Federal Parliament will conduct a special sitting in Old Parliament House next year to commemorate the centenary of government being run from Canberra.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has established a new Joint Select Committee to prepare for a string of events to mark the first sitting in the capital.
The first building they met in at Canberra will play a special role in the Centenary of Parliament in Canberra in 2027.
Before the building was completed, the Commonwealth Parliament sat for 26 years in the Victorian Parliament House in Melbourne, after the first parliament opened in Melbourne’s Exhibition Building on 9 May 1901.
“Next year will mark an important anniversary – the 100th anniversary of Australian democracy making its home here in Canberra, our national capital,” the Prime Minister said in parliament when proposing the committee.
“It has been 100 years since members and senators from across the country took their places in what was then called the Provisional Parliament House.
“It is important that we mark this milestone as a parliament and as a country and do so in a way that deepens Australia’s understanding of our democracy and the pride that all of us can take in its ongoing resilience.
“I know there’s a great affection for Old Parliament House, as we call it now and the history that it holds.
“Next year, I propose that our parliament holds a special sitting in the old building down the hill so that we can pay tribute to its service to Australia and reflect how what was debated and decided there and then continues to shape the life of our nation here and now.”
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor supported the motion and said the Coalition warmly welcomed the establishment of the Joint Select Committee and was keen to participate in preparations for the centenary celebrations.
“Our history must be remembered, our history must be protected and our history and the stories associated with it must be celebrated,” Mr Taylor said.
“That includes the history of this great parliament and the old parliament just down the hill.
“In the end, the parliament is the people’s house and the parliament is very much about the history of Australia and the Australian people.
“As we’ve just heard from the Prime Minister, our parliament is absolutely central to our wonderful democracy, the greatest democracy in the world, in my view – and long has been.”
The committee will be chaired by Labor’s Deputy Speaker Sharon Claydon, with the Nationals’ Michael McCormack the deputy chair.
Member for Canberra Alicia Payne is also on the committee and said she was eager to get working on the plans.
“Next year will mark 100 years since parliament first met in Canberra, which is such an important anniversary for our democracy and our nation’s capital,” Ms Payne said.
“I’m looking forward to working with committee members from across the parliament and seeking Canberrans’ views and ideas to prepare a year of celebrations and special events.
“This is an opportunity to bring Australians together to mark a special moment in the history of our democracy and for Canberrans to reflect on the role of our city in the governing of our nation.
“Originally called the ‘Provisional’ Parliament House – and now home to the Museum of Australian Democracy – Old Parliament House was first used for a sitting of parliament in 1927 and served our nation all the way through to 1988.
“Old Parliament House holds a special place in the hearts of Australians and there was audible excitement from MPs in the chamber when the Prime Minister proposed the special sitting there.”
Other committee members include Labor MP Mark Dreyfus, Labor senators Jana Stewart and Charlotte Walker, Queensland Liberal National MP Leon Rebello, Liberal senator Maria Kovacic and Centre Alliance MP Rebekha Sharkie.
