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Behind the Lines

3 ... 2 ... 1 ... lift-off

At T-minus six weeks, the election campaign was on.

The major parties ran through their pre-launch safety checks: confirm the candidates, finalise the preference deals, hope your opponent crash-lands.  

Burned by its failure to launch in 2019, this time round the Australian Labor Party presented a 'small target'. Supporters collectively held their breath when Anthony Albanese failed to remember key economic figures early in the campaign. Meanwhile, the Liberal–National Coalition campaigned on leader Scott Morrison's record and warned against changing course, despite his promise to 'change' if he was returned.  

By election night, it was time to answer the question: would Australia boldly go where it had not gone since 2013, or would it stay the course? 

An opened 'Pollie Waffle' chocolate bar, one of the marshmallows reads 'Trust me'.

Pollie Waffle

Glen Le Lievre, Patreon,

Anthony Albanese and Scott Morrison are in a running race, Morrison carries baggage including another man who says, 'He's got nothing Scotty...' Text below reads, 'And they're off...'

And They're Off

David Rowe, The Australian Financial Review,

A ghost with 'Election 2019' scares people dressed in Halloween costumes. A skeleton says, 'I know I said to come as something horrifying but Labor supporters are traumatised enough'.

Ghost of Elections Past

Fiona Katauskas, The Echidna,

Andrew Charlton 'parra-chutes' down, while a man says to two children, 'Work hard your whole life and one day all this could be his'. A sign says 'Welcome to Parramatta'.

The Parra-Chute

Johannes Leak, The Australian,

A man pointing to a TV says, 'Guys! Albo's gaffe-ing again. I've paused it!!.. Guys!? Guys!?' Another man says, 'Ahem. Josh is in Kooyong. Greg is in Aspen. And I'm not sure where Angus, Tudgey, Linda or anyone else is at the moment...'

Albo's Gaffing Again

David Rowe, The Australian Financial Review,

Scott Morrison follows Katherine Deves as she sweeps the ground clean of LGBTQIA+ rainbow colours. Text above reads, 'Off the tools for once'.

Katherine Deves Gets 'on the Tools' for Scomo

John Shakespeare, Nine Papers,

Anthony Albanese and Scott Morrison stand in the game 'Pong', with a tired-looking Australia as the ball.

Pong

Glen Le Lievre, Patreon,

Anthony Albanese and Scott Morrison fight in a backyard. Two people watch from a makeshift shelter waiting to ask about the mortgage crisis.

Mortgage Mud

Dean Alston, The West Australian,

A four stage cycle entitled 'The vicious election cycle'. The stages are: 'things are really bad', 'vote for what you know', 'things might get even worse!', 'too risky to change now'.

The Vicious Election Cycle

Megan Herbert, Self-published,

Caricatures of leaders of political parties on coloured paint tubs. A man says, 'Sorry, don't do sample pots' to a prospective buyer. Another person walks away.

Reno Roulette

Andrew Dyson, Nine Papers,

A 'How not to vote' card with six caricatures and reasons not to vote for those political parties or politicians.

How Not to Vote

Cathy Wilcox, Nine Papers,

A street corner with a billboard of Josh Frydenberg says, 'I could be PM! You fools, you maniacs! Keep Josh.' Underneath, various signs point to change.

Joshkeeper

David Pope, Self-published,

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