The Museum of Australian Democracy acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia. We recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the elders past, present and emerging.

The museum respectfully acknowledges the role that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples continue to play in shaping Australia’s democracy.

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Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House
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Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House
  • Visiting
    • Planning your visit
    • Families at MoAD
    • Access
    • Group bookings
    • Cafe
    • MoAD Shop
    • UNSW Canberra Howard Library
  • What’s On
    • Exhibitions
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  • Collection
    • The Building
    • Objects and rooms
    • Oral Histories
  • Learning
    • Teachers
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  • Democracy
    • Democracy 2025
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    Latest articles

    5 minute read

    Thu 30 Jun 2022

    The changemaker objects that left an impact on our curators

    We asked some of our Exhibitions and Collections staff if there was a particular Changemakers object that made an impact on them.

    Read article

    Natasha%20stott%20despoja%20doc%20martens

    9 minute read

    Thu 30 Jun 2022
    Nina Enever

    The art of activism - these artists use embroidery to make change

    Created by artists Tal Fitzpatrick, Sofia Fitzpatrick, Kait James, Amy Claire Mills and Guy Ritani, these banners bring to life the slogans used by social movements over generations. 

    Read article

    Progress%20pride%20flag:love%20wins tal%20fitzpatrick

    6 minute read

    Fri 10 Jun 2022
    Tiaan Zampaglione

    ‘Just add unicorns': Celebratory coronation arches from London to Canberra’

    A royal tour is filled with grandeur and glamour; there’s gowns, tiaras, fancy state balls, and sometimes, even unicorns. Intrigued? Read on to discover how Canberra welcomed not only the Queen, but also mystical beasts from another land.  

    Read article

    Queen%20elizabeth%20arches

    7 minute read

    Thu 12 May 2022
    Campbell Rhodes

    7 people you (maybe) didn’t know ran for parliament

    From a rock band front man with a long ministerial career, to the fearless wartime spy who thought running for office was 'the stupidest thing' she ever did, here are seven famous faces that threw their hat in the ring for a local, state or federal election. 

    Read article

    Burnum%20burnum%20getty

    6 minute read

    Wed 11 May 2022
    Aleyn Silva

    Stepping into the past and present within the MoAD Shop

    Aleyn Silva is an intern at MoAD as part of the Disability and Culturally Diverse Internship Program led by Accessible Arts and run in partnership with Diversity Arts Australia. Here, she reflects on an afternoon spent in our newly refurbished MoAD Shop.

    Read article

    Moad%20shop

    8 minute read

    Tue 10 May 2022
    Tiaan Zampaglione

    Westminster Abbey to Old Parliament House: A Queen is crowned

    Can you imagine working in the same job for 70 years? Well, Queen Elizabeth II can! This year she celebrates her Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years of service to Britain and the Commonwealth and claiming the title of the longest-reigning monarch in British history.

    Read article

    Queen%20and%20maids%20getty%20924231260 o4

    10 minute read

    Tue 10 May 2022
    Neha Kale

    A seat at the table

    We speak to three Australians who will vote for the first time during this upcoming federal election.

    Read article

    Sticker03

    7 minute read

    Wed 27 Apr 2022
    Katie Sproule

    Beyond the ballot

    If you’re too young or otherwise unable to vote, here are my top five suggestions for alternative ways you engage with the democratic process. Let’s look beyond the ballot for ways you can influence the world around you.  

    Read article

    Beyond%20the%20ballot

    11 minute read

    Wed 27 Apr 2022
    Campbell Rhodes

    The eyes have it

    As illustrator Nigel Buchanan worked on a series of prime ministerial portraits for our new exhibition, he quickly ran into a problem... Many of Australia’s prime ministers served in a time before the ubiquity of colour photography. This meant that one key detail remained a mystery. Enter MoAD researcher Campbell Rhodes. 

    Read article

    Johncurtinpassport

    7 minute read

    Wed 27 Apr 2022
    Nina Enever

    Touching the tipping points of history: Q&A with curator Jennifer Forest

    Our new exhibition, Democracy DNA: the People, the Prime Ministers and the World, explores the events that shaped our nation and our democracy. Exhibition curator and ‘storyteller’ Jennifer Forest spoke to us about bringing it all together.  

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    Entry to dna

    10 minute read

    Tue 19 Apr 2022
    Campbell Rhodes

    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.

    Read article

    1941%20poll

    8 minute read

    Thu 14 Apr 2022
    Campbell Rhodes

    How to vote

    Here’s a handy Q and A about how to vote, where to vote, how to make sure your vote counts, and what you can expect on election day.

    Read article

    Votedatmoad

    14 minute read

    Wed 6 Apr 2022
    Campbell Rhodes

    Why do we have elections anyway?

    For some, elections might seem a boring chore, but plenty of others think they’re a vital part of our society, and important since we live in a democracy. 

    Read article

    Election%20festival

    4 minute read

    Thu 31 Mar 2022
    Daryl Karp

    MoAD Director Daryl Karp introduces Democracy DNA: the People, the Prime Ministers and the World

    We’re delighted to announce that we will be opening the first gallery of our new permanent exhibition – Democracy DNA: the People, the Prime Ministers and the World – on 28 April. 

    Read article

    Screen%20shot%202022 03 31%20at%203.28.36%20pm

    7 minute read

    Thu 31 Mar 2022
    Aleyn Silva

    Democracy DNA: An exploration into Australian democracy and the people who built it

    Aleyn Silva is an intern at MoAD as part of the Disability and Culturally Diverse Internship Program explores MoAD’s new exhibition, Democracy DNA: the People, the Prime Ministers and The World. 

    Read article

    Screen%20shot%202022 03 31%20at%203.22.35%20pm

    8 minute read

    Mon 28 Mar 2022
    Nina Enever

    Nigel Buchanan: Confessions of an illustrator

    Award-winning Queenstown artist Nigel Buchanan created new portraits of all 30 former prime ministers of Australia for MoAD's latest exhibition Democracy DNA: People, Prime Ministers and the World. We caught up with Nigel to discuss broken teeth, tiepins and which former prime minister never seemed to smile 

    Read article

    Pop%20pms

    4 minute read

    Mon 28 Feb 2022
    Katie Sproule

    Five people to write a letter to

    With a federal election just around the corner, there is no better time to proactively engage with democracy and make your voice heard. In an age of emails and DMs, a handwritten letter is a great way to have your message stand out. So, dust off your stamps and pick out your favourite pen as we suggest five people you can write to. 

    Read article

    Screen%20shot%202022 02 28%20at%202.34.27%20pm

    7 minute read

    Tue 22 Feb 2022

    Q&A with Emma Gwynn, Manager of Heritage and Collections

    It takes a lot of people to clean up after a fire, especially for a heritage-listed building. Emma Gwynn, our Manager of Heritage and Collections, is just one member of the multiple teams working tirelessly to reverse the devastating fire damage at Old Parliament House. We spoke to her about the restoration process, and everyday maintenance for historic buildings.

    Read article

    Speakers%20chair%20cleaning

    5 minute read

    Tue 22 Feb 2022
    Natalie Ison
    Sarah M

    The careful conservation of the statue of King George V

    Since Old Parliament House opened in 1927, guests have been greeted by the towering bronze statue of King George V in King’s Hall. Today, as a result of the fire in December 2021, it's time for King George to undergo a more considered clean and shine. 

    Read article

    Capture

    13 minute read

    Tue 22 Feb 2022
    Nina Enever

    Through the ashes: The doors of Old Parliament House

    The front doors of Old Parliament House were designed in 1924 by Commonwealth Chief Architect, John Smith Murdoch.  Since their installation, the doors have witnessed countless historic events, with consequences that have rippled throughout the decades and continue to shape our nation today. 

    Read article

    Firefighters
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    Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House

    18 King George Terrace, Parkes, ACT 2600, Australia

    PO Box 3934
    Manuka ACT 2603

    9am to 5pm daily 
    Closed Christmas Day

    ABN: 30 620 774 963

    Telephone: 02 6270 8222

    Enquiries:
    info@moadoph.gov.au

    Please note: video surveillance is used 24 hours a day around and throughout the building and may be used for research purposes

    Visiting

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    About

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    The Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House is a Corporate Commonwealth Entity within the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts