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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

Tosspot to bodgie: seven prime ministerial nicknames
History

Tosspot to bodgie: seven prime ministerial nicknames

Discover how these prime ministers got their infamous nicknames.

90-year-old souvenirs for a 90-year-old building
Heritage

90-year-old souvenirs for a 90-year-old building

Read about souvenirs from the 1927 opening of Old Parliament House.

The Sydney Twelve — treason, conspiracy and conscription in Australia 1916
History

The Sydney Twelve — treason, conspiracy and conscription in Australia 1916

How the global idea of "One Big Union" challenged Australia's early 20th century governments.

Is it compulsory to like compulsory voting?
Democracy

Is it compulsory to like compulsory voting?

How compulsory voting influences individuals in a democracy.

Transition of power – what’s the difference between Australia and the United States?
Democracy

Transition of power – what’s the difference between Australia and the United States?

COLLECTION

President of the Senate’s signet ring President of the Senate’s signet ring

President of the Senate’s signet ring

Australia’s first ever President of the Senate likely commissioned this gold and bloodstone signet ring.
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

Australian democracy Defining democracy

Australian democracy

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

Defining democracy

What is democracy?