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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

We’re gonna party like it’s 1988!
Heritage

We’re gonna party like it’s 1988!

How the move to Australian Parliament House was celebrated.

Agitators, suffragettes and spies: 7 women you should know
History

Agitators, suffragettes and spies: 7 women you should know

How these women left their mark on Australian democracy.

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM)
History

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM)

The role of CHOGM for Commonwealth governments.

The one that got away: the last time a government lost a vote in the House of Representatives
History

The one that got away: the last time a government lost a vote in the House of Representatives

How a majority government can lose a vote in the House of Representatives.

Zines: an independent platform for self-expression
Your voice

Zines: an independent platform for self-expression

COLLECTION

Commonwealth of England sixpence Commonwealth of England sixpence

Commonwealth of England sixpence

This rare hammered silver coin represents a foundational idea for the history of parliamentary democracy.
Women's Electoral Lobby vinyl record

Women's Electoral Lobby vinyl record

Music with a message.

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?