Commemorative picture: the opening of the first Commonwealth Parliament at Canberra on May 9, 1927 by his Royal Highness the Duke of York

Rare c.20th colour lithograph of Provisional Parliament House (now known as Old Parliament House) being opened by His Royal Highness the Duke of York on 9 May 1927.

It was a modest building intended to provide facilities for the legislative work of the federal government until a permanent, monumental structure could be built. With extensions and alterations it remained in service until 9 May 1988.

Designed by John Smith Murdoch from the Department of Works and Railways, the building was intended to be a “provisional” building that would serve the needs of Parliament for a maximum of 50 years. Old Parliament House, known formerly as the Provisional Parliament House, was the seat of the Parliament of Australia from 1927 to 1988. The building began operation on 9 May 1927 after its relocation from Melbourne to the new capital, Canberra.

A competition had been announced on 30 June 1914 to design Parliament House, with prize money of £7,000. However, due to the start of World War I the next month, the competition was cancelled. It was re-announced in August 1916, but again postponed indefinitely on 24 November 1916. In the meantime, John Smith Murdoch, the Commonwealth’s Chief Architect, worked on the design as part of his official duties. The construction of Old Parliament House was commenced on 28 August 1923 and completed in early 1927.

It was built by the Commonwealth Department of Works, using tradesmen and materials from all over Australia. The final cost was about £600,000, which was more than three times the original estimate.