Government and politics | National Library of Australia (NLA)

Government and politics

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National Capital Development Commission Sketch of the National Library of Australia

National Capital Development Commission, Sketch of the National Library of Australia, 1962, nla.obj-150872437 

Statistics research guide

You may need to access statistical data to support or illustrate your research. This guide will help you find and access key records and resources.

Research guide
White poster with orange lines and simple illustrations of men and women in suits. Large orange text reads 'Diplomacy' and small black text encourages graduates to become diplomats.

Department of Foreign Affairs, Diplomacy, 1984, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-133715662

Insights into Australian diplomatic history

Join us in discovering a selection of items from the Library’s collection which speak to the fascinating history of Australian diplomacy.

Blog
On the left, a book cover with a light grey background, a painting of an older man, paint splatters, and text reading 'Tom McIlroy',' Blue Poles' and 'Jackson Pollock, Gough Whitlam and the painting that changed a nation'
Book launch: Blue Poles by Tom McIlroy

Journalist Tom McIlroy discussed his book 'Blue Poles'.

Event
Video
Dr Lowitja O'Donoghue sitting in an armchair and smiling

Dr Lowitja O'Donoghue, image by Leanna King, courtesy of the Lowitja Institute

Speeches of Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue now available online

The Library has recently digitised the speeches of Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue AC CBE DSG.

News article
Collection guide
Hughes Collection

Large collection of papers from the politician William Morris Hughes including correspondence, official papers and reports, diaries, notebooks, newspaper cuttings, speeches, invitations and more.

Collection guide
Photo portrait of Dr Ken Henry AC

Dr Ken Henry AC

2025 Ann Moyal Lecture: Dr Ken Henry AC

The 2025 Ann Moyal Lecture presented by Dr Ken Henry AC, titled What We Must Fix First.

Event
Video
Broadside with text reading 'New Colony of South Australia. A Bill having been brought into Parliament under the Sanction of His Majesty's Government for funding a Colony of South Australia. A public meeting will be held in the Great Room at Exeter Hall strand, on Monday next'

South Australian Association, issuing body, New colony of South Australia : a bill having been brought into parliament under the sanction of His Majesty's government for founding a colony in South Australia, 1834, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3461873066

Rare broadsides announcing the formation of South Australia

Learn about two broadsides recently added to our collection. 

News article
Collection guide
Auchmuty Collection

Delve into Ireland’s rich history and culture with the Auchmuty Collection. Featuring rare books, pamphlets, and journals from 1900 to 1950, this specialised resource explores Anglo-Irish relations, the Irish Free State, and more. A treasure trove for researchers, donated by Margaret Auchmuty in 1983.

Collection guide
Collection guide
Anti-slavery movement in the United States

Microform collections documenting the anti-slavery movement from the 18th-20th centuries and selected monographs

Collection guide
Four men seated at a table and one man sitting behind them

Sir Percy Spender, Photograph from Box 13 of the Spender Papers, Papers of Sir Percy Spender, 1937-1978, nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn2759673

Australia's Journey with the World Bank with Dr Nicholas Ferns

Dr Nicholas Ferns presented a lecture on his 2024 National Library Fellowship research into the history of the relationship between Australia and the World Bank, with a particular focus on the connections between international finance and national development.

Event
Video
Two demonstrators stand on a structure at Parliament House, Canberra, raising their arms in the air beside an Australian Coat of Arms sculpture. A large peace flag is draped over the emblem. The black-and-white image captures the scene from below, with a cloudy sky in the background.

Sean Davey, Demonstrators drape a peace flag over the Coat of Arms, Iraq War protest, Great Verandah, Parliament House, Canberra, 2003, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-147381669

Protest and dissent

Use this guide to help find and access resources about the movements that have shaped social and cultural change in Australia.

Research guide
Black and white photo of two women, Dorothy Tangney and Enid Lyons, walking together towards the entrance of Old Parliament House

Photo of Dorothy Tangney and Enid Lyons entering Parliament House in 1943, from the Papers of Dorothy Margaret Tangney, 1938-1986, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3190082597

'They gave me a marvellous reception': Australian women, democracy and the 1943 Federal Election

Explore the papers of three women involved in the 1943 Federal Election: Enid Lyons, Dorothy Tangney and Jessie Street.

Blog

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