MoAD is open. There may be building works during your visit. The Cabinet Room is temporarily closed. Learn more

Democracy

How it works, why it matters and the power of your role in it.

Democracy 101

What is democracy?

What is democracy?

Photograph of a person holding a senate paper.

Australian democracy

Australian democracy

A mother holds her baby and smiles at the camera at the front of Old Parliament House. A row of people waiting to vote are behind her. She holds a sausage sandwich.

What is a referendum?

What is a referendum?

An illustrated letter C with the words C is for constitution.

What is a double dissolution?

What is a double dissolution?

Hazel and Bob Hawke sit with three journalists at a table in the National Tally Room in 1983. There is a large map of Australia behind them on the wall.

How to vote in Australia

How to vote in Australia

People wearing colourful boardshorts and beachwear stand at polling booths at a polling station in Sydney's Bondi Beach.

The sizzling history of the democracy sausage

The sizzling history of the democracy sausage

Two women wearing brightly coloured purple tops and a man in a jacket and hat stand in front of Old Parliament House holding sausage sandwiches.

'WE'VE BEEN SACKED': THE 1975 WHITLAM GOVERNMENT DISMISSAL

For the first time in Australian history, the governor-general dismissed a prime minister and government. How did this constitutional crisis happen?

Learn more
Gough Whitlam on the steps of Old Parliament House surrounded by the press who are holding microphones and video cameras on 11 November 1975.

Milestones in Australian democracy

Prime minister biographies

Prime minister biographies

MP John Brumby (left) and Prime Minister Bob Hawke (centre) join colleagues in the Senate Committee Room for a beer and a laugh.

Founding documents of our democracy

Founding documents of our democracy

A white parchment with blue elegant calligraphy and the title Victoria Regin AE AD 1894.

Every election speech from 1901 - 2022

Every election speech from 1901 - 2022

A row of desks in a U shape with green leather.

You may also be interested in...

The sizzling history of the democracy sausage

The sizzling history of the democracy sausage

Barbecue snags and voting explained.

'We've been sacked': the 1975 Whitlam government dismissal

'We've been sacked': the 1975 Whitlam government dismissal

For the first time in Australian history, a governor-general dismissed a prime minister and government.

What is a double dissolution?

What is a double dissolution?

Everything you need to know about a double dissolution.

1977: National Song Poll

1977: National Song Poll

Australians were asked to pick a song for the national anthem in 1977.

Become a tour venue

Become a tour venue

We love talking to new venues about hosting our Behind the Lines political cartoon exhibition.

1951: Communists and communism referendum

1951: Communists and communism referendum

In the 1951 referendum, Australia voted no on banning Communist ideology by the barest of margins.