MoAD and the Courtyard Cafe are open. Some exhibitions and rooms will be closed from September 2025 for essential building works. Learn more

Behind the Lines

In Focus

Afghanistan

Joe Biden and Boris Johnson cling to their respective flags. The flags are attached to a woman wearing a head covering. Scott Morrison looks glum. Helicopters are in the background.

Evacuees

David Rowe, The Australian Financial Review,

Two Afghani men sit in wreckage with a notice from DFAT. One asks what the letter says. The other replies, 'Roughly translated: "get stuffed"'.

Get Stuffed

Johannes Leak, The Australian,

A mural on a wall depicting a young Afghani woman holding a book is painted over with black paint by a man with a gun.

#HelpAfghanistanNow

Badiucao, Self-published,

On the left, people represent countries the West has sought to imposed their systems on. On the right, an army runs towards them saying, 'How many times do we have to explain democracy to you people?'

Explaining Democracy

Bruce Petty, The Age,

Four panels outlining Australian soldiers' training, which resulted in 'terrible acts' including murdering civilians in Afghanistan.

Killing Men

Cathy Wilcox, The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald,

Five different generations of soldiers are worn out and defeated. They are in the same pose. Text reads: 'The ascent of intervention in Afghanistan man?'

The Ascent of Intervention-in-Afghanistan Man

John Ditchburn, The Courier (Ballarat),

A man in a hazmat suit brushes over the head of a soldier. Helmet reads 'PTSD'. In the background are mountains and a compound with people looking on.

The Next Decade

David Pope, The Canberra Times,

The Statue of Liberty says, 'Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses, if they can make their own way to the airport without upsetting the Taliban'.

The Statue of Treachery

John Spooner, The Australian,

Beneath a plane two dots are circled in red. Text pointing to them reads: 'Didn't drown at sea'.

Duty of Care

Jon Kudelka, The Saturday Paper,

Four panels. A tank approaches a person. More people face the tank as the panels progress.

The Futility of War

Ron Tandberg, The Age,

Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott are in a trench saying, 'Taliban?' and 'Worse!' A missile labelled 'Public Opinion' is about to crash next to them. Text at the top reads: 'United they Afghanistand'.

United We Stand

Paul Zanetti, The Daily Telegraph (Sydney),

You may also be interested in...

1977: National Song Poll

1977: National Song Poll

Australians were asked to pick a song for the national anthem in 1977.

What is a royal commission?

What is a royal commission?

Your guide to royal commissions in Australia.

How to vote in Australia

How to vote in Australia

Your guide to voting in Australian elections.

Become a tour venue

Become a tour venue

We love talking to new venues about hosting our Behind the Lines political cartoon exhibition.

1916: Conscription

1916: Conscription

Australians were asked to vote on whether men in National Service could be deployed to fight in World War One.

Collection

Collection

Our collection captures the ideas, movements, people and events of Australian democracy.