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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

The Apology 10 years on
History

The Apology 10 years on

One writer's thoughts on the Apology to Indigenous Australians.

Lowering the voting age
History

Lowering the voting age

When Australia’s voting age was lowered to 18 years.

Free votes: a quick explainer
Democracy

Free votes: a quick explainer

When politicians are given the option to stand by their principles.

A perfect picture of the statesman: John Christian Watson
History

A perfect picture of the statesman: John Christian Watson

What made the Watson government notable?

George Reid: not another boring politician
History

George Reid: not another boring politician

COLLECTION

Multifone telephone used by William McMahon Multifone telephone used by William McMahon

Multifone telephone used by William McMahon

Lift the handle and listen for the dial tone.
Dorothy Tangney's Life Gold Pass

Dorothy Tangney's Life Gold Pass

These Life Gold Passes allowed retired parliamentarians to travel for free.

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.