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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

7 people you (maybe) didn’t know ran for parliament
History

7 people you (maybe) didn’t know ran for parliament

Does prowess on the sporting field or theatre stage equal political potential?

A doctor in the house? Five doctors who served in the Commonwealth Parliament
History

A doctor in the house? Five doctors who served in the Commonwealth Parliament

Politicians who could call themselves 'doctor'.

Is it compulsory to like compulsory voting?
Democracy

Is it compulsory to like compulsory voting?

How compulsory voting influences individuals in a democracy.

What does one do after leaving the top job?
History

What does one do after leaving the top job?

A look at the post-office decisions of past Australian Prime Ministers.

Could a post-Brexit Britain learn something from compulsory voting in Australia?
Democracy

Could a post-Brexit Britain learn something from compulsory voting in Australia?

COLLECTION

Political chess set by Douglas Pearce Political chess set by Douglas Pearce

Political chess set by Douglas Pearce

A chess set with pieces made to look like federal politicians.

Court dress cufflinks and vesta case

Court dress cufflinks and vesta case

These decorated cufflinks were part of a court dress uniform for the Minister for External Affairs.

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.