Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices or names of deceased persons in photographs, film, audio recordings or printed material.
xCloseThe 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?
Say ‘implement’ and it can seem no greatly important thing – a mere functionary carrying out orders. Seeing through a new path against all the ingrained expectations of everyone who serves with or beneath you though, is no easy thing. The casual plundering of the Kables’ valuables during the First Fleet voyage is suggestive of just how unfathomable these new rules were. Convicts, especially illiterate convicts with no immediate great patron to protect them, were easy prey.
Only the cheapest remnants of books, clothes and sundry other items were handed over to Henry and Susannah Kable as the ships unpacked onto the shore at Port Jackson. And this, decidedly, was where the script of the story would and should ordinarily have stopped, if it was being written according to ordinary, common or garden 18th century reality.
Henry Kable and Susannah Holmes met in jail as teenagers, and clearly sparks flew. The result of their meeting was not just a child, but the first civil case in Australian history, one which fundamentally inflects the basic nature of our society.
As far as nation-defining events go, a young couple with a squalling toddler standing about at the edge of a sheltered cove looking for luggage gone missing wouldn't register on even the most likely history buff's radar...
New citizens are welcomed with heart-felt messages from our visitors.
The Australian Electoral Commission has just announced a federal redistribution of seats and has begun releasing the draft new maps. But what is a redistribution, and what does it mean for most of us as voters?
1968 was a year of global change and protest. Fifty years on, Barry York reflects on the turmoil of those times, as someone who was right there on the front lines.
What does a state governor do? Host garden parties, sign bills… if you’re scratching your head at this point read on to find out more.
Worldwide we are seeing a breakdown of democracy and a decline in trust. Who is to blame? Is it the politicians, the media, big business or us? New MoAD staffer Monica Glasgow reflects.
2018 marks the 75th anniversary of the election of the first women to the federal parliament. This International Women’s Day, we look at what could have been by profiling seven women who, if things had been different, had what it takes to go all the way to the top of the political ladder.
During the 2018 Enlighten Festival, seven spectacular animated illuminations will dance across the front of our building, but they’re more than just pretty lights… here are the stories behind the artwork and the values they represent.
The year 2018 marks the 150th anniversary of the end of convict transportation to Australia.
Some people will be surprised to read this; after all, didn’t the importation of convicts into New South Wales, where the great majority were sent, end much earlier? Yes, that’s true, but read Barry’s blog to find out how this intriguing story ended.
Eminent British historian David Starkey has compared Martin Luther to a jihadist. What could such a person and his rebellion against the Catholic Church 500 years ago possibly have to do with democracy? Read Barry York’s blog to find out.
You’ve heard about Brexit, but what about WAxit? Thought of starting your own country? It’s a little bit more complex than running up a new flag. Our researcher Campbell has the details on states that have tried to leave the Commonwealth or split off from their state.
Election watchers have been busy this year. France went to the polls in April and May, and the UK in June. This weekend there are two elections to watch out for: New Zealand and Germany.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of one of Australia’s iconic feature films: ‘The Castle’. It‘s a comedy with a message.
Ahead of the UK election, what are the key similarities and differences between politics and parliaments in the UK and Australia.
Hilda Abbott was a distinguished guest whose recollections reveal that behind the public performance, VIPs are only people after all.
All Australians aged 18 or over have the right to vote and have a say in their democracy. But it wasn’t always this way.
