Government and politics | National Library of Australia (NLA)

Government and politics

Showing 1 - 12 of 74 results
Text in a retro font reading '1975 Living in the Seventies' on a bright orange background
1975: Living in the Seventies

Look back on life in the 70s including politics, feminism, pop culture, news of the day, and more.

Exhibition
View of the Australian House of Representatives in Parliament House from slightly above. Members of the House of Representatives sit throughout the room, and members of the public sit in allocated areas

Sean Davey, Members of parliament in the House of Representatives during the debate of the Marriage Amendment Bill, Parliament House, Canberra, 7 December 2017, 1, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-735401237

Government and politics research guide

Find key resources from federal, state, territory and local governments, explore notable collections and discover how to access materials that have shaped Australia’s political history.

Research guide
black and white photo of 1899 Australian Referendum results

Australian Federation Referendum Results 1899, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-136434299

Political history

Find Australian political memorabilia and historical records which throw light on the influences and changes that have shaped our politics and political systems over the decades.

Research guide
People standing, sitting at desks, and filming with news cameras in a brightly lit room

Mark Arundel, National Tally Room as seen from the second floor of the tally board during the Australian Federal Elections, Canberra, 24 November 2007, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-148469746

Elections and referendums

Elections and referendums are key turning points in Australia’s political history.

Research guide
Helicopter flypast above the flagpole of Parliament House, with a crowd gathered below on the steps, Queen visible in the lower right, Canberra, 1988

Andrew Campbell, Helicopter fly past, Queen in extreme bottom right, Canberra, 1988, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-143214725

Opening of new Parliament House, Capital Hill, Canberra, on 9 May 1988

Federal (Australian) Government

Find detailed records of Federal Government processes, actions, documents, statements and commentaries in our collection.

Research guide
black and white photo of swearing in of first Legislative Assembly in Darwin in 1974

Michael Jensen, Swearing in of the first Legislative Assembly, Darwin, 20 November 1974, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-137086388

State and territory governments

Search for government publications in our collections or in state or territory collecting institutions.

Research guide
1806 map of Tasmania showing municipalities and districts

Tasmania Surveyor General's Office & John Vail, Map of Tasmania showing municipalities and districts under Local Government Act 1806, 1907, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-232097041

Local government

Find a range of materials about Australia’s 500 local governments which manage many of the local issues and services that impact the daily lives of residents.

Research guide
A torn buff coloured page with the words 'Draft of A Bill to Constitute the Commonwealth of Australia', with handwritten notes at the top and bottom of the page.

Sir Edmund Barton, Papers of Sir Edmund Barton, 1827-1940, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-225140407

Documenting Federation

Module

This resource is aligned to the Australian Curriculum: HASS for Year 6 students.

Digital Classroom
Collection guide
Irish Pamphlet Collection

Pamphlets, tracts and leaflets published in Britain and Ireland between 1770 and 1976 that describe, debate and criticise the political, economic, social and religious affairs, divisions and conflicts in Ireland.

Collection guide
Collection guide
Kashnor Collection

4000 books, 6000 pamphlets and sets of 40 periodicals published between about 1620 and 1940, including the works of the major English, Scottish and Irish political economists and writers. 

Collection guide
Collection guide
Kenafick Collection

Personal papers from 1938-1974 plus pamphlets, leaflets and other publications relating to socialist, communist, anti-communist and peace organisations in both Australia and overseas.

Collection guide
Collection guide
LF Crisp Collection

Over 6000 books, pamphlets and journals mainly related to Australian history and politics, as well as personal papers and a significant number of British and American imprints.

Collection guide

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