Parliamentary History


Historical collections
Image of Edmund Barton, artwork by Alison Alder

The first eight project

A series of short biographies of Australia’s first eight prime ministers—covering the Melbourne period of the Parliament.

 

 

The first eight project: No 001 Barton by Alison Alder
No 002 Deakin by Alison Alder

Deakin's Letters

From our special correspondent: Alfred Deakin’s anonymous letters to the London Morning Post.

 

 

The first eight project: No 002 Deakin by Alison Alder
Neville Thomas Bonner, first Aboriginal Australian to become a member of the Parliament of Australia

Historic Memorials Collection

Established in 1911, the HMC includes Portraits of Australia’s Heads of State, Governors-General, Prime Ministers, Presidents of the Senate and Speakers of the House of Representatives, Justices of the High Court and Parliamentary Firsts.

 

 

Neville Bonner (detail) by Wesley Barton Walters, Historic Memorials Collection

 

Resources on the history of Parliament and the Capital
Speaker's Chair, House of Representatives, Parliament House. 1 January 1929 NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF AUSTRALIA: A3560, 5953

Previous Parliaments

Resources pertaining to the previous Parliaments.

 

 

National Archives of Australia, A3560, 5953: Speaker's Chair, House of Representatives, Parliament House.
Parliament House view from the War Memorial

History of Parliament House

Explore the history of Parliament House through historical documents and records.

 

 

Canberra Australia Capital View From War Museum to Parliament House by Mark Higgins/Shutterstock.
FCC [Federal Capital Commission] comptometer operators at Acton Offices. NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF AUSTRALIA: A3560, 2290

History of the Federal Capital

Explore the history of the federal capital through historical documents and records.

 

 

National Archives of Australia, A3560, 2290: FCC [Federal Capital Commission] comptometer operators at Acton Offices.
View of the Federation Pavilion in Centennial Park during the Federation of Australia celebrations.

Centenary of Federation Speeches

Key speeches for the Centenary of Federation

 

 

View of the Federation Pavilion in Centennial Park during the Federation of Australia celebrations: Randwick City Library - Ramdwick Social History Project
Aerial view over Parliament House and East Block. Treasury building foundations in front. NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF AUSTRALIA: A3560, 4914

Capital Centenary Speeches

Transcripts of key speeches pertaining to the Centenary of Canberra and the establishment of Parliament House.

 

 

National Archives of Australia, A3560, 4914: Aerial view over Parliament House and East Block. Treasury building foundations in front.
Red poppies at the Australian War Memorial

Parliament and war

“…a deadly and often doubtful struggle”. This page brings together resources on the Commonwealth Parliament and Australia’s military history.

 

 

The Australian War Memorial view on October 7, 2013 in Canberra, Australia by Nadezda Zavitaeva/Shutterstock.