MoAD and the Courtyard Cafe are open. The House of Representatives chamber will be closed from 3-5 November for an event. Some exhibitions and rooms are closed for essential building works. Learn more

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

Prime Minister Harold Holt's 692 days as leader of Australia
History

Prime Minister Harold Holt's 692 days as leader of Australia

How Harold Holt's time as Prime Minister served Australia.

Lost, found and left behind
Heritage

Lost, found and left behind

Discover some of the items that have been unexpectedly discovered in the museum.

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

How voting rights have changed 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

Some considerations on forming a political party.

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

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

COLLECTION

Commonwealth of England sixpence Commonwealth of England sixpence

Commonwealth of England sixpence

This rare hammered silver coin represents a foundational idea for the history of parliamentary democracy.
Neville Bonner's stamp

Neville Bonner's stamp

Neville Bonner used this to give his stamp of approval during his time in parliament.

DEMOCRACY

Australian democracy Defining democracy

Australian democracy

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

Defining democracy

What is democracy?