Ben Fordham has slammed “one of the worst ideas in political history” that has left the ruins of a 152-year-old historic building gathering dust.

Parramatta’s Willow Grove, built circa 1886, was dismantled to make way for the Western Sydney branch of the Powerhouse Museum.

The government insisted it would rebuild the historic building elsewhere but the National Trust NSW has withdrawn from the project after an inspection of the building’s remains indicate it “could not be authentically reconstructed.”

“There was never an appetite to rebuild it,” Ben said, “It was all damage control over one of the dopiest ideas we’ve ever heard!

“It is one of the worst policy stuff-ups in NSW history.”

Press PLAY below to hear Ben’s comments in full

Then-arts minister Don Harwin had rejected Ben Fordham’s critique of the idea at the time.

Mr Harwin assured the building would be restored “to its former glory”.