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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    Articles tagged with: democracy

    Latest articles

    14 minute read

    Fri 27 Mar 2020
    Campbell Rhodes

    War and Unity: How Australia governs during a crisis

    How does Australia govern itself during a major crisis, and how does it maintain its democratic norms during something like the COVID-19 pandemic? 

    Read article

    War cabinet menzies

    6 minute read

    Sun 4 Nov 2018
    Campbell Rhodes

    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? 

    Read article

    Senates

    5 minute read

    Sun 1 Jul 2018
    Alex McDermott

    Act 3: The governor sees it through

    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.

    Read article

    Governor%20phillip

    5 minute read

    Sun 1 Jul 2018
    Alex McDermott

    Act 2: Lord Sydney rewrites the script

    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. 

    Read article

    Lord%20sydney

    6 minute read

    Sun 1 Jul 2018
    Alex McDermott

    Act 1: The case of the Kables

    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.

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    Henry%20kable%20and%20susannah%20holmes

    5 minute read

    Sun 1 Jul 2018
    Alex McDermott

    The Kable case: summary

    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...

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    Henry%20kable%20and%20susannah%20holmes%20case

    2 minute read

    Mon 4 Jun 2018
    Monica Glasgow

    Welcome to Australia

    New citizens are welcomed with heart-felt messages from our visitors. 

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    Gifting democracy gallery 1

    9 minute read

    Mon 14 May 2018
    Campbell Rhodes

    What is a redistribution?

    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? 

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    Andrew inglis clark

    7 minute read

    Sun 6 May 2018
    Dr Barry York

    Confessions of a ‘68er – 50 years on

    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.

    Read article

    1968 may day badge

    7 minute read

    Mon 30 Apr 2018
    Campbell Rhodes

    What does a state governor do?

    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. 

    Read article

    Nicholls nla

    8 minute read

    Sun 22 Apr 2018
    Monica Glasgow

    Democracy breakdown

    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.

    Read article

    Andrew weldon big issue

    11 minute read

    Thu 8 Mar 2018
    Campbell Rhodes

    Agitators, suffragettes and spies: 7 women you should know

    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.

    Read article

    Jessie street feature

    4 minute read

    Thu 1 Mar 2018
    Michael Evans

    More than just pretty lights: the stories behind this year's Enlighten projections

    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.

    Read article

    Strange beautiful unexpected 2

    8 minute read

    Tue 9 Jan 2018
    Dr Barry York

    Ending A Stain Upon Democracy: 150 years ago

    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.

    Read article

    T fishlock pardon

    9 minute read

    Tue 31 Oct 2017
    Dr Barry York

    Luther, the Reformation and democracy

    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.

    Read article

    Life of martin luther

    7 minute read

    Fri 27 Oct 2017
    Campbell Rhodes

    Breaking up is hard to do: secession in Australia

    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.

    Read article

    Wa secession map

    5 minute read

    Fri 22 Sep 2017
    Campbell Rhodes

    Two elections to watch this weekend

    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.

    Read article

    Jacinda ardern

    5 minute read

    Thu 15 Jun 2017
    Dr Barry York

    The right to a ‘castle’

    This year marks the 20th anniversary of one of Australia’s iconic feature films: ‘The Castle’. It‘s a comedy with a message.

    Read article

    Barrys castle

    9 minute read

    Tue 6 Jun 2017
    Campbell Rhodes

    The Same, But Different: the UK election compared to Australia

    Ahead of the UK election, what are the key similarities and differences between politics and parliaments in the UK and Australia.

    Read article

    Hol%20flickr%20uk%20parliamentrz

    7 minute read

    Tue 9 May 2017
    Stephanie Pfennigwerth

    The Thieving Diva: Behind the scenes of the opening ceremony at Parliament House

    Hilda Abbott was a distinguished guest whose recollections reveal that behind the public performance, VIPs are only people after all.

    Read article

    Dame nellie opening ceremony
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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

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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