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.
xCloseLocal newspapers have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Social distancing measures have had an impact on the local economy, leading to closures and suspensions of more than 200 local news outlets, according to the Public Interest Journalism Initiative. This comes at a time when the health guidance that Australians need the most is highly localised.
Katrina Scaramella, a mentor of the Youth Leadership Group run by The Australian Multicultural Foundation and the Museum of Australian Democracy (MoAD), offers her advice on how to get involved in causes that matter to you, have your voice heard, and make a difference.
(Waskam) Emelda Davis is the President and co-founder of Australian South Sea Islanders – Port Jackson (ASSI-PJ) and a descendent of the Australian blackbirding trade. Since joining MoAD for the Yumi Olgeta craftivism workshop in 2019, Davis has found new ways to support her community through COVID-19; embracing technology and organising a socially-distanced Sugar Fest (26 Jan 2021).
She spoke with us about the challenges and ‘energetic and spiritual shift’ of 2020.
On January 20, Joseph R Biden Jr will be sworn in as the 46th President of the United States. The inauguration in Washington is the culmination of several weeks of transition, following the election last November. Compare this to Australia, where the transition between prime ministers and their governments is fast. Sometimes, the whole thing takes only a couple of days. Despite this, there are some similarities between the two processes, and the differences are entirely due to the histories and political cultures of each country.
Senator Lidia Thorpe through consultation with our local community prioritised being Welcomed to Country prior to her attendance at Parliament House on the 6th of October. We held this Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony at the Tent Embassy, a location that has represented and stood for First Nations Peoples’ Sovereignty in this country since the early 70’s.
This is the second of a series of blogs about parties...no, not that kind. I made this joke last time, and will probably keep making it, just so you know. In Part one, we looked at why parties exist in the first place. Today, we’re asking: why should you care?
During my seven years as Director of the Museum of Australian Democracy, almost two million visitors have come through our doors …today, on International Democracy Day, I’m reflecting on what I’ve learnt from them.
History is full of surprises, twists and turns. We had no idea that our poorly attended, local march would become a cause celebre - thanks entirely to the violent behaviour of the police.
In this, the first in a series of blogs about parties, their role and history, and people’s experiences with them, we’re going to examine how parties as we know them in Australia today came about.
As Canberra emerges from winter into spring, it is a great time to reflect on some of the lesser known things about these beautiful historic gardens, including some of their temporary occupants.
In 1960, a young man in Brisbane noticed a newspaper advertisement for a position of Hansard reporter at Parliament House, Canberra. It would change his life forever.
Is it compulsory to like compulsory voting? I haven’t decided yet. There are good arguments, sound, solid, democratic arguments, on both sides.
The major winter football codes have come out of the COVID-19 induced break to resume their competitions and no one is cheering louder than our political leaders.
Have you ever tried a haircut at home? Or do you prefer to leave it to the professionals?
What about a haircut at work? This is an option if you work long hours at our Federal Parliament.
18 King George Terrace, Parkes, ACT, may not seem like a familiar address, but I’m sure you will recognise the house and some of the families who grew up here.
Thrust into the spotlight by virtue of their human companions or place of residence, these pooches and pussy cats had the media profile and public adoration that some pollies would only dream of…
How does Australia govern itself during a major crisis, and how does it maintain its democratic norms during something like the COVID-19 pandemic?
We’re better when we’re together; the sum is greater than its parts... this year’s Enlighten projections on the façade of Old Parliament House are a celebration of that spirit: they remind us to stay positive and work together for the common good.
Do you ever feel like you’re ready to change the world and make a difference, but you just have no idea where to start?
Exhibition curator Jennifer Forest picks her top 5 faves from Behind the Lines 2019: The year's best political cartoons...
