Australian MPs to adjourn early for controversial War Memorial extension opening

Australia's parliament is concluding its session early to allow politicians to attend the official opening of ANZAC Hall, a component of the $550 million extension to the Australian War Memorial (AWM). Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is scheduled to lead the ceremony, which is the latest in a series of staged openings for the controversial project.

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Today we adjourned the Parliament so that everyone who wished to could come mark the opening of this Atrium and Anzac Hall

The extension has been mired in controversy since 2018 when former Prime Minister Scott Morrison committed nearly $500 million before a business case was finalized. Concerns have been raised about the project's funding, procurement processes, and architectural merits, with critics describing it as potentially becoming "a kind of Disneyland of war." An auditor-general's report previously criticized the upgrade, stating that ministerial oversight was deliberately avoided. Public consultation also revealed significant opposition, with most submissions opposing the expansion.

Despite the criticisms, Prime Minister Albanese is expected to praise the completed project, calling it a "sublime and powerful addition" that enhances the memorial. The AWM itself, opened in 1941, is a significant national institution.

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What a sublime and powerful addition it is. A bold vision turned into a reality that enhances the institution of which it is now part.

Notably, Ben Roberts-Smith, a recipient of the Victoria Cross and a former Special Air Service Regiment soldier facing five counts of alleged war crime murders, has been invited to the event. The AWM director, Matt Anderson, stated that inviting living Victoria Cross recipients to major commemorative events is "standard practice." Roberts-Smith has vehemently denied the allegations and intends to clear his name in court.

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standard practice