Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2021L01868:reg:4:p8
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2021L01868
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 4 (pt 8/63)
Character Range: 361168–364265

to Federation, the judiciary and of the first Parliament in 1901 on its colonnades, and portraits of former prime ministers on the walls, as well as
                     the statue of King George V. The Chambers demonstrate, through their fabric, furnishing and objects, the growth of Parliament over 61 years, including the

OFFICIAL VALUES
Criteria             Values
                     evolution of communications technology applied to the reporting of parliamentary debates and events to all Australians.
                     Old Parliament House is an important link in the story of the creation of the Australian democracy and several related defining events. Landmark political events associated with the building included the Statute of Westminster 1931, declarations of war in 1939 and 1941. The building was the place of 61 years of national legislation shaping Australian society, the extension of the voting age to 18-year-olds in 1973, and the establishment of new political parties such as the Democratic Labour Party in 1955 and the Australian Democrats in 1977.
A Events, Processes   Old Parliament House saw the growth of Commonwealth responsibility for Aboriginal affairs. Key events included the Bark Petition sent by the Yirrkala community to the Commonwealth House of Representatives, Canberra (Old Parliament House) in August 1963 to protest bauxite mining in Arnhem Land, and the 1967 Referendum that overwhelmingly supported Commonwealth power to legislate for Aboriginal people. Amongst other developments, this led to the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976, proclaimed on Australia Day, 1977. With the new responsibilities arising from the 1967 Referendum, the Commonwealth Parliament became the focus of Aboriginal political protest including the siting of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy outside Parliament House in 1972.
                      Old Parliament House front façade and the immediate grassed area to its north have been the place of countless events, gatherings, protests and demonstrations. Significant amongst these are; the formal opening of Provisional Parliament House, and the address by Prime Minister Whitlam on the front steps of the building after his dismissal by the Governor-General, Sir John Kerr, in November 1975.
                      King's Hall and the Chambers have special significance for their association with Royal visits. Dates of key Royal visits are 1927, 1935, 1945, 1954, 1963 and 1974. They are important for their function in ceremonial events in Australia's political history including hosting the annual opening ceremony for the Australian Parliament conducted in the Senate Chamber, the use of King's Hall for the public mourning of Prime Minister John Curtin in 1945 and former Prime Minister Ben Chifley in 1951, and State receptions held in honour of Queen Elizabeth II in 1954 and 1963, and the Constitutional Convention held in the House of Representatives Chamber in 1998.
                      Furniture that contributes to the richness of the place include the John Smith Murdoch–designed furniture