The Last Moments collection: a treasure trove of stories
How does a set of old photos hold the power to transform a visitor’s experience of our building?
Latest articles
Shelling truth to power: Five famous eggings from history
After Senator Fraser Anning was ‘egged’ at a press conference, the concept of egging politicians is making headlines. But it didn’t start with Egg Boy. Here are five famous eggings from AusPol history.
'I'm ready to start making change!' A student's perspective on taking action
'Although I was and always have been very passionate about climate change, I had never really been that involved in anything....After that day, I knew I had to start doing more...'
Music, protest and democracy
In the history of protest, rebellion and revolution, music and song have played a special part.
Enlighten 2019 – be an agent of change!
At about this time every year, our building starts looking a little different...
During the Enlighten Festival, dazzling projections start darting and dancing across the façade of Old Parliament House, enlivening our building and also communicating some powerful messages.
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?
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.
