Acts of Parliament - A Narrative History of the Senate and House of Representatives, Commonwealth of Australia

Published as part of the Commonwealth Parliament's contribution to the Bicentennial celebration of European settlement in Australia, this is the story of the federal legislature which so far has served the Australian people as political arena and stage for three generations. The story begins in 1901 with the first meetings of the Senate and House of Representatives at Parliament House, Melbourne, when the benches were occupied by `battalions of silk hats, which according to the custom of the House of Commons, most members kept upon their heads during the sitting.' It ends with the 35th Parliament in Canberra, and an impending move from the provisional Parliament House to a permanent home on Capital Hill...