21 May 2012

Parliament House visitation in free fall

| johnboy
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Senator Humphries is very concerned that Parliament House visitor numbers are the lowest in the building’s history:

Under questioning from ACT Liberal Senator Gary Humphries, the heads of the Department of Parliamentary Services confirmed that the budget available to promote Parliament as a destination to visit and learn from in Canberra was almost non-existent.

“The fact is that there is no promotion of our national parliament and the opportunity to visit it”, Senator Humphries said.

What are your thoughts on this dear reader?

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johnboy said :

Considering the security casual visitors have to go through now anyway they really should have the tour groups going through the secure areas.

Really? I think the inconvenience imposed by the security arrangements are pretty minimal. Especially if you’ve ever been to the parliament/government buildings of other countries. It only takes about 10 seconds to empty your pockets, take off a belt, and walk through a metal detector.

Slice said :

They could spice it up by having mock terrorist invasions/incidents.

What’s Clifford Moss doing these days? Having some wanker in a 4wd drive through the doors on the odd randomly selected day might bring a frisson of excitement to the place. You know, bogan excitement, not political excitement.

Actually, I like NPH – but I’ve found the increased security over the years a bit off-putting (in the sense that Australia is losing some of its laid-back character).

Dilandach said :

deye said :

Perhaps if they removed the fences from the roof and made the guards not so obvious it would encourage visitors.

The fences were put up to stop people running up on the grass hills/roof. I believe Peter Costello was one such offender having his rocky moment running up and down the hill.

Ummmm, which is exactly the problem with them. Being able to walk up the grass to the top, look down in through the glass roof, then roll back down was the coolest thing about “New Parliament House” for many years, now we can’t because of all the scary foreign people with bombs.

I wonder if Gazza has considered the fact the numbers are at an all time low because the building has been there longer then ever, and a lot of people have already been there?

Plus, I suspect both major parties are about the least popular they’ve ever been (at least at the same time as each other), which won’t help bring in the punters (apart from for comedy value, as stated by others).

This doesnt suprise me. The place is a boring s*** hole.

Considering the security casual visitors have to go through now anyway they really should have the tour groups going through the secure areas.

deye said :

Perhaps if they removed the fences from the roof and made the guards not so obvious it would encourage visitors.

The fences were put up to stop people running up on the grass hills/roof. I believe Peter Costello was one such offender having his rocky moment running up and down the hill.

They should let people see the activity that happens under parliament house, see some of the oddities in the building like the cathedral. Not just the normal “Here are paintings, marvel at them in all their glory.” type tour.

NickD said :

What’s Gary Humphries’ plan to fix this issue? His party is in favour of slashing government spending, and his boss has played a significant role in reducing question time to a farce.

His numbers (such as they are) also look dodgy: the only figure is for “tours” of the building (down from 4527 to 1911, apparently) yet he’s claiming that this represents the “lowest visitor numbers” ever. The great bulk of tourists who visit APH wander around without joining a tour.

Actually the numbers of overall visitors to PH are down too.

Lazy I said :

Primal said :

Good, maybe that’ll free up some parking.

+1

It’s always amazed me that the Senate and Reps car parks are huge, but the parking area for the average punters is next to nothing (and always full).

The building exists for the parliament first and foremost, and visitors second. Of course there will be more parking for the staff and politicians – they are the necessity.

Mr Evil said :

Plus, rumour has it that there’s a witch and a Ju-liar living in the place!

And a rabbit looking to take the place over.

Well, they’ve only got yourselves to blame!

After all, the AFP and Protective Services frightened the ‘Great Crusade’ of 300 000 trucks, buses, cars away from Parliament House last year, so it is any wonder your average Davo, Raewyn, Mick, Shazza, Brockie, Ferret and Kylie don’t feel welcome at Parliament House anymore?

Plus, rumour has it that there’s a witch and a Ju-liar living in the place!

Perhaps if they removed the fences from the roof and made the guards not so obvious it would encourage visitors.

The building and approaches used to feel reasonably welcoming, these days you feel a bit like a criminal just for approaching it.

Primal said :

Good, maybe that’ll free up some parking.

+1

It’s always amazed me that the Senate and Reps car parks are huge, but the parking area for the average punters is next to nothing (and always full).

GardeningGirl9:55 pm 21 May 12

I’ve been on a garden tour during Floriade and I was just thinking the other day while watching an interview on the news that they should do autumn tours as well. We’ve also enjoyed the occasional exhibition they have, I’m not sure how frequent those are. How’s the cafe these days? It went downhill a few years ago taking away the bonus of having a nice lunch while you’re there.

Elizabethany7:57 pm 21 May 12

I have been twice in the last two years (more than most visitors),both during the day on a work week during term time. Both times it was packed and there was a queue for question time, with people not getting in. Maybe I just have great timing…

They could spice it up by having mock terrorist invasions/incidents, or let people have a go at being the actual prime minister for 5 mins for $14.95.

‘Democracy: boring as can be imagined, but better than the alternatives.’

That’ll pack em in.

Good, maybe that’ll free up some parking.

What the hell? The greatest tragi-comedy in the country, and it’s free!

What’s Gary Humphries’ plan to fix this issue? His party is in favour of slashing government spending, and his boss has played a significant role in reducing question time to a farce.

His numbers (such as they are) also look dodgy: the only figure is for “tours” of the building (down from 4527 to 1911, apparently) yet he’s claiming that this represents the “lowest visitor numbers” ever. The great bulk of tourists who visit APH wander around without joining a tour.

“Come see Prime Ministers Question Time, cheaper and more entertaining than feeding time at the zoo!”

They could advertise it as a tragic comedy. Come and see Questions Time, the tragic collision of fools and power.

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