Parliament to Return to Old Parliament House in 2027

Federal lawmakers will convene at the historic Canberra site in April 2027 to mark the building's 100th anniversary.

Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Historical

Screen-print poster illustration of the white neoclassical Old Parliament House facade in Canberra under a clear sky. — Australian lawmakers will convene for a one-day commemorative session at the historic Old Parliament House in Canberra in April 2027. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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In April 2027, all 226 members of parliament and senators will gather for a special one-day sitting at the Old Parliament House in Canberra. This unique event commemorates the 100th anniversary of the historic building that served as the national seat of government until 1988.

Why it matters

The commemorative sitting honours the site's enduring role in the nation's political heritage and its evolution into the current Museum of Australian Democracy. The gathering serves to mark a century of legislative history at the iconic venue on Capital Hill.

The federal government has earmarked $3 million for the centennial celebrations. This event will bring together 226 members of parliament and senators inside the building that originally opened in 1927.

The players

Old Parliament House

Located on Capital Hill, this historic building served as the seat of Australian parliament for six decades before becoming a museum.

Museum of Australian Democracy

This institution currently occupies the historic Old Parliament House building and curates the nation's political history.

Aboriginal Tent Embassy

This site of protest and advocacy was established on the lawns of the parliament building in 1972 to highlight Indigenous rights.

The details

A special parliamentary committee is currently coordinating arrangements for the historic return to the building, which has hosted the Museum of Australian Democracy since its retirement from active service. The site also holds significant cultural importance as the home of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy, which was established on the front lawns in 1972.

1927: Old Parliament House first opened.
1972: Aboriginal Tent Embassy established on front lawns.
1988: Parliament moved to the current Parliament House.
May 2026: Federal budget allocated $3 million for the anniversary.
April 2027: One-day parliamentary sitting at Old Parliament House.

Culture Shift

The commemorative sitting reflects a broader societal movement to revisit and preserve colonial-era architecture that holds complex cultural significance. This event marks a symbolic return to the site that the nation departed from during the 1988 transition of parliament to the current Parliament House.

Residents and visitors to Canberra should anticipate increased security and potential traffic management around Capital Hill during the April 2027 event. The one-day sitting may also temporarily influence visitor access to the Museum of Australian Democracy.

The takeaway

This event highlights the evolving legacy of government spaces as they transition from centres of power to sites of historical reflection. Residents can prepare for the occasion by exploring the current exhibits at the Museum of Australian Democracy to better understand the building's long-standing impact.