Statesman Hotel sold after year of talks with Fifty Group
Statesman Hotel, linked to a 1980 budget leak scandal, sold to Fifty Group.
The Statesman Hotel, a politics-themed venue near Parliament House, has been sold to Fifty Group. The hotel was run by the O'Donnell family and is known for a scandal in 1980: reporter Laurie Oakes was given budget papers in the car park days before treasurer John Howard's speech.
Rooms are named after the houses of parliament. Fifty Group says it will preserve the hotel's history.
The company will improve the facilities. Fifty Group also owns the Garden City Hotel in Narrabundah.
It plans to focus on running the hotel as a hospitality venue rather than redeveloping the site.
- 10 minutes away
- Distance from Parliament House
- 1980
- Budget leak year
- Gary O'Donnell in 2018
- Previous owner died
- 2023 with political murals
- Hotel refurbished
Why it mattersA Canberra political landmark with historic significance changes hands to new ownership focused on preservation.
AustraliaCanberra's hospitality and political heritage venue stays focused on preservation under new interstate management.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 6 d ago
