A parliamentary committee has approved the redevelopment of the Australian War Memorial.Credit:Artist impression
But the committee’s deputy chair,Labor MP Tony Zappia,and his colleague David Smith issued a rare dissenting report recommending other options be explored that did not involve demolishing the Anzac Hall,which is less than 20 years old.
“Labor members believe that the government should consult further on this issue and consider alternative approaches that do not involve the complete demolition of the existing Anzac Hall,” they wrote.
They also said the government should consider “lower-cost options”,including a potential overhaul of the War Memorial’s warehouse space in the industrial suburb of Mitchell.
The redevelopment,unveiled in 2018 and supported in principle by both major parties,would expand exhibition space by about 80 per cent with galleries for modern conflicts,and add an underground car park and entrance.
It has come under fire from critics who fear the institution will be turned from a place of remembrance into akind of theme park glorifying war,and say the money could bebetter spent on veterans’ wellbeing.
The Australian Institute of Architects said the committee’s approval showed the government was intent on pushing ahead with the project.