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Behind the Lines

Pass the interest rate parcel

As inflation rose in 2023, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) wrapped up layer after layer of interest rate rises, and then passed the parcel to banks, who passed it on to mortgage-holders and, indirectly, renters.

With cost-of-living pressures increasing, many Australians wondered when they might get a break from receiving yet another unwelcome prize.

After hiking rates by four percentage points, RBA Governor Philip Lowe (portrayed by some cartoonists as the least popular kid at the party) was succeeded as head of the RBA by Michele Bullock, the first woman to hold the post.

A person wearing a hooded top walks under a ladder with the bottom two rungs missing.

Detour

Andrew Dyson, The Sydney Morning Herald,

A homeless man pushing a cart says to his dog, 'Don't worry... the Reserve Bank governor says if we cut back on our spending and find some additional hours of work, we can get back into a positive cash flow position!'

A Lowe Blow

John 'Polly' Farmer, The Mercury (Hobart),

Six images showing aspects of 'Winter in Australia's glorified tents (ie. terribly insulated homes)', including 'icy toilet seats' and cold rooms closed until spring.

The Winter of Our DisconTENT

Jess Harwood, The Guardian Australia,

A marching band branded with the words 'Nobody left behind' passes a homeless person. One band member asks who the homeless person is, the leader replies, 'Nobody'.

The Band Marched On

Jon Kudelka, The Saturday Paper,

A man with wildly flowing long blonde hair, glasses and an extravagant smile holds a spoon with a piece of cake on it.

Let Them Sell Their 7th Yacht

Nordacious, Self-published,

A man sits on a couch vaping next to an 'Inflation' dragon who says, 'Maybe taking up vapes could help get me off smoking the economy?'

Help Me Get off Smoking the Economy

Mark Knight, Herald Sun,

In a dungeon a man is being stretched on a 'Rate rises' rack. A masked man in the doorway holds a newspaper with the headline 'Inflation slows' and says, 'Hands up who wants some good news!'

Down Tools

Brett Lethbridge, The Courier-Mail,

A tool punches holes into a belt, each hole is labelled with a rising cost of living. There is almost no belt left.

The Art of It

Pat Hudson, Self-published,

A man chained to giant 'Cost of living' weights receives an increased electricity bill. He says 'Oh. Joy.' A bluebird sits on one of the chains.

The Chains That Bind Us

Chris Downes, The Mercury (Hobart),

A tool punches holes into a belt, each hole is labelled with a rising cost of living. There is almost no belt left.

Running Out of Belt

Megan Herbert, The Age,

Two women in blue uniforms on a production line pack red hearts into cardboard boxes.

Care Inc.

Simon Letch, The Sydney Morning Herald,

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