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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

Referenda and plebiscites – what's the difference?
Democracy

Referenda and plebiscites – what's the difference?

How a referendum compares to a plebiscite.

Who knew that toilets would have such a complicated history?
Heritage

Who knew that toilets would have such a complicated history?

How women corrected an old planning oversight at Old Parliament House.

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)

How Australian politicians have addressed disability in Parliament.

The rise of bee activism – how these humble insects have inspired a mass movement
Your voice

The rise of bee activism – how these humble insects have inspired a mass movement

How influencers, businesses and communities are fighting for bees.

A short history of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy - an indelible reminder of unceded sovereignty
History

A short history of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy - an indelible reminder of unceded sovereignty

COLLECTION

Political chess set by Douglas Pearce Political chess set by Douglas Pearce

Political chess set by Douglas Pearce

A chess set with pieces made to look like federal politicians.

Commonwealth of England sixpence

Commonwealth of England sixpence

This rare hammered silver coin represents a foundational idea for the history of parliamentary democracy.

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.