The Speaker's Chair

The former speaker's chair from the old House of Representatives.

The Press Gallery

Much as most of us are frustrated by the media from time to time, one of the hallmarks of a democracy is a free press. At Parliament House the Press Gallery is an integral part of the democratic process. This display of 'tools of the trade' and a broadcast studio form part of the exhibition in the Press Gallery quarters of Old Parliament House.

Then there are the pigeon holes where media releases were dropped. These still form an integral part of the modern press gallery! I've been 'backstage' through the gallery of the new Parliament House!

House of Representatives, Old Parliament House

The Old Parliament House building in Canberra now houses the Museum of Australian Democracy. It housed parliament as a 'temporary' building from 1927, when Canberra became Australia's capital, until 1988.

This was the chamber of the House of Repreentatives, modelled on the British Paliament at Westminster. I first visited here on a school excursion some time in the 1970s. Then you couldn't sit in the chamber; now you can wander around at will, or join a tour.

Parliament House, Canberra

If you visit Canberra you won't be able to miss Australia's Parliament House, built into a hillside on Capital Hill, with a huge flagpole atop. Fabulous building, wonderful to visit. I was at a conference there on the weekend.

Foggy Canberra

I woke up in Canberra this morning, where I'm working for a couple of days, to a foggy start. These shots were taken around Lake Burley Griffin (the artificial lake on which Canberra is located) as I took my morning walk. Lots more photos, including the Australian National Museum, and the view with and without fog can be seen by clicking here.

The Enterprise (above) takes you on cruises around the lake.