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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

How Billy Hughes lost the 1916 conscription referendum
History

How Billy Hughes lost the 1916 conscription referendum

A look at the reasons why Australia didn't adopt conscription during the First World War.

Sixty years of service: John Campbell
Heritage

Sixty years of service: John Campbell

A look at the extensive career of a Hansard reporter.

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

What estimates committees are for.

‘Woman wrecker’: A suffragette’s story
History

‘Woman wrecker’: A suffragette’s story

The experiences of several women involved in the British suffragette movement.

Reflections on Malcolm Fraser
History

Reflections on Malcolm Fraser

COLLECTION

Ethel Bruce's rail pass and tickets to the opening of Parliament House Ethel Bruce's rail pass and tickets to the opening of Parliament House

Ethel Bruce's rail pass and tickets to the opening of Parliament House

First class travel for the wife of the prime minister.
‘Cathy’s Bling’ earrings

‘Cathy’s Bling’ earrings

These small but mighty earrings were created for Cathy McGowan's campaign for the Indi electorate.

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.