Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2021L01869:reg:6:p16
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2021L01869
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 6 (pt 16/86)
Character Range: 52487–55491

the political, social and construction history of Old Parliament House (see Appendix D) has provided a comprehensive body of work from which several Statements of Significance have been developed.4 These Statements of Significance, along with the analysis of the heritage values for the National Heritage List and the Commonwealth Heritage List, formed the basis for the current Statement of Heritage Significance. Figure 6 shows the process undertaken to assess the heritage values.

  Figure 6: Process for assessing the heritage values of Old Parliament House

    4         Pearson, M, Betteridge, M, Marshall, D, O'Keefe, B, and Young, L, 2000, Old Parliament House Conservation Management Plan 2000, prepared for the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, and subsequent studies. This is the Conservation Management Plan 2000 (discussed more fully in Appendix G).
     3.2.  Summary Statement of Heritage Significance

  Old Parliament House has outstanding heritage values shaped by its pivotal role in the political and social history of Australia and is an important place in the evolution of Australian democracy (Criterion A). Old Parliament House possesses outstanding heritage values related to its history, design, location, collection of movable items, social values and associations.

  As the original location of the Australian Parliament in Canberra, Old Parliament House symbolises and reflects the development of Australia as a nation, and was the first purpose-built home for the Australian Parliament (Criterion A). Old Parliament House was witness to 61 years of Australian legislature, with a myriad of associated events. It was also central to the development of Canberra, the opening of Parliament heralding the symbolic birth of the nation's capital (Criterion A). It has become a national icon, symbolic of the Commonwealth Government in Australia, and of Canberra itself, for many generations of Australians (Criterion A).

  The building occupies a prominent and strategic location at the southern end of the main Land Axis of Walter Burley Griffin's city design, and contributes to the planned aesthetic qualities of the Parliamentary Triangle (Criteria D and E). Its setting – primarily the gardens, circling roads and parking areas – was integral to the style and use of the place (Criteria E and G).

  Old Parliament House was intimately associated with the course and pattern of the nation's political, social and historical development from its opening in 1927 until 1988 (Criterion A). The Senate and House of Representatives Chambers and Kings Hall have been the venues for significant events in the shaping of Australia's democratic history and traditions (Criterion A). The layout of each chamber provides an insight into the workings of the Australian Parliament (Criterion A). Apart from serving as the seat of Parliament, the building bears witness to the demands of accommodating the executive arm of government within