How Did Australia Build Three Parliaments on One Hill?

Cultures · Published 30 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The history of Australia's federal legislature is a saga of architectural ambition, political compromise, and staggering cost over a century. From temporary Melbourne homes to modern spires, the physical seat of power reflects the nation's evolving constitutional identity.

The establishment of the Commonwealth of Australia on January 1, 1901, necessitated a physical home for its federal legislature. Initially, the Parliament met in Melbourne, borrowing space from the Parliament of Victoria until 1927. The first Parliament opened on May 9, 1901, in Melbourne, requiring the western annexe of the Royal Exhibition Building to accommodate the 14,000 guests. This early period saw Sir Frederick Holder, the first speaker, die during a sitting on July 23, 1909, following a cerebral haemorrhage.

The constitutional structure itself is a blend of systems: the British Westminster model, where the majority in the lower house forms the government, and the US Senate model, which ensures equal state representation. The Senate, comprising 76 members (12 per state, 2 per territory), uses the single transferable vote, leading to a complex environment where no party has held a majority since 2007, often requiring negotiation to pass legislation. Conversely, the House of Representatives, with 150 members elected via full preferential voting, tends to be dominated by the centre-right Coalition and the centre-left Labor Party, and the government must maintain its confidence here to remain in power.

The move to Canberra was a compromise between Sydney and Melbourne. The initial competition for the Parliament House design was announced on June 30, 1914, but was cancelled due to World War I. Construction on Old Parliament House began on August 28, 1923, and was completed in 1927, costing about £600,000, more than three times the original estimate. This building, designed for a maximum of 50 years, was opened on May 9, 1927, by the Duke and Duchess of York.

The modern era saw the decision to build a new Parliament House on Capital Hill, initiated by the Fraser government in 1978. A competition drew 329 entries from 29 countries, ultimately awarding the design to Mitchell/Giurgola. Construction started in 1981, aiming for an opening by Australia Day, 26 January 1988. However, the project significantly overran its budget, eventually costing more than $1.1 billion, and was finally opened by Elizabeth II on May 9, 1988, marking the 200th anniversary of European settlement.

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