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Was Parliament house always in Canberra?
Parliament House has only ever been in Canberra, but Parliament has not only ever met in Canberra. At Federation, on 1 January 1901, Canberra did not exist as a city or even a town, and it was only surveyed in 1913. The first Australian Parliament following Federation of the states met on 9 May 1901 in the Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne. From 1901 to 1927, Parliament met in Parliament House, Melbourne, which it borrowed from the parliament of the state of Victoria, which in turn sat in the Exhibition Building. On 9 May 1927, Parliament moved to the new national capital at Canberra, where it met in what is now called Old Parliament House.
Why did you build another parliament house instead of the old one in Canberra?
Provisional Parliament House (commonly known as Old Parliament House) was only ever meant to be temporary.
What is the capital of Australia in 2009?
Canberra, as it has always been.Australia has only ever had one capital. However, Melbourne was the temporary seat of power in Australia - a fine line of difference. From 1901 to 1927, the Australian Parliament met in Parliament House, Melbourne, which it borrowed from the parliament of the state of Victoria, which in turn sat in the Exhibition Building. This had to occur whilst the city of Canberra and Parliament House was being built. Canberra as it has been since 1913.
When was the current parliament house in Canberra opened and why was it built?
The new Parliament House was built because Australia's original Parliament House was only ever intended to be a temporary residence for parliament. However, for a variety of reasons, it served as the Federal Parliament building for over 60 years, while it was originally intended to serve for a maximum of 50 years. There was always the intention to build a new Parliament House. Old Parliament House had exceeded its capacity by the 1970s. Construction of the New Parliament House in Canberra began in 1981, and the House was finally opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 9 May 1988, the anniversary of the opening of both the first Federal Parliament in Melbourne (9 May 1901), and of the Provisional Parliament House in Canberra (9 May 1927).
Did sydney used to be the capital?
No. Australia has only ever had one capital city, and that was and is Canberra. Sydney, although the largest city, has only ever been capital of New South Wales. The site of Canberra was identified in 1908, seven years after Federation, but until the city was actually built, the Federal Parliament had to meet in Melbourne. For this reason, some people incorrectly believe that Australia's first capital city was Melbourne. It was not.
In what city in Australia did the Commonwealth Parliament first sit?
In Australia, the first Federal Parliament sat in Melbourne on 9 May 1901. Melbourne was never the nation's capital, but it was the only city with a building large enough to house the Federal Parliament.
When was the Australian Parliament House opened?
This depends on which Parliament House is meant. The first Australian Parliament following Federation of the states met in Parliament House, Melbourne, which it borrowed from the parliament of the state of Victoria, which in turn sat in the Exhibition Building. Construction of the first Parliament House in Canberra, which was only ever intended to be temporary, began in August 1923 and the building was officially opened on 9 May 1927. Intended to be temporary, this building actually housed the Parliament until 1988. Construction of the New Parliament House began in 1981, and the House was finally opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 9 May 1988, the anniversary of the opening of both the first Federal Parliament in Melbourne (9 May 1901), and of the Provisional Parliament House in Canberra (9 May 1927).
When was the Australian Parliament House in Canberra built?
This depends on which Parliament House is meant. The first Australian Parliament following Federation of the states met in Parliament House, Melbourne, which it borrowed from the parliament of the state of Victoria, which in turn sat in the Exhibition Building. Construction of the first Parliament House in Canberra, which was only ever intended to be temporary, began in August 1923 and the building was officially opened on 9 May 1927. Intended to be temporary, this building actually housed the Parliament until 1988. Construction of the New Parliament House began in 1981, and the House was finally opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 9 May 1988, the anniversary of the opening of both the first Federal Parliament in Melbourne (9 May 1901), and of the Provisional Parliament House in Canberra (9 May 1927).
In which city did the Australian Commonwealth Parliament meet before Canberra?
Prior to the construction of the Australian Parliament House, the Federal Parliament met in Melbourne, capital city of Victoria, for the simple reason that it was the only city with a building large enough to house the parliament.
How old is the Old House of Parliament?
This depends on which Parliament House is meant.Construction of the first Parliament House in Canberra, which was only ever intended to be temporary, began in August 1923 and the building was officially opened on 9 May 1927.Intended to be temporary, this building actually housed the Parliament until 1988. Construction of the New Parliament House began in 1981, and the House was finally opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 9 May 1988.
Why did Canberra need a new parliament house?
Australia's old Parliament House, which was officially opened on 9 May 1927, was only ever intended to be a temporary residence for Parliament to sit. It was large enough for parliament at the time, but as the nation grew, extra functions and responsibilities of the government meant a much larger venue was required. Nonetheless, it served Australian Parliament for the next sixty years.
What was the former capital of Australia?
It is often thought that Melbourne was the temporary national capital from federation in 1901 until the opening of Canberra in 1927. In actuality, Melbourne was never officially the capital city of Australia, but it was the temporary seat of power in Australia - a fine line of difference. From 1901 to 1927, the Australian Parliament met in Parliament House, Melbourne, which it borrowed from the parliament of the state of Victoria, which in turn sat in the Exhibition Building. Sydney was never the capital, or even acting capital of Australia.
