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A voter puts a ballot paper in a cardboard ballot box while an AEC official dressed in a purple AEC vest looks on. They are in King's Hall in Old Parliament House. Men and women dressed in 1970s fashion vote in partitioned booths which are labelled 'Property of the Australian Electoral Office'.

What is the secret ballot?

Your guide to the voting method we use in Australia.

A celluloid possum brooch. The possum is white with pink ears, nose and feet, it sits on a black, green and gold branch.
Collection

White lemuroid possum brooch

Advocating for endangered species in style.

A wood-panelled room in Old Parliament House with two wooden desks, a wooden bookcase, red leather chairs and a red leather couch. The carpet is red.

Donations in action

Recreating the Clerk of the Senate's office to evoke 1975.

Four people, three men and a woman, standing at cardboard election booths in King's Hall.
Democracy

Is it compulsory to like compulsory voting?

How compulsory voting influences individuals in a democracy.

The front page of The Empire newspaper dated Thursday September 24, 1857.
Collection

Henry Parkes' The Empire newspaper, 1857

Father of Federation and newspaper man.

Author James Foley wearing a blue T-shirt and jeans sits next to a computer. Text reads 'Civic engagement with James Foley'.
PDF

Civic engagement with James Foley

Explore mindfulness, perseverance and setting goals.

David Smith reads the dismissal proclamation outside Parliament House in 1975. Gough Whitlam stands behind him amongst a huge crowd. Reporters hold microphones.

Were you at the 1975 dismissal?

Join us as we mark the 50th anniversary of the dismissal.

Yellow page with coloured shapes and the cover of book 'Let's try again another day'.
PDF

Civic engagement with Charlotte Barkla and Jade Goodwin

Explore the power of trying again and being creative.

This black and white photograph depicts hairdresser Lizzie Scott, arranging Speaker Joan Child’s hair. Joan is sitting in the barber’s chair and is covered with a dark cape while Lizzie stands to her left wearing a white shirt and jeans and holding a black comb.
Heritage

Curly conversations: haircuts at Old Parliament House

A spotlight on how politicians looked their best.

Hands place green and white ballot papers into white and purple ballot boxes.

How elections are called in Australia

The start of the election process explained.

People stand in a group in King's Hall in Old Parliament House looking at a bronze statue of King George.
Guided tours

Midday Mystery Tour

A different tour every day at midday.

A crowd of people stand in the National Tally Room in Canberra looking at the giant National Tally Room board showing the results of the 1990 election. Two red banners, one directing ACT voters and one for interstate voters stand on either side of a doorway filled with people in Old Parliament House.

When are elections held in Australia?

Your guide to how often voters go to the polls.