The Fiji Times published on September 6, 1973 that a parliamentary committee had recommended a new Parliament building in Suva that would cost about $4 million.
It also suggested for an international design competition for the project.
The committee recommended a site on Battery Hill at the corner of Vuya Rd and Sukuna Rd.
Its report, tabled in the House of Representatives, stated the construction should be in phases, according to the available finances.
It would take about five years to complete.
The report stated at least two assessors, who would be eminent architects in their own countries, would be necessary.
They would make the design award.
Details of the project, the committee recommended, included:
- House of Representatives chamber. This would seat 100 members, with a public gallery for 200. A distinguished visitors’ gallery would have space for 20 and a press gallery would accommodate 20. A gallery would be provided for 10 officials and four Hansard reporters. There would be two cubicles for translators, a cubicle for a monitoring console and taping machinery and provision for live broadcasting proceedings.
- Senate chamber — This would seat 40 members, with a public gallery for 80, a distinguished visitors’ gallery for 10, a press gallery for 10 and a gallery for 10 officials and four Hansard reporters. Two cubicles would be provided for translators, a cubicle for a monitoring console and taping machinery and provision for live broadcasting of proceedings. A state reception hall for 500 which could be used for exhibitions also. A 4500 square feet library would include a reading room and research section.
Leader
The Speaker of the House of Representatives would have a chamber and restroom, a lounge and dressing room and washroom facilities.
The deputy Speaker would have an office with sufficient space for lounge chairs.
The president of the Senate would have a chamber, restroom, lounge, dressing room and washroom facilities.
The vice-president would have an office with space for lounge chairs.
The Leader of the House of Representatives and the Leader of Government Business in the Senate would have offices with room for lounge chairs.
Accommodation for administrative staff would include offices for the clerk of the House of Representatives, the assistant clerk, clerk to the Senate, accountant, clerical staff, typists, the sergeant at arms and parliamentary draftsman.
There would be a VIP lounge.
Hansard staff would have offices for the editor debates , assistant editor, senior Hansard reporter and Hansard reporters.
The Prime Minister’s suite would include an office and restroom lounge, interview room, permanent secretary’s room and room for typist and attendant.
The Leader of the Opposition’s suite would have an office and restroom, lounge, interview room, private secretary’s room and room for typists and clerical staff.
Seven suites would be available for ministers and assistant ministers.
There would be offices for government and Opposition Whips, conference rooms for government and Opposition backbenchers, 30 individual members’ offices and a 2000 sq ft recreation room.
There would be a lounge room for both Houses accommodating 100.
A dining room with adjoining refreshment room would accommodate about 120.
Four committee rooms would be allocated to the House of Representatives and the Senate would have one general meeting room for 35 people.
The Senate would also have two separate committee rooms, Senators would have six individuals offices.
Journalists from the public relations office and media would get two rooms.
There would be provision for a post office and teleprinter.
