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Explore

Democracy

Democracy

Aretha Brown, a young woman, holds a banner at a protest rally with a fist raised in the air.

Stories

Stories

Black and white image of the front of Old Parliament House with a crowd of people of gathered at the foot of the stairs. The building is white with columns and an Australian flag flies at the top.

Collection

Collection

A close up of a rainbow flag covered in signatures.

POLITICAL CARTOONS

Browse Behind the Lines, our annual exhibition celebrating the year's best political cartoons.

Explore
Visitors looking at the framed cartoons on the walls

STORIES

7 people you (maybe) didn’t know ran for parliament
History

7 people you (maybe) didn’t know ran for parliament

Does prowess on the sporting field or theatre stage equal political potential?

A doctor in the house? Five doctors who served in the Commonwealth Parliament
History

A doctor in the house? Five doctors who served in the Commonwealth Parliament

Politicians who could call themselves 'doctor'.

Eight by-elections that changed the game
Democracy

Eight by-elections that changed the game

A by-election can indicate that change is coming for a political party.

How Billy Hughes lost the 1916 conscription referendum
History

How Billy Hughes lost the 1916 conscription referendum

A look at the reasons why Australia didn't adopt conscription during the First World War.

Only human – disability in Australian politics (part 2: human rights and human laws)
History

Only human – disability in Australian politics (part 2: human rights and human laws)

COLLECTION

1901 opening of the first Commonwealth parliament invitations 1901 opening of the first Commonwealth parliament invitations

1901 opening of the first Commonwealth parliament invitations

Lieutenant Colonel Robert Ernest Williams and his wife's invitations to the event of the year.

Commonwealth Match Works vesta case

Commonwealth Match Works vesta case

Pocket-sized cylindrical boxes for matches, were popular in Australia and New Zealand in the early 1900s.

DEMOCRACY

Defining democracy Australian democracy

Defining democracy

What is democracy?
Australian democracy Australian democracy

Australian democracy

Every democratic society is distinct. The same is true for Australia.