Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2021L01868:reg:6:p21
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2021L01868
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 6 (pt 21/86)
Character Range: 69186–72748

shown in bold
King's Hall and the Chambers have features that reflect both the austerity of the time and a dignified formality.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        capital. The opening of Parliament heralded the symbolic birth of Canberra as the capital. The intended importance of Old Parliament House is reflected in its design, its prominent siting in the landscape of the Parliamentary Triangle, and in the treatment of the areas around Old Parliament House, particularly the Senate and House of Representatives Gardens, and the National Rose Gardens.
 These features include the decorative skylights, elegant pendant lights, and parquet flooring, as well as the high ceilings accentuated by the raked galleries,  the  timber wall panelling, and the extensive, restrained and subtle decoration. The Hall features bas-relief busts of prominent personalities (related to Federation, the judiciary and of the first Parliament in 1901) on its colonnades, and portraits of former prime ministers as well as  a  statue  of  King George V. The Chambers demonstrate (through their fabric, furnishing and objects) the growth of Parliament over 61 years, including the evolution of communications technology applied to the reporting of parliamentary debates and events to all Australians.
Significant furniture of Old  Parliament  House  includes the John Smith Murdoch designed furniture and fittings; the HMAS Australia table; the Country Party Table (Murdoch's original cabinet table from West Block)  and the Cabinet table (used by the Whitlam, Fraser and Hawke Cabinets). Furniture items which underlie the significance of Australia's role initially as a member of the British Empire and later as a member of the Commonwealth of Nations include the President of the Senate's Chair (presented by the Dominion of Canada) and the Speaker's Chair (presented by the United Kingdom Branch of the Empire Parliamentary Association).
Furniture and fittings designed or purchased for the extension or alterations to the building, including those items associated with the Senate and House of Representative Wings and the President of the Senate and Prime Minister's suites are of particular value.
Old Parliament House has a rare record (documented in the Old Parliament House) which is made up of both furniture and a variety of documents related to the furniture. The documents include initial design concepts, specifications, quotes and detailed drawings for manufacture.
The Old Parliament House Library is of heritage significance, in particular, the remaining features of the original library and the later additions or changes to the library up to and including the 1958 extension are of value.
Criterion B: Rarity

Old Parliament House is uncommon in that it housed both the legislative and executive functions of government. This is reflected in the construction of the House of Representatives (southeast) and the Senate (southwest) Wings, the front pavilions and in a great number of