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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

A closer look at the Coat of Arms in the House of Representatives
Heritage

A closer look at the Coat of Arms in the House of Representatives

When we restored the House of Representatives chamber in 2023, we unearthed surprising stories.

How does an election work? Part 2 – run for your life
Democracy

How does an election work? Part 2 – run for your life

Milestones on the journey to an election.

Just add unicorns: celebratory coronation arches from London to Canberra
Heritage

Just add unicorns: celebratory coronation arches from London to Canberra

How Canberra prepared for the 1954 royal visit.

How Billy Hughes lost the 1916 conscription referendum
History

How Billy Hughes lost the 1916 conscription referendum

A look at the reasons why Australia didn't adopt conscription during the First World War.

How does an election work? Part 2 – run for your life
Democracy

How does an election work? Part 2 – run for your life

COLLECTION

Dining room chair Dining room chair

Dining room chair

A workhorse chair you can still sit on today.
Commonwealth of England sixpence

Commonwealth of England sixpence

This rare hammered silver coin represents a foundational idea for the history of parliamentary democracy.

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?