Alcohol banned in parliaments

March 15, 2024

Alcohol availability in Parliament House Canberra is a throwback to one hundred years ago when Parliament House was a destination in this vast country for those who came from further afield.

With Commonwealth Federation in 1901, parliamentarians travelled to Melbourne then Canberra after 1926, resided in hotels and conferred at the workplace for obvious reasons of distance.

Home away from home required a flow of alcohol and catering to make life more comfortable.

Parliament House in Canberra was no doubt modelled on gentlemens clubs e.g. Melbourne Club - with bar service - which suited the mode of administration to which our predominantly male legislators were accustomed.

The existence of a bar in all Parliament Houses is now absurd which no feeble excuses can justify anywhere around the country. We are one hundred and twenty four years on and this antiquated perk is ridiculous for 21st century Australia.

What a splendid example it could be - alcohol no longer served in the legislative corridors of power.

There is surely minimal public resistance to this issue. Parliament House employees who wish to object, of course can, which would clarify more than they are willing to reveal with present arrangements.