Parliament House

Parliament House in West Perth is a legislative building designed in Federation Academic Classical style, constructed with Rottnest Island brick, Donnybrook stone, and jarrah timber throughout. The structure contains both chambers with public galleries, formal ceremonial spaces, and traditional parliamentary rooms.

The building opened in 1904 following a design competition overseen by architects John Grainger and Hillson Beasley. It was constructed during the period when Australia was establishing itself as a federal system and represents the region's growing independence.

The Legislative Council chamber shows how local building materials mix with traditional British parliamentary design, reflecting Western Australia's constitutional identity. The interior spaces demonstrate how the region connected its own resources with classical English forms.

Visitors can watch parliamentary sessions from public galleries on sitting days and join guided tours to understand how legislation works. The tours provide access to the main chambers and show visitors the key rooms where government business takes place.

The western facade displays replica statues of the Lion and Unicorn from Westminster, gifted in 1936 by the Empire Parliamentary Association. These symbols visually connect the building to the birthplace of British democracy.