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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Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House
  • Visiting
    • Planning your visit
    • Families at MoAD
    • Access
    • Group bookings
    • Cafe
    • MoAD Shop
    • UNSW Canberra Howard Library
  • What’s On
    • Exhibitions
    • Events
  • Collection
    • The Building
    • Objects and rooms
    • Oral Histories
  • Learning
    • Teachers
    • Students
    • Parents
  • Democracy
    • Democracy 2025
    • Defining democracy
    • Australian democracy: an overview
    • The democratic audit of Australia
    • One thing I like about democracy
    • Links
    • Quotes
    • Notes
    • About
    • Blog
    • Prime Ministers
    • Websites
    • Venue hire

    Democracy

    Democracy

    • Democracy. Are You In?
    • Our democracy
      • Democracy 2025
      • Defining democracy
      • Australian democracy
      • Democratic audit
      • One thing I like about democracy
      • Links
      • Quotes
      • Notes
    • Exploring Democracy
    • Documenting a democracy
    • Democracy 2025

    The Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House tells the story of Australian democracy and continues to pay respect to the heritage values of this former home of Federal Parliament.

    The history of Australia’s democracy encompasses our laws and institutions, as well as the way we live as a society. The Museum of Australian Democracy acknowledges that democracy has been experienced by different groups in different ways, and this is reflected in the balanced range of narratives and experiences presented. The museum aims to become a space where groups can share ideas and experiences in a heritage building that was once the hub of Australian democracy.

    See the visiting page for information about daily tours and activities.


    Eastman, David, (comp.), The Founding Documents of the Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra, 1994.

    Documenting a democracy

    The Museum of Australian Democracy in conjunction with the National Archives of Australia presents 110 key documents that are the foundation of our nation - Australia's 'birth certificates' – telling the story of our democracy.

    Collected on this website are the sets of documents which tell the story of Australia's democracy. They are chosen because each is important to our lives today. Because they didn't just happen – each document has its own story.

    View this site

    ‘Yes’ for Aborigines, referendum poster, 27 May 1967. Image Courtesy National Library of Australia

    Exploring Democracy - Australian journeys through time and space

    Our online timeline lets you travel through time and discover the milestones of Australian and global democracy, from 2500 BCE to the present.

    Take a virtual journey through time and place, and glimpse key moments in the history of democratic ideas, laws and institutions. You may be surprised and inspired by what you find.

    View this site

    Our democracy

    The word ‘democracy’ has its origins in the Greek language. It combines two shorter words: ‘demos’ meaning whole citizen living within a particular city-state and ‘kratos’ meaning power or rule. A liberal democracy is organised in such a way as to define and limit power so as to promote legitimate government within a framework of justice and freedom.

    View this site

    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

    Visiting

    • Planning your visit
    • Families at MoAD
    • Access
    • Group bookings
    • Cafe
    • MoAD Shop
    • UNSW Canberra Howard Library

    What's On

    • Events
    • Exhibitions

    Collection

    • The building
    • Objects and rooms
    • Highlights
    • Oral histories

    Learning

    • Teachers
    • Students
    • Parents

    Democracy

    • Exploring democracy
    • Documenting a democracy
    • Australian democracy
    • Defining democracy
    • Democracy 2025

    About

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    View our recruitment opportunities.

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    View our ticketing terms and conditions.

    Questions about the website:
    website@moadoph.gov.au

    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