MoAD is open. There may be building works during your visit. Learn more

Stories

A closer look at the Coat of Arms in the House of Representatives
Heritage

A closer look at the Coat of Arms in the House of Representatives

As we restore the House of Representatives chamber, we continue to unearth surprising stories from Old Parliament House's past.

Remembering Elizabeth II in the halls of Old Parliament House Remembering Elizabeth II in the halls of Old Parliament House
Heritage

Remembering Elizabeth II in the halls of Old Parliament House

The life and reign of Elizabeth II is closely connected to the history of Old Parliament House.

Just add unicorns: celebratory coronation arches from London to Canberra Just add unicorns: celebratory coronation arches from London to Canberra
Heritage

Just add unicorns: celebratory coronation arches from London to Canberra

A royal tour is filled with grandeur and glamour; there’s gowns, tiaras, fancy state balls, and sometimes, even unicorns. Read on to discover how Canberra welcomed not only the Queen, but also mystical beasts from another land.

7 people you (maybe) didn’t know ran for parliament 7 people you (maybe) didn’t know ran for parliament
History

7 people you (maybe) didn’t know ran for parliament

Numerous actors, musicians and sporting stars have a 'political career' subheading on their Wikipedia page, but some have been more successful than others.

Westminster Abbey to Old Parliament House: a queen is crowned
Heritage

Westminster Abbey to Old Parliament House: a queen is crowned

Can you imagine working in the same job for 70 years?

A seat at the table
Your voice

A seat at the table

History

Celebrating Neville Bonner, the first Indigenous federal parliamentarian

Jagera man Neville Bonner AO was sworn into the Federal Senate in August 1971,  the first Indigenous federal parliamentarian in Australia.


The rise of bee activism – how these humble insects have inspired a mass movement The rise of bee activism – how these humble insects have inspired a mass movement
Your voice

The rise of bee activism – how these humble insects have inspired a mass movement

In recent years, concern for the health of honeybees has sparked a rise in bee activism, helping to shine a spotlight on the challenges facing the world's bee population.

What bees can teach us about democracy What bees can teach us about democracy
Your voice

What bees can teach us about democracy

What do honeybees and a House of Parliament have in common?

How are party leaders chosen?
Democracy

How are party leaders chosen?

In June 2021, the National Party replaced its leader Michael McCormack with former leader Barnaby Joyce, an unexpected change in Deputy Prime Minister.

History

Life of the party – part 1

Why do we have political parties?


From tulips to trenches: comings and goings in the Old Parliament House Gardens From tulips to trenches: comings and goings in the Old Parliament House Gardens
Heritage

From tulips to trenches: comings and goings in the Old Parliament House Gardens

Old Parliament House is flanked by two stunning rose gardens – the House of Representatives and the Senate Gardens. 

Sixty years of service: John Campbell Sixty years of service: John Campbell
Heritage

Sixty years of service: John Campbell

In 1960, a young man in Brisbane noticed a newspaper advertisement for a position of Hansard reporter at Parliament House, Canberra.

Is it compulsory to like compulsory voting? Is it compulsory to like compulsory voting?
Democracy

Is it compulsory to like compulsory voting?

There are good arguments, sound, solid, democratic arguments, both for and against compulsory voting.

Political football
History

Political football

There are connections between footy and federal parliament stretching back over 100 years.

History

Shelling truth to power: five famous eggings from history

For a politician, eggs can be an occupational hazard.


What is a vote of no confidence? What is a vote of no confidence?
Democracy

What is a vote of no confidence?

Many Australians follow British politics, because of the ties between the two countries.

A doctor in the house? Five doctors who served in the Commonwealth Parliament A doctor in the house? Five doctors who served in the Commonwealth Parliament
History

A doctor in the house? Five doctors who served in the Commonwealth Parliament

In 2018, Dr Kerryn Phelps was officially sworn in as the Member for Wentworth in the House of Representatives.

Leadership spills plague Australian politics, but what does our system protect us from?
Democracy

Leadership spills plague Australian politics, but what does our system protect us from?

Political leadership in Australia has been characterised by instability and rapid change since the Howard government fell in 2007.

Heritage

Hanging on the Computerphone

Vintage office tech is an abiding interest for visitors to the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House.


What is a redistribution? What is a redistribution?
Democracy

What is a redistribution?

At least once every seven years, the Australian Electoral Commission has to reassess and redraw the boundaries of a state's federal House of Representatives seats. 

What does a state governor do? What does a state governor do?
Democracy

What does a state governor do?

Every state has a governor representing the Crown, but what do they actually do? And who gets to be one?

Lionel Rose's world championship 50 years on
History

Lionel Rose's world championship 50 years on

In 1968, Lionel Rose became the first Aboriginal Australian to win a world championship.

History

8 hard-won rights for LGBTI Australians

The LGBTI community has a long history of struggling against prejudice and oppression, with many rights hard-fought and won over decades.


Red, white and blue: the Australian flag Red, white and blue: the Australian flag
History

Red, white and blue: the Australian flag

Australian National Flag Day is observed on 3 September.

Arthur Calwell and the gift of immigration Arthur Calwell and the gift of immigration
History

Arthur Calwell and the gift of immigration

When Arthur Calwell addressed parliament as the first Australian Minister for Immigration on 2 August 1945, Australia was still at war.

A voice from the past A voice from the past
History

A voice from the past

This speech recording by Stanley Melbourne Bruce was added to the Museum’s collection in 2017.

Free votes: a quick explainer
Democracy

Free votes: a quick explainer

It's tough to be a politician. You are called upon to represent the community that elected you, but you're also called upon to follow a party line, and support whoever your party's leader is.

Heritage

Flags, snags and bags: Putting the finishing touches on the opening of Parliament House

Isn’t it funny how time warps when you’re working to a deadline? You can plan, you can strategise, you can even calibrate your watches – but no matter how organised you are, there always seems to be a mad rush at the end.


90-year-old souvenirs for a 90-year-old building 90-year-old souvenirs for a 90-year-old building
Heritage

90-year-old souvenirs for a 90-year-old building

Old Parliament House turned 90 in 2017 and so did the thousands of souvenirs manufactured for the opening of the building by the Duke of York.

The Prime Minister’s seat: a case study in sleuthing The Prime Minister’s seat: a case study in sleuthing
History

The Prime Minister’s seat: a case study in sleuthing

Despite having only seen a small amount of the BBC’s Sherlock, I’ve always been a fan of detective fiction, especially the gentleman from Baker Street.

Young people and the right to vote: Some exceptions to the rule Young people and the right to vote: Some exceptions to the rule
History

Young people and the right to vote: Some exceptions to the rule

On 16 March 1973 the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1973 gave all Australians aged 18 years or older the right to vote. The first federal election at which all 18-year-olds could vote was held in May 1974.

On Hansard
History

On Hansard

Hansard is testimony, in black and white, to our functioning federal parliamentary democracy - for all its strengths and weaknesses, its brilliance and tawdriness and its immense unending drama.

History

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

Every now and then, a news article laments the lack of people with visible disability in Australian politics.


Donald Grant – from gaoled Wobbly to elected Senator Donald Grant – from gaoled Wobbly to elected Senator
History

Donald Grant – from gaoled Wobbly to elected Senator

Of the twelve members of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) sentenced in 1916 for conspiracy, none is more fascinating than Donald MacLellan Grant.

The Sydney Twelve — treason, conspiracy and conscription in Australia 1916 The Sydney Twelve — treason, conspiracy and conscription in Australia 1916
History

The Sydney Twelve — treason, conspiracy and conscription in Australia 1916

The ‘Sydney Twelve’ were members of an organisation known as the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) who were arrested in Sydney on 23 September 1916 and charged with ‘treason felony’.

On This Day: a plot to kill Harold Holt?
History

On This Day: a plot to kill Harold Holt?

After waiting six days outside Parliament House for Prime Minister Harold Holt to get back from Melbourne, Nedeljko Gajic decided to return to Sydney to look for work.

Democracy

What's so 'royal' about a royal commission, and what are they, anyway?

Whenever there is a very serious issue in our public life – especially when it involves possible illegal activity, impropriety or incompetence – there are calls for a royal commission to look into the matter.


On a Knife-Edge: Six other times Australia’s elections were down to the wire On a Knife-Edge: Six other times Australia’s elections were down to the wire
History

On a Knife-Edge: Six other times Australia’s elections were down to the wire

It took more than a week after the polling day for the result of the 2016 federal election to be declared, with many seats initially too close to call.

Artists and activists: The Ongoing Adventures of X and Ray Artists and activists: The Ongoing Adventures of X and Ray
Your voice

Artists and activists: The Ongoing Adventures of X and Ray

Lin Onus, together with his non-Indigenous collaborator Michael Eather, and his son Tiriki, have produced a series of remarkable artworks, The Ongoing Adventures of X and Ray.

How does an election work? Part 3 – rock the vote How does an election work? Part 3 – rock the vote
Democracy

How does an election work? Part 3 – rock the vote

Polling day has become an Australian democratic institution.

On Paper: some election ephemera
History

On Paper: some election ephemera

As an election campaign draws to a close, most Australians can look forward to being handed dozens of pieces of paper while queuing to vote. 

Democracy

Double dissolution – what is it?

The decision by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to call a double dissolution election in 2016 represented the seventh occasion in Australia's federal parliamentary history that this has happened.


The death of Joe Lyons The death of Joe Lyons
History

The death of Joe Lyons

On 7 April 1939, Prime Minister Joseph Aloysius Lyons died in Sydney. He was 59 years old, and left a large family including his wife Dame Enid and eleven children.

Lowering the voting age Lowering the voting age
History

Lowering the voting age

In 1973, Australia’s voting age was lowered from 21 to 18 by the Labor Government headed by Prime Minister Gough Whitlam.

When William McMahon became Prime Minister When William McMahon became Prime Minister
History

When William McMahon became Prime Minister

He had been around for a long time. He knew what was significant and what was not.

Time’s Up: When Parliament expired
History

Time’s Up: When Parliament expired

On 19 February 1910, the term of the Commonwealth Parliament ran out.

History

‘Woman wrecker’: A suffragette’s story

On 1 March 1912, a middle-aged woman named Charlotte Blacklock joined about 200 other women outside shops and offices in London’s glittering West End.


A very Fraser Christmas! A very Fraser Christmas!
History

A very Fraser Christmas!

The Museum of Australian Democracy collection contains Christmas cards for almost every year of Malcolm Fraser’s prime ministership.

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM)
History

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM)

The 24th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting – or CHOGM – was held in Malta from 27 to 29 November 2015.

Royal commissions: what are they and how do they work? Royal commissions: what are they and how do they work?
Democracy

Royal commissions: what are they and how do they work?

In 2015, Australia had two royal commissions under way: the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and the Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption.

Estimates committees: two words that strike fear in a public servant's heart
Democracy

Estimates committees: two words that strike fear in a public servant's heart

On television, we occasionally see ministers or heads of departments and other senior officials in the bureaucracy being grilled over the way they have spent – or plan to spend – government moneys.

History

A peep behind the hankie

‘Society is founded upon cloth’ said Scottish historian and philosopher Thomas Carlyle. 


The early life of Henry Parkes The early life of Henry Parkes
History

The early life of Henry Parkes

Henry Parkes is an Australian inspiration. He remains NSW’s longest-serving Premier, having served on five separate occasions between 1872 and 1891.

Exploring the War Precautions Act Exploring the War Precautions Act
History

Exploring the War Precautions Act

'Everything must be made to bend in wartime.'

Let's get this party started: starting your own political party in Australia Let's get this party started: starting your own political party in Australia
Democracy

Let's get this party started: starting your own political party in Australia

April 2015 saw the launch of a new political party in Australia, John Madigan's Manufacturing and Farming Party, by Senator Madigan of Victoria. 

Reflections on Malcolm Fraser
History

Reflections on Malcolm Fraser

In his later years Malcolm Fraser was generally seen as the politician who moved most spectacularly from the right to the left of the political spectrum.

History

Whatever it takes to get the vote

If you were a woman in England at the beginning of the 20th century it took march after march, demonstration after demonstration, hunger strike after hunger strike.


How to change laws and influence people How to change laws and influence people
History

How to change laws and influence people

In 1895, South Australia became the first place in the world to give women both the right to vote and to stand as candidates for election. 

Exploring the Arthur Calwell Collection Exploring the Arthur Calwell Collection
History

Exploring the Arthur Calwell Collection

The Museum has some astonishing, beautiful, rare, significant and downright weird things in its collection. 

Alfred Deakin and the Divine Alfred Deakin and the Divine
History

Alfred Deakin and the Divine

Remember the days when people wrote with their bare hands? When there was a direct physical and mental connection between brain, body, ink and paper? 

George Reid: not another boring politician
History

George Reid: not another boring politician

‘Bores are in a class of infinite variety. But the worst are those who occupy public time.’ So declared Sir George Reid, Australia’s fourth prime minister, who regarded politics as a battle of wits in more ways than one.

Party Games
History

Party Games

Heritage

A fascist sex symbol?

These items in the Museum's collection dig deeper into one of the more famous stories in Australian history.


Archie Cameron’s war on Phar Lap Archie Cameron’s war on Phar Lap
History

Archie Cameron’s war on Phar Lap

The twelfth Speaker of the House of Representatives, Archie Galbraith Cameron, is renowned for his colourful personality and autocratic, abrasive style of managing the affairs of the House.

Mr Speaker! Mr Speaker!
Heritage

Mr Speaker!

At the beginning of March 2012 a Queensland Times newspaper read 'Slipper tally: 26 pollies ejected', and a few days later a headline in the Age shouted 'The revenge of Peter Slipper'.

Below the line: how Australia's voting system has changed Below the line: how Australia's voting system has changed
Democracy

Below the line: how Australia's voting system has changed

Australia's democracy is not static. Over the years, the way Australians have chosen their elected leaders has been constantly evolving. 

The King George V memorial
Heritage

The King George V memorial

In 1936, the Commonwealth government approved a memorial to the recently deceased King George V.