Government and politics | National Library of Australia (NLA)

Government and politics

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Collection guide
O'Farrell Collection

Pamphlets, newspapers, printed ephemera, transcripts from archives in Ireland and Australia, records of Irish organisations in Australia, and personal papers of Irish nationalists and Catholic clergy. Also about 1200 photographs of Australian places and people with an Irish connection.

Collection guide
Collection guide
Okamura Collection

667 books and periodical issues in English relating to Japan published between 1856 and 1942. The subject range is broad, including history, biography, religions, politics, literature, folklore, fine arts, gardening sports and more.

Collection guide
Collection guide
Osborne Collection

About 200 American books and a smaller number on the French Revolution and Napoleon, plus 15 letters by 18th- and 19th-century scientists and physicians.

Collection guide
Group of Papua New Guineans in traditional dress, including feathered headpieces, at the Independence Day Celebration.

Terence and Margaret Spencer, Independence Day Celebration, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, 1975, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-145645567

Papua New Guinea: 50 years of Independence

Explore parliamentary debates relating to the Independence of Papua New Guinea.

Blog
A photo of a large number of protestors gathered in front of the Victorian state library.

Francis Reiss, Protesters gathered outside the State Library in Swanston Street, Melbourne peace rally, 14 February 2003, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-147324313

Participation and protest

Module 

This resource is aligned with the Australian Curriculum: Civics and Citizenship for Year 8 students. It adopts an inquiry-based learning approach that develops a student’s understanding of Australians’ rights, freedoms and opportunities to participate in Australia’s democracy.

Digital Classroom
Collection guide
Pearce Collection

14,000 books and pamphlets about numerous subjects such as Australian poetry and literary criticism, English and Scottish poetry, Greek and Roman literature, Australian history, labour history and religion. Also includes personal papers of Pearce and other Australian writers.

Collection 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
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
Collection guide
Radicalism in America

Pamphlets, journals and other publications documenting many strands of American radicalism.

Collection guide
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
A variety of recently donated 2025 election campaign material laid out on a table.

Recently donated 2025 election campaign material.

Records of democracy: Federal election campaign material

Learn about the federal election ephemera collection and how you can contribute.

Blog
Collection guide
Riley Collection

Thousands of pamphlets, booklets, leaflets, speeches, brochures and other material from political parties, trade unions, pressure groups and other bodies concerned with the Australian labour movement from the 1890s to 1960s.

Collection guide

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