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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

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.

A brief history of opinion polls
History

A brief history of opinion polls

Discover how opinion polls originated.

The history of facial hair and politics
History

The history of facial hair and politics

From the portraits of our first Prime Ministers, it is apparent than personal grooming has changed remarkably.

Tosspot to bodgie: seven prime ministerial nicknames
History

Tosspot to bodgie: seven prime ministerial nicknames

Discover how these prime ministers got their infamous nicknames.

What bees can teach us about democracy
Your voice

What bees can teach us about democracy

COLLECTION

Multifone telephone used by William McMahon Multifone telephone used by William McMahon

Multifone telephone used by William McMahon

Lift the handle and listen for the dial tone.
Embroidered cushion gifted to Arthur Calwell

Embroidered cushion gifted to Arthur Calwell

A symbol of a substantial change in government policy.

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.