IT is hailed as a symbol of a "new Wales", and will end up costing Welsh tax-payers £67.5 million.

Yesterday the new National Assembly building was officially unveiled in Cardiff Bay, with journalists and politicians invited to view the interior.

Finance Minister Sue Essex, who hosted the tour, defended the Assembly's multi-million-pound debating chamber against critics, saying it will become one of Wales' defining landmarks.

The true cost of the Assembly building was revealed last year to be around £67.5 million - £55.5 million more than estimated in 1998. On top of £40.9 million contract fees, VAT will be more than £7 million, £6.7 million will be spent on computer equipment, £1.6 million on furniture and £300,000 on artworks.

A further £7.5 million was spent on digging the hole for the building's foundations and preparing the site.

Last night, as Assembly members had their first look inside the chamber, Ms Essex said the new building would be a tremendous asset to Wales. She said: "It is going to be more than a talking shop. It is not going to be just for politicians, it will be a really important attraction."

She defended the building against claims the money would have been better spent on health or education. She said: "We are spending money on hospitals, schools and roads. All that is crucial to people's lives. But we do need buildings like this."

The debating chamber has proved controversial from the start. When it was first proposed in 1998 it was estimated it would cost £12m. The original architect, Richard Rogers, was then sacked in 2001 amid a storm of adverse publicity about the cost of the scheme.

The building is now almost complete and will soon be fitted with a computer system and furnishings. Until then, Ms Essex said, a final figure for the cost can not be given, but it was expected to be on budget. Ms Essex said she thought the building was money well spent and would be an investment for the future.

She said: "Clearly, when people look at it they will see it is a special building and that does cost more. This is going to be one of the recognisable symbols of Wales."

The public will be able to enter the building and can either look down through a glass floor above the debating chamber, or sit in a public gallery to observe proceedings.

Ms Essex said there would also be events and exhibitions held in the building.

She said: "This will be something everyone wants to come and see." It is estimated that the building will have a lifespan of at least 100 years. Ms Essex said: "Time will tell if the money was wisely spent. Future generations will judge its worth."