OLD PARLIAMENT HOUSE AND CURTILAGE HERITAGE MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008–2013

1. Introduction
Part A – Context
Old Parliament House and Curtilage Heritage Management Plan 2008–2013
1
1. Introduction
Purpose and scope of plan
The Old Parliament House Heritage Management Plan
is a document required by legislation that outlines
how the place will be managed in the years ahead.
The scope of this plan is dictated by the requirements
for: National Heritage listed places under Section
324S of the EPBC Act and Schedules 5A and 5B
of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Amendment Regulations 2003 (No 1);
Commonwealth Heritage listed places under Section
341S of the EPBC Act and Schedules 7A and 7B of the
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation
Amendment Regulations 2003 (No 1) (see Appendix
A); and is guided by the Australia International Council
on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) Burra Charter
(Appendix E).
This is the fifth management plan written for Old
Parliament House and replaces the Conservation
Management Plan 2000 (amended in 2003). Now
that the plan has been made by the Minister for the
Environment, Heritage and the Arts, no action may be
undertaken in or on the place except in accordance
with the plan.
This plan aims to accommodate many of the needs
and aspirations that people have for the place and
to facilitate their enjoyment and appreciation of the
heritage values in a sustainable way. To this end,
management is directed at maintaining many areas
of the place in its pre-1988 physical form. Decisions
concerning the management of use and proposed
changes are to be based on an understanding of the
heritage values, their sensitivity to change and the
results of research, rather than anecdotal evidence.
The plan will remain in force until such time that a new
plan is adopted.
A building for the nation
Australian democracy values political and social rights
and active citizenship for all. It separates legislative,
executive and judicial powers and provides a framework
for an inclusive society. Much that is now the essence
of democratic practice worldwide has strong roots in
Australia–the secret ballot, votes for women, salaried
parliamentarians, and the principle of constitutional
change by majority vote.
Old Parliament House provides the physical connection
with the long tradition of parliamentary democracy in
Australia. It speaks of ideas of democratic leadership,
the right to argue and express dissent, and the orderly
succession of governments through the democratic
process. It is a place in which people can reflect on and
be proud of the Australian achievement.
Old Parliament House was fundamental to the
development of Canberra–the opening of Parliament
heralded the symbolic birth of the nation’s democratic
capital. Parliament is a place where political conflict is
inevitable. Old Parliament House stands for the right to
argue and express dissent, and for the seven peaceful
changes of government that took place during the years
in which Parliament sat in the building. These values
exemplify the theme of building the Australian nation -
creating an Australian democracy.
Old Parliament House is a nationally significant heritage
place and is one of a select group of places on the
National Heritage List.
On 20 June 2006, the Hon John Howard MP, Prime
Minister of Australia, stated that:
Old Parliament House will always be an important part
of our political history with its rich collection of original
furniture, art and memorabilia helping to illustrate the
story of Australia’s political customs and functions ... it is
appropriate that this place of outstanding significance to
our nation receives Australia’s most prestigious heritage
recognition.
Old Parliament House is also recognised on the
Commonwealth Heritage List (22 June 2004), the
Register of the National Estate (1987), the National
Trust of Australia’s (ACT) Register and the Royal
Australian Institute of Architects’ Register of Significant
Twentieth Century Architecture.
To most people, the significance of a place arises
from a combination of many qualities such as social,
and historical, and other values derived from these.
However, management and statutory obligations require
explicit information about each value and its attributes
to ensure important values can be conserved and
management efforts can be targeted and prioritised.
Duke and Duchess of York in the Senate Chamber for the opening of Parliament
House, 1927
Photographer: William Mildenhall.
Source: Mildenhall Collection, National Archives of Australia