How long did it take from when the first sod (soil) was turned until Parliament House was completed and opened?

Thanks for your question, Gracie.

The first sod was turned on the construction of Parliament House on 18 September 1980 by the then Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon Malcolm Fraser. Building started in 1981 and took 7 years to complete. Parliament House was officially opened on 9 May 1988 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

The front of Australian Parliament House with the Great Verandah and the flagmast. In the foreground is water.

Australian Parliament House.

DPS Auspic

Australian Parliament House.

The front of Australian Parliament House with the Great Verandah and the flagmast. In the foreground is water.

DPS Auspic

Description

This photo shows the front of Parliament House with the Great Verandah and the flagmast. In the foreground Michael Nelson Jagamara's Possum and Wallaby Dreaming mosaic is surrounded by water.

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.