Federal Parliament meetings were first held in
Melbourne until 1927. Between 1927 and 1988, the Parliament of Australia met in the Provisional
Parliament House, which is now known as "Old Parliament House". Construction of Australia's permanent
Parliament House was delayed while its location was debated. Construction of the new building began in 1981
In 1901, when the six British colonies in Australia federated to form the Commonwealth of Australia,
Melbourne and
Sydney were the two largest cities in the country, but the long history of rivalry between them meant that neither could become the national capital.
Turning the first sod, Parliament House, Canberra
Old Parliament House during construction
Old Parliament House during construction
Old Parliament House during construction in 1923
In 1909, after much argument, the Parliament decided that the new capital would be in the southern part of New South Wales, on the site which is now
Canberra. The Commonwealth acquired control over the land in 1911, but World War I intervened, and nothing was done for some years to build the city. Federal Parliament did not leave
Melbourne until 1927.
In the meantime the Australian Parliament met in the 19th century edifice of
Parliament House,
Melbourne, while the Victorian State Parliament met in the nearby Royal Exhibition Building for 26 years.
Parliament House, Melbourne
Comcar 1927 Old Parliament House Opening
Australian Ten Shilling Banknote
After World War I the Federal Capital Advisory Committee was established to prepare
Canberra to be the
seat of government, including the construction of a
Parliament House. The committee decided that it would be best to erect a "provisional" building, to serve for a predicted 50 years until a new, "permanent" House could be built. In the event, Old
Parliament House was Parliament's
home for 61 years. In the last decade of its use as a parliament the building had a chronic shortage of available space.
Australia 1927 Parliament House Florin Proof Coin
.