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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

When William McMahon became Prime Minister
History

When William McMahon became Prime Minister

A look at the prime ministership of William McMahon.

Referenda and plebiscites – what's the difference?
Democracy

Referenda and plebiscites – what's the difference?

How a referendum compares to a plebiscite.

By-elections in Australia
Democracy

By-elections in Australia

How by-elections work.

Life of the party – part 1
History

Life of the party – part 1

The role of political parties in Australia

Vale the Hon. Tom Uren AC
History

Vale the Hon. Tom Uren AC

COLLECTION

Women's Social and Political Union hunger strike medal Women's Social and Political Union hunger strike medal

Women's Social and Political Union hunger strike medal

The Women's Social and Political Union took extreme actions to advance the cause of women's suffrage.
Threepenny internment camp tokens

Threepenny internment camp tokens

A different kind of currency.

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.