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Behind the Lines

What's in the party bag?

Every day Australia's political cartoonists satisfy our sweet tooth by providing us with a lucky dip of hilarious takes on current affairs.

In 2023, social progress for women was in the mix, with cartoons about International Women's Day and the Women's World Cup. Cartoonists commented on the need for recognition and respect of First Nations peoples, especially in the wake of journalist Stan Grant's resignation from the ABC.

Cartoonists also know how to make light of themselves and their fellow artists, as was evident from their responses to the new Australian National Cultural Policy and the Hollywood writers' strike.

A woman holds a feather duster in her mouth, a bill and laundry on one arm, a laptop in her other hand, a full grocery bag on one foot, a boy tugs on her shirt and a cat vomits on the ground. She thinks, 'I wonder if I'll find time to come up with a cartoon for International Women's Day...?'

International Women's Day

Megan Herbert, Self-published,

A black wave labelled 'Media racism' overshadows a small silhouette of a person who asks, '...is this your best..?'

Stan Grant and Media Racism

Simon Kneebone, Self-published,

At the 'Smartest Black Person Award' ceremony, a black figure stands at a lectern saying 'We must not view everything through the lens of race.' A group of white figures applaud.

The Summit

Kamsani Bin Salleh, Self-published,

Four panels: two people saying the phrase 'dialogue to come'; a collage of the 'Best of YouTube'; two animals fighting in an arena; a man sitting at a desk entitled 'Media Baron Live'.

TV Shows to Come out of the Writers' Strike

Andrew Weldon, The Big Issue,

Two panels showing how cartoonists draw government ministers the day before and the day after the new arts package. Before: four unflattering caricatures of politicians. After: same politicians with flattering caricatures.

Everyone Has Their Price

Megan Herbert, Self-published,

A pair of legs, one foot stepping out of a pair of pink high-heel shoes marked '50s' and into a yellow football boot marked '2020s'. In front of the boot is a 'Women's World Cup' football.

Role Model

Brett Lethbridge, The Courier-Mail,

A crossways sign that says 'Aboriginal land', and the heading 'All ways. Always.' All presented upside down.

In Perpetuity

Kamsani Bin Salleh, Self-published,

A couple look down on a gravestone-shaped kitchen benchtop inscribed with 'Brad, 1966–2023, Silicosis, Gone too soon'. A third woman says, 'Ignore the woke war on kitchens... you'll find the inscription just polishes right out!'

Engineered-stone Safeguard Mechanism

David Pope, The Canberra Times,

A boy and his grandpa stand in front of a mound with an Aboriginal flag and bunch of flowers. The boy asks, 'Pop! Why did you bring me out here with a flag and flowers? There is a war memorial in town'. His grandpa replies, 'This is where they stood and fought a big frontier war and there is no memorial for them.'

Frontier Wars

Danny Eastwood, Koori Mail,

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