National Archives in ‘Serious Disrepair’ — Lewis Faults Government for Neglect

Opposition MP Richard Lewis says the government has allowed the National Archives to fall into “serious disrepair,” arguing that years of neglect have now forced major renovation work and the relocation of staff.

Lewis raised the concern during Monday’s Budget Debate, linking the deterioration of the archives to a broader pattern of failing public buildings.

He said the Ministry of Education, which has responsibility for the facility, “allowed the National Archives building to run into serious disrepair… allowed to deteriorate to the point where major renovations are required.”

He warned that the country’s most important documentary collection should never have been permitted to reach that state, stressing that “the National Archives is too important an institution for us not to give it priority.”

Lewis said its current condition reflects poor maintenance planning over the past 11 and a half years.

The Rural West MP also criticised what he described as the government’s tendency to boast about economic performance while essential infrastructure declines.

Referencing repeated problems across ministries and agencies, he said workers continue to face disruptions because of unsafe or deteriorating buildings.

Lewis urged the government to commit meaningful resources to restoring the Archives, saying public heritage should not be at risk due to administrative neglect.

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