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?
Articles tagged with: research
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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?
Australian Courts Act 1828
On 25 July 1828 the Australian Courts Act 1828 came into power. It enacted legislation of the British Parliament which ensured that the laws of England would be applied in the two existing Australian colonies, New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land. It also provided for trial by jury in the Supreme Court in civil cases and empowered the Governor to introduce general trial by jury in criminal matters.
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.
What did our early PMs sound like?
We know a lot about what our early prime ministers were like. There are plenty of photos of them throughout their lives, and biographies record their personalities, appearance, quirks, habits, and even their tastes in food, literature or music. But we don’t know much about how they sounded.
Red, White and Blue: The Australian Flag
Did you know the Australian flag has only been official since the 1950s? And that the most common version for a long time was red, not blue? This National Flag Day, we have some more facts to share about the big blue banner.
How often should we have an election – every three years or every four?
Does it ever feel like we’ve just got over the last election before the next one looms? This week, yet again, there is talk of replacing three year parliamentary terms with four. Would it be better? Here’s the low down.
Dual citizenship and other no nos that will give you the boot
There are a number of factors that will make you ineligible for parliament… we’ve collated a handy list.
Hands That Shook Australia
The handshakes, points, touches and other gestures that made a statement in Australian history.
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.
A Horse’s Tale: Bill, Bertie and Bairnsdale 303
Horses were a vital part of the Parliament House opening ceremonies. What did they make of all the fuss? Three photographs of Bill, the horse ridden in Canberra by the Duke of York, provide a fresh insight into the day’s events.
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.
Flags, snags and bags: Putting the finishing touches on the opening of Parliament House
It took determination, ingenuity and a small piece of string to get Parliament House finished in time for its grand opening in 1927.
The Prime Minister’s Seat: A Case Study in Sleuthing
Why does the Prime Minister of Australia sit at the table in the House of Representatives? No other PM does. A chance question led researcher Campbell to do some detective work, and in the process learn more about the shapes and settings of parliamentary chambers the world over.
Young People and the Right to Vote: Some exceptions to the rule
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.
Charley’s Choice: The breastplate of Charley, King of Burran
An object now in display in our Designing Democracy gallery documents one man’s life-or-death decision on Australia’s pastoral frontier.
Besties (or not) from the West: PMs and Presidents
As the world looks on as Donald Trump becomes the 45th U.S. President, researcher Campbell looks at meetings between other presidents and Australian prime ministers, and what effect they had on Australia.
A Present from the Past: Sir Robert Menzies and the Fishes Royal
In 1965 Queen Elizabeth gave Sir Robert Menzies a gift so special that he had to contemplate burying it on a beach. What was it?
How Billy Hughes lost the 1916 conscription referendum
100 years ago Australia was divided over the issue of conscription. Australia was one of the few countries without conscription, and Prime Minister Billy Hughes was determined to introduce it. Guest blogger Professor Joan Beaumont examines why the popular and bombastic Hughes, a man used to getting his own way by hook or by crook, failed in his mission.
Would you vote for conscription? Five objects to help you decide
A hundred years ago, Billy Hughes put the question of overseas conscription to the Australian people, in the hopes of gaining support for his plan to boost troop numbers in Europe. If you had been a voter in 1916, what would your answer be? Here are five objects from the Museum’s collection to help you make up your mind the way they helped Australian voters a century ago.
