What is a vote of no-confidence?
The British government is facing the first motion of no-confidence in decades. What is a motion of no-confidence, what does it mean, and how does it work in Australia’s democracy?
Latest articles
A brief history of opinion polls
People often say politicians are too influenced by polls. How long has this been the case? The art of gauging public opinion is quite old and over time has become more and more complex. Here’s a summary of the history of opinion polls, in Australia and elsewhere.
Craftivism, quilts and human rights: Celebrating 70 years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Co-founder of the #UDHRquilt Project, Tal Fitzpatrick, reflects on the project that transformed the 'unique and aspirational' Universal Declaration of Human Rights into a textile artwork...
Items with a story to tell
Our collection includes a range of items associated with important cultural and political moments, including clothing and footwear connected to historic events or worn to make political statements.
A Doctor in the House? Five doctors who served in the Commonwealth Parliament
Dr Kerryn Phelps isn’t the first medical doctor to enter the federal parliament. Sometimes, a medical background has a real impact on someone’s personal politics and political career. We look at five other doctors who made it in politics.
Leadership spills plague Australian politics, but what does our system protect us from?
Political leadership in Australia has been characterised by instability and rapid change since the Howard government fell in 2007. Prime ministers, popular and unpopular, Labor and Liberal, have been dislodged by their own colleagues through destabilisation and party room ballots.
Australia vs America – midterm elections and their influence
The United States is facing ‘midterm elections’ as voters give their views on the Trump Administration without voting for the presidency. But did you know this process has influenced the way politics works in Australia?
Parliamentary Mace: keep it or lose it?
We worked hard to wrest power from the hands of the king so why do we still hold onto this ‘relic of barbarism’. Is it time to rethink?
Women in Parliament: A global perspective on Australia's lazy lateness
When Enid Lyons and Dorothy Tangney stepped over the threshold into Parliament House in 1943 they were late. Not by hours, but decades.
The 5 best political cartoons from Behind the Lines 2017
Curator Holly Williams picks her 5 favourites from Behind the lines 2017: The three-ring circus.
For future’s sake…
'To get better politics, means more politics...not more disinterest'. In this address to the National Press Club, Professor Ian Chubb AC outlines a plan for increased accountability and transparency in politics, and the change 'we have to demand'.
Renewing democracy
How can we fix the 'tribalism and political narcissism' eroding trust in Australia's once vibrant democracy? Professor Anne Tiernan explores in this address to the National Press Club, delivered 5 September 2018.
Reflections on the spill
As Australia settles into life with our 30th prime minister, our Museum Experience Officer Micci reflects on those turbulent few days of the leadership spill and the atmosphere on the floor of the Museum of Australian Democracy.
Who do you trust to run the country?
Is it time to clean up the Magic Kingdom (Canberra)? We don't trust the federal government very much. Or the state government for that matter. So what type of political system would we trust?
Why we need to do the federal budget differently
We trust the government to take care of defence and security, but when it comes to policy fundamentals we're not so sure. This matters. Good policy is the glue that holds the whole political system together.
Why Grey Australians no longer trust their politicians
The socio-economic data suggests they should be like pigs in clover yet, despite twenty years of unprecedented economic boom and growth, Grey Australians are some of the most dissatisfied with politicans and political processes. Find out why.
Advance Australia Fair? Not for Indigenous Australians
Indigenous Australians continue to be disillusioned with Australian democracy. Is there is a way forward?
Australian Courts Act 1828
On 25 July 1828 the Australian Courts Act 1828 came into power. It enacted legislation of the British Parliament which ensured that the laws of England would be applied in the two existing Australian colonies, New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land. It also provided for trial by jury in the Supreme Court in civil cases and empowered the Governor to introduce general trial by jury in criminal matters.
Lost, found and left behind
Take a look at the things we found after the move from Old Parliament House to Australian Parliament House in 1988.
Indigenous women artists: Leah King-Smith and Andrea Fisher
This NAIDOC week we honour the theme of ‘Because of her, we can!’ by recognising the work of two contemporary Indigenous artists - Leah King-Smith and Andrea Fisher.
