Parliament House, Hobart facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Parliament House |
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Panoramic View of Hobart Parliament House from the front steps
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| General information | |
| Architectural style | Colonial Georgian architecture |
| Town or city | Hobart, Tasmania |
| Country | Australia |
| Coordinates | 42°53′08″S 147°19′49″E / 42.885449°S 147.330362°E |
| Construction started | 5 January 1835 |
| Completed | 1 September 1840 |
| Client | Parliament of Tasmania |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | John Lee Archer |
Parliament House, Hobart is a very important building in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. It's where the Parliament of Tasmania meets to make laws for the state. The building was first planned to be a customs house, which is where taxes on goods coming into the country were collected. But in 1841, it started being used by the government too, when Tasmania began to govern itself. It was a customs house and a parliament building until 1904. Then, the customs offices moved out, and it became only the Parliament House.
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History of Parliament House
Tasmania, which was once called Van Diemen's Land, became a British colony in 1803. At first, it was part of New South Wales. But in 1825, Tasmania became its own separate British colony.
A group called the Legislative Council was created to help the Governor make decisions. This council first met near the old Government House. By 1841, they moved their meetings to a large room in the Customs House. This room is now called the Members' Lounge.
In 1850, the British Parliament passed a law that allowed Van Diemen's Land to elect its own government. The Legislative Council grew from six members to 24 members. Some were chosen by the Governor, and others were elected by people who owned property.
The new Legislative Council met in 1852. By 1854, they passed a law that gave Van Diemen's Land "responsible self-government." This meant they could make their own laws. They also created a new bicameral parliament. "Bicameral" means it has two parts or houses.
In 1855, Queen Victoria agreed to these changes. The next year, in 1856, the parliament changed the colony's name from Van Diemen's Land to Tasmania.
In April 1856, work began to change the Customs House. It needed to fit the new two-part parliament. On December 2, 1856, the first meetings of the new parliament were held. The new House of Assembly met in the Long Room. The Legislative Council moved to its own new chamber.
Tasmania continued to be an independent colony until 1901. Then, it joined with five other Australian colonies to form the new Commonwealth of Australia. The Tasmanian colonial parliament became the Tasmanian State Parliament. It still handles local issues like education, healthcare, and policing today.
Building Parliament House
Parliament House was designed by a skilled architect named John Lee Archer in 1830. It was built in a style called Colonial Georgian architecture. The place where the building stands was once a market. Later, it became a timber yard.
The site was chosen for the Customs House in 1832. It was a good spot because it was close to the docks at Sullivans Cove. The building was actually closer to the water back then.
Between 1832 and 1840, golden sandstone was taken from places like the Queens Domain. A small railway was built to carry the large stone blocks to the building site. Construction started on January 5, 1835. Much of the work was done by convicts.
By March 1836, the basement was finished. By 1838, the second floor was added. The building was ready for the Customs Department staff to move in on September 1, 1840.
By 1841, the building was working as the colony's customs house. The Legislative Council needed a better place to meet. So, they started holding their meetings in the large 'Long Room' of the Customs House. Their first meeting there was on June 19, 1841.
After Tasmania gained self-government in 1856, the building was changed again. This was to make space for the new two-part parliament. The new House of Assembly met in the Long Room. The Legislative Council moved into a new, fancy chamber. They still meet there today.
The Customs Department finally moved out of the building in 1904. They went to a new place in Davey Street. This left Parliament House to be used only by the Parliament of Tasmania.
Between 1938 and 1940, Parliament House was changed again. A new chamber was built for the House of Assembly. The Long Room became a Members' Lounge. The new House of Assembly Chamber opened on May 14, 1940. This was during World War II. In December 1940, more parts were added to the Legislative Council Chamber.
More changes were made starting in 1977. Offices for members, committee rooms, a library, and dining areas were added. The building was officially reopened on April 16, 1980. The most recent work began in 1998. This work focuses on keeping the building in good condition. It also aims to make parts of it look like they did originally.
The Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom is seen a lot in Parliament House. You can find it in stained-glass windows and carvings. This shows that Tasmania used to be a British colony. The building was mostly built during that time. Tasmania used the Royal Arms on official papers until 1953. This was even though it had its own coat of arms since 1919.
The Legislative Council
The Legislative Council is known as the "Upper House." It reviews new laws that have already been approved by the House of Assembly. Once the Legislative Council also approves a proposed law, it becomes an act of parliament. Then, the Governor of Tasmania gives it "royal assent," which means it officially becomes a law.
The Legislative Council is the older part of Tasmania's government. It first met in 1825 and has been part of the government ever since. At first, it had six members chosen by the Governor. In 1850, it grew to 24 members. Eight were chosen, and 16 were elected. In 1856, when the current parliament started, it was reduced to 15 members.
The Legislative Council is led by the President of the Tasmanian Legislative Council. Members are elected every six years. Tasmania is divided into 15 areas for these elections. One member is elected from each area. These members are called 'Members of the Legislative Council' (MLCs).
The Legislative Council chamber is beautifully decorated. It has red seating and carpet. The walls are covered in cedar wood panels. The wooden panels and ceiling have amazing hand-stenciled designs. The President sits in a large chair at one end. Members sit in two rows facing each other. There is also a public area where people can watch the council meet.
A special item called a Black Rod is in the chamber. It is a symbol of the Queen's authority for the Upper House. A large painting of Queen Victoria hangs on a wall. It honors her role in giving Tasmania self-government.
Queen Elizabeth II, the Queen of Australia, sat in the President's Chair. She officially opened the Tasmanian Parliament on February 22, 1954. This was the only time the Tasmanian Parliament has been opened by the head of state.
The House of Assembly
The Tasmanian House of Assembly started in 1856. This was when Tasmania decided to govern itself. Tasmania chose a government system like the United Kingdom's, with two houses. The Legislative Council was like the House of Lords, with some appointed members. The House of Assembly was like the House of Commons, with all elected members.
This meant the House of Assembly became the "Lower House." New laws are first written and discussed here. Then, they are sent to the Legislative Council for review. This system is still used today.
At first, the House of Assembly had 30 members from 24 areas. Hobart had five members, and Launceston had two.
When Australia became a federation, the House of Assembly still had 30 members. The old areas were replaced with five new federal areas: Braddon, Bass, Franklin, Lyons and Denison. Tasmania is the only Australian state that uses its federal election areas for its state lower house. Each area elects five members. This makes a total of 25 members (since 1998). These members are called Members of the House of Assembly (MHAs). They are elected for four years using a system called Hare-Clark.
When it first started in 1856, the House of Assembly met in the Long Room. This was the room the Legislative Council had just left. In 1940, the current House of Assembly Chamber was built. It has green seating and carpet. The walls are covered in blackwood wooden panels.
The Speaker of the Tasmanian House of Assembly sits in a raised chair at one end. All the members sit in a horseshoe shape facing the Speaker. Three clerks sit in front of the Speaker. Usually, the Premier of Tasmania and the government party sit to the Speaker's right. The opposition party sits on the other side of the horseshoe.
A special ceremonial mace is placed next to the Speaker. It is a symbol of authority. There is also a public area above the chamber. Citizens can go there to watch their government at work.
