Sculpture honours our longest-serving PM

A sculpture of Australia's longest-serving Prime Minister, Sir Robert Menzies, by acclaimed artist Peter Corlett was unveiled today by Deputy Chief Minister Andrew Barr and ACT Minister for the Arts Joy Burch.

Following the 2011 launch by the Prime Minister Julia Gillard and the ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher of Prime Minister John Curtin and Treasurer Ben Chifley,ca 1945, the ACT Government commissioned another figurative bronze in a series acknowledging Prime Ministers who made significant contributions in the development of Canberra.

"Under Menzies' second term as the Prime Minister, Canberra's community grew from 28,000 in 1954 to 93,000 in 1966," Ms Burch said.

"A number of significant cultural institutions including the National Library and the Canberra Theatre Centre were founded during that period and in 1964 Lake Burley Griffin was inaugurated."

Ms Burch said she was pleased relatives of Sir Robert Menzies, including his daughter Heather Henderson, were able to attend this morning's unveiling.

"Ms Henderson, her husband Peter and members of the Menzies family have provided valuable advice and feedback during the development of this project, and I thank them for their contribution."

The two commissions by the ACT Government of former Prime Ministers are a tangible link between the era of Federal administration in Canberra and the contemporary regime of Territory self government.

"Artist Peter Corlett OAM is among Australia's most highly regarded figurative sculptors and he completed both Prime Minister commissions. It is remarkable that he has captured their likenesses by working from photographs," Ms Burch said.