Julia moving out of the lodge

It would be stupid to build a new residence. The Lodge is a really nice old house – it just needs some work to be done on it. I don’t think it needs to be big – any state function can be held at Parliament House, or at the residence of our head of state – the GG.

Someone earlier said that one day it will be a significant part of our history – I think the Lodge is already a significant part of our history, and given some TLC, it will continue to be one.

The Government should just commit to build a new residence befitting the status of a PM

Why does this country have an infactuation with demolishing anything old?

Fix it up, one day it’ll be a significant part of out history and heritage.

EvanJames is correct. Howard should have done it when he was PM.

Why not keep it as an historic building, open to the public and build a new place that is more suitable. You wouldn’t need to do anything near the level of the renovations that are going to be done if it is being preserved more as a museum than a house, and you ould probably build a new place for the price they are quoting to fix it up.

I’d say he’s spot on in education needing the funding. Look at what a success his education was.

marls1969 said :

THE PRIME MINISTER WANTS TO SPEND $7MIL ON RENOVATIONS, IS THIS GOVERNMENT ON STUPID PILLS OR JUST PLAIN STUPID!!!!! JUST KNOCK THE DAMN THING DOWN AND REBUILD, THE MOST IT WILL COST IS UPTO $700k, YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THE BUILDING INDUSTRY — @JuliaGillard Aren’t you ashamed to give the go ahead on the reno’s for over $7 mil, are you nuts woman, EDUCATION NEEDS THE MONEY derrrrr

your finger slipped off the shift key towards the end there. next time perhaps just use caps lock?

THE PRIME MINISTER WANTS TO SPEND $7MIL ON RENOVATIONS, IS THIS GOVERNMENT ON STUPID PILLS OR JUST PLAIN STUPID!!!!! JUST KNOCK THE DAMN THING DOWN AND REBUILD, THE MOST IT WILL COST IS UPTO $700k, YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THE BUILDING INDUSTRY — @JuliaGillard Aren’t you ashamed to give the go ahead on the reno’s for over $7 mil, are you nuts woman, EDUCATION NEEDS THE MONEY derrrrr

mad_kiwi said :

The land set aside for a new residence is at ‘Sterling ridge’ somewhere near Yarralumla

I’m almost certain the site is at the end of Empire Circuit (cnr Forster Cres) – where the Westlake memorial is. There used to be signs up there announcing the planned use of the site, but I haven’t been there in years and couldn’t tell you if they are still there… (the absence of shadows on the ground on Google Maps indicate the planning sign, that used to be adjacent to the gate, may be long gone)

Gerry-Built said :

Henry82 said :

I think they should build two houses, one really nice, and one in the garden shed. If the ratings are lower than 50% you have to live in the shed.

This^ has legs!!!

Yes it does!

Henry82 said :

I think they should build two houses, one really nice, and one in the garden shed. If the ratings are lower than 50% you have to live in the shed.

This^ has legs!!!

bigfeet said :

The Lodge was only ever meant to be a temporary residence…
…it is a damp, crowded, leaky, run-down bulding…
…not have anywhere appropriate to host a formal dinner or reception.

I always wondered why one of the most important residence in Australia was called “The Lodge”. It makes sense now, it wasn’t meant to be important!

phototext said :

There was some historian on the radio today (Sydney) saying that when Hawke was PM they did put aside some land for a new residence (Scullin Hill?) as the current one is hopeless for visiting dignitaries, dinner parties etc, not at all appropriate for a PM.

God forbid any PM that would spend the money on such a thing though, the media would have a field day.

#5. I agree, it is stupid in 2011 the PM doesn’t have a proper residence in the nations capital.

They should build the new one and sell off the old one to pay for it.

The land set aside for a new residence is at ‘Sterling ridge’ somewhere near Yarralumla