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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

Lost, found and left behind
Heritage

Lost, found and left behind

Discover some of the items that have been unexpectedly discovered in the museum.

Eight by-elections that changed the game
Democracy

Eight by-elections that changed the game

A by-election can indicate that change is coming for a political party.

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.

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.

Remembering Elizabeth II in the halls of Old Parliament House
Heritage

Remembering Elizabeth II in the halls of Old Parliament House

COLLECTION

Plaque presented to Dorothy Tangney Plaque presented to Dorothy Tangney

Plaque presented to Dorothy Tangney

This plaque signifies Dorothy Margaret Tangney becoming Australia's first woman senator.
Michael Darby’s campaign matchbook

Michael Darby’s campaign matchbook

More than an unassuming piece of campaign material, this matchbook has a story to tell.

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?