Old Parliament House is a graceful addition to the Canberra landscape and an historical icon for the nation.
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The fact that the ''wedding cake'' served as the seat of government for six decades should be sufficient to give the building a special status and ensure its preservation for future generations. Visitors can stand in Kings Hall where so much frantic lobbying used to occur over matters of state, go into the prime minister's office to be transported with thoughts of its former inhabitants and smell the leather in the old style chambers as they occupy the former places of the nation's lawmakers.
In this building, history-making decisions were taken, including entering World War II and the Vietnam War, and floating the Australian dollar. It would invite controversy to touch any part of it, especially without widespread public consultation.
It is surprising, therefore, to hear a former ACT development head describe the building as a ''load of junk''. Furthermore, Tony Powell, commissioner of the National Capital Development Commission between 1974 and 1985, says the building lacks historical value and experienced no great historical events, with the exception of Gough Whitlam's dismissal. Mr Powell says a misguided commitment to heritage values means the building has been preserved despite its lack of real historical importance. No debates of any particular significance have taken place there, unlike similar buildings in the US, he says.
On behalf of the people of Canberra, and all Australians, we beg to differ. Great speeches were given in the chambers at Old Parliament House and momentous decisions were made in the Cabinet room. With its old world charm, the building is a window to a bygone era, when politics was played out in a more intimate setting and with vastly different technology, where the media relied on typewriters, not Twitter.
Whitlam intoned his famous phrase ''Well may we say 'God save the Queen' … '' about the governor-general from the steps of the building after he was sacked. The building led national mourning for the loss of Harold Holt and formed the backdrop for more than a dozen prime ministers, each with their own distinctive character traits.
Indeed, the building was the focal point for the entire political career of Sir Robert Menzies and heard speeches from John Curtin as war-time prime minister.
Mr Powell has made an interesting point in his call for the removal of extensions to the building. Indeed, it was built as a ''temporary'' Parliament and needed to have additions as the number of MPs was increased. Certainly some of the extensions have been criticised as not being up to standard. But, taken as a whole, the building is integral to the engaging tale of Australia democracy. It has already been listed on the National Heritage register, signifying its importance.
The building now houses the Museum of Australian Democracy and its director is at a loss to understand why demolition, even in part, would be suggested.
This is a young nation, with a proud history of democracy. There are very few other examples other than Old Parliament House that embrace the sweeping history of the nation's struggles and development.
As for Canberra, Old Parliament House is one of the city's most significant buildings. It is one of the most important works of Australia's first chief architect, John Smith Murdoch. It was designed to be relatively inexpensive, with a view to possibly being demolished after 50 to 100 years, but that plan has been superseded by the sweep of historical events which it has witnessed.
Put simply, it was the home of Australian politics for six decades - during the crucial formative years of our democracy - and should be preserved. Nothing would be gained by demolishing any of the structure, and much lost.
More important than the bricks and mortar is what it represents - a link to the past and an important part of the nation's political history. It is a symbol of democracy in action, a reminder that this is a nation that can have a prime minister sacked but not a shot fired, such is our adherence to the notion of peace and democratic principles.
Australia is the envy of many nations for its embrace of democracy and the rule of law.
We must keep the breadth of this history in mind as we look upon Old Parliament House. It might not be modern, the styling might be considered old fashioned, but it's an iconic link to our past that must be kept intact.