MoAD and the Courtyard Cafe are open. Some exhibitions will be closed from 14 July to early September 2025 for essential building works. Learn more

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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.

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Visitors looking at the framed cartoons on the walls

STORIES

Reflections of Bob Hawke in Old Parliament House
Heritage

Reflections of Bob Hawke in Old Parliament House

How Bob Hawke felt about his time as Prime Minister at both houses of parliament.

Alfred Deakin and the Divine
History

Alfred Deakin and the Divine

Personal writing from PM Alfred Deakin.

Remembering Elizabeth II in the halls of Old Parliament House
Heritage

Remembering Elizabeth II in the halls of Old Parliament House

The close connections between Elizabeth II and the history of Old Parliament House.

The day the Australian Labor Party changed itself, and its leader
History

The day the Australian Labor Party changed itself, and its leader

How PM Gough Whitlam secured the labor party leadership.

Whatever it takes to get the vote
History

Whatever it takes to get the vote

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.
Multifone telephone used by William McMahon

Multifone telephone used by William McMahon

Lift the handle and listen for the dial tone.

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.