Government and politics | National Library of Australia (NLA)

Government and politics

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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
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
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
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
Protester holding a placard that reads, Our Future is in Your Hands

Leigh Henningham, Protester holding a placard that reads, Our Future is in Your Hands, during the School Strike 4 Climate rally, Melbourne, 21 May 2021, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-2956718607

Environmental protests

Use this guide to help find and access resources in our collection about Australia's climate action protests, anti-mining protests and the Franklin Dam blockade. 

Research guide
A bold poster with stacked red text in different fonts reads: COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA, REFERENDUM, 1916 (MILITARY SERVICE), POLLING: SATURDAY, 28th October, 1916, Commonwealth Electoral Rolls close Monday, 18th Sept., 1916  ARE YOU CORRECTLY ENROLLED for the Electoral Subdivision for which you are entitled to be enrolled? Qualified persons who fail to enrol are liable to a PENALTY OF TWO POUNDS. J. G. McLAREN, Commonwealth Electoral Officer for the State of New South Wales. Sydney, 5th September, 1916.

McLaren, J. G and Commonwealth Electoral Office (Australia) issuing body, Referendum, 1916 (military service) : are you correctly enrolled for the electoral subdivision for which you are entitled to be enrolled? Sydney, 1916, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-348412875

Electoral rolls research guide

Find out how to use electoral rolls to locate your family members or other peoples location or addresses over the years and who was living with them.

Research guide
cover of book 'Australia : candidate for the United Nations Security Council 2013-14'

Australia : candidate for the United Nations Security Council 2013-14, Commonwealth of Australia, nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn5156785

United Nations research guide

The United Nations (UN) was established on 24 October 1945 by 51 countries, with the stated goal of organising to: 'preserve peace through international cooperation and collective security'. 

Research guide
Blue tile
United States Congressional publications and information

United States congressional publications are of interest as primary sources for students of United States history, for United States foreign and economic policy, and for other public affairs issues of interest to other countries.

Research guide

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