0
The Australian parliament started in Melbourne because, quite simply, Melbourne was the only city with a building large enough to house Parliament.
Melbourne was never the capital of Australia. There is a common misconception that, because Melbourne was the temporary seat of government between Federation (1901) and 1927, that it was also the capital. This was not the case, as it was never officially designated the title of Capital - not even temporarily. Australia's two largest cities, Sydney and Melbourne, had been rivals since before the goldrush days. It was therefore decided that the nation's capital should be situated between the two cities. A location was chosen which was 248km from Sydney and 483km from Melbourne. Thus, Canberra became Australia's first, and only, capital city.
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.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Why was the first Parliament in Melbourne?
The first Australian Federal Parliament met in Melbourne because Melbourne was the only city with a building large enough to house the Parliament. This was the Royal Exhibition Building, and it was where the Federal parliament met until Parliament House was opened in Canberra in 1927.
On which street is Melbourne's Parliament House located in?
Melbourne's Parliament House lies at the intersection of Bourke Street and Spring Street.
Who is the local member of Parliament for Melbourne?
The local member for melbourne to the commonwealth parliament is Adam Bandt MP, a member of the Greens party.
When and how did Parliament start in Melbourne?
Melbourne was never the capital of Australia. There is a common misconception that, because Melbourne was the temporary seat of government between Federation (1901) and 1927, that it was also the capital. This was not the case, as it was never officially designated the title of Capital - not even temporarily. Melbourne was the only city with a building large enough to house Parliament.Australia's two largest cities, Sydney and Melbourne, had been rivals since before the goldrush days. It was therefore decided that the nation's capital should be situated between the two cities. A location was chosen which was 248km from Sydney and 483km from Melbourne. Thus, Canberra became Australia's first, and only, capital city.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.
How old is the Melbourne parliament house?
125 years
In what city was federal parliament first situated?
Australian Federal Parliament first met in Melbourne, because that was the only city with a building large enough to hold the Parliament. Melbourne was never actually Australia's capital.
Why was Melbourne Australia's first capital?
Melbourne was never the capital city of Australia. Considerable rivalry existed between Sydney and Melbourne, Australia's two largest cities. For this reason, it was decided that the national capital could not be either city. 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.
In what year did the first Austrlian Parliament sit?
The Parliament of Australia, officially known as The Parliament of the Commonwealth, was founded in 1901. The first parliament met in Melbourne, Victoria.
Where was Australia's first Parliament?
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 - the Royal Exhibition Building - to house the Federal Parliament.
Why was parliament held in Melbourne prior to Canberra being built?
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. This was because it was the only building in any Australian city that was large enough to house the entire Australian parliament. From 1901 to 1927, Parliament met in Parliament House, Melbourne, which it borrowed from the parliament of the state of Victoria, which also sat in the Exhibition Building.
What opened on 9 May 1901?
The first Australian Parliament opened on 9 May 1901 in the Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne. It opened in Melbourne for the sole reason that Melbourne had the only building large enough to house the Parliament as well as the many guests.
Which city was used as home of the first parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia?
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.
