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Explore

Democracy

Democracy

Aretha Brown, a young woman, holds a banner at a protest rally with a fist raised in the air.

Stories

Stories

Black and white image of the front of Old Parliament House with a crowd of people of gathered at the foot of the stairs. The building is white with columns and an Australian flag flies at the top.

Collection

Collection

A close up of a rainbow flag covered in signatures.

POLITICAL CARTOONS

Browse Behind the Lines, our annual exhibition celebrating the year's best political cartoons.

Explore
Visitors looking at the framed cartoons on the walls

STORIES

War and unity: how Australia governs during a crisis
History

War and unity: how Australia governs during a crisis

How crisis impacts governmental choices.

Free votes: a quick explainer
Democracy

Free votes: a quick explainer

When politicians are given the option to stand by their principles.

Only human – disability in Australian politics (part 1: human leaders)
History

Only human – disability in Australian politics (part 1: human leaders)

Disability and Australian politicians.

Archie Cameron’s war on Phar Lap
History

Archie Cameron’s war on Phar Lap

Stories about the 12th Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The white glove treatment
Heritage

The white glove treatment

COLLECTION

Boomerang from Space Shuttle Challenger Boomerang from Space Shuttle Challenger

Boomerang from Space Shuttle Challenger

A symbol of Australia in space.

Dining room chair

Dining room chair

A workhorse chair you can still sit on today.

DEMOCRACY

Defining democracy Australian democracy

Defining democracy

What is democracy?
Australian democracy Australian democracy

Australian democracy

Every democratic society is distinct. The same is true for Australia.