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| WA Parliament House | |
|---|---|
| Name | Parliament House, Perth |
| Caption | Parliament House, Perth |
| Location | Perth, Western Australia |
| Built | 1904–1906; extensions 1958–1994 |
| Architect | John Harry Grainger; WA Public Works Department |
| Architecture | Federation Free Classical; Interwar Stripped Classical |
| Governing body | Parliament of Western Australia |
WA Parliament House
Parliament House in Perth is the seat of the Parliament of Western Australia and the principal meeting place for the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia and the Legislative Council of Western Australia. Located on the western edge of the Perth Cultural Centre beside the Swan River and near St George's Terrace, the building is a landmark for state politics and public ceremonies. Its construction, architectural evolution, parliamentary functions and public collections connect to many facets of Western Australian civic life, including relationships with the Governor of Western Australia, the Premier of Western Australia, and national institutions like the Commonwealth Parliament.
The decision to construct a permanent parliamentary chamber followed the establishment of responsible government and the creation of the Colony of Western Australia's institutions, influenced by debates in the Western Australian Legislative Council (1870) and the development of the Perth Town Hall precinct. Designed originally by John Harry Grainger and built 1904–1906, the project occurred in the context of federation debates involving the Commonwealth of Australia and state constitutional arrangements. Extensions and refurbishments in the mid-20th century were overseen by the Western Australian Public Works Department and reflected postwar civic planning linked to events such as visits by the Royal Family and centenary commemorations of the Western Australian gold rushes. The site’s evolution intersects with episodes like the Darling Scarp railway expansion and the growth of the Perth central business district.
The original structure exhibits the Federation architecture and Free Classical architecture influences common to early 20th-century public buildings in Australia, showing elements comparable with the Customs House, Fremantle and other works by contemporaries such as C.Y. O'Connor. Later additions adopted Interwar Stripped Classical motifs and mid-century materials used by the Public Works Department, producing a complex that juxtaposes Grainger’s ornamentation with postwar restrained facades similar to those of the State Library of Western Australia and municipal projects by architects associated with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). The building integrates local materials and decorative motifs that echo regional identities tied to the Swan River Colony and the mining boom associated with the Coolgardie gold rush and Kalgoorlie-Boulder.
Parliament House serves as the legislative hub for enactment of state statutes, oversight of the Government of Western Australia by elected representatives, and the venue for ceremonial duties performed by the Governor of Western Australia and the Premier of Western Australia. It hosts sittings of the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council, committee hearings linked to bodies such as the Parliamentary Services Department (Western Australia) and inquiries that interface with institutions like the High Court of Australia on matters of state law. The building is central to political life in contexts including election campaigns overseen by the Western Australian Electoral Commission and public petitions referencing landmark decisions such as those involving the Native Title Act 1993.
The complex comprises chambers for the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia and Legislative Council of Western Australia, offices for members associated with party groups such as the Australian Labor Party (Western Australian Branch), the Liberal Party of Australia (Western Australian Division), and minor parties and independents. Supporting facilities include committee rooms used by select committees, a library comparable to collections held by the State Library of Western Australia, function rooms for receptions attended by delegations from institutions like the Australian Parliament House, and heritage spaces preserving original features. Key rooms host ceremonial sittings involving the Governor-General of Australia on rare occasions and accommodate parliamentary staff from the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly (Western Australia) and the Clerk of the Legislative Council (Western Australia).
Procedural activity follows standing orders adopted by the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council and involves practices such as question time, bill readings, committee reporting, and divisions recorded by clerks and attendants with parallels to procedures at Parliament House, Canberra and legislative bodies like the New South Wales Legislative Assembly. The precinct also supports civic rituals—prorogation and opening ceremonies—that engage the Victorian Legislative Council and other state legislatures by convention and inter-parliamentary associations. Committees convene evidence sessions with witnesses from agencies such as the WA Police Force and the Department of Communities (Western Australia) to scrutinise public administration.
The building houses portraits of key figures including premiers and governors, memorial plaques commemorating events like the ANZAC campaigns, and sculptures by artists whose work features in state collections like the Art Gallery of Western Australia. Grounds landscaping links to the Perth Cultural Centre and public art initiatives supported by WA Museum collaborations. Monuments on site reflect civic memory connected to figures such as early governors of the Swan River Colony and milestones in the state’s parliamentary history, while rotating exhibitions engage curators from institutions such as the Western Australian Museum.
Security arrangements balance parliamentary privilege with visitor access; entry is managed by parliamentary security staff working with agencies like the Western Australia Police Force and protocols aligned with national protective standards used at sites including the Australian Parliament House. Public access includes guided tours, educational visits by schools affiliated with the Department of Education (Western Australia), and accredited press facilities used by media organizations like the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), The West Australian and national broadcasters. Emergency response coordination involves liaison with services such as St John Ambulance Australia and state emergency planning bodies.
Category:Buildings and structures in Perth, Western Australia Category:Legislative buildings in Australia