Majority Rules: 100 years of political campaigning

Culture and the Arts Minister John Day has opened the State Library of Western Australia's newest exhibition providing a unique insight into the nation's rich political history.

  • 100 years of Australian political history on show in free exhibition

  • Majority Rules exhibition looks at elections, campaigns and the political system

  • Exhibition features adverts, cartoons and how-to-vote cards

  • Public encouraged to donate relevant materials to further build the collection

Culture and the Arts Minister John Day has opened the State Library of Western Australia's newest exhibition providing a unique insight into the nation's rich political history.

The Majority Rules exhibition features 100 years of items such as political advertising, cartoons and how-to-vote cards.

Mr Day said this exhibition provided an insight into how political campaigning had changed since the 1880s.    

"The Majority Rules exhibition is a walk through our political history," the Minister said.

"Materials such as political advertising and how-to-vote cards capture the small details of an election campaign and are important items in the State's heritage collections.

"Many of the items on display tell a story that has significantly changed our path in history. For example, the 1967 referendum which asked voters whether Aboriginal people should be included in the census, and to allow the Federal Parliament to pass laws specific to Aboriginal people.

"The 'yes' vote was the largest majority vote cast in Australian referendum history, with an overwhelming 90.77 per cent of Australians voting in favour of the change."

The Majority Rules exhibition is on display at the State Library until October 21. Entry is free.  

The library is asking the public to donate posters, how-to-vote cards, flyers, stickers, mail-outs and other campaign ephemera in the lead-up to the Federal election for future exhibitions.

Fact File

Minister's office - 6552 6200