Parliament and elections

Parliament is where laws are debated and enacted. People interact with the parliament by voting for their representatives at elections.

Topics

A topic is a collection of records with interpretation and inquiry questions. Each topic is aligned to the Australian Curriculum and focuses on an aspect of Australian history.

Topic

Building Canberra

Both before and after Australia became a Federation, there was fierce debate about where the new federal territory and seat of government should be located.

Records

Each record focuses on a single item from the National Archives' collection. Some records contain extra information to help you interpret them.

Record

Aboriginal land rights protest

This record is a colour photograph of Aboriginal activists standing in front of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in 1974.
Record

Aboriginal poet and activist Oodgeroo Noonuccal (formerly known as Kath Walker)

This black-and-white photograph shows Kath Walker, later known as Oodgeroo Noonuccal, an Aboriginal poet, artist, conservationist and political activist.
Record

Acceptance of European refugees in Australia – statement from John McEwen

A statement made by the Minister for the Interior in the House of Representatives on 1 December 1938 regarding the acceptance of European refugees in Australia.
Record

Australian expedition to the Antarctic – statement to the Parliament by Prime Minister Stanley Bruce

The statement made to the Australian Parliament on 21 February 1929 by Prime Minister Bruce on a proposed Australian expedition to the Antarctic.
Record

Cartoon of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam by Michael Atchison

A black-and-white cartoon portraying prime minister Gough Whitlam immediately after his election.
Record

Commemorative framed image of the laying of the foundation stones in Canberra

A sepia-toned photograph showing a wide view of the ceremonial founding of the new federal capital city, Canberra.
Record

Commemorative portraits of the first Commonwealth ministry

Composite photograph of 9 vignette portraits of Edmund Barton's ministry.
Record

Construction workers leaving Old Parliament House

This is a black-and-white photograph showing a crowd of workers walking from the Parliament House depot as they leave work for the day.

Parliament and elections

Topics

Building Canberra

Records

Aboriginal land rights protest

Aboriginal poet and activist Oodgeroo Noonuccal (formerly known as Kath Walker)

Acceptance of European refugees in Australia – statement from John McEwen

Australian expedition to the Antarctic – statement to the Parliament by Prime Minister Stanley Bruce

Cartoon of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam by Michael Atchison

Commemorative framed image of the laying of the foundation stones in Canberra

Commemorative portraits of the first Commonwealth ministry

Construction workers leaving Old Parliament House

Need help with your research?