Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2021L01868:reg:2016:p10
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2021L01868
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 2016 (pt 10/11)
Character Range: 550242–553118

reflected the status of the spaces. An Australian timber floor of jarrah and mountain ash was laid in the major ceremonial space in King's Hall, extending along borders into the lobbies and vestibules. A rubber sheet floor with the Australian coat of arms was made for the Entrance, while a variety of patterns were laid in the recreational areas and thoroughfares. A bordered carpet was fitted to the Library floor, and individual shaped carpets were supplied for offices and Committee Rooms. Carpets were laid with

    99      Letter, JS Murdoch to The Secretary, Federal Capital Commission, CRS A199, FC 26/160
    100   Letter JS Murdoch to JH Butters, Chairman, Federal Capital Commission, 27 August 1925 CRS A199.
    101   Plan, Federal Capital Commission, Parliament House EL Fittings 19 January 1926 E.1519
  timber or rubber floor borders in all other spaces. The floor covering for the Chambers, originally intended to be carpeted with Australian decorative motifs, was rubber, which was replaced with carpet for acoustic reasons in 1929. None of the original floor coverings are evident in the major areas in Provisional Parliament House, although the parquetry in King's Hall is a reconstruction.102

  The acquisition of furniture and fittings following the original fit-out in 1927 can be classified into three major categories. As the numbers of ministers increased from the original complement of 109 to 224, and support and ancillary staff and the media contingent swelled, Parliament House underwent numerous periods of expansion and alteration of the building to create additional office space. A consequence of this expansion was the acquisition of additional items of furnishing, many of which in later years were standard office items of little significance. A second demand for new furniture and fittings resulted from the desire for improved facilities for Royal Visits and major ceremonial occasions. Among the furniture acquired were a number of items designed and made by Fred Ward, whose furniture graces many Canberra buildings.

  A third major phase of redevelopment occurred with the remodelling of the offices occupied by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the suite of rooms occupied by the Prime Minister and his staff, and the Cabinet Room area. New furniture crafted by Decro Pty Ltd in Melbourne was commissioned to complement these rooms. The most recent gift of furniture was the two timber benches, crafted by Beard Watson and Co. and featuring carved state floral emblems, presented by the Returned Services League in June 1966 to commemorate its 50th anniversary.

  Despite the increased pressure on the facilities in Provisional Parliament House, politicians displayed a restraint when it came to the expenditure of public funds. Indeed, the fact that so much of the original furniture remains is in part due to their