One of the best sculptures in Canberra depicts John Curtin and Ben Chifley mid-stroll on their way to Old Parliament House.

The pair would walk from the Hotel Kurrrajong to parliament and talk about the day ahead, and the sculpture captures one of those moments. Curtin has just finished speaking, and Chifley, pipe in mouth, is considering his response.

It’s a tiny piece of history captured in bronze. It represents not just the strong relationship between Curtin, Australia’s wartime prime minister, and his treasurer and confidant, Chifley, who would go on to lead Australia’s post-war reconstruction following Curtin’s death, but another time.

The Kurrajong, started life as Hostel No.2. It was the Labor MP accommodation of choice, while conservative MPs stayed in Hostel No.1, now known as the Hotel Hyatt. Both places were considered informal party rooms for their corresponding residents. Chifley stayed at Hostel No.2 as prime minister, instead of The Lodge, in the same room he had lived (and died) in as treasurer and opposition leader. This period in politics is considered the stuff of Canberra legend.

Chifley stayed at Hostel No.2 as prime minister, instead of The Lodge, in the same room he had lived (and died) in as treasurer and opposition leader. This period in politics is considered the stuff of Canberra legend.

Labor MPs and the few conservatives who also stayed at Hostel No.2, instead of the sister building on the other side of the triangle where their colleagues stayed, would get into arguments over breakfast, and debates over post-parliament dinner and drinks.

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