Have we always had Liberal and Labor as the major parties?

Not always. In the first decade after Federation, the major parties in the Australian Parliament were the Free Trade Party, the Protectionist Party and the Australian Labor Party. The Australian Labor Party is the oldest Australian political party and was formed by the trade union movement in the 1890s. Australia’s other major political party, the Liberal Party of Australia was founded in 1944.

The front of Australian Parliament House with the Great Verandah and the flagmast. In the foreground is water.

Australian Parliament House.

DPS Auspic

Australian Parliament House.

The front of Australian Parliament House with the Great Verandah and the flagmast. In the foreground is water.

DPS Auspic

Description

This photo shows the front of Parliament House with the Great Verandah and the flagmast. In the foreground Michael Nelson Jagamara's Possum and Wallaby Dreaming mosaic is surrounded by water.

Permission should be sought from DPS AUSPIC for third-party or commercial uses of this image. To contact DPS AUSPIC email: auspic@aph.gov.au or phone: 02 6277 3342.