Want more than long queues and a sausage sizzle on Federal Election Day?
On 18 May 2019, MoAD will transform into an Australian Electoral Commission super booth for local and interstate voters.
Have your say on the future of Australia in the very place where decisions that shaped our nation were made, Old Parliament House.
MoAD is the ultimate place to cast your vote with plenty of games and fun activities to entertain the whole family.
On your way to the voting booths, take part in an interactive game inspired by the unsung heroes of when this place was home to Australia’s parliament. Be prepared for the occasional high-energy moment of madness created by performers representing the workers here from 1927 – 1988. Or if you prefer, be an entertained onlooker as you meander through the historic building to cast your vote.
There will also be lots of fun activities for your little ones. They’ll love taking part in a mini election in PlayUP or they can ask themselves how they will change the world in our new interactive exhibition, DressUP.
And don’t worry – you can still get your democracy sausage – with your second biggest decision for the day being onion on top or underneath!
When: 18 May 2019, 8am - 6pm
Cost: Free entry
Have your say early with pre-polling at MoAD
Can’t make it to a polling place on Federal Election Day?
Come to the spiritual home of Australia’s democracy, Old Parliament House, to cast your vote at MoAD’s pre-polling station.
Pre-polling is available at MoAD on Saturday 11 May, 9am - 4pm and Monday 13 May - Friday 17 May, 9am to 5pm
Cost: Free entry for pre-polling
Upcoming Events
Indigenous experiences of democracy tour
Join this tour to learn about the experiences of Indigenous Australians within our democracy.
We will share stories of how Indigenous Australians and their supporters have taken different pathways to bring about change, many of which led them here – the seat of Federal Parliament between 1927 and 1988.
Students to perform on steps of MoAD
On 9 May 2019, students from Ainslie Primary School will perform a song commissioned by MoAD called a Call To Action.
9 May 2019 marks MoAD's 10th birthday. It is also the day the first Australian Parliament opened in 1901, the day Old Parliament House opened in 1927, and the day the current Parliament House opened in 1988.
Come to MoAD to see tomorrow’s active citizens sing about the importance of democracy and the skills required to participate in it.
When: 9 May 2019, 10.30am - 11am
From the shop
Get prepared for the upcoming election with a selection of great books.
Learn about Australia's election history in From Secret Ballot To Democracy Sausage and Elections Matter which are both now on sale at MoAD's Little Corner Shop.
From our collection
Democratic elections are about political parties persuading the electorate that their policies are the best ones to vote for.
For more than a century, Australians have produced and worn badges to protest or support causes and candidates
From our blog
Below the Line: How Australia’s voting system has changed
Australia’s democracy is not static.
Democracy never stops changing and evolving to meet contemporary needs and attitudes.
Over the years, the way Australians have chosen their elected leaders has been constantly evolving.
Before the 2016 Federal Election, the Parliament agreed to changes to the way the Senate is elected.
Some believe these changes to be quite significant, while others believe they are fairly unimportant.
What is important is that Parliament itself sets the rules for how it is elected, and changing the way it is elected is actually quite common.
From our partners
In Conversation with Stan Grant
Stan Grant will be in conversation with Mark Kenny on Stan's new book Australia Day, the follow up to his Walkley award-winning memoir Talking to My Country.
Australia Day asks the questions that have to be asked, that no else seems to be asking. Who are we? What is our country? How do we move forward from here?
Where: Llewellyn Hall, Building 100, William Herbert Place, Australian National University
When: Mon 13 May 2019, 6–7pm
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Open daily 9 am – 5 pm
18 King George Terrace, Parkes ACT 2600, Australia
PO Box 3934, Manuka ACT 2603
02 6270 8222
