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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    From the blog

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

    4 minute read

    Thu 31 Mar 2022 by
    Daryl Karp

    Dear friends of MoAD, 

    We are four weeks away from re-opening the museum and the countdown is on. The budget has been handed down. The federal election will shortly be called. And all of us will soon be part of the ‘where to next?’ conversation for the nation.

    So 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. 

    Australian democracy: then, now, and what next? 

    Democracy DNA: the People, the Prime Ministers and the World is five years in the making. All of MoAD’s best minds have been thinking, dreaming, talking and considering how to make the stories of our past both timely and relevant for today and into the future. We’ve brought together leading historians and political participants to challenge our thinking, and creative storytellers to connect you, our visitors, with this rich and wonderful experience. Because democracy is not static – it is an everlasting march, an evolving conversation - and you are part of that story. 

    Humble objects, unsung heroes 

    Bold storytelling is at the heart of what we do at MoAD. As you walk through the original wooden book alcoves of what was once the Parliamentary Library, we hope you’ll be delighted and inspired by the diversity of this ambitious new exhibition. Whether it’s a silver collar belonging to a WWI soldier’s dog, an interactive School of the Air radio installation, or the proclamation issued by the Governor General Lord Hopetoun establishing Australia as a nation, there is something for everyone. 

    Your voice, your vote 

    Australia has a unique democracy. We were the first nation in the world to be formed as a result of the popular vote, the first to introduce compulsory voting and one of only six continuous, uninterrupted democracies.  We have strong electoral processes and systems in place. But we can’t take it for granted. Around the world democracies are under threat. Turn on the news and you’ll witness democratic decay taking place across the globe, whether through violent conflict or hidden corruption.   

    The best protection against democratic decay is an informed and engaged citizen. Your active engagement in the democratic processes is the best defence. So, if you see only one exhibition this year, make it Democracy DNA.  

    And of course, you can choose to deepen your engagement with the democratic process by voting at the upcoming federal election.  

    We look forward to welcoming you back to the museum from 28 April. 

    Daryl Karp AM 

    MoAD Director  

    4 minute read

    Thu 31 Mar 2022 by
    Daryl Karp

    Daryl Karp AM is the Director of the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House. Her previous positions include CEO and Managing Director, Film Australia, Head of Factual Programs (Television), Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), and Non-Executive Director, Special Broadcasting Service (SBS). Daryl has been the Chair of the Council of Australian Museum Directors since 2017. She is the current Chair of the Canberra Writers Festival Board. Daryl has a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film) from Tel Aviv University, is a graduate of Wharton Business School's Advanced Management Program and is a Fellow of the Institute of Company Directors (FAICD). She was the ACT winner in the Public Sector and Academia Award category at the 2017 Telstra Business Women’s Awards. She was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in June 2019 for significant service to the arts, particularly to the museum and galleries sector.

    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

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