The Hon Rod Kemp was Minister for the Arts and Sport from Friday 23 November 2001 to Tuesday 30 January 2007. This site is available for archival purposes only.

Old Parliament House Council Re-appointments

The Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp, today announced the reappointment of three members of the Old Parliament House Governing Council. The council oversights and advises Old Parliament House in its role as a museum of Australia’s social, political and parliamentary history.

Senator Kemp reappointed the Hon Barry Cohen as a member and as deputy chair of the council for a further term of one year, and the Hon Warwick Parer AM and Mr Lyn Barlin AM as council members for additional one year terms.

“The skills, experience and knowledge which these members have brought to the Governing Council have been of great benefit to Old Parliament House,” Senator Kemp said.

“I am confident they will continue to provide advice and guidance to Old Parliament House as it moves to implement major initiatives recently announced by the Australian Government, including the development of a Gallery of Australian Democracy.

“These initiatives will further enhance the experiences of visitors to Old Parliament House and will fulfil the Government’s 2004 election commitment to develop it as a leading high-value tourist destination.

“We are fortunate Mr Cohen, Mr Parer and Mr Barlin have agreed to continue their valuable roles with Old Parliament House for a further year at this important time in its history.”

Mr Cohen is a journalist, author and a former Labor Party Member of Parliament and Minister in the Hawke Government. He has been a member and the deputy chairman of the Governing Council since December 1997.

Mr Parer is a former Senator for Queensland and Federal Minister, as well as having an extensive business background. Mr Barlin is a former Clerk of the House of Representatives, and has had a long and distinguished career as a parliamentary official. Both have been members of the Old Parliament House, Governing Council since December 2000.

Old Parliament House is funded by the Australian Government and is administered by the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts. Visit www.oph.gov.au for more information.

MELBOURNE

19 December 2006

Media contact: Michael Christo, 03 9650 7274 or 0409 040276