The 11th of November sees the 34th anniversary of the Dismissal of the Whitlam Government in 1975. On 15 November, the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House will be holding the second of our interactive role playing tours, reconstructing the final hours of the Whitlam government by retracing the steps of the key players. The events leading up to the dismissal of the Labor Government in 1975 and the subsequent landslide victory of the Liberal-Country Coalition parties in the election of 13 December were played out in the corridors, offices and chambers of Old Parliament House—the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament…
The Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House opened on the weekend of 9 May 2009 in Canberra. It’s the first and only museum in Australia dedicated to telling the story of our democracy. The new Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House will connect Australians with more than 2000 years of history and heritage within a network of exhibitions that will trace democracy from its earliest origins through the stories of real people using their voice to achieve extraordinary things. The Museum was opened by the the last prime minister to serve in the House - the Hon RJL Hawke AC. He was joined by Chairman of the Advisory…
The votes have now been tallied and the results are in. You’ve told us ‘what’s on your mind’ Australia! Steve Cannane, Tracey Spicer, Jeffery Robertson and Bianca Dye will be debating the topic Does ‘work/life balance’ exist for Australians today? In the spirit of democracy, What’s on your mind? is about inviting everyday Australians to have a say on the issues that affect us all. The chosen topic will be discussed in a national public forum at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House, in the House of Representatives Chamber on Friday 8 May from 11.00am to 12.00pm.
The debate will be hosted by comedian and presenter James…
On 9 May 2009, the new Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House opens as Australia’s first museum dedicated to telling the story of our democracy. The official opening will be from 11.00am – 11.30am on the front steps of the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House, King George Terrace, Parkes, Canberra.
Program of events
9.30am –11.00am: Breakfast Concert (front steps)
Concert featuring John Williamson, Ruby Hunter and Archie Roach, Lisa Keane Trio
Five choirs singing songs of influence and pride: Sing Australia, Worldly Goods, Canberra Gay and Lesbian Qwire, Voices of Ainslie and Woden Valley Youth Choir
Free…
On 18 February, 2009, Special Minister of State, Senator John Faulkner announced that Australia’s much loved heritage-listed landmark, Old Parliament House, will become the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House. Scheduled to open on 9 May 2009, the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House will be Australia’s first museum dedicated to telling the story of our democracy and aims to encourage Australians to understand and participate in our democracy. Visitors will be able to celebrate, debate and experience the past, present and future of Australian democracy.
“We’re excited to reveal that the Museum of Australian…
From Friday 6 to Monday 9 February Old Parliament House will be the venue for Australia’s first Citizens’ Parliament. The Citizens’ Parliament project is bringing together 150 randomly selected citizens, one from each federal electorate, to Old Parliament House to deliberate on the question “How can Australia’s political system be strengthened to serve us better?”
This exciting event is a “Deliberative Democracy” process which aims to provide citizens with information and space for deliberation on the question at hand, in order to culminate a report to be presented to the government. Such processes are becoming increasingly common in many…
To mark the centenary of Andrew Fisher’s first Labor government, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd gave a speech at Old Parliament House on 13 November, 2008 highlighting Fisher’s achievements as a nation builder. Andrew Fisher (1862-1928) became the 5th prime minister of Australia on 13 November 1908 when the Liberal Protectionist government headed by Alfred Deakin collapsed due to loss of parliamentary Labor support. Fisher was the first head of a majority Australian government and one who did much to strengthen a young nation’s security, economy and social foundations.
Fisher’s first period as prime minister ended when the new…
A season of dramatised documentaries commissioned by Screen Australia examining key turning points in the history of three former Prime Ministers is about to commence on ABC1.
The documentaries screen on successive Thursday nights, beginning on 23 October at 8.30pm. Trailers, press kits, images and credits are available at the following Screen Australia websites:
The Prime Minister is Missing
Menzies and Churchill at War
Infamous Victory—Ben Chifley’s Battle for Coal
The first documentary is The Prime Minister is Missing (directed by Peter Butt, starring Normie Rowe). Reconstructed from eyewitness accounts, this dramatised documentary…
