Despatch Boxes
This fact sheet explores the function, design and history of the Despatch Boxes that sit on the central table in the House of Representatives.
What will I learn?
- The Despatch Boxes are 2 wooden chests in the House of Representatives.
- Some members of parliament make speeches at the Despatch Boxes.
- The Despatch Boxes were given to the Australian Parliament by King George V in 1927.
A House of Representatives Despatch Box.
DPS Auspic
A House of Representatives Despatch Box.
DPS Auspic
Description
This image shows a wooden Despatch Box with metal decorations in the House of Representatives chamber. The Despatch Box is positioned on a large table with books behind it.
Copyright information
Permission should be sought from DPS AUSPIC for third-party or commercial uses of this image. To contact DPS AUSPIC email: auspic@aph.gov.au or phone: 02 6277 3342.
What are the Despatch Boxes?
The Despatch Boxes are 2 wooden chests that sit on the central table in the House of Representatives. One is next to the Prime Minister's chair and the other is next to the Leader of the Opposition's chair.
The Despatch Boxes are made of rosewood and decorated with silver and enamel. They are hinged and lockable.
Function
The Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, ministers and shadow ministers use the Despatch Boxes to rest their speech notes and other documents while speaking in the House. This is called speaking 'from the Despatch Box'.
The Despatch Box on the government side of the House contains forms and religious books used for swearing-in new members of the House.
The Prime Minister speaking from the Despatch Box in the House of Representatives.
DPS Auspic
The Prime Minister speaking from the Despatch Box in the House of Representatives.
DPS Auspic
Description
The Prime Minister stands and speaks at a box with a microphone in the House of Representatives. There are books on the table in front of him and people sitting on green benches in the background.
Copyright information
Permission should be sought from DPS AUSPIC for third-party or commercial uses of this image. To contact DPS AUSPIC email: auspic@aph.gov.au or phone: 02 6277 3342.
History
The Prime Minister speaking from the Despatch Box in the House of Representatives.
DPS Auspic
The Prime Minister speaking from the Despatch Box in the House of Representatives.
DPS Auspic
Description
The Prime Minister stands and speaks at a box with a microphone in the House of Representatives. There are books on the table in front of him and people sitting on green benches in the background.
Copyright information
Permission should be sought from DPS AUSPIC for third-party or commercial uses of this image. To contact DPS AUSPIC email: auspic@aph.gov.au or phone: 02 6277 3342.
The Despatch Boxes symbolise the link between the British House of Commons and the Australian House of Representatives.
Despatch boxes were first used in the British Parliament in the 17th century to transport parliamentary documents to the House of Commons. The Australian Parliament's Despatch Boxes are replicas of the boxes which sat in the House of Commons before they were destroyed by a bomb explosion in the Second World War.
King George V gave the House of Representatives' Despatch Boxes to the Australian Parliament to mark the opening of Old Parliament House in 1927. Inside the lid of each box is an inscription signed by King George V. In 1988, the Despatch Boxes were brought to the current Parliament House.