Senator the Hon Murray Watt, Minister for the Environment and Water
The Hon Julie Collins MP, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Member for Franklin
The Hon Rebecca White MP, Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Assistant Minister for Women, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health, Member for Lyons
The Albanese Government is investing $8.9 million to undertake critical conservation work at the Port Arthur Historic Site - one of Australia's most important heritage destinations.
The funding, committed during the 2025 election campaign, will enable the Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority to conserve and stabilise the iconic Penitentiary building, ensuring it remains safe and accessible for visitors while safeguarding its National and World Heritage values.
The Penitentiary Building is a prominent structure on the Port Arthur landscape, constructed over 180 years ago. The Penitentiary was gutted by fires during the 1890s, and since this time, it has been managed as a ruin in recognition of the multi-layered history of the place.
Due to the location of the Penitentiary, it is affected by extreme weather events causing floods, marine salt attacks and erosion, compounded by climate change.
The works will be carried out by specialist heritage tradespeople, helping preserve traditional skills in Tasmania.
This investment is being delivered through the Government's Local Environmental Projects Program.
Quotes attributable to Minister for the Environment and Water, Murray Watt:
"The Albanese Government's Local Environmental Projects Program is ensuring that sites like Port Arthur can keep their doors open and be able to undertake critical maintenance work, so they can be enjoyed by locals and tourists now and into the future."
Quotes attributable to Member for Lyons, Rebecca White:
"Port Arthur is special to Tasmanians and a central part of Australia's convict history. The Albanese Government is delivering on its commitment to protect this vital heritage site and ensure it remains open, accessible, and preserved for generations to come."
"This investment supports the local experts who care for sites like Port Arthur - the people who understand the history, have the skills, and work every day to conserve it for the future."
Quotes attributable to Member for Franklin, Julie Collins:
"The Port Arthur Historic Site is not only a world class tourism destination but an integral part of Tasmania's rich history.
"This is another example of the Albanese Labor Government delivering on its election commitments and the promises we made to the Tasmanian people."
Quotes attributable to Port Arthur CEO, Will Flamsteed:
"This funding will ensure the 183-year-old Port Arthur Penitentiary can continue to stand the test of time for generations to come.
"The Penitentiary was built in 1842 as flourmill before it was converted to a prison in 1857 and nearly destroyed by bushfires in 1897. More recently, the wind, rain, salt and storm surges have taken a toll, which is why this funding is so important.
"We can now start urgent works to stabilize fragile stone, protect the top walls from water penetration, conserve convict built timber window frames, replace bricks in the lower sections of the walls and conserve convict made iron elements in the walls.
"This work will ensure the Penitentiary can continue to tell its internationally significant story of resilience in the face of adversity, much like the convicts it imprisoned."
