Government and politics | National Library of Australia (NLA)

Government and politics

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Collection guide
British Foreign Office Confidential Prints

Around 10,800 items from the period 1829-1922 ranging from a single page to hundreds of pages and documenting British reactions to particular events, problems and crises, as well as Britain's relations generally with particular countries and regions.

Collection guide
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
Collection guide
Baracchi Collection

Papers, pamphlets, books and periodicals relating to communism, socialism, fascism, capitalism, international relations, public finance, politics, World War II, and the Vietnam War.

Collection guide
A man wearing a face mask leaning against a tree that is decorated with a face mask and eyes outside the NGV in Melbourne

Leigh Henningham, A tree decorated in face mask outside the National Gallery of Victoria, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Melbourne, Victoria, 26 April 2020, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-2726498492

Australian responses to COVID-19

Listen to interviews with Australian's sharing their responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Blog
Photo of Old Parliament House, Canberra, with pink blossoms on surrounding trees

William James Mildenhall, Parliament House, Canberra, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-141452790

Australian legislation research guide

This guide will help you find information about Commonwealth and State/Territory law, both at the National Library and online.

Research guide
detail of illustration of crowd listening to a man on stage

Hume-Cook, James, Liberal, Division of Bourke, VIC (detail), 1910, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3548960192

Australian democracy finds a home on Trove

Explore election ephemera from 1901 to 1970s, now online.

News article
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
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
Christos Tsiolkas wearing a blue shirt standing in front of the ocean by a rock pool

Image credit: Zoe Ali

2025 Ray Mathew Lecture: Christos Tsiolkas

Award-winning author Christos Tsiolkas delivered the 2025 Ray Mathew Lecture, exploring the idea of 'Fence-sitting', and its place in the modern world.

Video
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
A sepia-toned book cover with a faint handwritten text background features a historic image of people holding protest signs.

Bain Attwood and Andrew Markus, The 1967 referendum race, power and the Australian Constitution, 2007, nla.gov.au/catalog/3966879

1967 Referendum research guide

Access key resources from the Library's collection related to the lead-up to the 1967 referendum, the significance of the historic 'Yes' vote, and its ongoing legacy in the pursuit of justice, equality, and recognition for First Australians.

First Australians
Research guide

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