Works to install a massive steel security fence across the lawns of Canberra's Parliament House won't be completed until June 2018.
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On Tuesday, tourists and visitors watched as contractors used a large crane to install 2.6m prefabricated panels across the sloping lawns, which form part of the building's roof.
The fence is part of more than $126 million in security upgrades and fortification works planned for Parliament House.
Veteran press gallery journalist Michelle Grattan led criticism of construction, describing the fence as "appalling" on social media.
The latest work comes after a series of mature trees were removed at Parliament last week and large trenches were dug in the lawn.
Greens senator Lee Rhiannon has criticised the security fortifications, while Victorian independent Derryn Hinch raised removal of the mature trees in the Senate.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Parliamentary Services said trees were being removed from the landscape on the eastern and western sides of Parliament House.
"Of the trees that were removed some had shallow root systems, which has made them prone to blowing over as has occurred during high wind storm events.
"During the most recent storm event, one tree landed against the Senate Wing when it fell.
"Some trees were in poor health and some tree species were incorrectly planted some years ago and are inconsistent with the design intent for the landscape of Parliament House."
The department confirmed replacement turf would be laid, along with significant shrubbery and replacement trees considered more suited to the site conditions and the design intent of Parliament House.
Preparatory works for the project began in May.
Speaker Tony Smith and Senate President Stephen Parry have kept secret the total cost and designs of the work since security agencies and politicians agreed on the plans in 2016.
Approval was rushed through Parliament as MPs prepared to leave Canberra for the Christmas break last year.
Workers installed the first section of the fence in August, revealing the height and scale for the first time. The first panel was part of site preparation works and was quickly removed.
The fence was designed to match existing metal work around the Parliament House precinct and includes limited horizontal elements to stop intruders being able to scale the security barriers.
The suite of security upgrades were prompted by a 2014 review, a response to terror attacks against the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa.
MPs received confidential briefings about the security upgrades but no significant information was released to the public, with Senator Parry citing concern about aiding potential attackers.
The building's celebrated architect, Romaldo Giurgola, envisaged the lawns of Parliament House as a symbolic opportunity for Australian citizens to walk above their representatives.
Tasmanian Labor MP Brian Mitchell criticised the construction, despite joining his party and the government in voting to approve it in Parliament last year.
"Not the Parliament's finest hour," he wrote on Twitter on Tuesday, adding he would "have to wear that I voted for it. Stand by the comment."
"Presiding officers took the view under advice it was necessary - many not happy but we let it through so must wear it."
