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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.

Seven prime ministers who migrated to Australia
History

Seven prime ministers who migrated to Australia

Political participation does not require being born in Australia.

On This Day: a plot to kill Harold Holt?
History

On This Day: a plot to kill Harold Holt?

How the police intercepted a threat against the Prime Minister.

Young people and the right to vote: Some exceptions to the rule
History

Young people and the right to vote: Some exceptions to the rule

How voting rights have changed in Australia.

On a Knife-Edge: Six other times Australia’s elections were down to the wire
History

On a Knife-Edge: Six other times Australia’s elections were down to the wire

COLLECTION

Ethel Bruce's rail pass and tickets to the opening of Parliament House Ethel Bruce's rail pass and tickets to the opening of Parliament House

Ethel Bruce's rail pass and tickets to the opening of Parliament House

First class travel for the wife of the prime minister.
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?