The Australian Parliament House has recently recorded its lowest visitors since it first opened 24 years ago in 1988.
ACT Liberal Senator Gary Humphries recently questioned the heads of the Department of Parliamentary Services and it was confirmed that the budget available to promote Parliament as a destination to visit and learn from in Canberra was almost non-existent.
Senator Humphries commented that over the past three years, the number of annual tours of Parliament House has fallen from 4527 to 1911. Staffing levels have also taken a hit with the number of guides being further reduced this year.
“A meagre $16,000 will be spent advertising Parliament house to regional areas over the coming year – that is pocket change and reflects just how little investment is being made in Australians visiting their parliament.” Senator Humphries commented.