Address by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom’, House of Representatives,
Debates, 14 November 2014, p. 12710.
358 Xi Jinping (President of the People’s Republic of China), ‘Address by the President of the People’s Republic of China’, House of
Representatives, Debates, 17 November 2014, p. 12720.
359 N Modi (Prime Minister of the Republic of India), ‘Address by the Prime Minister of the Republic of India’, House of Representatives, Debates,
18 November 2014, p. 12730.
360 Parliament of Australia, ‘State visit to Australia by Mr François Hollande, President of the French Republic: Joint media conference’,
19 November 2014.

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 Milestones Details
43872ParlView, 19 November
2014

Watch: State visit to Australia by

François Hollande, President of
the French Republic, joint media
conference with the Prime
Minister Tony Abbott MP

26 Security Management Board for Parliament House

November
The Speaker, Bronwyn Bishop, MP introduces the
Parliamentary Service Amendment Bill 2014 into the House.
The Bill amends the composition of the Security Management
Board include the Australian Federal Police. In introducing the
Bill, the Speaker states that:
… the security arrangements in the parliamentary
precincts are under continual and careful assessment,
and I am working closely with a range of departments
including security and intelligence agencies, in carrying
out the necessary security works within the
361
parliamentary precinct.

During the Bill’s second reading in the Senate, the President

notes that the authority to make decisions regarding security
for Parliament House remains vested in the Presiding
Officers. 362 The Bill passes both Houses on 26 March 2015.

2015
Milestones Details

9 February Martin Place siege remembered

The House of Representatives passes a motion, moved by the
Prime Minister, acknowledging the courage of those held
during the siege of the Lindt Café in Martin Place, Sydney, in
December 2014, and extending the sympathies of the House
to the family and friends of Katrina Dawson and Tori Johnson,
who were killed in the siege. 363 The families of Ms Dawson
and Mr Johnson, along with survivors of the siege, are present
to hear the speeches. The Senate also expresses its sympathy
to the victims and their families. 364

10 February Enhanced security arrangements at Parliament House

The Speaker, Bronwyn Bishop MP, announces that, as part of
the continuing upgrade to security at Parliament House, she
has agreed to an armed Australian Federal Police (AFP)

361 B Bishop (Speaker), ‘Bills: Parliamentary Service Amendment Bill 2014: Second Reading’, House of Representatives, Debates, 26 November
2014, p. 13225.
362 S Parry (President of the Senate), ‘Second reaching speech: Parliamentary Service Amendment Bill 2014’, Senate, Debates, 26 March 2015, p.
2576.
363 T Abbott (Prime Minister), ‘Motions: Sydney - Martin Place Siege’, House of Representatives, Debates, 9 February 2015, p. 21.
364 ‘Statements: Sydney – Martin Place Siege’, Senate, Journals, 9 February 2015, p. 25.

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 Milestones Details
presence in the attendants’ booth adjacent to the
chamber. 365

12 Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran: the Parliament calls

February for sentence commutation
The House of Representatives and the Senate pass cross-party
motions calling on the Indonesian government to ‘give
consideration to the circumstances of Mr Chan and
Mr Sukumaran and their rehabilitation in prison, their
suffering and that of their families, and commute their
sentences to an appropriate term of imprisonment.’ 366
Some 100 senators and members also sign a letter to the
Indonesian Ambassador requesting that the sentences be
commuted. 367
Despite concerted diplomatic representations, a public
campaign, and the pleas of friends and family, the two men
are executed with six other prisoners on 29 April 2015.

23 February State visit by the King and Queen of Norway

Their Majesties King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway
attend an official dinner at Parliament House as part of their
official visit to Australia (22 to 27 February 2015). They are
accompanied by a delegation of senior government and
business leaders.

Their Majesties King Harald V and

Queen Sonja of Norway with
Prime Minister Tony Abbott at
Parliament House.

Image source: Auspic

18 March Visit by the Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of

Vietnam
Mr Nguyen Tan Dung, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic
of Vietnam, visits Parliament House during his State Visit to
Australia (16-18 March). During his visit, the two Prime
Ministers sign the Australia-Vietnam Enhanced
Comprehensive Partnership and the two countries establish a Image source: Auspic
Memorandum of Understanding establishing a youth
Watch: His Excellency Mr
exchange program.
Nguyen Tan Dung, PM of the
Socialist Republic of Vietnam
arrive at Parliament House; and

The signing of the Australia-

Vietnam Enhanced

365 B Bishop (Speaker), ‘Statement by the Speaker’, House of Representatives, Debates, 10 February 2015, p. 303.
366 ‘Motions: Death Penalty’, House of Representatives, Debates, 12 February 2015 pp. 656ff; L. Singh, ‘Motions: Death Penalty’, Senate,
Debates, 10 February 2015, p. 296.
367 T Allard, ‘Federal politicians call for mercy for Chan and Sukumaran’, Sydney Morning Herald, 10 February 2015.

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 Milestones Details
Comprehensive Partnership

Read: the Prime Ministers’ Joint

Statement on the Comprehensive
Partnership

The Declaration on Enhancing the

Australia-Vietnam
Comprehensive Partnership

19 March Crown succession law changes

The Succession to the Crown Bill 2015 is passed by both
Houses. The legislation follows the Succession to the Crown
Act 2013 (UK), which was enacted on 25 April 2013, and like
that Act, ends the system of male primogeniture so that the
order of succession is determined by the order of birth. The
legislation also removes provisions under which members of
the royal family who marry a person of the Roman Catholic
faith lose their place in the succession. 368
Before the legislation could be passed, all Australian states
were required to pass legislation requesting the
Commonwealth to enact legislation for the whole of
Australia. 369 Australia was the last of the 16 realms that have
Queen Elizabeth II as their head of state to complete its
legislation. On 26 March 2015, the changes to succession to
the Crown across all the realms came into effect
simultaneously. 370

20 March Former Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser dies

Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser (Lib,
Wannon, Vic.) dies aged 84 years. Mr Fraser served as
Australia’s 22nd Prime Minister from 1975 to 1983, taking
office after the dismissal of the Whitlam Government by
Governor-General John Kerr in November 1975.
His contribution to Australia is marked in condolence motions
led by the Prime Minister, Tony Abbott MP, and Leader of the
Opposition, Bill Shorten MP.
A state memorial service is held at the Melbourne’s Scots’
Malcolm Fraser
Church on 27 March.
Image courtesy of Polixeni
Papapetrou and State Library of
Victoria.

Watch: Condolence motions in

the House of Representatives

26 March Parliament House security upgrade

Both the House of Representatives and the Senate approve a

368 M Coombs, Succession to the Crown Bill 2015, Bills digest, 84, 2014-15, Parliamentary Library, Canberra, 2015, p. 2.
369 Ibid.
370 A Twomey, ‘Power to the princesses: Australia wraps up succession law changes’, The Conversation (website), 26 March 2015.

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proposal to upgrade the security of Parliament House. The
new security measures to be taken include a perimeter fence,
a gatehouse facility at the Ministerial Wing entrance, and
additional vehicle bollards. 371 The proposed works are
referred to the Senate Finance and Public Administration
Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 13 May
2015. 372

12 May Centenary of Gallipoli – Motion by the Prime Minister

In a motion marking the centenary, on 25 April 2015, of
Australian and New Zealand troops landing at Gallipoli, the
Prime Minister says:
On Anzac Day, the Leader of the Opposition and I stood
together with thousands of Australians and New Zealanders on
the distant shores of Gallipoli … (W)e paid our respects to the
Anzacs whose spirit has moved our people for a century. We
went to honour the generation of young men who rallied to
serve our country when our country called and who were
faithful even unto death.

At dawn at Anzac Cove and later at Lone Pine, these places of

peace that were once battlefields, we remembered the original
Anzacs. This parliament was only 13 years old when the Great
War broke out. This parliament still sat in Melbourne. Nine
sitting MPs served in the Great War. In all, some 120 members
of the Commonwealth parliament served in World War I. On
behalf of all members, I pay my respects to them …

On every Anzac Day, the phrase echoes around our services:

'Lest we forget'. But we have not forgotten and we will not
373
forget.

27 May Remonstrance from the Norfolk Legislative Assembly

The Speaker of the Norfolk Island Legislative Assembly, David
Buffett, delivers both Houses of Parliament a Remonstrance,
setting out the Assembly’s grievances regarding the removal
of self-government ‘without genuine consultation and
negotiation’. 374 (A remonstrance is a formal document setting
out grievances or complaints and seeking their redress.)
A series of Commonwealth government and parliamentary
reports have indicated the need for major reforms in Norfolk
Island administration, social services, finance and governance.
The Norfolk Island Legislative Amendment Act 2015, which
receives Royal Assent on 26 May, abolishes the Norfolk Island
Legislative Assembly and replaces it with an Advisory Council,
which will transition to an elected Regional Council with local

371. B Bishop (Speaker), ‘Appropriations and Administration Committee: Report’, House of Representatives, Debates, 26 March 2015, pp. 3552.
372 N Xenophon, ‘Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee: Reference’, Senate, Debates, 26 March 2015, p. 2559.
373 T Abbott (Prime Minister), ‘Motion: Centenary of Anzac’, House of Representatives, Debates, 12 May 2015, pp. 3709.
374 ‘Legislative Assembly of Norfolk Island—Self Government’, House of Representatives, Debates, 27 May 2015, p. 4796, and ‘Legislative
Assembly of Norfolk Island: Remonstrance — Tabling’, Senate, Debates, 15 June 2015, p. 3403.

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 Milestones Details
and municipal responsibilities from July 2016. 375

15 June Magna Carta birthday celebrations

2015 sees a worldwide program of events to mark the 800th
anniversary of the Magna Carta. Parliament House, home to
one of only four known surviving manuscripts of the 1297
issue of the Magna Carta, hosts a busy program of events.
On the morning of 15 April, the Presiding Officers, the Prime
Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, Bill Shorten MP, DPS staff install the Magna Carta
celebrate the anniversary at a reception in the Great Hall of in the Great Hall of Parliament
th
Parliament House—which has the distinction of being the first House for the 800 anniversary
Magna Carta anniversary celebration in the world. Speaking event.
at the event, the Prime Minister describes the Magna Carta as Image source: Auspic
‘perhaps the most important constitutional document of all
time, that has shaped our history and that of so much of the Watch:
modern world’. 376 That evening, 600 people gather in the The Magna Carta 800
th

Great Hall for a special ‘Magna Carta’ edition of the ABC’s Anniversary Celebration
Q&A program.
The Senate Occassional Lecture
In May the President of the Senate, Senator Stephen Parry, by Her Excellency Mrs Menna
launches the second edition of ‘Australia’s Magna Carta’. Rawlings CMG

Big Ideas Constitution Day

Speakers’ Forum: Magna Carta

Magna Carta Symposium part

one and part two.

Read: The Prime Minister’s

Magna Carta Lecture

17 June First time former opposing state/territory leaders in the

same chamber
Former ACT Chief Minister, now senator for the ACT, Katy
Gallagher (ALP), gives her first speech in the Senate.
Senator Gallagher is chosen by the ACT Legislative Assembly
on 25 March 2015 to represent the Territory in the Senate
after the resignation of Senator Kate Lundy (ALP). 377 She is
sworn in on 26 March 2015. 378
Senator Gallagher’s appointment to the casual vacancy marks
the first time that a Premier or Chief Minister has faced their Katy Gallagher
former opposition counterpart in the same chamber in the
Image source: Parliament of
same Parliament. Senator Zed Seselja (Lib, ACT) was Leader of
Australia
the ACT Opposition (December 2007—June 2013) before
resigning to stand for the Senate at the 2013 election. Watch: Senator Gallagher’s first
speech

Read: Simon Speldewinde, ‘First

time opposing state/territory

375 C Madden, ‘Norfolk Island Legislative Amendment Bill 2015’, Bills Digest, Parliamentary Library, 12 May 2015.
376 T Abbott (Prime Minister), speech at the Magna Carta 800th Anniversary Celebration, ParlView, 15 June 2015.
377 Senate, Journals of the Senate, 2013-15, No. 89, 25 March 2015, p. 2385, no. 90, p. 2431.
378 Ibid.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 137

 Milestones Details
leaders in the same chamber’,
FlagPost, Parliamentary Library
17 June 2015.

17 July National memorial service marking the anniversary of the

downing of flight MH17
On 17 July a national memorial service is held in the Great
Hall of Parliament House to commemorate the lives lost in
the downing of MH17 over the Ukraine.
A memorial plaque is unveiled in the House of
Representatives Eastern Formal Gardens the same day. The Governor-General addresses
the National Memorial Service
honoring the victims of Flight
MH17.

Image source. Parlview video

Watch: the National Memorial

Service

Read: the addresses to the MH17

National Memorial Service by His
Excellency Sir Peter Cosgrove and
the Prime Minister, Tony Abbott
MP.

21 July Death of the Member for Canning

Liberal MP Don Randall dies in Boddington, WA. Mr Randall
has represented the electorate of Canning (WA) since 2001,
having previously served as the Member for Swan (1996-
1998).
Mr Randall’s death is marked by a minute’s silence and
several speeches in Adjournment in the Senate, and by a
condolence motion in the House of Representatives. 379
A white rose is placed on Mr Randall’s desk. Don Randall

On 17 August, the Speaker informs the House of Image source: Auspic

Representatives that the by-election to fill the vacancy in the Watch: the condolence motion in
division of Canning will be held on 19 September. It is won by the House of Representatives.
the Liberal candidate, former SAS officer Andrew Hastie, with
55.26% of votes (two party preferred), a 6.5% swing against
the government. He is sworn in on 12 October and gives his
first speech on 13 October.

Andrew Hastie

379 ‘Condolences: Randall, Mr Donald James’, House of Representatives, Debates, 10 August 2015, pp. 7748ff and Senate, Debates 10 August
2015, p. 4691.

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Image source: Auspic

2 August Resignation of the Speaker

2015
Bronwyn Bishop MP resigns as Speaker of the House of
Representatives, 380 the third resignation of a Speaker since
2011, and the ninth since 1901. 381 Mrs Bishop’s resignation
follows sustained criticism of her use of travel entitlements, in
particular the use of a chartered helicopter to attend a Liberal
Party function.
That same day the Prime Minister, Tony Abbott MP,
announces the establishment of a committee to review the
parliamentary entitlements system, co-chaired by the former
Secretary of the Department of Finance, Mr David Tune AO Bronwyn Bishop, Speaker of
PSM, and the Chair of the Remuneration Tribunal, Mr John the House of Representatives
Conde AO. The committee releases its report in March Image source: Auspic
2016. 382

10 August A new Speaker of the House of Representatives

Tony Smith MP (Lib, Casey, Vic.) is elected unopposed to the
position of Speaker of the House of Representatives, the 32nd
person to hold this office. In his address to the chamber Mr
Smith indicates that he will not be attending weekly party
meetings while he is Speaker. 383

Tony Smith, Speaker of the House

of Representatives

Image source: Parliament of

Australia

Image source: Auspic

Watch: The election of the

Speaker

380 ‘Parliamentary Office Holders’, House of Representatives, Debates, 10 August 2015, p. 7743.
381 N Horne, ‘Resignations of Speakers’, FlagPost, Parliamentary Library blog, 4 August 2015.
382 Review Committee—An Independent Parliamentary Entitlements System, ‘An Independent Parliamentary Entitlements System: Review’,
23 March 2016, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet webpage.
383 T Smith, ‘Parliamentary Office Holders’, House of Representatives, Debates, 10 August 2015, p. 7747.

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17 August Australia Post issues new Parliament House stamp

The President of the Senate, Senator Stephen Parry, launches
an Australia, New Zealand and Singapore joint stamp issue
marking 50 years of bilateral relations between the three
countries.
Designed by Sonia Young of Australia Post, the stamps feature
The President of the Senate,
the parliament houses of the three countries. 384
Senator Stephen Parry

Image Source: Auspic

21 August Anniversary of parliamentary broadcasting

The Senate celebrated 25 years since the proceedings of the
chamber were first televised in 1991. Daily sessions of the
House of Representatives began to be televised in 1991. Prior
to 1991, television broadcasts of Parliament had taken place
on 17 February 1959 (for the opening of the 23rd Parliament)
and in 1974 (for the joint sitting of Parliament). 385

15 A new Prime Minister and a new ministry

September
Malcolm Turnbull MP (Lib, Wentworth, NSW) is sworn in as
Australia’s 29th Prime Minister. This follows his resignation
from the ministry on 14 September, citing the failure of Prime
Minister Tony Abbott to provide economic leadership. Mr
Turnbull wins the resultant leadership ballot 54 votes to 44,
becoming Australia’s fourth prime minister since the 2007
election.
Mr Turnbull announces his new Ministry on 20 September, 386
increasing to five the number of women in Cabinet and the Image source: Department of
number of women in the Ministry overall to nine. Prime Minister and Cabinet
The Member for Hasluck (WA), Ken Wyatt MP, is appointed as webpage
Assistant Minister for Health, and is the first Indigenous
Australian to be appointed to the Executive Council.
Wyatt Roy MP (Lib, Longman, Qld) becomes the youngest
ever Commonwealth minister (25) when he is commissioned
Assistant Minister for Immigration—a record previously held
by Kate Ellis MP (ALP, Adelaide, SA) who in 2007 became a
minister at the age of 30.
Senator Marise Payne (NSW) is appointed Minister for
Defence, and is, the Prime Minister says, ‘the first woman to Turnbull Cabinet
be Minister for Defence in our nation’s history’. 387 Other
Image source: Auspic
female parliamentarians have previously held Defence-
related ministries/assistant ministries. Watch: Malcolm Turnbull
announcing his new ministry

384 Australia Post website, ‘Australia, New Zealand and Singapore acknowledged in new joint stamp issue’, 12 August 2015.
385 Parliamentary Education Office website, ‘Latest News: Anniversary of Parliamentary Broadcasting, Sitting period 10—20 August (2015)’.
386 M Turnbull (Prime Minister), ‘Changes to the Ministry’, Media Release 20 September 2015.
387 Ibid.

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22 October Electronic petitions

The Speaker, Tony Smith MP, informs members that the
Departments of the House of Representatives and of
Parliamentary Services are working to develop an electronic
petitions website and system for the House, foreshadowing
the need for the House to consider changes to its Standing
Orders. 388 Senate standing orders already enable the
presentation of electronic petitions in that chamber (SO 70).
The Standing Orders of the House are amended in 2016 to
provide for an electronic petitions system.

9 November House of Representatives trials new arrangements for

Question Time
The House begins a trial of new arrangements for Question
Time under which time is set aside each day for private
government members to ask ministers constituency
questions. Announcing the change, the Prime Minister,
Malcolm Turnbull MP, says ‘local issues are absolutely the
bread and butter of every member's job’. 389 The changes will
be trialled until the end of the year. 390

15 Parliament House illuminated for France

November
Parliament House is illuminated with the French Tricolore as a
mark of solidarity with the people of France in the wake of a
series of terrorist attacks in Paris on 13 November. Parliament
House continues to be illuminated until 22 November.
When Parliament resumes on 23 November, the Prime
Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, MP, 391 and the Leader of the Image source: Auspic
Opposition, Bill Shorten, MP, 392 express their condolences. Read:

The Presiding Officer’s joint

statement on the illumination of
Parliament House

Mr Turnbull’s statement

Mr Shorten’s statement

Watch: the Prime Minister and

Leader of the Opposition’s
statements on the Paris terrorist
attacks

388 T Smith (Speaker), ‘Development of Electronic Petitions Website and System—Statement by Speaker’, House of Representatives, Debates, 22
October 2015, p. 12145.
389 M Turnbull (Prime Minister), ‘Statements on Indulgence: Questions without notice’, House of Representatives, Debates, 20 October 2015.
390 M Turnbull (Prime Minister), ‘Changes to Question Time to Focus on Local Issues’, media release, 20 October 2015.
391 M Turnbull (Prime Minister), ‘Statements on Indulgence’, House of Representatives, Debates, 23 November 2015, pp. 13250ff.
392 B Shorten (Leader of the Opposition), ‘Statements on Indulgence’, House of Representatives, Debates, 23 November 2015, pp. 13251.

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18 The ‘Big Picture’ on the move

November
The Tom Roberts painting The Opening of the first Parliament
of the Commonwealth of Australia by HRH Duke of Cornwall
and York (later King George V) on May 9, 1901 is removed
from its home in the foyer of the Main Committee Room and
loaned to the National Gallery of Australia.
Tom Roberts, Opening of the First
There it is the centrepiece of a major Tom Roberts exhibition Parliament of the Commonwealth
(December 2015 to March 2016). It will be returned to of Australia by H.R.H. The Duke of
Parliament House during the 2016 autumn recess. Cornwall and York (Later King
This is the first time the painting—which weighs over 400kg George V), May 9, 1901, 1903, oil
and stands almost 4m high—has left Parliament House since on canvas
its installation in 1988. Image source: Parliament of
Australia

The team involved in the epic

move.

Image source: Auspic

25 Tjuringa gifted to the Parliament and the Australian people

November by the Warlpiri people
On behalf of the Parliament, the President of the Senate,
Senator Stephen Parry, and the Speaker of the House of
Representatives, Tony Smith MP, accept the gift of a tjuringa
(a traditional Indigenous ceremonial object).
The tjuringa had originally been given by the Warlpiri people Warlpiri community
to the then Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Ian Viner AO QC in representatives Harry Tjakamarra
1978, in exchange for the title deed to their traditional lands Nelson, Otto Jungarryi Sims and
at Yuendumu (Northern Territory). 393 Robin Granites Japanangka with
the President and the Speaker.

Image source: Auspic

393 Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS), ‘Annual Report 2015-16’, DPS, Canberra, 2016, p. 75.

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 2016
Milestones Details

2 February Infants in the House

The Leader of the House of Representatives, Christopher Pyne
(Lib., Sturt, SA) introduces the necessary changes to amend
Standing Order 257 to allow infants to be brought into the
House of Representatives Chamber and the Federation
Chamber by members. In a media release Mr Pyne states that
‘No Member of Parliament, male or female, will ever again be
prevented from participating fully in the law making
Larissa Waters moves a motion in
processes of Parliament because they are also caring for their
the Senate while breastfeeding
child.’ 394 Previously, a member caring for a child during a
her baby (22 June 2017)
division was able to cast a proxy vote, but not to bring the
child into the chamber. Image source: ParlView
395
The amendment, which is passed, implements a
recommendation of the December 2015 report of the House
of Representatives Standing Committee on Procedure,
Provisions for a more family-friendly Chamber. 396
A similar change is made to the Senate’s standing orders in
November 2016.

2 February First Member of the House to have an office on the Senate

side of Parliament House
Trent Zimmerman (Lib., North Sydney, NSW), is sworn in,
having won his seat in a December 2015 by-election
(following the resignation of Joe Hockey), and becomes the
first Member of the House of Representatives to have an
office located on the Senate side of the building. 397 This is a
temporary measure pending space becoming available in the
House of Representatives wing. 398
This unusual arrangement is the subject of questions from the Trent Zimmerman
Opposition during Senate Estimates hearings on 8 February.
Image source: Auspic
Correspondence from the Speaker of the House of
Representatives to the President of the Senate on the matter
is tabled during the hearings.
Subsequently, other members are also given temporary
offices on the Senate side.

394. C Pyne (Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science Leader of the House), Family friendly changes to the House of Representatives, media
release, 2 February 2016.
395. ‘Standing and Sessional Orders’, House of Representatives, Debates, 2 February 2016, p. 11.
396. House of Representatives Standing Committee on Procedure, Provisions for a more family-friendly Chamber, Department of the House of
Representatives, Canberra, 2 December 2015.
397. R Lewis, ‘Why new MP’s getting red-carpet treatment’, The Australian, 5 February 2016, p. 4.
398. Ibid.

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8 February ‘Father of the House’ announces his retirement

Philip Ruddock (Lib., Berowra, NSW) announces his
retirement from Parliament after a 42-year parliamentary
career, 399 which included service as a Minister and a Shadow
Minister. Mr Ruddock had been the ‘Father of the House’ 400—
that is, the Member of the House of Representatives with the
longest continuous service. William (Billy) Hughes (1862-
1952) retains the record for the longest service—51 years,
including serving as Prime Minister from 1915 to 1923.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Julie Bishop (Lib., Curtin, WA), Philip Ruddock
announces Mr Ruddock’s appointment as Special Envoy for
Image source: Auspic
Human Rights. 401

22 February Condolence motion for former Speaker Bob Halverson

The House pauses to acknowledge former Speaker
Bob Halverson who died on 9 February 2016. He served as
Speaker from 1996 to 1998.
In his condolence motion, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull
says:
Bob believed that the position of the Speaker had
become too partisan and he sought to restore
independence during his tenure … As Speaker, Bob
Bob Halverson
Halverson was the first to introduce legislation from the
chair. The bill provided an arrangement we all benefit Image source: Auspic
from—the establishment and administration of the
402
Department of Parliamentary Services.

25 February Defence White Paper released

The 2016 Defence White Paper is launched by Prime Minister
Malcolm Turnbull and the Minister for Defence, Senator
Marise Payne (Lib., NSW). Work on the White Paper
commenced in early 2014. 403
Malcolm Turnbull, Marise Payne
The funding plan outlined in the White Paper raises Defence and Chief of the Navy Vice
funding to two per cent of Gross Domestic Product by 2020– Admiral Tim Barrett on
21. 404 For the first time, all elements of the Government’s 18 April 2016, announcing the
defence investment are outlined in an Integrated Investment location of ship building facilities
Program, published with the White Paper. 405 The White Paper for patrol vessels and frigates.
also states that the Government will invest in 12 new

399. P Ruddock, Statement by the Hon. Philip Ruddock MP, media release, 8 February 2016.
400. S Maher, ‘Father leaves the House’, The Australian, 9 February 2016, p. 11.
401. J Bishop (Minister for Foreign Affairs), Special Envoy for Human Rights, media release, 8 February 2016.
402. M Turnbull (Prime Minister), ‘Condolences: Halverson, Hon Robert George (Bob), OBE’, House of Representatives, Debates, 22 February 2016,
p. 1593.
403. M Grattan, ‘Defence white paper: an extra $29.9 billion spending over a decade’, The Conversation, 25 February 2016.
404. Department of Defence, ‘2016 Defence White Paper: capability overview’, Department of Defence website.
405. Department of Defence, ‘2016 Defence White Paper’, Department of Defence website.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 144

 Milestones Details
submarines. 406 Image source: ParlView

Opposition defence spokesperson Stephen Conroy says the

ALP is broadly supportive of the White Paper, but intends to
closely scrutinise the funding commitment. 407

3 March Ministerial statement marking second anniversary of flight

MH370 disappearance
The Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Darren Chester
(Nat., Gippsland, Vic.), notes:
Tuesday, 8 March 2016 marks two years since the
disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 …
[which] disappeared with 239 people on board, including
seven people who called Australia home, six of them
Australian citizens. It is fitting today that we take time to
Darren Chester delivers a
remember the people on board and those who grieve
ministerial statement marking
for them ...
the second anniversary of the
The Australian government is working systematically and disappearance of flight MH370
intensively to locate the aircraft, together with our Image source: ParlView
search partners, Malaysia and China … Around 90,000
square kilometres of the seafloor have been searched so
far—of a total search area of 120,000 square kilometres
… As we search the remaining area, I remain hopeful the
408
aircraft will be found.

On 17 January 2017 the Malaysian, Australian and Chinese

transport ministers jointly announce that the aircraft has not
been located and the search has been suspended. 409
In October 2017 the Malaysian Government enters into an
agreement with US company Ocean Infinity to commence a
new search, for which Australia, at Malaysia’s request, will
provide technical assistance. 410

18 March Passage of the Commonwealth Electoral Amendment Bill

The Commonwealth Electoral Amendment Bill 2016 passes
both Houses. The Bill responds to parts of the interim and
final reports of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral
Matters Inquiry into the 2013 federal election, abolishing
group voting tickets in the Senate and allowing optional
preferential voting above the line. When the Bill was
introduced in the House, standing orders were suspended to Victorian senate ballot paper
allow it to be introduced and passed despite the Bill having 2016
been referred to a committee for inquiry and no advisory

406. M Turnbull (Prime Minister) and M Payne (Minister for Defence), 2016 Defence White Paper, joint media release, 25 February 2016.
407. M Grattan, ‘Strategic environment the most challenging Australia has faced in peace time: Turnbull’, The Conversation, 25 February 2016.
408. D Chester (Minister for Infrastructure and Transport), ‘Ministerial statements: Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370’, House of Representatives,
Debates, 3 March 2016, p. 2985.
409. Liow Tiong Lai (Malaysian Minister of Transport), D Chester (Minister for Infrastructure and Transport) and Li Xiaopeng (Chinese Minister of
Transport), ‘MH370 Tripartite Joint Communique’, 17 January 2017.
410. D Chester (Minister for Infrastructure and Transport), ‘Statement: [Malaysia Airlines flight MH370]’, 19 October 2017.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 145

 Milestones Details
report having been presented. 411 Image source: Hshook,
Wikimedia Commons
After a total of 39 hours of debate in the Senate (at multiple
sittings), 412 the Bill passes with the support of the Australian
Greens. 413 The sitting of the Senate on 17–18 March to
finalise the Bill lasts for 28 hours and 56 minutes and ‘appears
to be unique in the Senate’s history in being a continuous
sitting without breaks of any kind’ (although not the longest
debate on a single Bill). 414
A subsequent High Court challenge to the validity of the
legislation brought by Senator Bob Day (FFP, SA) and others,
is dismissed by the Court on 13 May 2016. 415

18 March Passage of the Territories Legislation Amendment Bill

The Territories Legislation Amendment Bill 2016 passes both
Houses. The Bill (among other provisions) amends other
legislation to extend all Commonwealth laws to Norfolk
Island, unless expressly provided otherwise; and requires
eligible Norfolk Island residents to enrol and vote in federal
elections. 416
Norfolk Island
The changes follow reforms to Norfolk Island’s governance in
Image source: Steve Daggar,
2015 which abolished the Norfolk Island Legislative Assembly,
Wikimedia Commons
replacing it with an Advisory Council, to transition to an
elected Regional Council from July 2016. 417
In April, former Norfolk Island Chief Minister Lisle Snell called
for a royal commission into what he referred to as the
‘Australian takeover’ of Norfolk Island, and human rights
lawyer Geoffrey Robertson delivered a petition against the
perceived takeover signed by Norfolk Islanders to the United
Nations in New York. 418

411. House of Representatives, Procedural Digest, 136, 22 February–3 March 2016.

412. Department of the Senate, ‘Bills generating lengthy debates: 44th Parliament’, 12 November 2013–4 May 2016, StatsNet website.
413. S Medhora, ‘Malcolm Turnbull hails passage of Senate voting changes after marathon debate’, The Guardian (Australia), 18 March 2016.
414. Department of the Senate, Procedural Information Bulletin, 303, Occasional note, Long sitting days, 23 March 2016.
415. Day v Australian Electoral Officer for the State of South Australia; Madden v Australian Electoral Officer for the State of Tasmania, (2016) 331
ALR 386, [2016] HCA 20.
416. Parliament of Australia, ‘Territories Legislation Amendment Bill 2016 homepage’, Australian Parliament website.
417. C Madden, Norfolk Island Legislative Amendment Bill 2015, Bills digest, 102, 2014–15, Parliamentary Library, Canberra, 12 May 2015. See
also: A Hough, J McCann and D Heriot, Australia’s Parliament House in 2014 and 2015: a chronology of events, Research paper series, 2016-
17, Parliamentary Library, Canberra, 23 December 2016, pp. 7, 32.
418. M Davey, ‘Norfolk Island leader calls for royal commission into “Australian takeover”’, The Guardian (Australia), 27 April 2016.

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21 March Request to prorogue Parliament

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull writes to the
Governor-General, Peter Cosgrove, requesting that
Parliament be prorogued on Friday 15 April and summoned to
sit again on Monday 18 April. 419 The request, made under
section 5 of the Constitution (which enables the
Governor-General to prorogue the Parliament) is agreed to
and proclaimed by the Governor-General. 420
The Prime Minister states that Parliament is being prorogued
and then recalled in order to consider two sets of legislation:
• Building and Construction Industry (Improving
Productivity) Bill 2013 and Building and Construction The Prime Minister’s letter to the
Industry (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill Governor-General
2013 (ABCC Bills); and Fair Work (Registered Image source: Governor-General
Organisations) Amendment Bill 2014. 421 of the Commonwealth of
Australia

15 April Parliament is prorogued

Proroguing a Parliament, in effect, terminates the current
session of Parliament without dissolving either House, and
therefore without requiring an election. 422 As a result of
prorogation, all business on the Senate and House notice
papers lapses. 423
Although in recent times it has been unusual to prorogue the
Parliament, it was more common in the 1960s and earlier. 424
Until 1925 ‘Parliament was prorogued before a dissolution of
the House of Representatives and once or twice each
Parliament, but, after 1925, for reasons unknown, the
practice of proroguing before a dissolution was discontinued
and not restored until 1993’. 425 Parliament was last
prorogued and then recalled before an election in 1977 to
allow the Queen to open Parliament. 426
Proroguing the Parliament with the express aim of recalling
the Senate to consider legislation is unusual. 427 The successful
prorogation sets the stage for the possibility of a double
dissolution election.

419. M Turnbull (Prime Minister), Prorogue of Parliament, request for prorogation to the Governor-General, media release, 21 March 2016.
420. M Turnbull (Prime Minister), Press conference, Parliament House, Canberra, 21 March 2016: return of both houses of Parliament on April 18;
federal budget on 3 May 2016; ABCC and Registered Organisations Bills; possible double dissolution election, media release, 21 March 2016.
Further information about the power of the executive government to determine sessions of parliament is set out in Chapter 7 of R Laing (ed),
Odgers’ Australian Senate practice, 14th edn, Department of the Senate, Canberra, 2016, p. 185.
421. D Muller, ‘So you've been prorogued - common questions answered’, FlagPost, Parliamentary Library blog, 23 March 2016.
422. Muller, ‘So you've been prorogued’, op. cit.
423. Ibid.
424. Ibid.
425. Department of the Senate, Procedural Information Bulletin, 303, Occasional note, Prorogation and a new session of Parliament, 23 March
2016.
426. Muller, ‘So you've been prorogued’, op. cit.
427. Ibid.

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18 April Parliament resumes after prorogation

Following the prorogation of Parliament on 15 April
Parliament is opened by the Governor-General, Sir Peter
Cosgrove, for a new session. In his speech opening the new
session of parliament, he says:
The cause for which I have recalled the Parliament is to
enable it and, in particular, the Senate to give full and
timely consideration to two important parcels of Governor-General Sir Peter
industrial legislation—the Bills to provide for the re- Cosgrove opens the 2nd Session
establishment of the Australian Building and of the 44th Parliament
Construction Commission, and the Bill to improve the Image source: ParlView
governance and transparency of registered
organisations. These Bills are critical to my Watch: Opening of the 2nd
Government’s reform agenda.
428 Session of the 44th Parliament
(ParlView)
The Senate receives a message from the House of
Representatives requesting that the Senate resume
consideration of the Building and Construction Industry
Bills. 429 The Senate complies and the legislation is defeated a
second time. 430 This action sets in motion the process for a
double dissolution election by providing a double dissolution
‘trigger’. 431

19 April Prime Minister announces likely date of double dissolution

election
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull states that he intends to
advise the Governor-General to dissolve both houses of
parliament under powers provided by section 57 of the
Constitution. 432 Mr Turnbull says he expects a federal election
will be held on 2 July. 433

Malcolm Turnbull

Image source: Auspic

2 May Supply Bills introduced

Peter Hendy (Lib., Eden-Monaro, NSW), the Assistant Cabinet
Secretary and Assistant Minister for Finance, introduces
supply Bills into the House. 434 Supply Bills seek appropriations
to facilitate the continuation of normal government business.

428. ‘Governor-General’s speech’, House of Representatives, Debates, 18 April 2016, p. 3651.

429. Politics and Public Administration Section, 44th Parliament in review, Research paper series, 2016–17, Parliamentary Library, Canberra,
24 November 2016, p. 8.
430. Australia, Senate, Journals, 149, 2013–16, 18 April 2016, p. 4115.
431. Politics and Public Administration Section, 44th Parliament in review, op. cit.
432. D Muller, ‘(Almost) everything you need to know about double dissolution elections’, FlagPost, Parliamentary Library blog, 29 April 2016.
433. Ibid.
434. P Hendy, ‘First reading: Supply Bill (No. 1) 2016–17’, ‘First reading: Supply Bill (No. 2) 2016–17’ and ‘First reading: Supply (Parliamentary
Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2016–17‘, House of Representatives, Debates, 2 May 2016, pp. 3945-47.

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They were common between Federation and 1993 but, since
then, governments have ‘generally delivered the Budget and
tabled the annual Appropriation Bills in May, prior to the
commencement of the next financial year’, thereby negating
the need for supply Bills. 435
The passage of the supply Bills on 3 May allows the
government to fund ordinary services during the (anticipated)
election period, before the 2016–17 Budget Bills are
considered and passed by the new Parliament. 436 The
appropriation Bills are passed by both Houses on
7 November. 437

4 May Former member found guilty of contempt and reprimanded

by the House
The House of Representatives passes a motion finding
Craig Thomson, the former member for Dobell, guilty of
contempt and reprimanding him. 438 The motion follows the
report of the Committee of Privileges and Members’ Interests
presented on 17 March 2016 which recommended that the
House find Mr Thomson guilty of contempt in relation to his
statement on 21 May 2012 and the findings made against him
by the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 18 February 2014. 439
Craig Thomson

Image source: Auspic

8 May Governor-General accepts request to dissolve both Houses

The Prime Minister announces the Governor-General has
accepted his request under section 57 of the Constitution to
dissolve both houses of Parliament effective 9 May 2016, and
to call a double dissolution election for both Houses for
2 July 2016. 440 The announcement follows the Senate’s
rejection of the Building and Construction Industry Bills on
18 April 2016. 441
The 2016 federal election will be the seventh time Australia
has had a double dissolution election. Double dissolution
elections were also held in 1914, 1951, 1974, 1975, 1983 and
1987, 442 making the 2016 election the first in almost thirty
years.

9 May Dissolution of both Houses

435. D Weight, ‘Supply Bills—a reprise’, FlagPost, Parliamentary Library Blog, 29 April 2016.
436. Malcolm Turnbull (Prime Minister), ‘Documents relating to the calling of the double dissolution election [Election 2016]’, 8 May 2016.
437. Parliament of Australia, ‘Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2016–17 homepage’, ‘Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2016–17 homepage’ and ‘Appropriation
(Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2016–17 homepage’, Australian Parliament website.
438. House of Representatives Standing Committee of Privileges and Members’ Interests, Report into whether the former member for Dobell, Mr
Craig Thomson, in a statement to the House on 21 May 2012 deliberately mislead the House, Parl. Paper 84, March 2016.
439. Ibid.
440. M Turnbull (Prime Minister), Press conference: Election 2016: our economic plan, media release, 8 May 2016; Prime Minister's advice
regarding a double dissolution election, media release, 8 May 2016.
441. Muller, ‘(Almost) everything you need to know about double dissolution elections’, op. cit.
442. Muller, ‘(Almost) everything you need to know about double dissolution elections’, op. cit.

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Both houses of Parliament are dissolved by proclamation of Watch: Simultaneous Dissolution
the Governor-General. The Official Secretary to the Governor- of the Senate and the House of
General, Mark Fraser, reads the proclamation in front of Representatives
Parliament House. The signed proclamation is then displayed
Source: ParlView
inside the building.
9 May is also the anniversary of the opening of the first
Federal Parliament in 1901, as well as the opening of the
provisional and new parliamentary buildings in 1927 and
1988. 443

9 May Retirements and departures

The dissolution of both Houses marks the departure of 23
members and four senators who are not contesting the
upcoming election. Between them, the departing
parliamentarians have over 450 years of parliamentary
experience, 444 with many having served as Ministers. They
include the second longest-serving MP in Australian
parliamentary history, Philip Ruddock (Lib., Berowra, NSW),
and the longest-serving female parliamentarian in Australian
parliamentary history, Bronwyn Bishop (Lib., Mackellar,
NSW). Mr Ruddock retires with over 42 years of Bronwyn Bishop
parliamentary service (second only to Billy Hughes’ record of
Image source: Auspic
51 years), while Mrs Bishop has served for 28 years (across
both Houses).

16 May Death of Romaldo Giurgola

Romaldo (Aldo) Giurgola, the architect of Australia’s
Parliament House, dies at age 95. As senior partner of
Mitchell/Giurgola & Thorp Architects, Mr Giurgola was the
principal design architect for the building from its inception
until 1999.
In a media release, the Presiding Officers:
… acknowledge Mr Giurgola not only as an exceptional
architect of Parliament House but one who, along with a
great team of architects, helped to make the Australian
Parliament House the iconic symbol of democracy that it
445
has become.

A celebration of Mr Giurgola’s life and his contribution to

architecture is held in the Great Hall of Parliament House in
August. 446 An exhibition in the Marble Foyer in November and
December also celebrates Mr Giurgola and his achievements.

443. Department of the Senate, Procedural Information Bulletin, 305, Simultaneous dissolution, 9 May 2016.
444. S Wright, ‘Election signals mass exodus’, The West Australian, 28 March 2016, p. 6.
445. S Parry (President) and T Smith (Speaker), ‘Death of Romaldo Giurgola AO’, joint media release, 17 May 2016.
446. Ibid.

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2 July Election Day

The 2016 federal election is held. The election is the first to
be conducted under the new optional preferential voting
system for the Senate. 447
The close result means that no party claims victory until
10 July, when Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull declares ‘We
have won the election’ and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten
concedes defeat. 448
The Australian Electoral Commission returns the writs for the Image source: Dude7248 (Own
election on 8 August. Ultimately, the Coalition is returned workown), Wikimedia Commons
with 76 seats, a slim majority of one in the House of
Representatives, and faces an enlarged crossbench in the
Senate—with 20 members it is the largest since Federation. 449
The election also sees the return of Pauline Hanson’s One
Nation, which gains four Senate seats including a Queensland
Senate seat for Pauline Hanson herself. 450
In the House, there are five crossbenchers, including
Rebekha Sharkie (Mayo, SA), the first member of the Nick
Xenophon Team to be elected to the lower house. 451 A
majority of crossbenchers in the House agree to support the
government on matters of supply and confidence. 452 The 45th
Parliament includes 39 new members of the House of
Representatives and 14 new senators. 453
One of the new members, Linda Burney (ALP, Barton, NSW),
becomes the first Indigenous woman elected to the House of
Representatives. 454 Anne Aly (ALP, Cowan, WA) becomes the
first Muslim woman elected to the federal parliament. 455

12 July Parliament House lawns vandalised

The lawns on the House of Representatives side of Parliament
House are damaged by vandals who used chemicals to write
political messages on the grass. The Department of
Parliamentary Services immediately commences restoration
work on the lawns. 456 The messages appeared to include
references to ‘hemp’. 457
Parliament House lawns
(undamaged)

447. Muller, Double, double toil and trouble, op. cit., p. 1.

448. M Knott, ‘Turnbull claims election victory, Shorten concedes defeat’, The Canberra Times, 11 July 2016, p. 1.
449. Muller, Double, double toil and trouble, op. cit.
450. Ibid., p. 15.
451. Ibid., p. 13.
452. M Turnbull (Prime Minister), ‘Press conference: [election], media release, 10 July 2016.
453. H Gobbett, Composition of the 45th Parliament: a quick guide, Research paper series, 2016–17, Parliamentary Library, Canberra,
29 August 2016, p. 2.
454. Ibid.
455. G Parker, ‘Diversity a key word as Aly claims win’, The West Australian, 12 September 2016, p. 7.
456. T McIlroy, ‘Political protest blamed for chemical damage to Parliament House lawn’, The Canberra Times, 12 July 2016, p. 4.
457. Ibid.

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Image source: Wilson Afonso,
flickr

30 August Opening and composition of the 45th Parliament

The opening of the 45th Parliament begins with a Welcome to
Country address by Ngunnawal elder Tina Brown and a
smoking ceremony. Next, the 45th Parliament is officially
opened by the Governor-General, Sir Peter Cosgrove. In his
speech, the Governor-General outlines the Government’s
agenda for the 45th Parliament.
At the commencement of the 45th Parliament, the House of Tina Brown gives the Welcome to
Representatives comprises: 76 Coalition members; 69 ALP Country address
members; two Independents; one Australian Greens member;
Image source: ParlView
one Katter’s Australian Party member; and one member of
the Nick Xenophon Team. 458 The Senate comprises: 30
Coalition senators, 26 ALP senators; nine Australian Greens
senators; and 11 minor party senators. 459
The number of women in Parliament has risen from 69
(31 per cent) in the 44th Parliament to 73 (32 per cent) in the
45th Parliament. 460 For the first time at the commencement
of a Parliament, all major parties have a female leader or
deputy leader. 461
One of the first orders of business for the new Parliament is Sir Peter Cosgrove inspects the
the election of the Presiding Officers. The Speaker of the Guard
House, 462 Tony Smith, and the President of the Senate, Image source: Auspic
Stephen Parry, are both re-elected unopposed. 463 In keeping
with tradition, the Speaker is symbolically dragged to the Watch: The opening of the 45th
chair by colleagues. 464 Parliament

Tony Smith is dragged to the

Speaker’s chair by colleagues
Michael Sukkar and Lucy Wicks

Image source: ParlView

458. H Gobbett, Composition of the 45th Parliament: a quick guide, Research paper series, 2016–17, Parliamentary Library, Canberra
29 August 2016.
459. Ibid.
460. Ibid.
461. Ibid.
462. M Sukkar, ‘Parliamentary office holders: Speaker’, House of Representatives, Debates, 30 August 2016, p. 5.
463. G Brandis, ‘Parliamentary office holders: President’, Senate, Debates, 30 August 2016, p. 2.
464. Australia, House of Representatives, The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Parliament of Australia website, p. 3.

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31 August Rotation of senators

Section 13 of the Constitution states that, following a double
dissolution election, the Senate must decide which senators
will serve a full six-year term, and which will serve a three-
year term and face election at the next federal election. At
each federal election, other than a double dissolution
election, half of the State senators are elected on a rotating
basis for a six-year term. Territory senators, however, must
face re-election at each federal election. Senate chamber

The Senate resolves the issue on its second sitting day. 465 Watch: Motion on the rotation of
Senator Mitch Fifield (Lib., Vic.) moves: Senators

That, pursuant to section 13 of the Constitution, the Source: ParlView

senators chosen for each state be divided into two
classes, as follows:

Senators listed at positions 7 to 12 on the certificate of

election of senators for each state shall be allocated to
the first class and receive 3 year terms.

Senators listed at positions 1 to 6 on the certificate of

election of senators for each state shall be allocated to
466
the second class and receive 6 year terms.

The motion is passed by 50 votes to 15, with Coalition and

ALP senators voting in favour and those voting against
including Senators Day, Hinch, Leyonhjelm and the Nick
Xenophon Team and Australian Greens senators. 467

31 August First speech by the first Indigenous woman to be elected to

the House of Representatives
Linda Burney (ALP, Barton, NSW), the first Indigenous woman
to be elected to the House of Representatives, is sung into
the Parliament by her Wiradjuri sister Lynette Riley, before
making her first speech. 468 In her speech, she speaks briefly in
the Wiradjuri language. 469
Ms Burney previously served in the New South Wales (NSW)
Parliament, becoming the first Indigenous member of that
Parliament upon her election in 2003. 470 In 2007 she became Linda Burney
the first Indigenous person to serve as a minister in the NSW
Image source: Auspic
Parliament.
Watch: Linda Burney’s first
speech

465. D Muller, ‘Rotation of Senators – Parliament of Australia’, FlagPost, Parliamentary Library blog, 9 September 2016.
466. M Fifield (Manager of Government Business in the Senate, Minister for Communications and the Arts), ‘Parliamentary Representation:
Rotation of Senators’, House of Representatives, Debates, 31 August 2016, p. 157.
467. Muller, ‘Rotation of Senators’, op. cit.
468. L Burney, ‘Governor-General’s speech: Address-in-Reply’, House of Representatives, Debates, 31 August 2016, p. 163–168.
469. Ibid.
470. H Gobbett, Indigenous parliamentarians, federal and state: a quick guide, Research paper series, 2017–18, Parliamentary Library, Canberra,
updated 11 July 2017, p. 2.

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Source: ParlView

31 August Building and Construction Bills and Budget Bills reintroduced

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull re-introduces the Bills that
triggered the double dissolution election: the Building and
Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Bill 2013, the
Building and Construction Industry (Consequential and
Transitional Provisions) Bill 2013 (ABCC Bills), and the Fair
Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment Bill 2014. 471 The
Budget Savings Omnibus Bill 2016 is introduced by the
Treasurer on the same day. 472

1 Government loses votes on the floor of the House of

September Representatives
The Coalition Government loses three votes on the floor of
the House of Representatives: a motion to adjourn; a motion
on the closure of debate; and an amendment requiring the
House to consider a message (concerning the establishment
of a banking royal commission) from the Senate
immediately. 473 The votes were lost because a number of
Coalition members were absent from the House, some
reportedly having left to fly home to their electorates. 474
Tony Smith, Speaker of the House
All of the lost votes were on procedural matters. In the third of Representatives
vote, the Speaker, Tony Smith, uses his casting vote to decide
the matter, noting: Image source: Auspic

… the principles regarding a casting vote by the Speaker

are outlined in House of Representatives Practice—
specifically on page 183—and they include that the
Speaker should vote to allow further discussion where
475
this is possible.

The last time a majority government lost a division in the

House was in 1962. 476
The House of Representatives Practice notes that ‘[a]lthough
it has been claimed that the loss of control of the business of
the House is a matter over which Governments should resign,
the loss of a vote on such an issue is not necessarily fatal for a
Government’. 477

471. M Turnbull, ‘Second reading speech: Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Bill 2013’, House of Representatives,
Debates, 31 August 2016, p. 81; M Turnbull, ‘Second reading speech: Building and Construction Industry (Consequential and Transitional
Provisions) Bill 2013’, House of Representatives, Debates, 31 August 2016, p. 85; M Turnbull, ‘Second reading speech: Fair Work (Registered
Organisations) Amendment Bill 2014’, House of Representatives, Debates, 31 August 2016, p. 85. S Morrison, ‘Second reading speech: Budget
Savings Omnibus Bill 2016’, House of Representatives, Debates, 31 August 2016, p. 91.
472. Ibid.
473. S Speldewinde, ‘Government losing votes on the floor of the House’, FlagPost, Parliamentary Library blog, 5 September 2016.
474. M Koziol, ‘Ambush in the House’, The Canberra Times, 2 September 2016, p. 1.
475. T Smith (Speaker), ‘Resolutions of the Senate: Banking and Financial Services’, House of Representatives, Debates, 1 September 2016, p. 382.
476. Speldewinde, op. cit.
477. Ibid.

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12 30 millionth visitor to Parliament House

September
On or around this date, Parliament House welcomes its
30 millionth visitor since its opening in 1988. 478
In the 2015–16 financial year, 725,992 people visited
Parliament House. 479

Parliament House on its opening

day in 1988

Image courtesy of National

Archives of Australia

13 Electronic petitions in the House

September
The Speaker informs the House that an electronic petitions
(e-petitions) website and system have been developed for the
House. 480 The system will allow members of the public to
enter and sign petitions online and to track their progress. It
becomes available later in September. 481 Later that day the
House amends its standing orders to enable e-petitions.

14 Introduction of Plebiscite (Same-Sex Marriage) Bill 2016

September
The Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, introduces the
Plebiscite (Same-Sex Marriage) Bill 2016 into the House. In his
second reading speech he says:
I present to the House today the commitment that we
made in the election campaign to put the question of
whether same-sex couples will be allowed to marry
under Australian law to the Australian people in a
plebiscite … I ask the opposition today, I ask the Leader
482
of the Opposition today, to support this plebiscite.

The Bill is rejected by the Senate on 7 November. 483

478. Australian Parliament House (@Aust_Parliament), ‘Hear hear! We’re about to see our 30 millionth visitor’, tweet, 11 September 2016,
https://twitter.com/aust_parliament/status/775168584058179584.
479. Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS), Annual report 2015–16, DPS, Canberra, p. viii.
480. T Smith (Speaker), ‘Statement by the Speaker: Privilege, Petitions’, Senate, Debates, 13 September 2016, p. 675.
481. R Vasta, ‘Petitions: Statements’, House of Representatives, Debates, 10 October 2016, p. 1224.
482. M Turnbull, ‘Second reading speech: Plebiscite (Same-Sex Marriage) Bill 2016’, House of Representatives, Debates, 14 September 2016,
pp. 845–48.
483. Australia, Senate, ‘Plebiscite (Same-Sex Marriage) Bill 2016’, Journals, 12, 2016, 7 November 2016, pp. 400–401.

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15 Dr Rosemary Laing to retire as Clerk of the Senate

September
Dr Rosemary Laing, the Clerk of the Senate, annouces her
forthcoming retirement. Dr Laing has worked for the Senate
for 26 years, serving as Clerk since 2009. 484

Rosemary Laing

Image source: Auspic

10 October Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry—Lionel Murphy

The President of the Senate, Stephen Parry, and the Speaker
of the House, Tony Smith, make statements in their
respective Houses regarding the release of documents from
the 1986 Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry into the
conduct of Justice Lionel Murphy (a former senator). The
Commission’s role was to determine whether
Justice Murphy’s conduct constituted misbehaviour under
section 72 of the Constitution. 485 The inquiry was
discontinued in August 1986 when Justice Murphy became Lionel Murphy in 1973
terminally ill, and legislation was passed which gave the Image source: Rob
presiding officers exclusive possession of the documents of Mieremet/Anefo, Wikimedia
the Commission for 30 years from its commencement. 486 Commons
Following the expiration of the 30-year period on
26 September 2016, the presiding officers advise that they:
… have determined that the Clerks of the Senate and the
House of Representatives and other nominees approved
by us can access and examine the records of the
commission for the purposes of providing advice to
assist in our responses to requests for access … We are
awaiting advice on the contents of the records before
determining any arrangements for wider access to
487
them.

The class B records are made available on the Australian

Parliament House website on 19 December 2016, while the
class A records will be tabled in both houses on
14 September 2017. 488

484. L Tingle, ‘Turnbull loving job but others call it quits’, The Australian Financial Review, 17 September 2016, p. 4.
485. S Parry (President of the Senate), ‘Statement by the President: Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry’, Senate, Debates, 10 October 2016, p.
1225.
486. Ibid.
487. Ibid.
488. T Smith (Speaker), ‘Statement by the Speaker: Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry’, House of Representatives, Debates, 14 September 2017,
p. 10411, and S Parry (President of the Senate), ‘Statement by the President: Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry’, Senate, Debates,
14 September 2017, p. 7281.

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12 October Prime Minister of Singapore addresses the Parliament

The Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr Lee Hsien Loong,
addresses the Parliament—the first time a Singaporean Prime
Minister has done so. In his address, Prime Minister Lee says:
I am honoured to address you in this Parliament House
today. I am also very happy that with a comprehensive
strategic partnership, the CSP, Singapore's relationship Lee Hsien Loong
with Australia has reached another significant
489
Image source: ParlView
milestone.
Watch: Address by the Prime
In a press conference the following day with Prime Minister Minister of Singapore, Mr Lee
Lee, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says that the CSP ‘is the Hsien Loong, to Senators and
most comprehensive upgrade and update to an Australian Members
free trade agreement to date’. 490 Source: ParlView

13 October Senate photography ban lifted

A motion to lift restrictions on photography in the Senate
chamber, moved by Senator Derryn Hinch (DHCP, Vic.), is
passed by the Senate, 491 bringing it into line with the media
rules operating in the House of Representatives chamber. 492
The Senate photography restrictions have been in place since
2002 and their removal follows an extended campaign by
photographers and media organisations. 493

Derryn Hinch moves a motion to

lift restrictions on photography in
the Senate chamber

Image source: ParlView

489. H L Lee (Prime Minister of Singapore), ‘Address by the Prime Minister of Singapore’, House of Representatives, Debates, 12 October 2016,
pp. 1679–82.
490. M Turnbull (Prime Minister), ‘Press conference with the Prime Minister of Singapore [Lee Hsien Loong], Parliament House, Canberra’,
transcript, 13 October 2016.
491. Australia, Senate, ‘Senate Chamber–Photography–Cessation of Order’, Journals, 11, 2016, 13 October 2016, p. 328.
492. D Hinch, ‘Motions: Photography in the Senate’, Senate, Debates, 13 October 2016, p. 1754.
493. M Knott, ‘Senate scraps archaic photography ban following 25-year fight for transparency’, The Sydney Morning Herald, (online edition),
13 October 2016.

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2 November Visit by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the

Netherlands
The King and Queen of the Netherlands visit Parliament
House as part of a state visit to Australia from 31 October to
4 November. Their Majesties are accompanied by the Dutch
Ministers for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Economic Affairs, and
a commercial delegation. 494 The state visit, their first to
Australia, coincides with commemorative activities marking
the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the landing in
Western Australia of Dutch explorer Dirk Hartog. 495
King Willem-Alexander

Image source: Royal House of the

Netherlands, Wikimedia
Commons

7 November Senate refers Day and Culleton matters to the High Court Read: Related documents

Under section 376 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918,

the Senate refers two matters to the High Court sitting as the
Court of Disputed Returns. 496 Both matters involve the
qualification of senators under section 44 of the Constitution.
The first involves a possible pecuniary conflict of interest
relating to the lease for an electoral office for former Senator
Day (FFP, SA). The second matter relates to Senator
Culleton (PHON, WA) and his conviction for larceny which was
subsequently annulled, but had stood throughout the election
period.

7 November Ceremony commemorating members of the House of

Representatives who died in office
A private rose planting ceremony is held in the Parliament
House gardens in memory of the three members of the House
of Representatives who died while serving in office since the
building opened in 1988—Greg Wilton (2000), Peter Nugent
(2001) and Don Randall (2015).

8 November Infants in the Senate

The Senate adopts a recommendation of the Procedure
Committee’s First report of 2016, 497 amending the Standing
Orders to allow in the chamber an infant being breastfed or
‘briefly cared for’ by a senator, ‘provided the business of the
Senate is not disrupted’. 498 The amendment was proposed by
Larissa Waters (AG, Qld).

494. M Turnbull (Prime Minister), ‘Dutch royal visit to Australia’, media release, 2 November 2016.
495. Ibid.
496. Australia, Senate, ‘Qualification of Former Senator Day: reference to Court of Disputed Returns’ and ‘Qualification of Senator Culleton:
documents: proposed reference to Court of Disputed Returns’, Journals, 12, 2016, 7 November 2016, pp. 374–376.
497. Senate Procedure Committee, Photography in the chamber; Ministerial statements; Caring for infants, report, 1, The Senate, Canberra,
October 2016.
498. Australia, Senate, ’23 Procedure—Standing Committee—First Report of 2016—Consideration’, Senate, Journals, 13, 2016, 8 November 2016,
p. 420.

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 Milestones Details
The amendment follows similar changes implemented in the
House on 2 February 2016 (see entry for that date).
Since 2003, Senate standing orders (175.3) had permitted a
senator to bring an infant into the chamber while
breastfeeding, but not at other times. 499

21 Nationals senators cross the floor over shotgun ban

November
Two Nationals senators, Bridget McKenzie (Vic.) and
John Williams (NSW) cross the floor to support a motion by
crossbench senator David Leyonhjelm aiming to lift a ban on
the importation of the Adler shotgun. 500 Other Nationals
senators abstain. 501 The motion is defeated, 45 votes to
seven. 502

Bridget McKenzie

Image source: ParlView

Watch: ParlView

22 Visit by the King and Queen of Jordan

November
King Abdullah Il Ibn Al Hussein and Queen Rania Al Abdullah
of Jordan visit Parliament House as part of a state visit to
Australia. During the visit, His Majesty and Prime Minister
Malcolm Turnbull sign a Joint Declaration on Enhanced
Cooperation to elevate bilateral cooperation between
Australia and Jordan. 503
King Abdullah of Jordan and
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull

Image source: ParlView

Watch: Press conference – Prime

Minister Malcolm Turnbull and
King Abdullah of Jordan

499. Dr R Laing, Annotated standing orders of the Australian Senate, Chapter 29, ‘Visitors’, Department of the Senate, Canberra, 2009.
500. D Meers, ‘Nats in the crosshairs’, The Daily Telegraph, 22 November 2016, p. 8.
501. Ibid.
502. Australia, Senate, ‘Customs (Prohibited Imports) Amendment (Shotguns and Shotgun Magazines) Regulation: proposed disallowance’,
Journals, 16, 2016, 21 November 2016, pp. 498–99.
503. M Turnbull (Prime Minister), ‘Visit to Australia by the King and Queen of Jordan’, 22 November 2016.

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29 New Clerk of the Senate announced

November
The President of the Senate, Stephen Parry, announces that
Richard Pye, the Deputy Clerk of the Senate, will replace
Dr Rosemary Laing as Clerk of the Senate upon her retirement
in March 2017. 504
Under the Parliamentary Service Act 1999 (Cth) the term of
appointment for the Clerk of the Senate (and for the Clerk of
the House of Representatives) is 10 years.
Richard Pye

Image source: Auspic

30 House of Representatives Question Time suspended due to

November protest
Around fifty people protesting against the Government’s
treatment of asylum seekers disrupt Question Time from the
public gallery of the House of Representatives. The Speaker,
Tony Smith, suspends Question Time while the protestors,
some of whom superglued their hands to railings, are Protesters abseil down the front
removed by security staff. 505 of Parliament House on
Seven of the protesters face trial in July 2017, pleading not 1 December 2016
guilty to damaging Commonwealth property. 506 Image source: A Hough
The following day, some of the protesters return to Watch: ParlView
Parliament House, with two abseiling down the front of a
building and others dyeing the water feature in the building’s
forecourt red. 507

1 December Security changes at Parliament House approved by both

Houses
The House and the Senate approve proposed perimeter
security enhancements at Parliament House, which will
include additional fencing. The Speaker advises the House:
All enhancements, those already completed and those
being proposed today, are the result of advice from our
security agencies and are based on many months of
508
consideration.

In the Senate, the changes are opposed by the Australian

Greens and by Senator Derryn Hinch (DHJP, Vic.).
Senator Hinch states:
… I think what you are planning is like putting barbed wire on the Opera
509
House. This is an aesthetic building; it is the people's building.

504. S Parry (President of the Senate), ‘Clerk of the Senate’, Senate, Debates, 29 November 2016, p. 3505.
505. G Hutchens, ‘Pro-refugee protesters disrupt parliament and shut down question time’, The Guardian Australia, 30 November 2016.
506. A Back, ‘Not guilty plea to damaging Commonwealth property’, The Canberra Times, 13 July 2017, p. 10.
507. P Karp, ‘Refugee protesters abseil down Parliament House and dye fountain red’, The Guardian Australia, 1 December 2016.
508. T Smith (Speaker), ‘Parliamentary Zone’, House of Representatives, Debates, 1 December 2016, p. 5089.
509. D Hinch, ‘Parliamentary Zone: Approval of Works’, Senate, Debates, 1 December 2016, p. 3945.

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 Milestones Details
The 2.6-metre high fence will form a new external perimeter
for the building’s southern and northern grassed ramps. 510

2017
Milestones Details Source Documents

18 January Ministerial changes; first Indigenous federal minister

Changes to the ministry are announced by Prime Minister
Malcolm Turnbull. 511 They include the elevation of Ken Wyatt
(Lib., Hasluck, WA) to the role of Minister for Aged Care and
Indigenous Health, making him Australia’s first Indigenous
federal minister. 512

Ken Wyatt

Image source: Auspic

3 February Rodney Culleton ruled ineligible by the High Court

The High Court rules that Senator Rod Culleton was incapable
of being chosen or of sitting as senator by reason of section
44(ii) of the Constitution. The resulting vacancy is to be filled
by a special count of the ballot papers. 513

Rodney Culleton

Image source: Auspic

7 February 50th anniversary of Black Tuesday bushfires Watch:

The House and the Senate (on 8 February) commemorate the Andrew Wilkie’s statement
50th anniversary of the 1967 Black Tuesday bushfires in
Senator Lisa Singh’s motion
Tasmania, in which 64 people died. 514 The fires were the
deadliest in Tasmania’s history. 515 Source: ParlView

510. T McIlroy and M Koziol, ‘Public in dark over new fence’, The Canberra Times, 8 December 2016, p. 8.
511. M Turnbull (Prime Minister), Ministerial arrangements, media release, 18 January 2017.
512. Ibid.
513. Re Culleton [No 2] [2017] HCA 4 (3 February 2017).
514. [Multiple members], ‘Statements on Indulgence: Tasmania: 50th Anniversary of Black Tuesday Bushfires’, House of Representatives, Debates,
7 February 2017, p. 37 and L Singh, ‘Motions: Black Tuesday Bushfires’, Senate, Debates, 8 February 2017, p. 326.
515. A Wilkie, ‘Statements on Indulgence – Tasmania: 50th Anniversary of Black Tuesday Bushfires’, House of Representatives, Debates,
7 February 2017, p. 37.

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14 February Visit by Prime Minister of Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe visits
Australia from 13–17 February to mark the 70th anniversary
of diplomatic relations between the two countries. At a
reception at Parliament House, Prime Minister Malcolm
Turnbull says:
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil
We are delighted that we are hosting you as we
Wickremesinghe signs the visitors’
celebrate the strong bond between our two nations. A
book at Parliament House
bond that has endured and grown stronger over 70
years … Image source: Michael Masters,
Auspic
Today, we are working together to ensure the prosperity
and security of our region, on issues from trade to law
enforcement, from science to combatting the scourge of
516
people smuggling.

16 February Changes to parliamentary entitlements

The Parliamentary Entitlements Legislation Amendment Bill
2017 passes both Houses. 517 The Bill ends access to the Life
Gold Pass scheme from its commencement (with the
exception of former Prime Ministers and their spouses or
partners), while reducing the entitlement for current and
former members. 518 The Bill also introduces penalty loadings
when a claim is made in excess of entitlement. 519
The following day, the Independent Parliamentary Expenses
Authority Bill 2017 is passed. 520 The Bill establishes:
… the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority as
an independent statutory body with responsibilities
relating to the work expenses of parliamentarians and
their staff, ensuring that taxpayers’ funds are spent
521
appropriately and in compliance with the rules.

On 11 May 2017, the passage of the Parliamentary Business

Resources Bill 2017 establishes ‘a new framework for the
remuneration, business resources and travel resources for
current and former members of the federal Parliament.’ 522

516. M Turnbull (Prime Minister), Transcript of remarks at a reception to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Australia – Sri Lanka diplomatic
relations, Parliament House, Canberra, media release, 14 February 2017.
517. Parliament of Australia, ‘Parliamentary Entitlements Legislation Amendment Bill 2017 homepage’, Australian Parliament website.
518. C Madden, Parliamentary Entitlements Legislation Amendment Bill 2017, Bills digest, 62, 2016–17, Parliamentary Library, Canberra, 2017, p.
2.
519. Ibid.
520. Parliament of Australia, ‘Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority Bill 2017 homepage’, Australian Parliament website.
521. Explanatory Memorandum, Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority Bill 2017, p. 1.
522. C Madden, Parliamentary Business Resources Bills 2017 and Parliamentary Business Resources (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill
2017, Bills digest, 97, 2016–17, Parliamentary Library, Canberra, 2017, p. 3.

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2 March Official Observer exhibition opens

The Official Observer exhibition showcases images by David
Foote—the official photographer for the Australian
Government Photographic Service, Auspic—taken over the
past 25 years. David Foote has been photographing Australian
Image source: Auspic
prime ministers from Bob Hawke onwards, including their
overseas travels and interactions with world leaders.

20 March Forecourt to be upgraded

The Department of Parliamentary Services seeks tenders for
upgrades to the Parliament House forecourt. 523 The
forecourt, which is showing ‘signs of wear and tear’, will
receive a three-year, $29 million upgrade. 524 Improvements
will be made to the pond, the public carpark, and emergency
generators. 525 The project is expected to begin in August 2017
and be completed in April 2020. 526

Image source: Neale

Cousland/Shutterstock.com

23–24 Visit by China’s Premier

March China’s Premier Li Keqiang visits Parliament House. It is his
first visit as Premier and the visit marks the 45th year of
diplomatic relations between the two countries. 527 During this
visit, the two governments sign, inter alia, an MOU on
vocational education and training and an agreement enabling
better access to the Chinese market for Australian meat
producers and exporters. 528
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull

Image source: ParlView

Watch: Joint Signing and Media

Conference

Source: ParlView

523. D Dingwall, ‘Facelift for forecourt at $29m over three years’, The Canberra Times, 20 March 2017, p. 3.
524. Ibid.
525. Ibid.
526. Ibid.
527. M Turnbull (Prime Minister), Visit to Australia by China’s Premier Li Keqiang, media release, 24 March 2017.
528. Ibid.

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25 March Beehives at Parliament House

Three beehives are installed in bushland on the grounds of
Parliament House. 529 The hives are part of an effort to arrest
the decline of bee populations—bees are crucial to Australia’s
food security, agriculture and environmental sustainability. 530
Parliament House’s honey will win second prize at the 2018
Royal Canberra Show. 531 Image source: Eric
It is not the first time there have been beehives at Australia’s Isselee/Shutterstock.com
Parliament. In 1976, William Yates, a Victorian member of
parliament, installed two hives in the House of
Representatives garden at what is now Old Parliament
House. 532

28 March China extradition treaty ratification repealed

Following a decision of the Opposition not to support
ratification of an extradition treaty with China, 533 the
Government announces that it will repeal the ratification
regulation rather than have it defeated in the Senate. 534

5 April Bob Day ruled ineligible by the High Court

The High Court rules that former Senator Bob Day, who
resigned in November 2016, was incapable of being chosen or
of sitting as a senator by reason on section 44(v) of the
Constitution. 535 The resulting vacancy is to be filled by a
special recount of ballot papers.

Bob Day

Image source: Auspic

529. T McIlroy, ‘Beekeeping the buzzword getting political capital’, The Age, 20 March 2017, p. 4.
530. Ibid.
531. Parliamentary Education Office (PEO), ‘In case you missed it’, PEO website; Royal Canberra Show, ‘2018 Horticulture Produce Schedule’,
Royal Canberra Show website.
532. Ibid.
533. P Wong and M Dreyfus, Transcript of joint doorstop interview: China extradition treaty; 18C, Parliament House, Canberra, media release,
28 March 2017.
534. J Bishop (Minister for Foreign Affairs), China extradition treaty, media release, 28 March 2017.
535. Re Day [No 2] [2017] HCA 14.

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9 May First baby breastfed in Australia’s parliament

Larissa Waters (AG, Qld) breastfeeds her daughter in the
Senate chamber. It is the first time a baby has been breastfed
in the Australian parliament. 536 Senator Waters later posts on
Twitter:
So proud that my daughter Alia is the first baby to be
breastfed in the federal Parliament! We need more
537
women and parents in Parli[ament].
Larissa Waters moves a motion in
The Senate Standing Orders were changed in May 2003 to the Senate while breastfeeding her
permit a breastfeeding infant in the chamber, and again in baby (22 June 2017)
November 2016 to permit infants being cared for in the Image source: ParlView
chamber.
The House of Representatives amended its Standing Orders in
February 2016 to permit infants being cared for in the
chamber.

9 May Despatch box 90th anniversary

The 9th of May marks the 90th anniversary of the opening of
the provisional parliament building, now referred to as Old
Parliament House, in Canberra in 1927. On that day the Duke
of York (later King George VI) presented two rosewood
despatch boxes as gifts to the new parliament. 538 The
despatch boxes sit on each side of the table between the
government and opposition benches in the House of
Representatives chamber, and have been in continuous use
since 1927. 539
Despatch box

Image source: Auspic

24–26 May Visit of Sri Lanka’s President, H.E. Hon. Maithripala Sirisena
The President of Sri Lanka, Maithripala Sirisena, visits
Parliament House for discussions on security and defence—
the first bilateral visit by a Sri Lankan head of State.
To mark the visit, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Sri Lankan
Deputy Foreign Minister Harsha de Silva sign a Joint
Declaration on Enhanced Cooperation. The two governments
President Sirisena greets Prime
also sign an MoU on Chronic Kidney Disease research and a
Minister Malcolm Turnbull at
Letter of Intent on geoscience. 540
Parliament House

Image source: Auspic

536. B Merhab, ‘Alia milks her moment in the Senate’, Daily Telegraph, 10 May 2017, p. 3.
537. Ibid.
538. T Smith (Speaker), ‘Happy 90th to the people’s House’, The Canberra Times, 6 May 2017, p. 2.
539. Ibid.
540. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), ‘President H. E. Hon. Maithripala Sirisena Official Visit to Australia’, DFAT website.

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27 May–3 National Reconciliation Week

June National Reconciliation Week 2017 marks the 25th
anniversary of the Mabo Decision and the 50th anniversary of
the 1967 Referendum.
As part of National Reconciliation Week, the exhibition
Prevailing Voices–Indigenous Australian Parliamentarians
opens at Parliament House. The exhibition aims to recognise
and celebrate the contribution of Indigenous
parliamentarians to the Australian Parliament. 541 A portrait of
Ken Wyatt (Lib., Hasluck, WA), the first Indigenous member of Opening of the Prevailing Voices
the House of Representatives and the first Indigenous federal exhibition
minister, is unveiled at the opening. 542
Image source: Auspic

12 July Parliament House protesters appear in court

On 30 November 2016, Speaker Tony Smith suspended
Question Time in response to disruptions caused by people in
the public gallery noisily protesting the Government’s
treatment of asylum seekers. 543
On 12 July 2017, seven people are charged with intentionally
damaging Commonwealth property ‘after they allegedly
superglued their hands’ to railings in the House of
Representatives gallery and committed for trial. 544 The matter
is heard in the ACT supreme court in 2018, with the
protesters found not guilty. 545

14 and 18 Senators Ludlam and Waters resign from Parliament due to

July dual citizenship
On 14 July, Scott Ludlam resigns from the Senate, having
discovered that he holds dual Australian and New Zealand
citizenship. 546
His colleague Senator Larissa Waters resigns on 18 July,
having discovered she is a Canadian citizen. 547
Section 44 of the Australian Constitution disqualifies people
from being ‘chosen’ or sitting in the Parliament on a number
of grounds, including being ‘a subject or a citizen or entitled
to the rights or privileges of a subject or a citizen of a foreign
power’ (s. 44i). ‘Its purpose is to ensure that people elected to
Parliament are beholden to no-one but the electors as a

541. Parliament of Australia, ‘Prevailing Voices – Indigenous Australian Parliamentarians’, Parliament of Australia website.
542. F Hunter, ‘A portrait of strength, hope and sadness’, The Canberra Times, 30 May 2017, p. 4.
543. A Hough with D Heriot, ‘Australia's Parliament House in 2016: a chronology of events’, Research paper series 2017–18, Parliamentary Library,
Canberra, 14 December 2017.
544. J Black, ‘Protesters who allegedly superglued themselves to railings at Parliament House plead not guilty’, ABC News (online), 12 July 2017;
AAP, ‘Superglue protesters not guilty of damage to Parliament House’, The Australian, 29 March 2018.
545. AAP, ‘Pro-refugee protesters plead not guilty to damaging Parliament House’, The Guardian, 12 July 2017.
546. S Ludlam, ‘Statement: Green’s Senator Scott Ludlam’, media release, 14 July 2017.
547. S Waters, ‘Statement from Senator Larissa Waters’, media release, 18 July 2017; H Belot, ‘Larissa Waters, deputy Greens leader quits in latest
citizenship bungle’, ABC News (online), 16 August 2017; M Grattan, ‘Greens senator Larissa Waters forced out of parliament’, The
Conversation, 18 July 2017.

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whole and may therefore perform their duties free from

undue external influence’, 548 avoiding both actual and
perceived conflicts of interest.
Green’s leader Senator Richard di Natale commits the party to
‘an urgent root-and-branch review’ of its processes ‘to
prevent this from happening again’. 549

22 July Retirement of inaugural Parliamentary Budget Officer

Phil Bowen retires as Parliamentary Budget Officer on 22 July
2017, having held office since 2012.
On 19 June 2017, the President and the Speaker advise their
respective Houses that Jenny Wilkinson has been appointed
as the next Parliamentary Budget Officer. 550
Ms Wilkinson commences in the role on 24 July.

Ms Jenny Wilkinson, Parliamentary

Budget Officer
Image source: Auspic

25 July Senator Canavan resigns from the ministry

Queensland Senator Matt Canavan steps down from the
ministry due to possible Italian citizenship. 551
Unlike former Senators Ludlam and Waters who acquired
dual citizenship by birth, Senator Canavan’s circumstances
involve citizenship by descent, a matter on which the High
Court has not previously ruled. 552
Attorney General George Brandis states that it ‘is the
Government’s preliminary view’ that, because Senator
Canavan’s mother registered him as an Italian resident abroad
‘without his knowledge or consent, that he is not in breach of Matt Canavan
s. 44 of the Constitution’. 553 Image source: Auspic

8 and 9 Four senators referred to the Court of Disputed Returns

August On 8 August, President Stephen Parry tables the resignation
letters of Greens Senators Ludlam and Waters. 554
The Senate refers the matters of Ludlam, Waters and Canavan
to the High Court to determine ‘whether by reason of s 44(i)

548. Department of the Senate, For the sitting period 8–17 August 2017, Procedural information bulletin no. 317, Parliament of Australia,
18 August 2017.
549. R Di Natale, ‘Leader of the Australian Greens, Dr Richard Di Natale responds to Larissa Waters’ resignation’, media release, 18 July 2017.
550. S Parry (President), ‘Statement by the President: Parliamentary Budget Officer’, Senate, Debates, 19 June 2017, p. 4197; T Smith (Speaker),
‘Statement by the Speaker: Parliament House: Security; Parliamentary Budget Officer’, House of Representatives, Debates, 19 June 2017,
p. 6856.
551. M Canavan (Minister for Resources and Northern Australia), ‘Statement on Citizenship Status’, media release, 25 July 2017.
552. A Green, ‘Matt Canavan: the High Court’s question after the latest citizenship resignation’, ABC News (online), 16 August 2017.
553. G Brandis (Attorney-General), Transcript of statements on Senator Canavan’s citizenship, Brisbane, media release, 25 July 2017.
554. Australia, Senate, ‘Vacancies in the representation of Western Australia and Queensland—Qualifications of senators’, Journals, 49 (proof), 8
August 2017, p. 1598.

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of the Constitution there is a vacancy in the representation’ of

Western Australia and Queensland in the Senate, and if so,
‘by what means and in what manner that vacancy should be
filled’. 555 (Should a person returned as a senator or member
be later found to be ineligible, then there is not a casual
vacancy but rather an invalid election which must be
completed.) 556
Also on 8 August, Senator Richard Di Natale gives notice of a
motion to refer Senator Malcolm Roberts to the Court of
Disputed Returns557 following controversy regarding his
possible British citizenship. 558 The following day, the Senate
refers Senator Roberts to the High Court on the motion of his
party leader, Senator Pauline Hanson. 559
Watch the condolence statements on
8 August Parliament marks the Deaths of Dr G. Yunupingu and the deaths of Dr G. Yunupingu and
Kunmanara Lester Kunmanara Lester in the House of
Before Question time the Prime Minister and Leader of the Representatives and the Senate
Opposition rise, on indulgence, to acknowledge the deaths of
Dr G. Yunupingu and Kunmanara Lester. The Senate records
its condolences on the deaths of both men on 17 August. 560

8 August ‘The House’ television series

The House, a six part light entertainment series exploring the
operations of Australian Parliament House, debuts on ABC TV.
The series is inspired by the BBC program Inside the
Commons. A highlight of the show is drone footage shot in,
over and around the building.

A drone flying past artwork in

Members Hall
Image source: Australian
Broadcasting Corporation Library

9 August Same-sex marriage plebiscite becomes a postal survey

Following the defeat of the Government’s motion to restore
the Plebiscite (Same-Sex Marriage) Bill 2016 to the Senate
Notice Paper, 561 the Government announces its intension to
press ‘ahead with a voluntary postal plebiscite for all

555. Australia, Senate, ‘Qualification of Senator Canavan—Reference to Court of Disputed Returns’, Journals, 49 (proof), 2017, 8 August 2017, p.
1599; ‘Qualification of former Senators Ludlam and Waters—References to Court of Disputed Returns’, ibid., p. 1599.
556. Department of the Senate, For the sitting period 8–17 August 2017, Procedural information bulletin no. 317, Parliament of Australia,
18 August 2017.
557. R Di Natale, ‘Notices: Presentation’, Senate, Debates, 8 August 2017 p. 4962.
558. A Remeikis, ‘MPs scramble to confirm citizenship’ The Sydney Morning Herald, 20 July 2017; R Baxendale, ‘Senator refuses to show proof of
sole citizenship’, The Australian, 22 July 2017; A Gartrell, ‘One Nation senator under intense pressure’, The Sydney Morning Herald, 27 July
2017; S Martin and N Evans, ‘No Italian ballot papers for Canavan’, West Australian, 28 July 2017; B Doherty, ‘Malcolm Roberts citizenship
explainer: one nation – or more?’, The Guardian, 28 July 2017; R Lewis, ‘Roberts’s eligibility as MP in ‘real difficulty’’, The Australian, 29 July
2017.
559. P Hanson, ‘Parliamentary representation: Qualifications of Senators’, Senate, Debates, 9 August 2017, p. 5216.
560. [Multiple senators], ‘Condolences: Lester, Mr Kunmanara OAM, Yunupingu, Dr G’, Senate, Debates, 17 August 2017, pp. 6008.
561. Australia, Senate, ‘Plebiscite (Same-Sex Marriage Bill) 2016—proposed restoration to Notice Paper’, Journals, 50 (proof), 2017,
9 August 2017, p. 1620.

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Australians’. 562 Treasurer Scott Morrison issues a Direction to

the Australian Statistician asking the ABS to conduct the
survey. 563 Funding of $122 million is made available. 564
The collection period for the Postal Survey opens on 12
September and continues until 7 November.

10 August– High Court Challenge to the same-sex marriage postal survey

7 The member for Dension Andrew Wilkie announces a High
September Court application to stop the voluntary postal survey on
grounds that the Government has no power to order the ABS
to conduct it or to appropriate funds to pay for it. 565
Australian Marriage Equality co-chair, Alex Greenwich, also
seeks an injunction to stop the postal survey, 566 with Greens
Senator Janet Rice a joint plaintiff.
On 7 September, the High Court unanimously dismisses both
challenges as being ‘demonstrably without substance’,
publishing its reasons on 28 September. 567 Such is the interest Andrew Wilkie
in the outcome that the High Court’s website crashes minutes Image source: Auspic
before the announcement. 568

14 August State visit by the Solomon Islands Prime Minister

The Honourable Mr Manasseh Damukana Sogavare MP,
Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands, visits the Parliament
on 14 August as part of a guest of government visit to
Australia.
The 14 year Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands
(RAMSI) to restore stability and economic growth ended on
30 June 2017. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull pays tribute The Honourable Mr Manasseh
to those involved in the Mission. 569 Damukana Sogavare MP at
Parliament House
During the visit, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Solomon Image source: Auspic
Islands Foreign Minister Tozaka sign a new security treaty to
enable rapid deployment of Australian police, armed forces Watch the arrival of the Solomon
and civilian personnel to the Solomon Islands, should need Islands Prime Minister at Parliament
arise and where both countries consent. The Department of House
Foreign Affairs notes that ‘this will be Australia’s first bilateral
security treaty in the Pacific. 570

562. M Cormann, (Minister for Finance), Next steps for a national plebiscite on same sex marriage, media release, 9 August 2017.
563. Census and Statistics (Statistical Information) Direction 2017, 9 August 2017. An amended Direction is issued on 16 August 2017, clarifying
‘the statistical information to be published and defin[ing] eligibility for participation in the statistical survey as those persons who would be
entitled to vote in a federal election’: Census and Statistics (Statistical Information) Amendment Direction 2017, 16 August 2017.
564. M Neilsen, Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Bill 2017, Bills digest, 54, 2017–18, Parliamentary Library, Canberra,
2017, p. 6.
565. A Wilkie, Application to stop postal vote lodged with High court, media release, 10 August 2017.
566. P Karp, ‘Marriage equality postal vote to be challenged in high court by Andrew Wilkie and advocates’, The Guardian, 9 August 2017.
567. M Davey and P Karp, ‘Same-sex marriage postal survey is lawful, high court finds’, The Guardian. 7 September 2017; Wilkie v The
Commonwealth [2017] HCA 40; E Byrne, ‘SSM survey challenges “demonstrably without substance”, High Court finds’, ABC News (online),
updated 28 September 2017.
568. C Simpson, ‘The same-sex marriage ruling broke the High Court’s website’, Gizmodo, 7 September 2017.
569. M Turnbull (Prime Minister), ‘Ministerial statements: Solomon Islands’, House of Representatives, Debates, 14 August 2017, p. 8233.
570. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), ‘Solomon Islands: Bilateral security treaty’, DFAT website.

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Foreign Minister Julie Bishop meeting

Solomon Islands Prime Minister
Manasseh Sogavare

Image source: DFAT

14 August Barnaby Joyce citizenship issue

Deputy Prime Minister and Nationals Leader Barnaby Joyce
informs the House that the New Zealand High Commission
has contacted him to advise he may be a ‘citizen by descent
of New Zealand’. He goes on to state that, on the basis of
legal advice from the Solicitor-General,
the Prime Minister has asked that I remain Deputy Prime
571
Minister and continue my ministerial duties.

The House refers Mr Joyce to the Court of Disputed Returns

later that day. 572 The issue of his eligibility is of particular Barnaby Joyce
significance given the Turnbull Government holds a one seat
Image source: Auspic
majority in the House. 573
The Opposition is critical that Mr Joyce has not stepped down
from the ministry while the issue is resolved. 574
During a doorstop interview at Parliament House, Foreign
Minister Julie Bishop accuses the Labor party of ‘seeking to
use the New Zealand Parliament to undermine the Australian
Government’ and states
New Zealand is facing an election. Should there be a
change of Government, I would find it very hard to build
trust with those involved in allegations designed to
575
undermine the Government of Australia.

571. B Joyce (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources), ‘Parliamentary representation: Deputy Prime Minister,
Qualifications of Members’, House of Representatives, Debates, 14 August 2017 p. 8185.
572. Australia, House of Representatives, ‘Reference of matter to the Court of Disputed Returns’, Votes and proceedings, 68, 14 August 2017,
p. 958.
573. M Grattan, ‘High Court to rule on whether Barnaby Joyce is a New Zealander’, The Conversation,14 August 2017
574. T Burke, ‘Parliamentary Representation: Qualifications of Members’, House of Representatives, Debates, 14 August 2017, p. 8240; Australia,
House of Representatives, ‘Questions’, Votes and Proceedings, 68, 14 August 2017, p. 960 [Suspension of standing orders moved]; Australia,
House of Representatives, ‘Questions’, Votes and Proceedings, 71, 17 August 2017, p. 1008 [Suspension of standing orders moved].
575 J Bishop (Minister for Foreign Affairs), Transcript of doorstop interview, media release, 15 August 2015; M Grattan, ‘Barnaby Joyce: No, it
wasn't a conspiracy that caused his citizenship problem — it was himself’, ABC News (online), 16 August 2017; A Gartrell, ‘The email that
could bring down our deputy leader’, The Sydney Morning Herald, 15 August 2017; J Gooding, ‘Paranoia on Aotearoa’, The Interpreter, Lowy
Institute blog, 17 August 2017; P Wong, Transcript of interview with Fran Kelly: ABC Radio National Breakfast, media release, 16 August
2017..

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16 August Visit by the President of the Republic of Croatia

Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic visits Parliament
House during her trip to Australia, the first by a Croatian head
of State since 1995. 576
2017 marks the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations
between the two countries.

(l-r) Tony Smith (Speaker of the

House of Representatives), Her
Excellency, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic,
and Stephen Parry (President of the
Senate) at Parliament House
Image source: Auspic

17 August Senator wears a burqa to Question Time

Queensland Senator Pauline Hanson causes consternation by
wearing a burqa to Question Time, 577 removing it as she rises
to ask the Attorney-General whether he would work to ban
such garb in Australia. 578

Pauline Hanson wears a burqa into

Question Time
Image source: Auspic

576. M Turnbull (Prime Minister), Visit to Australia by the President of Croatia, media release, 11 August 2017.
577. S Parry, ‘Questions without notice: Trade Unions’, Senate, Debates, 17 August 2017, p. 5979; S Dastyari, ‘Questions without Notice: Pauline
Hanson’s One Nation’, Senate, Debates, 17 August 2017, p. 5980; A Remeikis and N Hasham, ‘Bigotry stripped bare’, The Sydney Morning
Herald, 18 August 2017.
578. P Hanson, ‘Questions without notice: National Security’, Senate, Debates, 17 August 2017, p. 5984.

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17 August Nationals Senator Fiona Nash declares possible dual

citizenship
NSW Senator Fiona Nash announces that she may be a British
citizen by descent, but will not be standing aside from her
ministerial or party responsibilities. 579
Senator Nash is referred to the Court of Disputed Returns
when Parliament resumes on 4 September, 580 with the
Attorney-General informing the Senate that ‘the government
is of the view that Senator Nash is not ineligible to sit and was
not incapable of being chosen’. 581
The Opposition expresses ‘grave concerns that the minister is
Fiona Nash addresses the Senate
refusing to follow the lead of her colleague, Senator Canavan,
Image source: Auspic
and standing aside as a minister’. 582

17 August Meeting Place: Michael Nelson Jagamara and Imants Tillers

exhibition at Parliament House
Speaker Tony Smith unveils ‘The Messenger’, a new
acquisition for the Parliament House Art Collection, which
features in a new exhibition of works by artists Nelson
Jagamara and Imants Tillers.
Speaker Smith observes that ‘both of the artists…have links Michael Nelson Jagamara
with this building going back to the very beginning’. 583
Image source: Auspic

31 August Possible constitutional breach for Senator Hinch

Senator Hinch indicates he may be in breach of section 44i of
the Constitution as he holds a social security number, and has
until recently received a pension, from the United States of
America, having worked there for some years. He is
reportedly seeking advice from the Solicitor-General. 584
On 4 September, Senator Hinch informs the Chamber that he
has legal advice that his eligibility for a ‘superannuation style
pension’ in the United States does not represent a breach of
section 44, and so he will not be seeking referral to the High
Court. The Government and Opposition concur. 585 Derryn Hinch
Image source: Auspic

579. F Nash (Minister for Regional Development), ‘Adjournment: Deputy Leader of the Nationals’, Senate, Debates, 17 August 2017, p. 6054.
580. Australia, Senate, ‘Qualification of Senator Nash—Reference to Court of Disputed Returns’, Journals, 56 (proof), 2017, 4 September 2017,
p. 1788.
581. G Brandis (Attorney-General), ‘Parliamentary Representation: Qualifications of Senators’, Senate, Debates, 4 September 2017, p. 6059.
582. P Wong, ‘Parliamentary Representation: Qualifications of Senators’, Senate, Debates, 4 September 2017, p. 6060; H Polley, ‘Questions
without notice: Deputy Leader of the Nationals’, Senate, Debates, 4 September 2017, p. 6116; C Moore, ‘Questions without notice: Deputy
Leader of the Nationals’, Senate, Debates, 4 September 2017, p. 6116; [Multiple senators], ‘Questions without notice: Take note of Answers:
Deputy Leader of the Nationals’, Senate, Debates, 4 September 2017, p. 6132.
583. T Smith (Speaker), ‘The opening of the exhibition ‘Meeting Place’ and unveiling of new work ‘The Messenger’’, speech, T Smith MP website,
17 August 2017.
584. P Coorey, ‘Refer me to High Court, says Hinch’, The Australian Financial Review, 1 September 2017, p. 5.
585. D Hinch, ‘Parliamentary Representation: Qualifications of Senators: Hinch, Sen Derryn’, Senate, Debates, 4 September 2017, p. 6063; D Hinch,
‘Hinch S44 citizenship issue cleared by Government and Opposition’, media release, n.d.

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4 Bruce Billson referred to the House Privileges Committee

September The House of Representatives refers to its Standing
Committee of Privileges and Members' Interests the issue of
whether
‘the former member for Dunkley, Mr Bruce Billson, by
accepting an appointment as, and acting as, a paid
director of the Franchise Council of Australia whilst still a
member of the House gives rise either to any issues that
may constitute a contempt of the House or to any issues
concerning the appropriate conduct of a member having
regard to their responsibilities to their constituents and Bruce Bilson
586
to the public interest.’ Image source: Auspic

The referral follow media reports that the former Minister for
Small Business had failed to disclose to the House that he was
receiving a salary from the lobby group while still in
parliament. 587

4 Senator Xenophon referred to the Court of Disputed Returns

September The Senate refers South Australian Senator Nick Xenophon to
the Court of Disputed Returns to determine ‘whether by
reason of s 44(i) of the Constitution there is a vacancy in the
representation of South Australia in the Senate for the place
for which [he] was returned’. 588
While Senator Xenophon renounced his Greek citizenship (by
descent) before entering Parliament, he becomes aware in Nick Xenophon (standing)
August that he may have inherited British citizenship from his Image Source: Auspic
Cyprus born father. (Cyprus remained British colony until
1960). 589 Senator Xenophon announces that the Home Office
had confirmed ‘he was a British overseas citizen by
descent’. 590
Xenophon becomes the sixth senator and the seventh
member of Parliament to be referred to the High Court.

586. Australia, House of Representatives, ‘Matter of privilege—Reference to Committee of Privileges and Members’ Interests’, Votes and
Proceedings, 72, 4 September 2017, p. 1018.
587. P McGrath, ‘Bruce Billson, former Liberal minister, failed to disclose salary from lobby group while in parliament’, ABC News (online),
9 August 2017; M Knott and F Hunter, ‘Former MP insists he was transparent’, The Sydney Morning Herald, 10 August 2017.
588. Australia, Senate, ‘Qualification of Senator Xenophon—Reference to Court of Disputed Returns’, Journals, 56 (proof), 2017, 4 September
2017, p. 1789; A Remeikis, ‘Xenophon blames political rivals over nationality questions’, The Canberra Times, 18 August 2017, p. 9.
589. A Remeikis and A Gartrell, ‘Xenophon gets drawn into ongoing constitutional crisis’, The Sydney Morning Herald, 19 August 2017, p. 4.
590. N Xenophon, ‘Parliamentary representation: Qualifications of Senators: Xenophon, Sen, Nick’, Senate, Debates, 4 September 2017, p. 6062;
A Smethurst, ‘ Xenophon the Brit on court list’, The Sunday Times, 20 August 2017, p. 2.

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6 Clinton’s Walk for Justice

September Clinton Pryor arrives at Parliament House, ending his year
long, 5,800 kilometre trek from Heirisson Island (Perth) to the
Federal Parliament.
Pryor presents a list of demands for justice and sovereignty to
the Governor-General and the Prime Minister. Pryor is critical
of both for not meeting with him and others at the Aboriginal
Clinton Pryor at Australian
Tent Embassy, 591 and turns his back on the Prime Minister
Parliament House
when he perceives ‘Malcolm Turnbull did not listen
Image source: AAP Image/Lukas Coch
respectfully’. 592
Greens Senator Rachel Siewert tables Pryor’s list of demands
in the Senate. 593

6 Visit of Pope Tawadros II

September His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, the 118th Pope of Alexandria
and Patrarch of the See of St Mark, visits Parliament House 594
during a 10 day pastoral visit to Australia. 595
His Holiness was hosted by Mr Peter Khalil, Member for Wills
and ‘the first Copt to be elected to the federal parliament’. 596
According to the 2016 census, there are 28,641 Coptic Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II at
Christians in Australia. 597 Parliament House.
Image source: Auspic

12 Parliament House’s new fence

September The first prefabricated panels for the new 2.6 metre security
fence are lifted into place on the roof of Parliament House.
This is part of a package of works approved by the Parliament
in December 2016, 598 with temporary construction fences
installed on the grass ramps since May 2017 to enable ground
works to be completed.
Once complete, the package of security enhancements will
include: a new physical perimeter comprising fencing and Image source: Auspic
landscaping; replacement of framing and glazing at the
northern, eastern and western entrances; and additional
CCTV security cameras. 599
The increased security measures follow the raising of the
National Terrorism Public Alert from medium to high on 12

591. Welcome to Country, ‘Clinton Pryor walks across Australia, Governor General refuses to step outside’, Welcome to Country website,
30 August 2017; J Robertson, ‘Clinton Pryor has tense meeting with PM after walking across Australia’, The Guardian, 6 September 2017.
592. N Thorpe, ‘Clinton Pryor turns his back on Prime Minister’, NITV News (online), 7 September 2017.
593. R Siewert, ‘Documents: Indigenous Affairs’, Senate, Debates, 5 September 2017, p. 6336.
594. T Smith (Speaker), ‘Distinguished Visitors’, House of Representatives, Debates, 6 September 2017, p. 9464.
595. Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Melbourne and Affiliated Regions, ‘His Holiness Pope Tawadros II: 2017 Australian Papal Visit’, Pope of Hope
website.
596. P Khalil, ‘Statements by Members: His Holiness Pope Tawadros II’, House of Representatives, Debates, 6 September 2017 p. 9463.
597. Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), 2016 Census of Population and Housing.
598. S Parry (President), ‘Parliamentary Zone: Approval of works’, Senate, Debates, 1 December 2016, p. 3943; T Smith (Speaker), ‘Parliamentary
Zone’, House of Representatives, Debates, 1 December 2016, p. 5089.
599. T Smith (Speaker), ‘Parliamentary Zone’, House of Representatives, Debates, 1 December 2016 p. 5089.

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September 2014, the first time the threat has been raised
since the system was introduced in 2003. 600
The total cost of the security upgrades is $126.7 million, 601
with works are due to be completed by the end of 2018.

14 Murphy class A records tabled in Parliament

September The final set of documents from the 1986 Parliamentary
Commission of Inquiry into the conduct of Justice Lionel
Murphy is tabled in the Parliament. The papers, comprising
material relating to the conduct of Justice Murphy, are
published on the Parliament’s website with ‘a small amount
of personal information…redacted’ 602 While the papers
attract much media interest, 603 Justice Murphy’s son,
Cameron Murphy, is highly critical of the decision to release
the papers. 604
Lionel Murphy, during his time as a
Senator (1962-74)
Image source: Senator Lionel K
Murphy, National Archives of
Australia, A6135, K8/5/72/2

16 October Visit by the Irish President

Irish President Michael Higgins visits Parliament House as part
of this official visit to Australia. 605
‘President Higgins is the first Irish President to visit Australia
as a Guest of Government since Her Excellency Mary
McAleese in 1998.’ 606

Irish President Michael Higgins with

Senate President Stephen Parry and
Speaker of the House of
Representatives Tony Smith
Image source: Auspic

16 October Condolences for Evelyn Scott

Parliament acknowledges the death of Indigenous elder and
advocate Dr Evelyn Scott AO. 607
Dr Scott was the first General-Secretary for the Federal

600. S Parry (President of the Senate), Security and Parliament House, n.d.
601. Senate Finance and Public Administration Committee, Official committee Hansard, 22 May 2017, p. 61.
602. S Parry (President), ‘Statement by the President: Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry’, Senate, Debates, 22 June 2017, p. 4661; T Smith
(Speaker), ‘Statement by the Speaker’, House of Representatives, Hansard 22 June 2017, p. 7423.
603. K McClymont and M Whitbourn, ‘A judge and a Swiss bank account’, The Sydney Morning Herald, 15 September 2017; A Lynch, ‘The Lionel
Murphy papers shed more light on a controversial life’, The Conversation, September 14 2017; A Davies, ‘Lionel Murphy papers: the
allegations the inquiry wanted answering’, The Guardian, 14 September 2017; A Clark, ‘The passion of Lionel Murphy’, The Australian
Financial Review 15 September 2017; G Kelly, ‘Opinion: "The air should be cleared", and a star chamber is born’, The Australian, 29
September 2017.
604. B Norington, ‘Murphy’s son slams “unfair” release’, The Australian 14 September 2017.
605. T Smith (Speaker), ‘Distinguished Visitors’, House of Representatives, Debates, 16 October 2017, p. 10678; M Turnbull (Prime Minister),
Remarks at the bilateral meeting with His Excellency Mr Michael D Higgins, President of Ireland, Parliament House, Canberra, media release,
16 October 2016.
606. M Turnbull (Prime Minister), Visit to Australia by the President of Ireland, media release, 12 October 2017.
607. M Turnbull (Prime Minister), ‘Condolences: Scott, Dr Evelyn Ruth, AO’, House of Representatives, Debates, 16 October 2017.

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Council for the Advancement of Aboriginals and Torres Strait

Islanders, Chair of the Cairns and District Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Corporation for Women, and
Chairperson of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation
between 1997 and 2000. 608

16 October Brendan Nottle’s Walk for the Homeless

On 16 October, Salvation Army Major Brendan Nottle arrives
at Parliament House, completing his 40 day walk from
Melbourne to highlight the issue of homelessness. Opposition
Leader Bill Shorten is among the many supporters who join
Nottle for the final leg. 609 While in Canberra, Major Nottle
also meets with the Prime Minister to discuss a national plan
on homelessness. 610

27 October The High Court and the ‘Citizenship Seven’

The High Court hands down its judgment regarding the
qualification of the six senators and the member of the House
of Representatives referred to the Court of Disputed Returns.
The Court unanimously holds that Scott Ludlam, Larissa
Waters, Malcolm Roberts, Barnaby Joyce and Fiona Nash
were ‘a subject or a citizen … of a foreign power’ at the time
of their nomination for the 2016 federal election, and that The High Court of Australia
each was ‘therefore incapable of being chosen or of sitting as Image source: Australian
a senator or member of the House of Representatives (as Broadcasting Corporation Library
applicable)’. 611
It finds (again unanimously) that neither Senator Canavan nor
Senator Xenophon was disqualified by this provision. 612
The Court orders the Australian Electoral Commission
undertake special counts of the ballot papers to fill the four
vacant Senate positions.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives issues the writ
for a by-election in New England to be held on 2 December
2017. 613

28 October Ministerial reshuffle

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announces changes to the
Ministry in the wake of the High Court Decision.
The Prime Minister takes portfolio responsibility for
Agriculture and Water. Senator Matt Canavan is sworn in
again as the Minister for Resources and Northern Australia.

608. Australian Government, ‘Dr Evelyn Scott AO (1935–2017)’, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet website, 6 October 2017.
609. TEN Eyewitness News, ‘Brendan Nottle completes walk for the homeless’, TEN Eyewitness News (online), 16 October 2017.
610. I Royall, ‘Walk prize a win for homeless’, The Herald Sun, 19 October 2017.
611. High Court of Australia, In The matters of questions referred to the Court Of Disputed Returns pursuant to section 376 of the Commonwealth
Electoral Act 1918 (Cth) concerning Senator the Hon Matthew Canavan, Mr Scott Ludlam, Ms Larissa Waters, Senator Malcolm Roberts, the
Hon Barnaby Joyce MP, Senator the Hon Fiona Nash and Senator Nick Xenophon, [2017] HCA 45, judgment summary, 27 October 2017.
612. Ibid.
613. T Smith (Speaker), By-election for New England media release, 27 October 2017.

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Fiona Nash’s former portfolios are assigned to Darren Chester

and Senator Mitch Fifield. Julie Bishop is appointed Acting
Prime Minister during Mr Turnbull’s trip to Israel for
commemorations of the Battle of Beersheba. 614

1 November Senate President announces resignation due to dual

citizenship
Senate President Stephen Parry announces his intention to
resign, having ‘received advice from the British Home Office
that [he is] a British citizen by virtue of [his] father’s
birthplace, thereby being a dual citizen under the provisions
of the Australian Constitution.’ 615 Senator Parry is the eighth
parliamentarian to become enmeshed in the ‘dual citizenship
saga’. 616
Senator Parry’s matter is referred to the Court of Disputed
Returns when the Senate next sits (13 November 2017). 617
However, in accordance with section 3 of the Parliamentary Senator Stephen Parry, President of
the Senate
Presiding Officers Act 1965, he is deemed to continue to be
the Presiding Officer of the Senate until his successor is image source: Auspic
chosen by that House.

10 John Alexander resigns due to dual citizenship; by-election

November in Bennelong
Liberal member for Bennelong John Alexander resigns from
Parliament, conceding he too is likely to be a dual British
citizen by descent. 618
With Mr Alexander’s resignation, the Government holds only
74 seats in the House of Representatives. However, having
renounced his British citizenship, he is returned as the
member for Bennelong at the 16 December by-election.
Alexander wins the seat by a margin of 8,217 votes 619 over
the ALP’s surprise candidate, former NSW Premier Kristina John Alexander
Kenneally, with a swing of -4.84 per cent. 620 Image source: Auspic

614. M Turnbull (Prime Minister), Transcript of press conference, Sydney, media release, 28 October 2017.
615. S Parry (President of the Senate), ‘Statement to Senate Colleagues’ and ‘Letter from Stephen Parry to the Governor-General of the
Commonwealth of Australia resigning from the Office of President of the Senate dated 2 November 2017’, tabled in the Senate 13 November
2017.
616. R Yosufzai, ‘Senate President Stephen Parry signals resignation if he is a dual UK citizen’, SBS News, 31 October 2017.
617. Australia, Senate, ‘Resignation of President—Vacancy in the representation of Tasmania—Orders of Court of Disputed Returns—Election of
senators’, Journals, 68 (proof), 2017, 13 November 2017, p. 2163.
618. J Norman, ‘Liberal backbencher John Alexander resigns amid deepening citizenship crisis’, ABC News (online), 11 November 2017; N Wolfe,
‘Liberal MP John Alexander quits over dual citizenship’, news.com.au, 11 November 2017.
619. Australian Electoral Commission (AEC), ‘Tally Room: Bennelong, NSW’, AEC website; H Belot, ‘Kristina Keneally: Former NSW Premier to go up
against John Alexander in Bennelong by-election’, ABC News (online), 15 November 2017.
620. AEC, ‘Tally Room: Bennelong, NSW’, AEC website.

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13 New senators sworn in

November Following its decision in Re Canavan [2017] HCA 45,on 10
November the High Court declares three new senators
elected to the Senate for Queensland and Western Australia.
They are sworn in to Parliament by Governor General Sir
Peter Cosgrove on 13 November:
• Fraser Anning, Senator for Queensland, replacing former
Senator Malcolm Roberts (Pauline Hanson’s One Nation)
• Andrew Bartlett, Senator for Queensland, replacing former
Senator Larissa Waters (Greens), and
• Jordon-Steele-John, Senator for Western Australia,
replacing former Senator Scott Ludlam (Greens). 621
At age 23, Jordon Steele-John becomes the youngest person
to enter the Senate. The former Member for Longman Wyatt
Roy remains the youngest person to enter the Australian
Parliament, having been elected aged 20 years and three
months. 622

From top: Senators Anning, Bartlett

and Steele-John are escorted to the
Senate table to take their oaths of
office.

Image source: Auspic

13 New President of the Senate

November Victorian Senator, and Special Minister of State, Scott Ryan is
elected as the 25th President of the Senate, following the
resignation of former Senator the Hon Stephen Parry. 623 At
age 44, he is the youngest person to become President of the
Senate.
Senator Ryan resigns from the ministry to take up his
appointment as President; and Finance Minister Mathias
Cormann takes on the role of acting Special Minister of
State. 624

Senator Scott Ryan, President of the

Senate
Image source: Auspic

621. P Cosgrove (Governor-General), ‘Parliamentary representation: Senators Sworn’, Senate, Debates, 13 November 2017, p. 8123.
622. H Gobbett, S Speldewinde and R Lundie, First, most and more: facts about the Federal Parliament, Research paper series, 2016–17,
Parliamentary Library, Canberra, 2017.
623. Australia, Senate, ‘Election of President’, Journals, 68 (proof), 2017, 13 November 2016, p. 2163.
624. M Turnbull (Prime Minister), Ministerial arrangements, media release, 13 November 2017.

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Watch the election of the new
President

13 Citizenship registers for the Parliament

November On 13 November, the Senate agrees to establish a citizenship
and 4 register, ‘requiring declarations and documentation from
December senators in respect of their citizenship status, any previous
foreign citizenships held and actions taken to renounce them,
birth places of parents and grandparents, and associated
details’. 625 The online register is overseen by the Standing
Committee on Senators’ Interests.
Senators’ declarations are to be lodged by 5 pm. 1 December
2017.
On 4 December, the House of Representatives also agrees to
a resolution requiring each Member to provide (by 9 am. 5
December) a statement (and evidence) in relation to
citizenship to the Registrar of Members' Interests. 626
Read the condolence speeches in the
13 The Parliament pays tribute to former Governor-General Senate and in the House of
November Ninian Stephen (1923-2017) Representatives.
and 4
December Condolence motions in the Senate (13 November) and in the
House (on 4 December) pay tribute to Australia’s twentieth
Governor-General, Sir Ninian Stephen who died on 29
October, aged 94. 627
Following a distinguished legal career, culminating in his
appointment to the High Court, Sir Ninian was sworn in as
Governor General on 29 July 1982. He later served as a judge
on the International Tribunals for former Yugoslavia and
Rwanda (1993-1997). 628
Sir Ninian is farewelled at a State Funeral at St Paul’s
Cathedral (Melbourne) on 8 November.

625. Australia, Senate, ‘Proposed Citizenship Register’, Journals, 68 (proof), 2017, 13 November 2017, p. 2179.
626. Australia, House of Representatives, ‘Proposed Citizenship Register’, Votes and Proceedings, 88, 4 December 2017, p. 1235.
627. Australian Financial Review, ‘Obituary: Sir Ninian dies at 94’, The Australian Financial Review, 30 October 2017 p.6.
628. High Court of Australia (HCA), ‘Sir Ninian Martin Stephen PC KG AK GCMG CGVO KBE QC’, HCA website; Politics and Public Administration
Section, ‘Sir Ninian Stephen: 15 June 1923 – 29 October 2017’, Biographical information, Parliamentary Library, Canberra, 1 November 2017.

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14 Senator Lambie Resigns

November Having previously rejected speculation that she too may be a
dual citizen, 629 Senator Jacqui Lambie resigns from the Senate
having received confirmation of UK citizenship by descent. 630
Senator Lambie’s matter is referred to the Court of Disputed
Returns. 631 On 8 December, the High Court orders the two
Tasmanian Senate vacancies be filled by a special count of
votes. 632 Jacqui Lambie farewelled by
colleagues following her valedictory
The count identifies Richard Colbeck and Steve Martin as the speech.
candidates who should fill the vacancies. However, before the Image source: Auspic
outcome can be declared, the High Court must first determine
Watch Senator Lambie’s valedictory
whether Mr Martin is an eligible candidate or whether, as
Major of Devonport, he holds an office of profit under the
Crown and so is prevented from being chosen by reason of
section 44(iv) of the Constitution. 633

15 Results of the Australian Marriage Postal Law Survey and

November the Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious
Freedoms) Bill 2017
Australian Statistician David Kalisch announces the results of
the Marriage Law Postal Survey: 12,727,920 people have
participated in the survey, 79.5 per cent of the eligible
population, with 61.6 per cent responding ‘YES’ and 38.4 per
cent responding ‘NO’ to the question: ‘should the law be
Map showing results of the postal
changed to allow same-sex couples to marry?’
survey by electorate.
All states and territories record a majority YES response. 634 Image source: Parliamentary Library
Of the Federal Electoral Divisions, 133 record a majority YES
response, and 17 a majority NO. 635

629. P Karp, ‘Jacqui Lambie drawn into citizenship saga after “revealing” father born in Scotland’, The Guardian, 8 November 2017; H Belot, ‘Jacqui
Lambie denies citizenship concerns despite Scottish-born father’, Radio Australia, ABC website, 9 November 2017.
630. J Lambie, ‘Parliamentary Representation: Valedictory’, Senate, Debates, 14 November 2017, p. 8296.
631. Australia, Senate, ‘Qualification of Senator Lambie—Reference to Court of Disputed Returns’, Journals, 69 (proof), 2017, 14 November 2017,
p. 2201.
632. Re Parry; Re Lamb; Re Kakoschke-Moore [2017] HCATrans 254 (8 December 2017). Australian Electoral Commission (AEC), AEC to conduct
special count for Tasmanian Senate, media release, updated 8 December 2017.
633. Re Parry; Re Lambie [2017] HCATrans 258 (13 December 2017).
634. Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Australia supports changing the law to allow same-sex couples to marry, media release, 15 November
2017.
635. ABS, Australian marriage law postal survey, 2017 cat. no. 1800.0, ABS, Canberra, 15 November 2017.

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15 The Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious

November Freedoms) Bill 2017
Senator Dean Smith introduces his private Senator’s Bill, the
Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Bill
2017, co-sponsored by Senators Reynolds, Wong, Pratt, Di
Natale, Rice, Kakoschke-Moore, Hinch and Hume. 636
Debate on the bill begins on the following day. 637 Coalition Dean Smith (centre) and five of the
and ALP members and Senators are allowed a free vote. co-sponsors of his private bill (from
The bill passes the Senate on 29 November with left: Louise Pratt, Janet Rice, Skye
amendments, 43 votes to 12. 638 It passes the House of Kakoschke-Moore, Penny Wong and
Representatives on 7 December (without amendment), with Derryn Hinch.
four members voting ‘no’. 639 Image source: Auspic
Watch the second reading speech
The Act enters into force on 9 December, with the first same
Watch the third reading of the Bill in
sex weddings conducted (with special exemption from the 30
the Senate and
day waiting period) on 16 December. 640
the House of Representatives

19 House of Representatives sittings postponed

November The Leader of the House Christopher Pyne issues a statement
stating that, given the Senate is ‘unlikely to finish debating
the marriage equality bill until 30 November,
the Prime Minister and I have consulted the Speaker and
asked that he set an alternative day for the next meeting
of the House, in accordance with the Standing Orders.

The House will resume on December 4 at 10am, not

November 27, and will sit until marriage equality is law
and all citizenship issues have been dealt with by the
641
House. [emphasis in original]

House of Representatives Standing Order 309(c) provides that

when ‘the House is not sitting, the Speaker may set an
alternative day or hour for the next meeting’.
The announcement is strongly criticised by the Opposition
and minor parties. 642

22 Philip Ruddock appointed to head religious freedom review

636. M Neilsen, Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Bill 2017, Bills digest, 54, 2017–18, Parliamentary Library, Canberra,
2017.
637. D Smith, ‘Bills: Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Bill 2017: Second Reading’, Senate, Debates, 16 November 2016,
p. 8615.
638. Australia, Senate, ‘Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Bill 2017’, Journals, 74 (proof), 2017, 29 November 2017,
p. 2367.
639. Australia, House of Representatives, ‘Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Bill 2017’, Votes and Proceedings, 91,
7 December 2017, p. 1288.
640. J Power and F Dmytryshchak, ‘Australia’s first same-sex couples say “I do”’, The Sunday Age, 17 December 2017; A Dow, ‘Race against time
for Australia’s first same-sex wedding’, The Age, 15 December 2017.
641. C Pyne (Leader of the House), Statement regarding the House of Representatives, media release, 20 November 2017.
642. M Doran, ‘Parliament cancelled or delayed? Major parties trade insults ahead of final sitting weeks’, ABC News (online), 21 November 2017; P
Karp and G Hutchens, ‘Government accused of avoiding revolt as parliamentary sitting week cancelled’, The Guardian, 20 November 2017.

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November Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announces the appointment

of former member of the House of Representatives Philip
Ruddock to examine whether Australian law adequately
protects religious freedom. 643
Mr Ruddock is to report his findings by 31 March 2018.

22 Senator Skye Kakoschke-Moore resigns due to dual

November citizenship
Senator Skye Kakoschke-Moore (Nick Xenophon Team)
announces her resignation as Senator for South Australia
having ‘received advice from the UK Home Office … that she
had received British citizenship from her mother, who was
born in Singapore in 1957’. 644
The Senate refers Senator Moore’s matter to the Court of
Disputed Returns when it next meets (27 November). 645

Skye Kakoschke-Moore
Image source: Auspic

23 Foreign Affairs White Paper released

November The Government releases its Foreign Policy White Paper, the
first such document since 2003, setting out ‘the
Government’s strategy for engaging with the world, and in
particular the Indo-Pacific region, over the next decade’. 646

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, Prime

Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Trade,
Tourism and Investment Minister
Steven Ciobo and DFAT Secretary
Frances Adamson at the launch of
the 2017 Foreign Policy White Paper.
23 November 2017
Image source: DFAT/Nathan Fulton,
Linda Roche

28 Committee inquiry into section 44 of the Constitution

November On 28 November, the Prime Minister refers to the Joint
Standing Committee on Electoral Matters an inquiry into
aspects of section 44 of the Australian Constitution, including
How electoral laws and the administration thereof could
be improved to minimise the risk of candidates being
found ineligible pursuant to section 44(i)

643. M Turnbull (Prime Minister), Ruddock to examine religious freedom protection in Australia, media release, 22 November 2017, accessed 10
January 2018.
644. P Karp, ‘Skye Kakoschke-Moore: NXT senator resigns over dual citizenship’, The Guardian 22 November 2017; S Kakoschke-Moore,
‘Statement on Citizenship’, Media Release, 22 November 2017.
645. Australia, Senate, ‘Qualification of former Senator Kakoschke-Moore—Reference to Court of Disputed Returns’, Journals, 72 (proof), 2017,
27 November 2017, p. 2275.
646. M Parkinson, ‘2017 Foreign Policy White Paper: advancing Australia’s interests’, DFAT Blog, 22 November 2017.

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 Milestones Details Source Documents

Whether the Parliament is able to legislate to make the

operation of section 44(i) more certain and predictable,
and

Whether the Parliament should seek to amend section

647
44(i).

The Committee is to report to Parliament with regard to

section 44(i) by 23 March 2018, and on any other provisions,
by 30 June2018.

29 Senator Steele-John crowdsources his first speech

November Western Australian Senator Jordon Steele-John delivers his
first speech. 648 Taking a fresh approach to a venerable
tradition, the Senator had turned to social media to
crowdsource its contents, receiving 3000 responses to his
question: ‘you could say anything* to the people in this place
what would you say?’
I'm rather thrilled to be able to say that the response
was quite overwhelming. Over 130,000 people saw our
post. Almost 3,000 people told me what is important to
them and what they think we should be doing here in
this parliament, and that's not including the countless Jordon Steele-John
phone calls to my office, the emails and the many letters Image source: Auspic
I've received as well as the conversations I've had with Watch Senator Steele-John’s first
649
constituents. speech

647. Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters, Inquiry into matters relating to section 44 of the Constitution, ‘Terms of Reference’,
Parliament of Australia website.
648. J Steele-John, ‘First Speech: Steele-John, Sen Jordon’, Senate, Debates, 29 November 2017, p. 9256.
649. Ibid., p. 9257.

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29 Preventing leaks at Parliament House

November Scaffolding is put in place on the roof of Parliament House to
enable repair of the main skylight.
Over time, glazing in the link ways and skylights has
deteriorated and de-laminated, resulting in leaks. ‘A couple of
years ago, during a particularly vigorous thunderstorm,
attendants had to use both in the House of Representatives
to mop up the drips that fell from the roof during question
time.’ 650
In 2016-17, the Government provided $18.3 million in capital
over two years to repair and strengthen the main and side
skylights within the APH. 651 Scaffolding over the main skylight,
Australian Parliament House
Image source: Auspic

30 Banking Royal Commission

November Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Treasurer Scott
Morrison announce a royal commission into ‘the alleged
misconduct of Australia’s banks and other financial services
entities’. 652
On 18 December, Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove issues
the Letters Patent appointing former High Court Justice
Kenneth Hayne as Royal Commissioner and setting out the
Terms of Reference for the Inquiry.

Malcolm Turnbull

Image source: Auspic

2 December New England by-election

Barnaby Joyce is elected to the House of Representatives at
the New England by-election on 2 December, defeating
labour candidate David Ewings 64,664 votes to 23,159, a
margin of 41,505 votes. The result represents a 7.21 per cent
swing to Mr Joyce. Voter turnout is a little over 87 per cent. 653
Although a party to the High Court case which saw Mr Joyce
disqualified, former independent member for New England Barnaby Joyce being sworn into
Tony Windsor decides not to contest the by election. 654 Parliament
Image source: Auspic
The poll is declared on 6 December, and the writ returned to
the Speaker of the House of Representatives the same day. 655 Watch Mr Joyce’s swearing in

650. S Peatling, ‘House leaks are beyond the pail’, The Canberra Times, 5 August 2017.
651. Australian Government, Budget measures: budget paper no. 2: 2016–17, p. 133; T McIlroy, ‘High price to mopping up years of leaks in
Parliament’, The Canberra Times, 30 November 2017.
652. M Turnbull (Prime Minister) and S Morrison (Treasurer), Royal Commission—banks and financial services, joint media release, 20 November
2017. See also, M Turnbull (Prime Minister), Transcript of joint press conference, Parliament House, Canberra, media release, 30 November
2017.
653. AEC, ‘Tally Room: New England (NSW)’, AEC website.
654. ABC News, ‘Tony Windsor confirms he will not run against Barnaby Joyce in New England by-election’, ABC News (online), 27 October 2017;
M Doran, ‘Tony Windsor demands High Court find political nemesis Barnaby Joyce ineligible for office’, ABC News (online), 3 October 2017.

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At 2pm, the Speaker informs the House that he has received a

return to writ certifying Mr Joyce’s election, and he is
admitted and sworn in immediately thereafter. 656

4 December Celebration of Parliament’s first honey harvest

On 4 December, Senate President Scott Ryan presides over
the first harvest of honey from the new hives. Over two
hundred people, politicians, diplomats and members of the
public, gather in the Great Hall for speeches, honey tastings,
and information sessions.

Bee keepers on their way to the first

harvest of Parliament House honey.
Image source: Auspic
Read: Safekeeping, a report of a
roundtable on the biosecurity of the
Australian Honey Bee, convened by
the Standing Committee on
Agriculture and Water Resources.

6 December Citizenship referrals and debate in the House

On 5 December Member for Batman David Feeney (ALP)
announces that he is unable to locate documentation
confirming renunciation of his British and Irish citizenship. 657
Mr Feeney is referred to the High Court the following day. 658
This referral follows an unsuccessful Opposition motion to
refer other members about whose eligibility concerns had
been expressed: Justine Keay (ALP, Braddon); Josh Wilson
(ALP, Freemantle); Susan Lamb (ALP, Longman); Rebekha
Sharkie (Nick Xenophon Team, Mayo); Julia Banks (LP,
Chisholm); Alex Hawke (LP, Mitchell); Nola Marino (LP,
Forrest); and Jason Falinski (LP, Mackellar). David Feeney
When the House divides on the motion, the vote is tied. In Image source: Auspic
keeping with established precedent, the Speaker exercises his
casting vote with the ‘noes’. 659 Watch Mr Feeney’s statemetn in the
Federation Chamber
Watch the debate in the House of
Representatives

655. Australia, House of Representatives, ‘Return to Writ—New England Division’, Votes and Proceedings, 90, 6 December 2017, p. 1271.
656. T Smith (Speaker), ‘Parliamentary Representation: Members Sworn’, House of Representatives, Debates, 6 December 2017, p. 12831.
657. D. Feeney, ‘Parliamentary Representation: Qualifications of Members: Feeney, David, MP’, House of Representatives, Debates, 5 December
2017, p. 12731.
658. Australia, House of Representatives, ‘Reference of Matter to Court of Disputed Returns’, Votes and Proceedings, 90, 6 December 2017,
p. 1275.
659. T Smith (Speaker), ‘Parliamentary Representation: Qualifications of Members’, House of Representatives, Debates, 6 December 2017, p.
12889.

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6 December A further citizenship referral in the Senate

ACT ALP Senator Katy Gallagher is referred to the Court of
Disputed Returns. 660 She is the first Labor senator to be
referred.
This follows earlier speculation that the Senator may have
held citizenship by descent from Ecuador or Britain. 661
Senator Gallagher states that she had taken ‘all reasonable
steps’ to renounce any citizenship entitlement but did not
receive confirmation of this from the UK until 16 August
2018—some 118 days later. 662
The Constitution requires that candidates not hold foreign
Katy Gallagher
citizenship at the time they nominate. 663 The Senate notes, in
a procedural bulletin, that ‘[t]he question engaged by Senator Image source: Auspic
Gallagher’s case is whether … [the reasonable efforts]
exception may also apply where a person has taken all
necessary steps to renounce, but foreign law – or, possibly,
foreign bureaucracy – has not operated to effect a change in
status prior to nomination.’ 664
On 30 November the ACT Legislative Assembly establishes an
inquiry to determine whether the Assembly should adopt new
practices in appointing senators. 665

6 December Committee inquiry into decisions of the Court of Disputed

returns
On 6 December, the Senate refers the implications of recent
decisions made to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral
Matters for inquiry and report by Tuesday 6 February.
The Terms of Reference are:
The implications of recent decisions by the Court of
Disputed Returns concerning section 44 of the Constitution
on questions referred by the Parliament under section 376
of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, with particular
reference to:

(a) the decisions in connection with the

disqualification of former Senators Bob Day and
Rodney Culleton;

660. Australia, Senate, ‘Qualification of Senator Gallagher—Reference to Court of Disputed Returns’, Journals, 78, 6 December 2017, p. 2471.
661. T McIlroy and B Hall, ‘Gallagher's status as Ecuadorian "fanciful"’, The Canberra Times, 30 August 2017; Australian Associated Press, ‘Labor
senator Katy Gallagher “is not and has never been” a citizen of Ecuador’, The Guardian, 28 August 2017; T McIlroy, ‘Labor sought legal advice
over Katy Gallagher's citizenship status’ The Canberra Times, 5 September 2017; T McIlroy, ‘Gallagher looking likely for her day in the High
Court’, The Canberra Times, 6 December 2017; K Gallagher, ‘Parliamentary representation: Qualifications of Senators’, Senate, Debates, 4
September 2017, p. 6063.
662. K Gallagher, ‘Parliamentary representation: Gallagher, Senator Katy’, Senate, Debates, 6 December 2017, p. 9795.
663. Department of the Senate, For the sitting period 27 November to 7 December 2017, Procedural information bulletin no. 321, Parliament of
Australia, n.d.
664. Ibid.
665. V Dunne (Deputy Speaker), ‘Administration and Procedure—Standing Committee: Proposed referral’, ACT Legislative Assembly, Debates,
30 November 2017, p. 5393.

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 Milestones Details Source Documents

(b) a regime for disclosing information relating to

aspects other than section 44(i), for which the
Parliament has already provided;

(c) the form such a process might take and how it

could be implemented; and

666
(d) any related matters.

Committee Chair Senator Linda Reynolds says the inquiry is

‘an opportunity to provide greater clarity to the electoral
process.’ 667

6 December Parliament marks the 50th anniversary of the death of

Harold Holt
17 December 2017 is the 50th anniversary of the
disappearance of Prime Minister Harold Holt at Cheviot Beach
near Portsea, Victoria. 668
On 6 December the House of Representatives marks ‘one of
the confounding events’ in Australia’s history and the life and
achievements of the 17th Prime Minister of Australia. 669
Speaking on indulgence, the Prime Minister states:
In his short time as Prime Minister, Harold Holt led
Australia into a new era. … [H]e ushered in many of the The Hon Harold Holt
reforms that we now consider so crucial … in our Image Source: Parliamentary Library.
evolution to the modern nation we are today. He
oversaw the dismantling of the White Australia policy …

He drove the historic 1967 referendum 'yes' vote,

Watch the statements on the
winning the overwhelming approval of the nation to
anniversary of the death of Harold
empower the Commonwealth to make laws for
Holt in the House of Representatives
Aboriginal people and ensuring that our first peoples
were included in the national census. It was in his time
as Prime Minister that Australians adopted the dollar
over the pound and began navigating the shifting sands
of a world with new economic rules and allegiances. In
the context of massive global geopolitical realignment
he reintroduced Australia to our region and forged
670
deeper ties in Asia.

Members of Mr Holt’s family and friends of the Holt family

are seated on the floor of the Chamber to listen to the
debate. 671

666. Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters, Inquiry into matters relating to section 44 of the Constitution, ‘Terms of Reference’,
Parliament of Australia website.
667. Parliament of Australia, New inquiry on decisions made by the Court of Disputed Returns, media release, 12 December 2017.
668. IR Hancock, ‘Holt, Harold Edward (1908–1967)’, Australian Dictionary of Biography, vol. 14, Melbourne University Press, 1996.
669. M Turnbull (Prime Minister), ‘Statements on Indulgence: Holt, Hon Harold Edward CH’, House of Representatives, Debates, 6 December 2017,
p. 12832.
670. Ibid.
671. T Smith (Speaker), ‘Distinguished visitors’, House of Representatives, Debates, 6 December 2017, p. 12831.

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 Milestones Details Source Documents

12 Labour Senator announces his resignation

December NSW Senator Sam Dastyari announces his intention not to
return to the Senate in 2018. 672
This follows the Senator’s 30 November resignation as Deputy
Opposition Whip 673 amidst growing public controversy
regarding his alleged ties to a political donor linked to the
Chinese Communist Party. 674 On 7 December, Attorney-
General George Brandis gave notice of his intention to seek to
refer Senator Dastyari to the Senate Privileges Committee. 675
Senator Dastyari first entered Parliament in August 2013,
filling a casual vacancy caused by the resignation of the Hon. Sam Dastyari
Matt Thistlethwaite.
Image source: Auspic

15 Royal Commission into institutional responses to child

December sexual abuse concludes
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child
Sexual Abuse presents its 17 volume final report to Governor
General Sir Peter Cosgrove. The Royal Commission was
announced by Prime Minister Julia Gillard in November
2012 676 and formally established in January 2013. 677
The Royal Commission makes over 400 recommendations. 678
On 26 October 2017, Minister for Social Services Christian
Porter introduced a bill to establish a Commonwealth redress
scheme to provide compensation and counselling to eligible
survivors of institutional child sexual abuse. 679
On 20 June 2017 a joint select committee is established to
oversee the Royal Commission’s redress related
recommendations. 680 It is anticipated that the Committee,
chaired by Senator Derryn Hinch, will meet for the first time
in February 2018.

672. S Dastyari, Statement, media release, 12 December 2017.

673. S Dastyari, ‘Statements: Dastyari, Senator Sam’, Senate, Debates, 30 November 2017, p. 1.
674. N McKenzie, J Massola and R Baker, ‘Dastyari told donor of phone tap’, The Sydney Morning Herald, 29 November 2017; Q McDermott, ‘Sam
Dastyari “tried to pressure” Tanya Plibersek not to meet with Chinese activist’, ABC News (online), 11 December 2017; K Murphy, ‘The quest
for Sam Dastyari's scalp turned a serious issue into a circus’, The Guardian, 12 December 2017; M Grattan, ‘Two Labor frontbenchers urge
Sam Dastyari to consider his position’, The Conversation, 11 December 2017.
675. S Ryan (President), ‘Privilege’, Senate, Debates, 7 December 2017, p. 105.
676. J Gillard (Prime Minister), Transcript of press conference: Parliament House, Canberra, media release, 12 November 2012.
677. J Gillard (Prime Minister), Government formally establishes Royal Commission, media release, 11 January 2013 [enclosing Letters Patent and
Terms of Reference for the Royal Commission].
678. Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, ‘Final Report released’, media release, 15 December 2017.
679. Commonwealth Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse Bill 2017.
680. Australia, Senate, ‘Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse—Joint Select Committee—Appointment’, Journals,
45 (proof), 2017, 19 June 2017, p.1472; Australia, House of Representatives, ‘Message from the Senate’, Votes and Proceedings, 62, 20 June
2017, pp. 869–71.

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 Milestones Details Source Documents

19 Major Cabinet reshuffle

December Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announces a much
anticipated reshuffle of his ministry. 681 The new Cabinet is
sworn in on 20 December.
As foreshadowed, 682 Peter Dutton becomes Minister for a
new portfolio of Home Affairs, which brings together
‘Australia’s immigration, border protection, law enforcement
and domestic security agencies in a single portfolio’. 683 Swearing-in of the new ministry 20
December 2017
Western Australian MP Christian Porter moves from Social
Image source: Auspic
Services to replace George Brandis as Attorney-General—with
Senator Brandis to take up the position of High Commissioner
to the United Kingdom in the new year. Before entering
federal Parliament, Porter served as the Attorney General of
Western Australia. 684
The number of women in Cabinet remains unchanged at
five. 685 Tasmania is not represented. 686

22 NSW Senate recount declared

December On 22 December, the High Court declares retired Major-
General Andrew James (Jim) Molan elected as Senator for the
State of NSW, replacing Fiona Nash whose election was ruled
void on 27 October. 687
Filling the NSW Senate vacancy has proved complicated.
Liberal Hollie Hughes had been identified by a special count of
the ballots as the candidate to fill the vacant NSW seat.
However, the High Court subsequently found that Hughes
was ‘incapable of being chosen’ by operation of s 44(iv) of the
Constitution, as she had been appointed a part-time member Jim Molan
of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, with effect from 1 July
Image source: Auspic
2017 to 27 October—and thus held an office of profit under
Watch Senator Molan’s first speech.
the Crown. 688 The Court’s reasons confirm ‘that a Senate
election is not concluded if it returns an invalid candidate, but
continues until a senator is validly elected. Any
disqualification which arises in the meantime … renders the

681. M Turnbull (Prime Minister), Ministerial arrangements, media release, 19 December 2017.
682. M Turnbull (Prime Minister), Transcript of press conference: Parliament House, Canberra, media release, 18 July 2017; M Turnbull (Prime
Minister), G Brandis (Attorney-General), P Dutton (Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) and M Keenan (Minister for Justice), A
strong and secure Australia, joint media release, 18 July 2017.
683. C Barker and S Fallon, ‘What we know so far about the new Home Affairs portfolio: a quick guide’, Research paper series, 2017–18,
Parliamentary Library, Canberra, 2017.
684. Parliament of Western Australia, ‘Hon Charles Christian (Christian) Porter MLA’, Extract from the Western Australian Parliamentary
Handbook, webpage.
685. J Ireland, ‘Comment: Have yourself a merit little Christmas: Turnbull's reshuffle a logic-free zone’, The Sydney Morning Herald 21 December
2017, accessed 21 December 2017; P. van Onselen, ’Did ‘merit’ prevent promotion of Linda Reynolds, Julia Banks and Sarah Henderson?’, The
Australian 21 December 2017, accessed 21 December 2017.
686. M Turnbull (Prime Minister), ‘Media Conference, Sydney: Transcript 19 December 2017’.
687. AEC, ‘Senate special counts—statements of results: NSW 22 November 2017’, AEC webpage.
688. Re Nash [No 2] [2017] HCA 52.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 189

 Milestones Details Source Documents

candidate incapable of being chosen.’ 689

Senator Molan is sworn in on 5 February 2018, 690 and gives
his first speech on 14 February. 691

2018 (to March)

Milestones Details Source Documents

12 January Parliament House water plan

The Department of Parliamentary Services is granted
permission by the ACT government to draw water from Lake
Burley Griffin to be treated and used on its grounds. 692 A
1.5km underground pipe will carry the water from a pump
station near the lake to Capital Hill. 693 Parliament House will
be permitted to use 1.5 per cent of the water available from Parliament House with Lake Burley
Lake Burley Griffin. 694 Griffin in the foreground
The new water plan follows a 2014 study which found that Image source: Matt Ryall, Wikimedia
the lake could provide a safe, reliable and cost effective water Commons
supply for landscape irrigation at Parliament House. 695

13 February 10th anniversary of the Apology to the Stolen Generations

Parliament Marks the 10th anniversary of the Apology to the
Stolen Generations, with former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd
watching from the gallery. 696
The Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, says:
Today marks a decade since former Prime Minister Kevin
Rudd apologised to Australia's first peoples. Ten years
ago the gallery in this place was a sea of proud but
heartbroken Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,
their eyes telling the story of the trauma they'd lived
with for their whole lives. They came to hear the leader Kevin Rudd
of the nation finally acknowledge that their pain,
Image source: Auspic
suffering and hurt, and the pain, suffering and hurt of
their parents and grandparents, was a deep and
697
irreparable wrong.

The Opposition Leader, Bill Shorten, says:

Ten years after saying sorry, we need to know that we
mean it with belated compensation for survivors, with

689. Department of the Senate, For the sitting period 27 November to 7 December 2017, Procedural information bulletin no. 321, Parliament of
Australia, 21 December 2017.
690. Australia, Senate, ‘Vacancy in the representation of New South Wales—Election of Jim Molan’, Senate, Journals, 80 (proof), 5 February 2018,
p. 2555.
691. J Molan, ‘First Speech: Molan, Sen Jim’, Senate, Debates, 14 February 2018, p. 1142.
692. D Dingwall, ‘MPs plan to pump lake’, The Canberra Times, 12 January 2018, p. 1.
693. Ibid.
694. Ibid.
695. Ibid.
696. T Smith (Speaker), ‘Distinguished Visitors’, House of Representatives, Debates, 13 February 2018, p. 1191.
697. M Turnbull (Prime Minister), ‘Apology to Australia’s Indigenous Peoples: 10th Anniversary’, House of Representatives, Debates,
13 February 2018, p. 1191.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 190

 Milestones Details Source Documents

support for the healing of their descendants, with

national action to tackle the crisis of Aboriginal kids
698
growing up in out-of-home care.

15 March Visit by the Prime Minister of Vietnam

The Prime Minister of Vietnam, Nguyen Xuan Phuc, visits
Parliament House. During the visit, Prime Minister Malcolm
Turnbull announces that Australia and Vietnam are ‘elevating
our relationship to a strategic partnership’. 699 Cooperation
between the two countries will cover ‘areas from defence to
development’. 700

Prime Minister of Vietnam Nguyen

Xuan Phuc and Malcolm Turnbull

Image source: ParlView

19 March Constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander peoples
Both Houses agree to establish the Joint Select Committee on
Constitutional Recognition Relating to Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander Peoples. 701 The committee is to consider the
recommendations of the Referendum Council (2017), the
Uluru Statement from the Heart (2017), the Joint Select
Committee on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Peoples (2015), and the Expert Panel on
Constitutional Recognition of Indigenous Australians
(2012). 702
The move follows the Turnbull government’s rejection of the
Referendum Council’s call for a national Indigenous
representatives assembly to be added to the Constitution. 703
Responding to the Referendum Council’s report, Prime
Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Attorney-General George Brandis
and Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion say:
The government does not believe such an addition to
our national representative institutions is either
desirable or capable of winning acceptance in a

698. B Shorten (Leader of the Opposition), ‘Apology to Australia’s Indigenous Peoples: 10th Anniversary’, House of Representatives, Debates,
13 February 2018, p. 1193.
699. M Turnbull (Prime Minister), Remarks at Bilateral Meeting with His Excellency Mr Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic
of Vietnam, Parliament House, Canberra, media release, 15 March 2018.
700. Ibid.
701. A Taylor (Minister for Law Enforcement and Cybersecurity), ‘Committees–Constitutional Recognition Committee: Appointment’, House of
Representatives, Debates, 1 March 2018, p. 2351; C Fierravanti-Wells (Minister for International Development and the Pacific), ‘Committees–
Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition Relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’, Senate, Debates, 19 March
2018, p. 1485.
702. A Taylor (Minister for Law Enforcement and Cybersecurity), ‘Committees–Constitutional Recognition Committee: Appointment’, House of
Representatives, Debates, 1 March 2018, p. 2528.
703. M Grattan, ‘Turnbull government say no to Indigenous “Voice to Parliament”’, The Conversation, 26 October 2017.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 191

 Milestones Details Source Documents
704
referendum.’

19 March Visit by Aung San Suu Kyi, State Counsellor of Myanmar

Aung San Suu Kyi, the State Counsellor of Myanmar, visits
Parliament House for bilateral meetings following the
Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting in
Sydney. 705 During a meeting with Prime Minister
Malcolm Turnbull the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Rakhine
state in Myanmar is discussed and Mr Turnbull encourages
‘Aung San Suu Kyi to resettle displaced Rohingya’. 706

Aung San Suu Kyi during a

ceremonial welcome at Parliament
House

Image source: ParlView

26 March Launch of Parliament House 30th anniversary program

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tony Smith,
and the President of the Senate, Scott Ryan, launch the
Australian Parliament House 30th anniversary program and
the exhibitions Design in a Decade–The 1980s and From
Competition to Completion–Building Australian Parliament
House.
Design in a Decade showcases the art and craft of the 1980s,
while From Competition to Completion charts the building’s
progress from the announcement of its construction in 1978
to its opening in 1988 through objects, artworks and images.

27 March Indigenous women stage sit-in to raise awareness of

domestic violence
Indigenous women from Alice Springs stage a sit-in, or sorry
ceremony, at Parliament House in memory of the women
who have been killed or injured by partners and relatives. 707
Senator Malarndirri McCarthy (ALP, NT), who joins the
women at the sit-in, says:
They’ve gone through a lot. They’ve got a very deep
investment on an emotional level in terms of what they
want to see for themselves and for their children and
708
grandchildren.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are killed by their

partners at twice the rate of other Australian women,

704. Ibid.
705. P Karp, ‘Malcolm Turnbull encourages Aung San Suu Kyi to resettle Rohingya’, The Guardian, 19 March 2018.
706. Ibid.
707. B Brennan, ‘Indigenous women travel to Canberra to draw attention to family violence’, ABC News (online), 27 March 2018.
708. Ibid.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 192

 Milestones Details Source Documents

according to research by the Australian Institute of Health and

Welfare.

28 March Launch of The First Eight Project and Deakin book

The President of the Senate, Scott Ryan, and the Speaker of
the House, Tony Smith, launch The First Eight Project at the
Parliamentary Library. The project is a collaboration between
the Parliamentary Library, the National Museum of Australia,
the National Archives of Australia, the Victorian Parliamentary
Library and the Australian National University’s Australian
Studies Institute. Over the course of the project the Senator Scott Ryan (President of the
Parliamentary Library will publish a series of short separate Senate), David Headon and Tony
biographies of Australia’s first eight Prime Ministers. The first Smith (Speaker of the House of
book, Alfred Deakin – the lives, the legacy: Australia’s second Representatives) at the launch of
prime minister by David Headon, is launched along with the The First Eight Project and Alfred
project. Deakin – the lives, the legacy

Image source: Auspic

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 193

 Appendix 1: Facts and statistics
 architects Mitchell/Giurgola & Thorp designed Parliament House after winning an international
competition

 Parliament House and its landscape setting covers 32 hectares on Capital Hill, Canberra

 construction began in 1981 and took seven years—the building was opened on 9 May 1988

 the first sitting of Parliament in the permanent building was held on 22 August 1988

 Parliament House cost AUD$1.1 billion to build

 the building was constructed with 300 000 cubic metres of concrete and 90 per cent of the materials
used are Australian

 10 000 workers were involved in constructing and fitting out the building

 over 5000 people work in the building when Parliament sits

 the building receives an average of one million visitors each year

 Parliament House is designed to last 200 years

 there are 4500 rooms with a total area of 250 000 square metres

 the Foyer contains 48 Italian and Portuguese marble-clad pillars

 the Great Hall contains a tapestry on the southern wall and a parquet floor of Western Australian jarrah
with ebony and blackbutt inlays

 the tapestry in the Great Hall was woven in Melbourne and is based on Arthur Boyd’s painting of a bush
landscape

 there are hundreds of works of art and crafts in the building ranging from rugs, paintings and sculptures
to specially-designed furniture

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 194

 Appendix 2: Addresses to joint meetings of the Australian Parliament since 1988
The official website of the British Monarchy, ‘The Queen marks Australia’s bicentenary’, 9 May 1988,
http://www.royal.gov.uk/ImagesandBroadcasts/Historic%20speeches%20and%20broadcasts/Australiabicentena
ryspeech9May1988.aspx
Address by the President of the United States of America, the Hon. George Bush, House of Representatives
Debates, 2 January 1992, p. 1,
http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22chamber%2Fhansardr%2F1992
-01-02%2F0004%22
Address by the President of the United States of America, the Hon. Bill Clinton, to joint session of Australian
Parliament, 20 November 1996, http://australianpolitics.com/1996/11/20/president-bill-clinton-addresses-
australian-parliament.html
Address by the President of the United States of America, the Hon. George W Bush, House of Representatives
Debates, 23 October 2003, p. 21689,
http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22chamber%2Fhansardr%2F2003
-10-23%2F0007%22
Address by the President of the People’s Republic of China, His Excellency Mr Hu Jintao, Senate Journal, 24
October 2003, p. 16725,
http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22chamber%2Fhansards%2F2003
-10-24%2F0006%22
Address by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, the Hon. Tony Blair, House of Representatives Debates, 27
March 2006, p. 3,
http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22chamber%2Fhansardr%2F2006
-03-27%2F0007%22
Address by the Prime Minister of Canada, the Hon. Stephen Harper, House of Representatives Debates, 11
September 2007, p. 3,
http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22chamber%2Fhansardr%2F2007
-09-11%2F0007%22
Address by the President of the Republic of Indonesia, His Excellency Dr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, House of
Representatives Debates, 10 March 2010, p. 2136,
http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22chamber%2Fhansardr%2F2010
-03-10%2F0047%22
Address by the Prime Minister of New Zealand, the Rt Hon. John Key, House of Representatives Debates, 20 June
2011, p. 6450,
http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;db=CHAMBER;id=chamber%2Fhansardr%2Fe7b1
b8b1-ac51-46c6-81bb-2c145051e8ce%2F0005;query=Id%3A%22chamber%2Fhansardr%2Fe7b1b8b1-ac51-46c6-
81bb-2c145051e8ce%2F0003%22
Address by the President of the United States of America, the Hon. Barack Obama, House of Representatives
Debates, 17 November 2011, p. 12846,
http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22chamber%2Fhansardr%2F1588
8e39-7a11-4ca2-9456-f088c9812ef0%2F0006%22
Address by the Prime Minister of Japan, His Excellency Mr Shinzo Abe, 8 July 2014, p. 7647,
http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query%3DId%3A%22chamber%2Fhansardr%2F3
060e0ca-b9e8-4414-bc3b-1c7e6d66cbd6%2F0004%22

Address by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, the Right Honourable David Cameron, 14 November
2014, p. 12710,
http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query%3DId%3A%22chamber%2Fhansardr%2F1
56b7ec9-1215-4e5d-b6a4-ccfb86ead68b%2F0005%22

Address by the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, the Honourable Narendra Modi, 18 November 2014, p.
12730,

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 195

 http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22chamber%2Fhansardr%2F8f9d
6b15-68fd-4bdc-8c17-9f8bdc5de7af%2F0005%22

Address by the Prime Minister of Singapore, His Excellency Mr Lee Hsien Loong, 12 October 2016, p. 1678,
http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;db=CHAMBER;id=chamber%2Fhansardr%2F3bef
5bfd-10a1-42ac-8cdf-41e8b9c0f758%2F0045;query=Id%3A%22chamber%2Fhansardr%2F3bef5bfd-10a1-42ac-
8cdf-41e8b9c0f758%2F0045%22

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 196

 Appendix 3: Presiding Officers since 1988
Senate
President Term

Sibraa, the Hon. Kerry Walter 17.2.1987‒5.6.1987

14.9.1987‒31.1.1994

Beahan, the Hon. Michael Eamon 1.2.1994‒30.6.1996

Reid, the Hon. Margaret Elizabeth 20.8.1996‒18.8.2002

Calvert, the Hon. Paul Henry 19.8.2002‒14.8.2007

Ferguson, the Hon. Alan Baird 14.8.2007‒25.8.2008

Hogg, the Hon. John Joseph 26.8.2008‒30.6.2014

Parry, the Hon. Stephen 7.7.2014–13.11.2017

Ryan, the Hon. Scott 13.11.2017–

House of Representatives
Speaker Term

Child, the Hon. Joan 11.2.1986‒5.6.1987

14.9.1987‒28.8.1989
McLeay, the Hon. Leo Boyce 29.8.1989‒22.12.1989
8.5.1990‒8.2.1993
Martin, the Hon. Stephen Paul 4.5.1993‒29.1.1996
Halverson, the Hon. Robert George 30.4.1996‒3.3.1998
Sinclair, the Rt Hon. Ian McCahon 4.3.1998‒31.8.1998
Andrew, the Hon. John Neil 10.11.1998‒8.10.2001
12.2.2002‒31.8.2004
Hawker, the Hon. David Peter Maxwell 16.11.2004‒17.10.2007
Jenkins, Harry Alfred 12.2.2008‒24.11.11
Slipper, the Hon. Peter 24.11.2011‒9.10.2012
Burke, Anna 9.10.2012‒5.8.2013
Bishop, the Hon. Bronwyn 12.11.2013 ̶ 2.8.2015
Smith, the Hon. Tony 10.08.15–

Source: Parliamentary Handbook 709

709. Commonwealth of Australia, Parliamentary Handbook, Part 6: Historical information on the Australian Parliament.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 197

 Appendix 4: Key sources and further reading
Bennett, S, Parliament House and the Australian people, Research paper no. 29, Parliamentary Library, 7 May
2008,
http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22library%2Fprspub%2FSLDQ
6%22;\
Commonwealth of Australia, The 43rd Parliament: Parliamentary Handbook of the Commonwealth of Australia
2011,
http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/Parliamentar
y_Handbook
___________, The 44th Parliament: Parliamentary Handbook of the Commonwealth of Australia, 2014,
http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22handbook%2Fnewhandboo
k%2F2014-10-31%2F0000%22
___________, The 45th Parliament: Parliamentary Handbook of the Commonwealth of Australia, 2017,
https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/Parliamenta
ry_Handbook
___________, A house for the nation: 100 years of Australia’s House of Representatives, 2003,
http://www.houseforthenation.gov.au/
___________, House at work: ordinary people in an extraordinary building, Parliamentary Education Office,
Canberra, ACT, 2001
____________, Project Parliament: the management experience, Parliament House Construction Authority,
Canberra, March 1990
____________, Joint Standing Committee on the New Parliament House, Reports tabled in Parliament 1981‒89,
http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House_of_Representatives_Committees?url=r
eport_register/bycomlist.asp?id=180
Cope, RL, Housing a legislature: when architecture and politics meet, Papers on Parliament No. 37, November
2001.
Department of Parliamentary Services, Parliament House Heritage Management Framework 2011, Canberra,
http://www.aph.gov.au/Visit_Parliament/About_the_Building/~/media/06%20Visit%20Parliament/65%20Ab
out%20the%20Building/HeritageManagementFramework2011.ashx
Dow, C and J Gardiner-Garden, Overview of Indigenous Affairs: Part 1: 1901 to 1991, Background Note,
Parliamentary Library, 10 May 2011,
http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22library%2Fprspub%2F75471
2%22
Evans, H and R Laing, eds, Odgers’ Australian Senate Practice, Thirteenth Edition, Department of the Senate,
Canberra, 2012,
http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Senate/Powers_practice_n_procedures/odgers13
Fernandes, S, ‘Addresses to joint meetings of the Australian Parliament’, FlagPost, 11 November 2011,
http://parliamentflagpost.blogspot.com.au/2011/11/addresses-to-joint-meetings-of.html
Griffin, WB, ‘Original report’ [1912], reprinted with corrections in Senate, Report from the Select Committee
appointed to inquire into and report upon the development of Canberra, September 1955.
Headon, D, Wanted: Treasure house of a nation’s heart—the search for an Australian capital city, 1891‒1908,
Senate Occasional Lecture Series, Parliament House, Canberra, 17 October 2008,
http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Senate/Public_Information_and_Events/occalect/transcripts/200
8/171008
________, Canberra: Crystal palace to golden trowels, Canberra, 2009,
http:/www.canberra100.com.au%2Fstorage%2FCrystalPalacetoGoldenTrowelsDavidHeadon.pdf&ei=rnFZUN
PGHuuciAex4IHACA&usg=AFQjCNHQhCvo4w9Qh_ifJVabkdd8qvpZyw

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 198

 House of Representatives, 20th anniversary of the House committee system, 15 February 2008,
http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House_of_Representatives_Committees?url=2
0_anniversary/index.htm
________, Standing Committee on Procedure, Committee activities (inquiries and reports),
http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House_of_Representatives_Committees?url=p
roc/reports.htm
Hutson, A, Square peg in a square hole: Australia’s Parliament House, Papers on Parliament No. 55, February
2011, http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Senate/Research_and_Education/pops/pop55/c05
McIntosh, G Rounding up the Flock? Executive dominance and the new Parliament House, APSA-Parliamentary
Fellow Monograph, Department of the Parliamentary Library, December 1989,
http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22library%2Fprspub%2F15340
68%22
Macintyre, C, Parliamentary architecture and political culture, Senate Occasional Lecture Series, Parliament
House, Canberra, 9 May 2008,
http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Senate/Public_Information_and_Events/occalect/transcripts/200
8/090508
Marshall, D, C Burton, A Grinbergs, C Johnston and J Donkin, W Nicholls, B O’Keefe and others, Parliament House
Vista Heritage Management Plan, Vol. 1, prepared for the National Capital Planning Authority, Canberra,
2010,
http://www.nationalcapital.gov.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1541&Itemid=377
Millar, A and G Browne, eds, The biographical dictionary of the Australian Senate, Volumes 1‒3, University of
New South Wales Press Ltd in association with the Department of the Senate,
http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Senate/Research_and_Education/The_Biographical_Dictionary_o
f_the_Australian_Senate
National Archives of Australia, Documenting a democracy, http://foundingdocs.gov.au/
National Film and Sound Archive, Open House, Film Australia Collection, Pyrmont, NSW, 1988 Produced by Tim
Read and directed by Ian Walker following the construction of Australia’s new Parliament House, from the
turn of the first sod of earth to its official opening by HRH Queen Elizabeth II in 1988 (DVD available from
Parliament House shop and NFSA, Canberra.
Parliament of Australia, History of the Federal Capital and Parliament House
Parliament of Australia, Work of the Parliament,
http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Work_of_the_Parliament
___________, About the building, http://www.aph.gov.au/Visit_Parliament/About_the_Building
Politics and Public Administration, The hung Commonwealth Parliament: the first year, Background Note,
Parliamentary Library, 7 October 2011,
http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/BN/20
11-2012/HungCwlthParliament
___________, The Hung Parliament: procedural changes in the House of Representatives, Research Paper,
Parliamentary Library, 22 November 2013,
http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22library%2Fprspub%2F28557
40%22
___________, 44th Parliament in Review, Research Paper, Parliamentary Library, 24 November 2016,
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65%22
Senate, Report from the Select Committee appointed to inquire into and report upon the development of
Canberra, Canberra, September 1955
Wilson, J and D Black, Women parliamentarians in Australia 1921‒2012, Background Note, Parliamentary
Library, Updated 13 September 2012,

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 199

 http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/BN/20
12-2013/WomenParliamentarians
Wright, BC, ed, House of Representatives Practice (6th Edition), 6 September 2012,
http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/House_of_Representatives/Powers_practice_and_procedure/Pra
ctice6

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 200

 Appendix 5: Key Commonwealth Acts passed since 1988
Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islanders
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Aboriginal and Torres Strait To establish the Aboriginal and Torres
Islander Commission Act 1989 Islander Commission Bill 1989, Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC).
Bills Digest, no. 41, 18 May 1989.

Administrative law

Legislative Instruments Act 2003 M Coombs, Legislative To establish a regime to reform and
Instruments Bill 2003, Bills Digest, manage procedures for the making,
no. 26, 2003-04, 9 September scrutiny and publication of
2003 Commonwealth legislative instruments

Amending Acts 1901-1969 J Murphy, Amending Acts To repeal over 1,000 amending and
Repeal Act 2014 1901-1969 Repeal Bill 2014, Bills repeal Acts identified by the
digest, no. 59, 2013-14, Government as being redundant.
8 April 2014.

Amending Acts 1970 to 1979 K Magarey, Amending Acts 1970 To repeal 656 amending and repeal
Repeal Act 2014 to 1979 Repeal Bill 2014, Bills Acts identified as redundant.
digest, no. 57, 2014-15, 27
November 2014.

Amending Acts 1980 to 1989 K Magarey, Amending Acts 1980 To remove a significant number of
Repeal Act 2015 to 1989 Repeal Bill 2015, Bills ‘spent Acts’ – amending or repealing
digest, no 103, 2014–15, 12 May Acts which are no longer required as
2015. the legal changes they were designed
to make have occurred. Schedule 1
repeals 870 obsolete or redundant
amending or repeal Acts.

Norfolk Island Legislation C Madden, Norfolk Island Introduced to radically overhaul the
Amendment Act 2015 Legislation Amendment Act 2015, governance arrangements that
Bills digest, no. 102, 2014–15, 12 currently operate on NI and starts the
May 2015. transition of NI from a self-governing
territory to a modern local government
type authority.

Biosecurity

Biosecurity Act 2015 The Bill represents a major rewrite of

the Quarantine Act 1908 and is based
not just on the quarantine power, but
also on a number of other
Constitutional powers which provide
the foundation for broader coverage to
address changing patterns of overseas
trade and Australia’s international
obligations.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 201

 Business

Australian Prudential Regulation B Bailey, Australian Prudential The main purpose of the Bill is to
Authority Act 1998 Regulation Authority Amendment change the leadership and governance
Bill 2003, Bills Digest, no. 172, of the Australian Prudential Regulation
2002-03 , 13 June 2003 Authority arising from the
recommendations contained in the
report of the HIH Royal Commission

Australian Securities and M Tapley, Australian Securities To remove constitutional doubts about
Investments Commission Act and Investments Commission Bill the framework for corporate regulation
2001 2001, Bills Digest , no. 144, 2000- by substantially re-enacting the
01, 4 June 2001, Australian Securities and Investments
Commission Act 1989 based on powers
referred by the States.

Corporations Act 2001 M Tapley, Corporations Bill 2001, Substantially re-enacts the existing
Bills Digest , no. 140, 2000-01, 1 Corporations Law of the ACT as a
June 2001. Commonwealth Act applying
throughout Australia

National Consumer Credit P Tan, National Consumer Credit To implement the new national
Protection Act 2009 Protection Bill 2009, Bills Digest , consumer credit regulation framework,
no. 30, 2009-10, 15 September which will replace the current State
2009. based regulatory framework known as
the Uniform Consumer Credit Code

Citizenship

Australian Citizenship M Harrison-Smith and C Barker, The Bill will amend the Australian
Amendment (Allegiance to Australian Citizenship Citizenship Act 2007 to provide for
Australia) Act 2015 Amendment (Allegiance to ‘automatic’ cessation of the Australian
Australia) Bill 2015, Bills digest, citizenship (including that obtained at
15, 2015–16, 2 September 2015. birth) of a dual national where that
person:
– renounces their Australian citizenship
by engaging in certain conduct relating
to terrorism and ‘foreign incursions’
– fights for, or is in the service of, a
‘declared terrorist organisation’ outside
Australia (expanding an existing
provision concerning serving in the
armed forces of a country at war with
Australia) or
– is convicted of a specified offence.

Climate change

Climate Change Authority Act J Tomaras, Climate Change Creates the statutory Australian Climate
2011 Authority Bill 2011, Bills Digest , Change Authority (the Authority), which
no. 67, 2011-12, 28 October is intended to act as an independent
2011. body providing the Government with
expert advice on key aspects of the
carbon pricing mechanism and
mitigation goals.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 202

 Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming A Talberg, J Gardiner-Garden, J One of a package of three related Bills
Initiative) Act 2011 Tomaras, Carbon Credits (Carbon which establishes a voluntary carbon
Farming Initiative) Bill 2011, Bills offset scheme with the purpose of
Digest , no. 5, 2011-12, 1 July creating incentives for carbon
2011. abatement or avoidance projects in
land-use sectors.

Carbon Farming Initiative K Swoboda, A St John, J Tomaras, Amends the Carbon Credits (Carbon
Amendment Act 2014 Carbon Farming Initiative Farming Initiative) Act 2011 to
Amendment Bill 2014, Bills implement the main part of the
digest, no. 23, 2014-15, 3 Coalition Government’s ‘direct action’
September 2014. emissions reduction policy—the
establishment of arrangements to
support the purchase of domestic
emissions abatement through the
‘emissions reduction fund’.

Clean Energy Legislation (Carbon Part of a package of 8 bills to remove

Tax Repeal) Act 2014 the carbon pricing mechanism.

Communications and media

Australian Communications and P O'Neill and P Prince, Australian Established the ACMA for the
Media Authority Act 2005 Communications and Media regulation of broadcasting,
Authority Bill 2004, Bills Digest , radiocommunications and
no. 78, 2004-05, 9 December telecommunications (part of a package
2004. of 10 Bills)

Broadcasting Services Act 1992 Regulates commercial radio and

television (content, ownership, etc.)

Do Not Call Register Act 2006 MA Neilsen, Do Not Call Register

Bill 2006, Bills Digest , no. 160,
2005-06, 19 June 2006.

Radiocommunications Act 1992

Spam Act 2003

Special Broadcasting Service Act Regulates SBS radio and television

1991

Telecommunications Act 1997 K Jackson and L Jones, Regulates the telecommunications

Telecommunications Bill 1996, industry
Bills Digest , no. 87, 1996-97, 5
December 1996.

Telstra Corporation Act 1991 Provides for the ownership and

operation of Telstra

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 203

 Telecommunications Act 1989 Telecommunications Bill 1989, To provide for greater competition in
Bills Digest, no. 35, 5 May 1989. the provision of value added services
and private network services. The Bill
will also reserve certain
telecommunication services for
Telecom, OTC and AUSSAT, and
establish the Australian
Telecommunications Authority as a
statutory corporation responsible for
the regulation of the
telecommunications industry.

Computers

Circuit Layouts Act 1989 Circuit Layouts Bill 1988, Bills To provide protection for original circuit
Digest, no. 171, 1 February 1989. layouts of integrated circuits.

Telecommunications Act 1989 Telecommunications Bill 1989, To provide for greater competition in
Bills Digest, no. 35, 5 May 1989. the provision of value added services
and private network services. The Bill
will also reserve certain
telecommunication services for
Telecom, OTC and AUSSAT, and
establish the Australian
Telecommunications Authority as a
statutory corporation responsible for
the regulation of the
telecommunications industry.

Courts

Judicial Misbehaviour and M Biddington, Judicial The purpose of this Bill is to provide a
Incapacity (Parliamentary Misbehaviour and Incapacity mechanism to assist the Parliament in
Commissions) Act 2012 (Parliamentary Commissions) Bill its consideration of removal from office
2012, Bills Digest , no. 171, 2011- of a judge or federal magistrate under
12, 26 June 2012. the Constitution.

Tribunals Amalgamation Act M Coombs, C Petrie and D To amend a number of Acts to

2015 Spooner, Tribunals amalgamate the Social Security Appeals
Amalgamation Bill 2015, Bills Tribunal and the Migration Review
digest, no. 83, 2014–15, 19 Tribunal—Refugee Review Tribunal
March 2015. with the Administrative Appeals
Tribunal.

Criminal law

Australian Crime Commission Act

2002

Aviation Transport Security Act

2004

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 204

 Crimes at Sea Act 2000

Criminal Code Act 1995

Intelligence Services Act 2001

Law Enforcement Integrity

Commissioner Act 2006

Maritime Transport and Offshore

Facilities Security Act 2003

Model Criminal Code 1st edition,

28 May 2009

National Security Information

(Criminal and Civil Proceedings)
Act 2004

Proceeds of Crime Act 2002

Anti-People Smuggling and Other E Karlsen, Anti-People Smuggling Among other things, this Bill proposes
Measures Act 2010 and Other Measures Bill 2010, to harmonise existing offences between
Bills Digest , no. 11, 2009-10, 11 Acts and create new people smuggling
March 2010. offences.

National Security Legislation M Biddington and M Harrison- Reforms implementing the

Amendment Act 2010 Smith, National Security Government's response to several
Legislation Amendment Bill 2010, independent and parliamentary
Bills Digest , no. 21, 2010-11, 27 committee reviews of Australian
October 2010. national security and counter‐terrorism
legislation.

Crimes Legislation Amendment M Biddington and C Barker, Will establish new offences of forced
(Slavery, Slavery-like Conditions Crimes Legislation Amendment labour, forced marriage, organ
and People Trafficking) Act 2013 (Slavery, Slavery-Like Conditions trafficking and harbouring a victim. The
and People Trafficking) Bill 2012, Bill will also modify the scope and
Bills Digest , no. 14, 2012-13, 24 application of existing offences of
August 2012. slavery, deceptive recruiting, sexual
servitude and trafficking in persons

Crimes Legislation Amendment J Mills, Crimes Legislation To amend the Criminal Code Act 1995
(Harming Australians) Act 2015 Amendment (Harming to extend the existing retrospective
Australians) Bill 2015, Bills digest, application of the offences of murder
48, 2015–16, 12 November 2015. and manslaughter of Australians
overseas to apply to offences occurring
prior to 1 October 2002.

Criminal Code Amendment (War C Raymond and J Tomaras, Proposes to amend the war crimes
Crimes) Act 2016 Criminal Code Amendment (War offences in the Criminal Code Act 1995
Crimes) Bill 2016, Bills Digest, 43, to address some anomalies in the
2016–17, 23 November 2016. treatment of acts done in the course of
a ‘non-international armed conflict’
with the requirements of international
humanitarian law (IHL). These
anomalies are said to limit the
capability of the Australian Defence
Force (ADF) to undertake international

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 205

 security operations, and may expose
members of the ADF to domestic
criminal liability despite acting in
compliance with the requirements of
IHL.

Criminal Code Amendment (High M Biddington, Criminal Code Amends the Criminal Code Act 1995 to
Risk Terrorist Offenders) Act Amendment (High Risk Terrorist establish a scheme for the continuing
2016 Offenders) Bill 2016, Bills Digest, detention of high risk terrorist
48, 2016–17, 29 November 2016. offenders who are considered by a
judge in civil proceedings to present an
unacceptable risk to the community at
the conclusion of their custodial
sentence.

Criminal Code Amendment M Biddington, Criminal Code The purpose of the Act is to introduce
(Protecting Minors Online) Act Amendment (Protecting Minors an offence to criminalise acts done
2017 Online) Bill 2017, Bills Digest using a carriage service to prepare or
plan to cause harm to, procure, or
engage in sexual activity with, a person
under the age of 16. This expressly
includes a person misrepresenting their
age online as part of a plan to cause
harm to another person under 16 years
of age.

Defence

Military Rehabilitation and

Compensation Act 2004

Education and training

Education and Other Legislation J Griffiths, C Ey, P Pyburne, To amend the Ombudsman Act 1976 to
Amendment Act (No. 1) 2017 Education and Other Legislation establish the office of the VET Student
Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2017, Loans Ombudsman. In addition, the Bill
Bills Digest. amends the Australian Research Council
Act 2001 to update indexation against
appropriation funding caps for existing
legislated amounts and includes an
additional forward estimate amount.

Energy

Clean Energy Act 2011 K Swoboda, J Tomaras and Alan

Payne, Clean Energy Bill 2011,
Bills Digest , no. 68, 2011-12, 28
October 2011.

Clean Energy Finance

Corporation Act 2012

Minerals Resource Rent Tax Act J Tomaras, Minerals Resource

2012 Rent Tax Bill 2011, Bills Digest ,
no. 124, 2011-12, 19 March

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 206

 2012.

Minerals Resource Rent Tax An Act to remove the minerals resource

Repeal and Other Measures Act rent tax, or mining tax, among other
2014 things.

Employment

Building and Construction

Industry Improvement Act 2005

Fair Work Act 2009

Public Service Act 1999

Parliamentary Service Act 1999

Workplace Relations
Amendment (Workchoices) Act
2005

Fair Work (Registered J Murphy, Fair Work (Registered The Bill is framed partly as a response
Organisations) Amendment Act Organisations) Amendment Bill to widely publicised misconduct by
2016 2014, Bills Digest, 40, 2016–17, officers of the Health Services Union
21 November 2016. and other evidence of poor governance
of some trade unions uncovered by the
Royal Commission into trade union
governance and corruption. The stated
aim of the Bill is to improve the
standard of governance of registered
organisations and deter wrongdoing by
amending the Fair Work (Registered
Organisations) Act 2009.

Environmental law

Ozone Protection Act 1989 Ozone Protection Bill 1988, Bills To establish a system of controls to
Digest, no. 135, 28 November reduce the manufacture, import, export,
1988. distribution and use of ozone - depleting
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons.

Family law

Family Law Amendment (De MA Neilsen, Family Law To extend federal jurisdiction under the
Facto Financial Matters and Amendment (De Facto Financial Family Law Act 1975 to financial
Other Measures) Act 2008 Matters and Other Measures) Bill matters arising out of the breakdown of
2008, Bills Digest , no. 9, 2008-09, de facto relationships, including both
25 August 2008. opposite sex and same sex
relationships.

Australian Citizenship M Neilsen, Australian Citizenship To create an entitlement to citizenship

Amendment (Intercountry Amendment (Intercountry for children adopted under bilateral
Adoption) Act 2014 Adoption) Bill 2014, Bills digest, arrangements equivalent to the
no. 8, 2014-15, 14 July 2014. entitlement currently provided for
children adopted under Hague
Convention arrangements.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 207

 Enhancing Online Safety for G Butler, Enhancing Online Safety The Bill creates a new statutory office,
Children Act 2015 for Children Bill 2014, Bills digest, the Children’s e-Safety Commissioner,
no 78, 2014–15, 2 March 2015. and provides for the Commissioner to
administer a complaints scheme
regarding harmful cyber-bullying
material targeted at an Australian child.

Enhancing Online Safety for M Biddington, Enhancing Online To amend the Enhancing Online Safety
Children Amendment Act 2017 Safety for Children Amendment for Children Act 2015 (the Act) to
Bill 2017, Bills Digest. broaden the functions of the Children’s
eSafety Commissioner to include online
safety for all Australians. As part of the
amendments, the name of the Act will
be amended, to be known as the
Enhancing Online Safety Act 2015.

Health

Research Involving Human

Embryos Act 2002

Prohibition of Human Cloning for To prohibit certain practices associated

Reproduction Act 2002 with reproductive technologies,
including the cloning of a human being.

Tobacco Plain Packaging Act M Thomas, Tobacco Plain To prohibit the use of all tobacco
2011 Packaging Bill 2011, Bills Digest, industry logos, brand imagery, colours
no. 35, 2011-12, 24 August 2011. and promotional text on the retail
packaging of tobacco products.

Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 Therapeutic Goods Bill 1989, Bills To establish standards and provide an
Digest, no. 123, 24 October 1989. assessment and licensing system to
regulate the import, export, supply and
manufacturing of certain therapeutic
goods.

Australian Immunisation Register A Grove, Australian Immunisation To create a consolidated legislative

Act 2015 Register Bill 2015, Bills digest, no. framework to govern the operation of
25, 2015–16, 1 October 2015. Australian immunisation registers and
to expand the age range covered by the
Australian Childhood Immunisation
Register from children under seven to
‘young individuals’ under 20 years of
age.

Aged Care Legislation Aged Care Legislation Will allocate home care packages
Amendment (Increasing Amendment (Increasing (HCPs) directly to consumers, rather
Consumer Choice) Act 2016 Consumer Choice) Bill 2016, Bills than to approved providers, create a
Digest, 94, 2015–16, national system for prioritising
1 March 2016. consumer access to HCPs and reduce
regulation of the approval process for
all aged care providers.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 208

 Migration

Migration and Maritime Powers E Karlsen, J Phillips, H Spinks, The measures broaden the maritime
Legislation Amendment Migration and Maritime Powers enforcement powers used to intercept
(Resolving the Asylum Legacy Legislation Amendment and return vessels carrying asylum
Caseload) Act 2014 (Resolving the Asylum Legacy seekers.
Caseload) Bill 2014, Bills digest,
no. 40, 2014-15,
23 October 2014.

Migration Amendment (Regional To provide statutory authority which

Processing Arrangements) Act applies where the Commonwealth has
2015 entered into an arrangement with
another country with respect to the
regional processing functions of that
country.

Human rights

Human Rights Legislation Amends (among other things) the:

Amendment Act 2017 Racial Discrimination Act 1975 to:
amend section 18C, which prohibits
offensive behaviour based on racial
hatred, to replace the words ‘offend’,
‘insult’ and ‘humiliate’ with ‘harass’
(resulting in the formulation ‘harass or
intimidate’); and provide that an
assessment of whether an act is
reasonably likely to harass or intimidate
a person or group of persons is made
against the standard of a reasonable
member of the Australian community.

Intellectual property
Patents Act 1990 Patents Bill 1990, Bills Digest, no. To repeal the Patents Act 1952 and
67, 5 July 1989. replace it as the principle piece of
legislation dealing with patents in
Australia.

Copyright Amendment (Online To introduce a key reform to reduce

Infringement) Act 2015 online copyright infringement.
Marriage
Marriage Amendment (Definition Marriage Amendment (Definition Amends the: Marriage Act 1961 to:
and Religious Freedoms) Bill and Religious Freedoms) Bill redefine marriage as ‘a union of two
2017 2017, Bills Digest people’; introduce non-gendered
language so that the requirements of
the Act apply equally to all marriages;
enable same-sex marriages that have
been, or will be, solemnised under the
law of a foreign country to be
recognised in Australia; amend the
definition of ‘authorised celebrant’ to
include new categories of religious
marriage celebrants and certain

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 209

 Australian Defence Force officers;
enable ministers of religion, religious
marriage celebrants, chaplains and
bodies established for religious
purposes to refuse to solemnise or
provide facilities, goods and services for
marriages on religious grounds; and
make amendments contingent on the
commencement of the proposed Civil
Law and Justice Legislation Amendment
Act 2017; and Sex Discrimination Act
1984 to provide that a refusal by a
minister of religion, religious marriage
celebrant or chaplain to solemnise
marriage in prescribed circumstances
does not constitute unlawful
discrimination.

Native Title

Native Title Act 1993 A Twomey, Native Title Bill 1993, To recognise and protect native title
Bills Digest , no. 63, 1993, 23
November 1993.

Northern Territory National K Magarey and others, Northern Now repealed. Package of Bills issued in
Emergency Response Act 2007 . Territory National Emergency response to Little Children are Sacred":
Repealed by Stronger Futures in Response Bill 2007, Bills Digest , The Report of the Northern Territory
the Northern Territory no. 28, 2007-08, 13 August 2007. Board of Inquiry into the Protection of
(Consequential and Transitional Aboriginal Children from Sexual Abuse .
Provisions) Act 2012

Native Title Amendment C Raymond, Native Title The Act proposes to: a. confirm the
(Indigenous Land Use Amendment (Indigenous Land legal status and enforceability of
Agreements) Act 2017 Use Agreements) Bill 2017, Bills agreements which have been
Digest. registered by the Native Title Registrar
on the Register of Indigenous Land Use
Agreements without the signature of all
members of a registered native title
claimant; b. enable registration of
agreements which have been made but
have not yet been registered on the
Register of Indigenous Land Use
Agreements; and c. ensure that in the
future, area ILUAs can be registered
without requiring every member of the
RNTC to be a party to the agreement.

Nuclear energy

Australian Radiation Protection S Downing and J Prest, Australian Introduces regulatory controls for all
and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 Radiation Protection and Nuclear Commonwealth radiation and nuclear
Safety Bill 1998, Bills Digest , no. safety activities.
211, 1997-98, 14 May 1998 (for
previously lapsed Bill).

Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban S Downing, Comprehensive The Bill prohibits the causing of any

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 210

 Treaty Act 1998 Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty Bill nuclear explosion at any place under
1998, Bills Digest , no. 190, Australian control.
1997-98, 7 May 1998.

Nuclear Safeguards (Producers of Imposes a tax on uranium miners to

Uranium Ore Concentrates) fund the operations of the Australian
Charge Act 1993 : Safeguards and Non-Proliferation
Office.

Parliament/public service

Public Governance, Performance D Weight and N Horne, Public About the governance, performance
and Accountability Act 2013 Governance, Performance and and accountability of, and the use and
Accountability Bill 2013, Bills management of public resources by,
Digest, no. 162, 2012-13, 27 June the Commonwealth, Commonwealth
2013. entities and Commonwealth
companies.

Parliamentary Entitlements C Madden, Parliamentary Amends the: Aviation Transport

Legislation Amendment Act 2017 Entitlements Legislation Security Act 2004 to enable people,
Amendment Bill 2017, Bills Digest vehicles and goods to undergo aviation
security screening within an airside
area or zone at a security controlled
airport; and Aviation Transport Security
Act 2004 and Maritime Transport and
Offshore Facilities Security Act 2003 to
enable the secretary to delegate his or
her powers to lower level Australian
Public Service employees.

Independent Parliamentary Introduced with the Independent

Expenses Authority Act 2017 Parliamentary Expenses Authority
(Consequential Amendments) Act 2017,
the Act: establishes the Independent
Parliamentary Expenses Authority as an
independent statutory authority with
responsibilities in relation to expenses
and allowances of parliamentarians and
their staff; provides for the Authority’s
functions, powers, liabilities,
membership, and appointment of a
chief executive officer and staff; and
provides for an independent review of
the Authority.

Privacy

Privacy Amendment (Notifiable MA Neilsen, Privacy Amendment Implements recommendations of the

Data Breaches) Act 2016 (Notifiable Data Breaches) Bill Parliamentary Joint Committee on
2016, Bills Digest, 52, 2016–17, Intelligence and the Australian Law
8 December 2016. Reform Commission by amending the
Privacy Act 1988 to require agencies,
organisations and certain other entities
to provide notice to the Australian
Information Commissioner and affected

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 211

 individuals of an eligible data breach.

Privacy Amendment (Notifiable MA Neilsen, Privacy Amendment Implements recommendations of the

Data Breaches) Act 2017 (Notifiable Data Breaches) Bill Parliamentary Joint Committee on
2016, Bills Digest Intelligence and Security’s Advisory
report on the Telecommunications
(Interception and Access) Amendment
(Data Retention) Bill 2014 and the
Australian Law Reform Commission’s
report For Your Information: Australian
Privacy Law and Practice by amending
the Privacy Act 1988 to require
agencies, organisations and certain
other entities to provide notice to the
Australian Information Commissioner
and affected individuals of an eligible
data breach.

Property

Register of Foreign Ownership of Establishes a register, operated by the

Agricultural Land Act 2015 Australian Taxation Office, of foreign
ownership of agricultural land.

Sex discrimination
Sex Discrimination Amendment Sex Discrimination Amendment To provide new protections against
(Sexual Orientation, Gender (Sexual Orientation, Gender discrimination on the basis of a person’s
Identity and Intersex Status) Act Identity and Intersex Status) Bill sexual orientation, gender identity and
2013 2013, Bills Digest, no. 155, 21 intersex status; provide protection
June 2013. against discrimination for same-sex de
facto couples.

Tax

Income Tax Assessment Act 1997

A New Tax System (Goods and B Bennett, A New Tax System To introduce a 10% tax on goods and
Services Tax) Act 1999 (Goods and Services Tax) Bill services.
1998, Bills Digest , no. 97, 1998-
99, 28 January 1999.

Tax and Superannuation Laws K Sanyal, Tax and Ensures that the goods and services tax
Amendment (2016 Measures Superannuation Laws (GST) is applied consistently to all
No. 1) Act 2016 Amendment (2016 Measures No. supplies of digital products and other
1) Bill 2016, Bills Digest, 116, imported services to Australian
2015–16, 4 May 2016. consumers.

Transport/navigation

Inspector of Transport Security J Clarke, Inspector of Transport Inquire into major transport security
Act 2006 Security Bill 2006, Bills Digest , incidents and patterns or series of
no. 49, 2006-07, 1 November incidents that point to a systemic

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 212

 2006. failure or possible weaknesses or
vulnerabilities in aviation and maritime
transport and security regulated
offshore facilities.

Carriage of Goods by Sea Act Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill To implement up-dated rules regarding
1991 1991 , Bills Digest , 14 August the responsibilities and liabilities of
1991. those who carry goods by sea and for
ship owners

Navigation Act 2012 provides for the regulation of

international ship and seafarer safety,
employment conditions for Australian
seafarers and shipboard aspects of
protection of the marine environment.

Terrorism and National Security

Criminal Code Act 1995

Suppression of the Financing of M Tapley, Suppression of the Aimed at restricting the financial
Terrorism Act 2002 Financing of Terrorism Bill 2002, resources that are available to support
Bills Digest , no. 127, 2001-02, 1 the activities of terrorist organisations.
May 2002.

Border Security Legislation I Ireland, Border Security Part of a package of counter-terrorism

Amendment Act 2002 Legislation Amendment Bill 2002, legislation, some in relation to the
Bills Digest , no. 123, 2001-02, 29 Australian Customs Service.
April 2002.

National Security Legislation M Biddington, C Barker, National The main purpose of the Bill is to
Amendment Act (No. 1) 2014 Security Legislation Amendment implement recommendations made in
Bill (No. 1) 2014, Bills digest, Chapter 4 of the PJCIS’s Report of the
no. 19, 2014-15, 28 August 2014. Inquiry into Potential Reforms of
Australia’s National Security Legislation.

Counter-Terrorism Legislation C Barker, M Biddington, To make amendments to several

Amendment (Foreign Fighters) M Coombs, M Klapdor, Counter- existing Commonwealth Acts, to
Act 2014 Terrorism Legislation address the Government’s response to
Amendment (Foreign Fighters) the increased threat of terrorism posed
Bill 2014, Bills digest, no. 34, by Australians engaging in, and
2014-15, 17 October 2014. returning from, conflicts in foreign
States.

Australian Border Force Act 2015 C Barker, Australian Border Force To establish the Australian Border Force
Bill 2015 [and] Customs and and ABF Commissioner within the
Other Legislation Amendment Department of Immigration and Border
(Australian Border Force) Bill Protection. The Commissioner will be
2015, Bills digest, no. 94, 2014– responsible for enforcement of customs
15, 7 May 2015. laws and border-related revenue
collection.

Telecommunications J Murphy and M Biddington, Creates new obligations on

(Interception and Access) Telecommunications telecommunications and internet
Amendment (Data Retention) (Interception and Access) service providers to retain prescribed
Act 2015 Amendment (Data Retention) Bill information or documents (metadata)
2014, Bills digest, 89, 2014–15, for a period of two years for the

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 213

 26 March 2015. purposes of access by national security
authorities, criminal law-enforcement
agencies and enforcement agencies.
The Bill also requires service providers
to encrypt the retained metadata
(subject to certain exemptions).

Welfare

Aged Care Act 1997 L Jones, Aged Care Bill 1997, Bills Relates to classification and
Digest , no. 132, 1996-97, 26 accreditation and funding of nursing
March 1997 homes and hostels,

Human Services (Centrelink) Act Establishes the Commonwealth

1997 Services Delivery Agency (commonly
known as Centrelink)

Child Support (Assessment Act) To ensure that children receive the

1989 proper level of child support from their
parents

Social Security Act 1991

Age Discrimination Act 2004 K Magarey, Age Discrimination To prohibit age discrimination in certain
Bill 2003, Bills Digest , no. 29, specified areas and to provide
2003-04, 8 September 2003. exemptions from the prohibition in
certain other areas.

Disability Discrimination Act Disability Discrimination Bill 1992 To make it unlawful, in a limited
1992 , Bills Digest , 26 May 1992. number of circumstances, to
discriminate on grounds of disability
and establish within the Human Rights
and Equal Opportunity Commission the
office of Disability Discrimination
Commissioner.

Social Services Legislation M Klapdor, Social Services Amends the A New Tax System (Family
Amendment (No Jab, No Pay) Act Legislation Amendment (No Jab, Assistance) Act 1999 (the FA Act) to
2015 No Pay) Bill 2015, Bills digest, no. tighten the immunisation requirements
36, 2015–16, 22 October 2015. for the FTB-A supplement, CCB and
CCR. It will remove the exemption from
the immunisation requirements for
those who submit a conscientious
objection to immunisation and will
remove the Minister for Social Services’
power to exempt a class of persons
from the requirements by legislative
instrument.

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 214

 Appendix 6: Acknowledgements and credits
The Parliamentary Library would like to acknowledge the generous assistance of a number of organisations and
individuals who have contributed by providing expertise, permission to use images or archival records, or access
to their collections, as follows:
National Archives of Australia; National Film and Sound Archive; National Library of Australia; National Portrait
Gallery; Royal Australian Mint; Australian Associated Press; ACT Heritage Library; AUSPIC; ANTaR Vic., Australian
Associated Press; Australian Broadcasting Corporation; Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Department of
the Prime Minister and Cabinet; His Excellency General the Hon. Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retrd), Governor-
General of the Commonwealth of Australia; The University of Sydney; Romaldo Giurgola and Pamille Berg
(Mitchell/Giurgola & Thorp, the architectural team responsible for the design of Australia's Parliament House);
Fairfax Media; Brian Jenkins, Ken Hodge, Hshook, Steve Daggar, Dude7248, Rob Mieremet/Anefo, Royal House
of the Netherlands, Matt Ryall, /Wikimedia Commons; Eric Isselee, maradonna 8888, Neal Cousland, Phillip
Minnis, /Shutterstock.com; Polixeni Papapetrou/State Library of Victoria; Wilson Afonso/Flickr; Ten News;
Senator Jordon Steele-John; Annemieke Jongsma (Department of the Senate); Catherine Cornish (Department of
the House of Representatives); Robyn Stewart, Kylie Scroope, Colin Grant, Justine van Mourik and Samantha
Pollock (Department of Parliamentary Services); staff of the Broadcasting Production Office; staff of the Hansard
Services Unit; staff of the Parliamentary Library including Cathy Madden, Janet Wilson, Deirdre McKeown,
Martin Lumb, Rob Lundie, Pauline Downing, Bobby Graham, Hayden Campbell and Matt Smith.
Copyright information
Please see copyright information below, noting in particular the provisions relating to third party copyright: ‘To
the extent that copyright subsists in a third party it remains with the original owner and permission may be
required to reuse the material’. Conditions relating to the broadcast of proceedings of the Commonwealth
Parliament appear with each broadcast.
Credits
ANTaR Vic:
The Sea of Hands, ANTaR Vic

ACT Heritage Library

Capital Hill and State Circle, ACT Heritage Library, Canberra Times Collection

AUSPIC
Front cover: Parliament House during the Enlighten festival, 2011, Howard Moffat/AUSPIC; concept created by
The Electric Canvas
Speaker’s Chair crafted by David Upfill-Brown, using Australian grey box timber with Tasmanian black-hearted
sassafras and six types of Australian wattle, AUSPIC No. 991025-8
President Hu Jintao addresses a joint meeting of the Australian Parliament, AUSPIC No. 030496DI-225
The Governor-General delivers her opening of Parliament address, AUSPIC No. 100317-0632
Visit by His Excellency Mr Sukhbaatar Batbold MP, Prime Minister of Mongolia, AUSPIC No. 110035-0348
Visit by the Right Honourable Dato Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia, AUSPIC
No. 11067-104
National Memorial Service to mark the 10th Anniversary of the 2002 Bali Bombings, No. 120321-059
Senator Stephen Parry
Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, 8 July 2014
Their Majesties King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway with Prime Minister Tony Abbott at Parliament House,
23 February 2015
Prime Minister of Vietnam, Nguyen Tan Dung, and Prime Minister Tony Abbott, 18 March 2015

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 215

 DPS staff install the Magna Carta in the Great Hall of Parliament House for the 800th anniversary event, 15 June
2015
Senator Katy Gallagher
Andrew Hastie MP
Bronwyn Bishop, Speaker of the House of Representatives
Tony Smith, Speaker of the House of Representatives
Senator Stephen Parry, President of the Senate, launching new Parliament House stamp
Turnbull Cabinet
Parliament House illuminated with the French Tricolore
The team involved in moving the Tom Roberts painting The Opening of the first Parliament of the
Commonwealth of Australia by HRH Duke of Cornwall and York (later King George V) on May 9, 1901
Warlpiri community representatives Harry Tjakamarra Nelson, Otto Jungarryi Sims and Robin Granites
Japanangka with the President and the Speaker
Trent Zimmerman MP
Philip Ruddock MP
Former Speaker Bob Halverson
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull
Craig Thomson MP
Bronwyn Bishop MP
Linda Burney MP
Tony Smith MP, Speaker of the House of Representatives
Rosemary Laing, Clerk of the Senate
Richard Pye, Clerk of the Senate
Ken Wyatt MP
Senator Rodney Culleton
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe signs the visitors’ book at Parliament House, by Michael
Masters
Parliament House in winter
Senator Bob Day
Despatch box
Prime Minister Sirisena greets Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at Parliament House
Opening of the Prevailing Voices exhibition
Jenny Wilkinson, Parliamentary Budget Officer
Senator Matt Canavan
Andrew Wilkie MP
The Honourable Mr Manasseh Damukana Sogavare MP at Parliament House
Barnaby Joyce MP
Tony Smith, Her Excellency, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, and Stephen Parry at Parliament House
Pauline Hanson wears a burqa into Question Time
Fiona Nash addresses the Senate

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 216

 Michael Nelson Jagamara
Senator Derryn Hinch
Former member Bruce Billson
Senator Nick Xenophon (standing)
Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II at Parliament House
New security fence at Parliament House
Irish President Michael Higgins with Senate President Stephen Parry and Speaker of the House of
Representatives Tony Smith
John Alexander MP
Senator Anning is escorted to the Senate table to take his oath of office
Senator Bartlett is escorted to the Senate table to take his oath of office
Senator Steele-John is escorted to the Senate table to take his oath of office
Senator Scott Ryan
Jacqui Lambie farewelled by colleagues following her valedictory speech
Dean Smith and five of the co-sponsors of his private bill: Louise Pratt, Janet Rice, Skye Kakoschke-Moore, Penny
Wong and Derryn Hinch
Senator Skye Kakoschke-Moore
Senator Jordon Steele-John
Scaffolding over the main skylight, Australian Parliament House
Barnaby Joyce being sworn into Parliament
Senator Katy Gallagher
Senator Sam Dastyari
Swearing-in of the new ministry, 20 December 2017
Senator Jim Molan
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd
Senator Scott Ryan (President of the Senate), David Headon and Tony Smith (Speaker of the House of
Representatives) at the launch of The First Eight Project and Alfred Deakin – the lives, the legacy

Australian Associated Press (AAP)

The initiating senators of the RU486 bill after it passed through the House of Representatives: (from left) Claire
Moore (Labor), Lyn Allison (Australian Democrats), Judith Troeth (Liberal) and Fiona Nash (Nationals), Alan
Porritt, AAP
The first Indigenous member of the House of Representatives, Ken Wyatt, delivers his First Speech to the House
of Representatives, Alan Porritt, AAP
Clinton Pryor at Australian Parliament House, Lukas Coch, AAP

National Archives of Australia

Opening of Federal Parliament, Melbourne, 1901, National Archives of Australia, NAA: A1200, L16935; Australian
News & Information Services
The Australasian Federation Conference delegates, Melbourne, February 1890. Photographer: Johnstone,
O’Shannessy & Co. National Archives of Australia, NAA: A1200, L13363

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 217

 Report of the Commissioner on Sites for the Seat of Government of the Commonwealth, NSW Government, 30
October 1900, National Archives of Australia, NAA: A18, 2
Commonwealth of Australia: complete summary of information with regard to proposed federal capital sites, 19
February 1902, National Archives of Australia, NAA: A325
Seat of Government Act 1908, National Archives of Australia, NAA: A1559, 1908/24A
Memorandum from King O'Malley confirming the results of the Federal Capital City Design Competition, 23 May
1912, National Archives of Australia, NAA: A110, FC1912/4133
Petition to Prime Minister Joseph Cook requesting a royal commission into the building of Canberra, 1913,
National Archive of Australia, NAA: A110, FC1915/449
Agreement [between the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Joseph Cook, and Walter Burley Griffin] engaging
Griffin as Federal Capital Director of Design and Construction, 18 October 1913, National Archives of Australia,
NAA: CP487/6, 5
The Minister for Home Affairs, King O'Malley, drives the first peg in the site for Canberra, the national capital,
1913, National Archives of Australia, NAA: A1200, L16932
A portion of land at Jervis Bay was included in the Federal Capital Territory to provide a seaport for Australia’s
only inland capital, National Archives of Australia, NAA: A3202, 1 and 2
The Governor-General, Lord Denman, arriving at Capital Hill, Canberra, for the foundation ceremony of the
national capital on 12 March 1913, National Archives of Australia, NAA: A1200, L16933
The Federal Capital Commissioners and the Commission staff in 1925, National Archives of Australia, NAA:
A3560, 1279
Prime Minister W M Hughes with C S Daley Secretary to the Federal Capital Advisory Committee and P G Stewart
Minister for Works and Railways on the site of Parliament House, Mildenhall Collection, National Library of
Australia and Museum of Australian Democracy, NAA: A3560, 115
Parliament House rear stairway under construction, 1 January 1926, Mildenhall Collection, National Archives of
Australia and Museum of Australian Democracy, NAA: A3560, 645
1933 map of the Federal Capital Territory, National Archives of Australia, NAA: A3560, 7151
Detail from Griffin's plan for Canberra, showing the Capitol building as a stepped pyramid, National Archives of
Australia, NAA: A710, 43
National Capital Development Commission Act 1957, National Archives of Australia, NAA: A1559, 1957/42
Sir John Overall, Robin Boyd, Sir Daryl Lindsay, Mr Peter Nixon and Mr John Gorton look at the plan for the new
National Gallery in Canberra, Australian News and Information Bureau, National Archives of Australia, NAA:
A1200, L72287
Constitution Alteration (Referendums) Act 1977 (No. 84 of 1977), National Archives of Australia, NAA: A1559/1,
84/1977
Yolngu leaders Gallarwuy Yunupingu (left) and Silas Roberts at Parliament House in 1977 with Jeremy Long and
the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, THE Hon. Ian Viner (right), looking at the two bark petitions presented to the
House of Representatives in 1963, National Archives of Australia, NAA: A8739, A11/3/77/3
Aboriginal Tent Embassy outside Parliament House, Canberra, 1974, National Archives of Australia, NAA: A6135,
K14/3/74/11
Prime Minister the Rt Hon. Malcolm Fraser addresses guests at the ceremony to turn the first sod for
construction of the new and permanent Parliament House, Capital Hill, Canberra, National Archives of Australia,
NAA: A6180, 19/9/80/10
Bob Hawke at Foundation Stone ceremony at new Parliament House, National Archives of Australia, NAA:
A6180, 5/10/83/14
Aerial of New Parliament House on opening day, 1988, National Archives of Australia, NAA: A876, KN20/5/88/7

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 218

 40th anniversary of first Australian citizenship ceremony held at Parliament House, Canberra. Award is
presented to the recipient by Governor General, Sir Ninian Stephen, 1989, National Archives of Australia, NAA:
A12111, 3/1989/12B/3C
Two Aboriginal men on beach, one with fishing spear [Eddie Mabo (left) and Jack Wailu on the Island of Mer in
the Torres Strait Islands], National Archives of Australia, NAA: A6180, 9/3/94/23 [Reproduced with permission of
Trevor Graham Yarra Bank Films Pty Ltd][The image can be used in perpetuity ]
Parliament House on its opening day in 1988
Lionel Murphy during his time as a Senator (1962-74), National Archives of Australia 11259786

National Film and Sound Archive

Naming of the Federal Capital of Australia: The ceremony, 1913.03.12: [with commentary], National Film and
Sound Archive, No. 236834
The official opening of [provisional Parliament House] Canberra by His Royal Highness the Duke of York: May 9th
1927: Paramount Special, National Film and Sound Archive, No. 56926
Question Time in the Senate, House of Parliament, Canberra, 1946.07.17: Pts 1, 3, Sound recording, Published,
No. 228694
Proceedings in the House of Representatives, Parliament House, Canberra, 1946.07.10: Pts 2, 4, Australian
Broadcasting Commission, 10 July 1946, Radio, No. 228170

National Library of Australia

Senators bathing in the Snowy River at Dalgety [picture], 1902, by Edmund Thomas Luke, National Library of
Australia, nla.pic-an24587182
Map of New South Wales showing proposed Federal Capital sites. No. 16 [cartographic material], by New South
Wales Department of Lands, Jno Kirkpatrick, Chairman, Royal Commission Federal Capital Sites, Sydney, 3 June
1903, National Library of Australia, MAP FCPS Coll. no. 1903/16 (Copy 1)
Members of the Board appointed to report upon sites for the Federal Capital at Cotter River,Canberra, ca. 1909
[picture], National Library of Australia, nla.pic-vn4291882
George Fuller taking the first sight in the preliminary contour survey, Camp Hill, 1909 [picture], National Library
of Australia, vn4610852
Pastoral scene on Capitol [ie Capital] Hill, Canberra [with] St. Andrew's Presbyterian Cathedral Church in mid-
distance, [showing sheep and mounted stockman, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory [picture], National
Library of Australia, vn3416296
Federal Capital site survey camp, Camp Hill, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, ca 1909
[picture]commonwealth , National Library of Australia, vn4599793
Canberra federal site from Rottenbury trig station, city series [picture], by the Department of Home Affairs,
Lands and Surveys Branch, Photographs of the Federal Capital site, 1909‒1910, National Library of Australia,
nla.pic-an24932028
The birth of a continent's capitol [i.e. capital], 1912 [picture], by Table Talk, National Library of Australia, PIC
8136/1
Commonwealth Avenue from Capital Hill, 1981, Canberra [transparency], National Library of Australia,
an14324452-59
Romaldo Giurgola interviewed by Professor Manning Clark [sound recording], introduced and recorded by
Heather Rusden, 18 March 1989‒14 October 1989, Canberra, ORAL TRC 2412, reproduced by courtesy of the
National Library of Australia
The logger blockade of Parliament House, Canberra, January 1995 - some of the trucks in the forecourt [picture],
National Library of Australia, an12549227-71

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 219

 National Portrait Gallery, Canberra
Aldo Giurgola 2005 by Mandy Martin, ochre, pigment and oil on linen. Collection: National Portrait Gallery,
Canberra. Commissioned in recognition of Giurgola’s life-long contribution to architecture and funded by
voluntary donations from members and friends of the architectural profession. Gift of the Royal Australian
Institute of Architects 2005

Parliament of Australia
Solar panels on Parliament House roof
Main Committee chamber, renamed Federation Chamber
New Parliament of Australia website
Parliament House during the Enlighten Festival, 2011
Pride of Place, House of Representatives, 2008 (video available for purchase from the International and
Community Relations Office, Parliament House: 1800 139 299 or news@aph.gov.au
Parliament House 25th Anniversary Open Day 2013 (House of Representatives)
Silver anniversary morning tea in the Great Hall (Department of Parliamentary Services)

Department of Parliamentary Services Broadcasting (DPS), Parliament House

Acknowledgement of country, House of Representatives, 12 March 2013
Acknowledgement of country, Senate, 12 March 2013
Speech by Queen Elizabeth II on 9 May 1988
Prime Minister the Hon. Bob Hawke presenting acknowledgement, House of Representatives, 22 August 1988
The Speaker, the Hon. Joan Child, tabling the message from Her Majesty the Queen and the Speech of His
Excellency the Governor-General delivered in the Great Hall, 22 August 1988
Governor-General’s speech at opening of 36th Parliament , 8 May 1990
Senate proceedings televised for first time, 21 August 1990
Address by the President of the United States of America, 2 January 1992
Governor-General’s speech at opening of 37th Parliament, 4 May 1993
Governor-General’s speech at opening of 38th Parliament, 30 April 1996
The Prime Minister, the Hon. John Howard MP, speaking about the Port Arthur massacre in the House of
Representatives, 30 April 1996
Address by President of the United States, House of Representatives, 20 November 1996
Governor-General’s speech at opening of 39th Parliament, 10 November 1998
Senator Brian Harradine announcing his intention to vote against the GST, 14 May 1999
Motion of Reconciliation to Indigenous Australians in the House of Representatives (26 August 1999) and in the
Senate (24 November 1999)
Centenary of Federation historic joint sitting in the Senate and the House of Representatives, Victorian
Parliament, 10 May 2001
9/11 service in Great Hall, 17 September 2001
Governor-General’s speech at opening of 40th Parliament
National remembrance service honouring the victims of the terrorist attack in Bali, Great Hall, 16 October 2003
Address by the President of the United States, 23 October 2003

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 220

 Address by the President of the People’s Republic of China, 24 October 2003
Governor-General’s speech at opening of 41st Parliament, 16 November 2004
Address by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 27 March 2006
Beaconsfield miners’ reception, 30 May 2006
Senator Bob Brown tabling message stick in the Senate, 13 August 2007
Address by the Prime Minister of Canada, 11 September 2007
Governor-General’s speech at opening of 42nd Parliament, 12 February 2008
Welcome to country ceremony, 12 February 2008
Apology to Stolen Generations, 13 February 2008
Swearing in of Governor-General, Quentin Bryce AC, 5 September 2008
Apology to Forgotten Australians, 16 November 2009
Address by the President of the Republic of Indonesia, 10 March 2010
Opening of the 43rd Parliament, 28 September 2010
Ken Wyatt MP First Speech, House of Representatives, 29 September 2010
Wyatt Roy MP First Speech, House of Representatives, 26 October 2010
Address by Prime Minister of New Zealand, 20 June 2011
Royal visit by Her Majesty The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, 21 October 2011
Address by President of the United States, Barack Obama, House of Representatives, 17 November 2011
Speaker’s procession, 14 February 2012
Visit by President of Lebanon, 16 April 2012
Visit by the Prime Minister of Thailand, 28 May 2012
Visit by Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, 23 July 2012
Visit by the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands, 22 August 2012
Visit by Prime Minister of Singapore, 11 October 2012
National commemoration service marking 10th anniversary of Bali Bombings, 12 October 2012
Apology to victims of sexual abuse in the Australian Defence Force, 26 November 2012
National Apology for forced adoptions, 21 March 2013
Press conference, The Hon. Julia Gillard MP, 26 June 2013
Press conference, the Hon. Kevin Rudd MP, 28 June 2013
State visit: President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, 8 July 2013
Prorogation of 43rd Parliament, 5 August 2013
Governor-General swearing-in ceremony, 28 March 2014
Motion of no confidence in Speaker, 28 March 2014
Royal reception 2014, 24 April 2014
Parliamentary reception in the presence of their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, 24 April
2014
Speech to the Parliament by His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, 24 April 2014
Senator Bill Heffernan with fake pipe bomb at Senate Estimates hearing, 26 May 2014
Senate swearing in of new Senators followed by Morning Tea in Members’ Hall, 7 July 2014

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 221

 Address to the Parliament by Shinzo Abe, 8 July 2014
Signing of the official Condolence Book in support and sympathy for those tragically killed on Flight MH17, 22
July 2014
Condolence motion in the House of Representatives for the Ukraine air disaster, 26 August 2015
The Speaker of the House of Commons presenting a Guest of Parliament lecture, 30 September 2014
Condolence motions for former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam from the Prime Minister Tony Abbott and the
Leader of the Opposition Bill Shorten, 21 October 2014
Address by David Cameron MP, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 14 November 2014
Speech by Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, 17 November 2014
Address by Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of the Republic of India, 18 November 2014
State visit to Australia by François Hollande, President of the French Republic, joint media conference with the
Prime Minister Tony Abbott, 19 November 2014
His Excellency Mr Nguyen Tan Dung, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, arrives at Parliament
House, 18 March 2015
The signing of the Australia-Vietnam Enhanced Comprehensive Partnership, 18 March 2015
Condolence motions in the House of Representatives for former Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser, 20 March 2015
The Magna Carta 800th Anniversary Celebration, 15 June 2015
The Senate Occasional Lecture by Her Excellency Mrs Menna Rawlings CMG, 19 June 2015
Big Ideas Constitutions Day Speakers’ Forum: Magna Carta, 9 July 2015
Magna Carta Symposium, 30 October 2015, Part One and Part Two
Senator Gallagher’s first speech, 17 June 2015
National memorial service honouring the victims of Flight MH17, 17 July 2015
Condolence motion in the House of Representatives for Don Randall MP, 10 August 2015
The election of the speaker, 10 August 2015
Malcolm Turnbull announcing his new ministry, 20 September 2015
The Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition’s statements on the Paris terrorist attacks, 23 November 2015
Larissa Waters moves a motion in the Senate while breastfeeding her baby, 22 June 2016
Malcolm Turnbull, Marise Payne and Chief of the Navy Vice Admiral Tim Barrett announcing the location of ship
building facilities for patrol vessels and frigates, 18 April 2016
Darren Chester delivers a ministerial statement marking the second anniversary of the disappearance of flight
MH370, 3 March 2016
Opening of the 2nd Session of the 44th Parliament, 18 April 2016
Simultaneous Dissolution of the Senate and the House of Representatives, 9 May 2016
The opening of the 45th Parliament, 30 August 2016
Motion on the rotation of Senators, 31 August 2016
Linda Burney’s first speech, 31 August 2016
Address by the Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr Lee Hsien Loong, to Senators and Members, 12 October 2016
Derryn Hinch moves a motion to lift restrictions on photography in the Senate chamber, 13 October 2016
Senator Bridget McKenzie speaks on a motion aiming to lift a ban on the importation of the Adler shotgun, 21
November 2016
Press conference – Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and King Abdullah of Jordan, 22 November 2016

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 222

 Protest during House of Representatives Question Time, 30 November 2016
Statement by Andrew Wilkie MP on the 50th anniversary of the Black Tuesday bushfires, 7 February 2017
Motion by Senator Lisa Singh on the 50th anniversary of the Black Tuesday bushfires, 7 February 2017
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull – Joint Signing and Media Conference, 24
March 2017
Condolences statements on the deaths of Dr G Yunupingu and Kunmanara Lester in the House of
Representatives on 8 August 2017 and the Senate on 17 August 2017
The arrival of the Solomon Islands Prime Minister at Parliament House, 14 August 2017
Election of the new President of the Senate, 13 November 2017
Senator Jacqui Lambie’s valedictory speech, 14 November 2017
Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Bill 2017, Second reading speech
Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Bill 2017, Third reading, Senate
Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Bill 2017, Third reading, House of Representatives
Senator Jordon Steele-John’s first speech, 29 November 2017
Barnaby Joyce’s swearing-in, 6 December 2017
David Feeney’s statement on his citizenship in the Federation Chamber, 6 December 2017
Debate on a House of Representatives motion to refer members’ eligibility to the High Court, 6 December 2017
Statements in the House of Representatives on the 50th anniversary of the death of Harold Holt, 6 December
2017
Senator Jim Molan’s first speech, 14 February 2018
Prime Minister of Vietnam Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Malcolm Turnbull, 15 March 2018
Aung San Suu Kyi during a ceremonial welcome at Parliament House, 19 March 2018

Parliamentary Library
Map showing results of the postal survey by electorate
The Hon. Harold Holt

Parliament House Art Collection

Royal Assent of Queen Victoria to Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act of 1900, Gifts Collection,
Parliament House Art Collection, Canberra, ACT, No. 01/0042
Street decorations for Federation celebrations, 1900‒1901 , Parliament House Art Collection, Canberra ACT, No.
00/0179.007
Opening of the First Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia by H.R.H. The Duke of Cornwall and York
(Later King George V), May 9, 1901 . (1903) by Tom Roberts (1856‒1931), On permanent loan to the Parliament
of Australia from the British Royal Collection. Courtesy of Parliament House Art Collection, Canberra ACT, Photo
credit: Matt Kelso, No. 01/0030
Sir William Lyne, 1918 by Theodora Esther Cowan (1868‒1949) Gifts Collection, Parliament House Art Collection,
Canberra, ACT, No. 01/0016.001
Proclamation, Opening of Parliament House, Canberra, 1927 (1927) Waterlow & Sons Limited, London, Gifts
Collection, Parliament House Art Collection, Canberra, ACT, No. 01/0051
Opening of Federal Parliament at Canberra, 9 May 1927 (1927‒28) by William Beckwith McInnes (1889‒1939),
Historic Memorials Collection, Parliament House Art Collection, Canberra ACT, No. 00/0046

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 Yirrkala artists, Dhuwa moiety. Yirrkala Bark Petition 14.8.1963, 46.9 x 21 cm, natural ochres on bark, ink on
paper, House of Representatives, Canberra, No. REPS02/0020.001
Yirrkala artists, Yirritja moiety, Yirrkala Bark Petition 28.8.1963, 46.9 x 21 cm, natural ochres on bark, ink on
paper, House of Representatives, Canberra, No. REPS02/0020.002
Untitled (Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser with shovel and the pouring of cement at Parliament House
construction site), Parliament House Art Collection, Canberra ACT, No. 06/0082.015
Untitled (visitors inside building under construction), Parliament House Art Collection, Canberra ACT, No.
06/0082.006
Untitled (Prime Minister Bob Hawke laying the foundation stone with mallet, Parliament House), Parliament
House Art Collection, Canberra ACT, No. 06/0082.013
Great Hall Tapestry (1984‒1988), artist: by Arthur BOYD (1920‒1999), interpretation and execution: Victorian
Tapestry Workshop (est. 1976) Wool, mercerised cotton and linen weft on a seine warp, 9m x 20m. Parliament
House Art Collection, Canberra, ACT, No. 1994/0042.001‒004
Opening of Parliament House by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 9 May 1988 (1994), by Marcus Beilby (1951),
Historic Memorials Collection, Parliament House Art Collection, Canberra ACT, No. 00/0172
The Hon. Joan Child , 1988 by Charles William Bush (1911‒1989), Historic Memorials Collection, Parliament
House Art Collection, Canberra ACT, No. 00/0131
The Hon. Kerry Walter Sibraa , 1991 by Bryan Westwood (1930‒2000), Historic Memorials Collection, Parliament
House Art Collection, Canberra ACT, No. 00/0164
The Hon. Robert (Bob) JL Hawke AC, 1992 by Bill Leak (1956‒) Historic Memorials Collection, Parliament House
Art Collection, Canberra ACT, No. 00/0168
The Hon. Paul J Keating , 1997 by Robert Hannaford (1944‒), Historic Memorials Collection, Parliament House
Art Collection, Canberra ACT, No. 00/0186
Tin Dog (from installation The Eye of the Dog), 1995 by Ingo Kleinert (1941‒)), Parliament House Art Collection,
Canberra ACT, No. 1998/0029.001
The Hon. Sir William Patrick Deane, AC KBE , 2001 by Robert Hannaford (1944‒), Historic Memorials Collection,
Parliament House Art Collection, Canberra ACT, No. 00/0207
The Hon. Margaret Elizabeth Reid , 1999 by Tom Alberts (1962‒), Historic Memorials Collection, Parliament
House Art Collection, Canberra ACT, No. 00/0195
The Hon. William John Aston, 1968 by William Pidgeon (1909–81), Historic Memorials Collection, Parliament
House Art Collection, Canberra ACT, No. 00/0098
The Hon. John W Howard AC , 2009 by Jiawei Shen (1948‒), Historic Memorials Collection, Parliament House Art
Collection, Canberra ACT, No. 00/0232
The Hon. Dr Henry Alfred Jenkins, 1985 by Wesley Walters (1928–2014), Historic Memorials Collection,
Parliament House Art Collection, Canberra ACT, No. 00/0124
The Hon. David Peter Maxwell Hawker , 2007 by Jiawei Shen (1948‒), Historic Memorials Collection, Parliament
House Art Collection, Canberra ACT, No. 00/0226
The Hon. Sir Harold William Young KCMG, 1983 by Vernon Jones (1908–2002), Historic Memorials Collection,
Parliament House Art Collection, Canberra ACT, No. 00/121
The Hon. Paul Henry Calvert , 2003‒04 by Paul Newton (1961‒), Historic Memorials Collection, Parliament House
Art Collection, Canberra ACT, No. 00/0221
The Hon. John Neil Andrew, 2002 by Robert Hannaford (1944‒), Historic Memorials Collection, Parliament House
Art Collection, Canberra ACT, No. 00/0217
The Hon. James Francis Cope, 1973 by Judy Cassab (1920–2015), Historic Memorials Collection, Parliament
House Art Collection, Canberra ACT, No. 00/0107

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 224

 The Hon. Alan Baird Ferguson , 2009 by Robert Hannaford (1944‒), Historic Memorials Collection, Parliament
House Art Collection, Canberra ACT, No. 00/0230
The Hon. Stephen Paul Martin , 1995 by Wesley Barton Walters (1928‒), Historic Memorials Collection,
Parliament House Art Collection, Canberra ACT, No. 00/0175
The Hon. Leo Boyce McLeay , 1991 by David Thomas (1951‒), Historic Memorials Collection, Parliament House
Art Collection, Canberra ACT, No. 00161
The Hon. Robert (Bob) George Halverson , 1998 by Robert Hannaford (1944‒), Historic Memorials Collection,
Parliament House Art Collection, Canberra ACT, No. 00/0194
The Rt Hon. Ian McCahon Sinclair , 2001 by Charles Tompson (circa 1940), Historic Memorials Collection,
Parliament House Art Collection, Canberra ACT, No. 00/0205
The Hon. Michael Eamon Beahan , 1998 by Bryan Westwood (1930‒2000), Historic Memorials Collection,
Parliament House Art Collection, Canberra ACT, No. 00/0190
Barunga Statement 1988, YUNUPINGU, Galarrwuy, RUBUNTJA, Wenten, JAMPIJINPA, Lindsay Turner,
JAPANANGKA, Dennis Williams, MARAWILI, Bakulangay, MARAWILI, Djambawa, MARAWILI, Marrirra,
NGURRUWUTHUN, Djewiny, reproduced with permission of the Northern and Central Land Councils. Gifts
Collection, courtesy of Parliament House Art Collection, Canberra ACT, No. 01/0123
Untitled (a construction worker hosing the completed Michael Nelson Jagamara mosaic in forecourt of
Parliament House) Parliament House Art Collection, Canberra ACT, No. 06/0082.011
Centenary of Federation Commemorative Sitting of Federal Parliament, Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne, 9
May 2001 (2003) by Robert Hannaford (1944-) Historic Memorials Collection, Parliament House Art Collection,
Canberra ACT, No. 00/0219
The Apology Manuscript, 2008 by Gemma Black (1956-), Parliament House Gift Collection, Canberra. Gift
commissioned by The Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. Courtesy of
Parliament House Art Collection, Canberra ACT
Mr Harry Jenkins, Speaker of the House of Representatives, 2010 by Rick Amor (1948) Historic Memorials
Collection, Parliament House Art Collection, Canberra ACT
Tom Roberts, Opening of the First Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia by HRH The Duke of Cornwall
and York (Later King George V), May 9, 1901, 1903, oil on canvas

Australian Broadcasting Corporation Library

A drone flying past artwork in the Members Hall
The High Court of Australia

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Trade, Tourism and Investment Minister Steven
Ciobo and DFAT Secretary Frances Adamson at the launch of the 2017 Foreign Policy White Paper, 23 November
2017, by Nathan Fulton and Linda Roche
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop meeting Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare

Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull

Fairfax Media
Re-enactment of the naming of Canberra

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 Flickr
Parliament House lawns by Wilson Afonso

Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s letter to the Governor-General requesting that Parliament be prorogued, 21
March 2016

Polixeni Papapetrou and the State Library of Victoria

Malcolm Fraser

Royal Australian Mint

Australia’s first triangular coin

Shutterstock.com
Parliament House, by Phillip Minnis
Man using mobile phone by maradonna 8888
Parliament House forecourt by Neale Cousland
Bee by Eric Isselee

Ten News
The Hon. Julia Gillard sworn in as Australia's 27th Prime Minister (YouTube video)

Wikimedia Commons
Former Clerk of the Senate, Harry Evans, by Brian Jenkins
Magnifying glass and Australian flag by Ken Hodge
Gough Whitlam, 1955
Victorian senate ballot paper 2016 by Hshook
Norfolk Island by Steve Daggar
Ballot box by Dude7248
Lionel Murphy in 1973 by Rob Mieremet/Anefo
King Willem-Alexander by Royal House of the Netherlands
Parliament House with Lake Burley Griffin in the foreground by Matt Ryall

Other
A Hough, Protesters abseil down the front of Parliament House, 1 December 2016

The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 226

 © Commonwealth of Australia

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The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House 227