History of Parliament House
On 6 June 1859, Queen Victoria approved the creation of a new colony to be called Queensland. On 10 December of the same year, Sir George Ferguson Bowen arrived in Brisbane as the new colony's Governor and officially proclaimed the Colony of Queensland.
Read moreWomens Suffrage
In 1894 the Women’s Equal Franchise Association (WEFA) initiated a double petition – one for women to sign and the other for men – which played a key role in galvanising support for the women’s suffrage movement across Queensland. A second group of women through the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union canvassed support again in 1897.
Read moreElections and Referendums
Queenslanders have participated in eight State-sponsored referendums since the establishment of the Queensland Parliament. The first was in 1899 and the last in 2016.
Read moreGovernors of Queensland
As the personal representative of the Sovereign, the Governor must always remain non-political. The Governor represents all Queenslanders and it is their duty to ensure that Queensland always enjoys stable government. The Governor has a range of other duties.
Read moreO'Donovan Library and Collection
The O'Donovan Library and its collection is housed on level C of Parliament House, in the original second level of the Library as designed by the Parliamentary architect, Charles Tiffin.
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