Australian government and parliament exploration...

   With the parliamentary building being such a mega attraction in Canberra (one million visitors per year), how can we enhance or create something different using any of the 4 strategies, while still allowing the building to be an Australian icon? By creating a form of architecture that is flexible, mobile, distributed or virtual, how can an actual monumental ‘place’ be retained, without being so suited for the future or ‘sustainable’, that the building doesn’t suit the culture of Australia at the present time? Yasu has talked about creating some kind of symbol or icon to represent the building as part of the Australian parliament. An idea to start is the Australian flag, as everyone instantly knows what the flag represents- Australia. So when people from around the world come to Canberra, or events take place in government, people immediately know what the building is- along with grand architecture to show the buildings superiority.  Another organisation is the red cross- people instantly know that a bold red cross represents the Red Cross organisation. The idea that we don’t have to entirely replace the existing parliamentary building is a relief as I thought that was the case, and since doing some research into how the government works, it is now known that this would have been an impossible task. This means that the new structure has a massive job of somehow enhancing the existing structures. I mean wouldn’t it be unsustainable to totally replace it? The leaves me with the idea that to create a new ‘capital’, the structure has to be extremely functional to have any relevance. This is why a new form of architecture, not just a new building added on, will be the best way to enhance and create something that will really sum up Australian culture as well as being of benefit to the parliamentary system. In order to understand the current parliamentary system, I did some research into the parliament building in Canberra and the Australian government.

   The listing of departments of the government that follow the structure information, include some issues/ avenues I need to consider to incorporate in my design purposes. Without considering the larger scale of Australian parliament and delving into specific needs and wants of society, there will be no brief for the actual building/s. Without any need or specific function for my building/s, there will be no purpose to it which won’t enhance the current system in any way. These avenues depend on the strategy we are given when we form our groups and start to discuss our architectural response to the problem.

   The following information was taken from the Australian government website (http://australia.gov.au/), with the areas I find interesting or I feel need attention/enhancing, highlighted in bold. This information has helped gain a better understanding of the government in general and will assist in decision making processes...

AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT INFORMATION

There are three Parliamentary Departments each of which provide support for the working of Parliament.

• The Department of the Senate provides the Senate, its committees, the President of the Senate and Senators with a broad range of advisory and support services related to the exercise of the legislative power of the Commonwealth.
• The Department of the House of Representatives provides services to support the efficient conduct of the House of Representatives, its committees and certain joint committees as well as a range of services and facilities for Members in Parliament House.
• The Department of Parliamentary Services provides a wide range of diverse services and facilities to ensure that the Parliament functions effectively. These include research, library services, television and radio broadcasting, Hansard transcripts, central computing facilities and services, telecommunications and all aspects of the maintenance and security of the building and precincts.

State and territory government

Although the six states joined together to form the Commonwealth of Australia and the Australian Government, they still each retain the power to make their own laws over matters not controlled by the Commonwealth under Section 51 of the Constitution. State governments also have their own constitutions, as well as a structure of legislature, executive and judiciary.
Territories are areas within Australia’s borders that are not claimed by one of the six states. Territories can be administered by the Australian Government, or they can be granted a right of self-government. Self-government allows a territory to establish its own government in a similar manner to a state. The Constitution of Australia allows territories to become states with the approval of the Commonwealth legislature.

Local government

Local governments are established by state and territory governments to take responsibility for a number of community services. Local government has a legislature and an executive but no judiciary. Their powers are defined by the state or territory government which established them.

DEPARTMENTS

Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency

The Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency delivers programmes under the Australian Government's climate change strategy.

http://www.climatechange.gov.au/

Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR)

The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) is the lead government agency providing national leadership in education and workplace training, transition to work and conditions and values in the workplace.

http://www.deewr.gov.au/

Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA)

The Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs is the Australian Government's principal source of advice on social policy and is responsible for about a quarter of the government's budgetary outlays.

http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/  

Department of Infrastructure and Transport

The Department of Infrastructure and Transport is responsible for infrastructure planning and coordination; transport safety, including investigations; land transport; civil aviation and airports; transport security; maritime transport including shipping; and major projects facilitation.

http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/

Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism (RET)

The Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism provides advice and policy support to the Australian Government regarding Australia's resources, energy and tourism sectors. The Department develops and delivers policies to increase Australia's international competitiveness, consistent with the principles of environmental responsibility and sustainable development.

http://www.ret.gov.au/

Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (DSEWPC)

The Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities develops and implements national policy, programs and legislation to protect and conserve Australia's environment and heritage."

http://www.environment.gov.au/