Old Parliament House's neglect and a plan to expand the National Portrait Gallery prompted the Coalition to rethink two of Canberra's national institutions in John Howard's first term, newly released documents reveal.
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Criticism of poor maintenance at the provisional parliament's historic chambers and central hall prompted the government to change how the building was managed, cabinet papers show.
Mr Howard also asked his arts minister Richard Alston to consider a plan from Gordon and Marilyn Darling for an enlarged National Portrait Gallery, then hosted by Old Parliament House.
The arts minister told cabinet in September 1997 Mr Howard had written to him noting criticism that King's Hall and the chambers in Old Parliament House had not been properly maintained.
"The critical issue is the appropriate balance between public access to - and use of - Old Parliament House, and its preservation as a significant part of the nation's political and social history," Mr Alston said.
"The prime minister asked for advice on 'the best way to establish an appropriate management structure for Old Parliament House which ensures the involvement of parliamentarians and others with relevant expertise'."
Cabinet agreed to a new management structure for Old Parliament House and the National Portrait Gallery, and $6 million more funding in 1997-98 for the institutions.
The cabinet papers, released on Tuesday by the National Archives of Australia, flag work to improve safety at the building.
Cabinet agreed to expand the portrait gallery, established in 1994, and remove it from the National Library's control.
An Australian tourist's words to Mr Howard in Washington, DC are said to have influenced the Coalition's gallery expansion project in 1997. At the US national portrait gallery, the tourist told the prime minister there should be 'one of these at home'.
The gallery later moved into its own building after the Howard government won its last federal election victory in 2004 and met a promise to fund one, contributing $87.8 million. It was opened in 2008 by prime minister Kevin Rudd.
