The Australia Institute
The Australia Institute is one of the country’s most influential public policy think tanks.
MoAD and the Courtyard Cafe are open. The House of Representatives chamber will be closed from 3-5 November for an event. Some exhibitions and rooms are closed for essential building works. Learn more
The Australia Institute is one of the country’s most influential public policy think tanks.
Your guide to the voting method we use in Australia.
Australians were asked to vote on whether men in National Service could be deployed to fight in World War One.
How it works, why it matters and the power of your role in it.
In the 1951 referendum, Australia voted no on banning Communist ideology by the barest of margins.
The 1928 referendum asked Australians to change the way finances were managed by the Commonwealth and states.
The 1946 referendum led to the pharmaceutical benefits scheme and the beginnings of universal healthcare.
The Museum of Australian Democracy acknowledges Australia's First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia. We recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We respectfully acknowledge the role that First Nations people continue to play in shaping Australia's democracy. We also acknowledge the Ngunnawal, Ngunawal and Ngambri peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the region in which MoAD is located. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices and names of deceased people.
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