Australia’s parliament will finish early today so politicians can attend the official opening of a hall that is part of the controversial $550 million extension to the Australian War Memorial (AWM).
The official opening of ANZAC Hall, led by an address by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, is the latest in several staged openings as part of the extension.
The event is also expected to be attended by Ben Roberts-Smith after his bail conditions over alleged war crime charges were varied in a Sydney court last week.
Parliament’s chambers typically adjourn to mark visits by high-level international visitors or to honour the deaths of distinguished figures. In most cases, adjournment must be agreed to by the chamber.
But Mr Albanese is expected to tell the event that parliament finished at 5.30pm instead of 8pm so MPs could attend the opening.
“Today we adjourned the Parliament so that everyone who wished to could come mark the opening of this Atrium and Anzac Hall,” according to a speech Mr Albanese will deliver.
The War Memorial updates have been years in the making. (ABC News: Niki Burnside)
The project has faced controversy since former prime minister Scott Morrison said the government would award the AWM almost $500 million in 2018 before a project business case was finished.
Former AWM director Brendan Nelson also championed the project. Dr Nelson began a paid role with arms manufacturer Thales while director in 2015, which was not disclosed for four years until he was forced to register on the government’s foreign influence register.
An auditor-general’s report slammed the upgrade, saying ministerial oversight was deliberately avoided, while public consultation by the National Capital Authority received 601 submissions on the project, most opposed to the expansion.
The funding, procurement and the architectural merits of the project have also been questioned, and there was criticism it would become “a kind of Disneyland of war”.
However, Mr Albanese said he welcomed the final project designed to enhance the memorial, which opened in 1941.
“What a sublime and powerful addition it is,” he said.
“A bold vision turned into a reality that enhances the institution of which it is now part.“
Roberts-Smith expected to attend
War veteran Ben Roberts-Smith was invited to the event as a recipient of the Victoria Cross, an invitation director Matt Anderson said was “standard practice”.
The former Special Air Service Regiment soldier faces five counts of war crime murder relating to his deployments in Afghanistan in 2009 and 2012 and involving what investigators allege were unarmed Afghan nationals.
He has categorically rejected the allegations and said he plans to fight to clear his name in court.
Mr Anderson said that, of 2 million men and women who have served Australia, 102 have been awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery.
“There are four living recipients … and it is standard practice for the memorial for them to be invited to major commemorative events,” Mr Anderson said.
“Beyond that, I’m not prepared to say or do anything that would undermine presumption of innocence or a chance for a fair trial.”
Parliament’s adjournment will come as the government works to pass its capital gains tax and negative gearing laws through the Senate.
For ‘fighters for peace, keepers of peace’
The Hall, which focuses mainly on Australia’s commitments to the Middle East, Afghanistan and peacekeeping operations, is the latest addition to the AWM after the Atrium, Southern Entrance, Parade Ground and the Bean Building.
While final works are not expected to be completed until 2028, the memorial has remained open to visitors, with organisers saying it had 1.14 million visitors in the last financial year.
The extensions to the War Memorial are expected to be finished in 2028. (ABC News: Niki Burnside)
Mr Albanese said the development was a heartfelt sign of respect for those who have served country.
“It amounts to an act of profound respect from the nation to all who have served in our name and all who serve now. The fighters for peace, the keepers of peace,” Mr Albanese said.
“It honours all who went and all who fell. It honours those who came home, including the many whose hearts never knew peace again.“
“It is an act of remembrance that also acknowledges that not every conflict has been supported — and that, too, is part of our hard-won freedom.”
