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Behind the Lines

Home and away games

Representing your country is one of the highest honours for an athlete. Visiting sporting champions are feted by cheering, flag-waving fans from the moment they touch down at the airport.

In the world of international politics and diplomacy, the arrival of dignitaries is often pretty similar — even if the stakes are much higher. The visit by Chinese Premier Li Qiang, the first by a Chinese premier in seven years, was a grand slam in trade relations, plus resulting in the promise of a gift of two pandas.

Other arrivals in Australia were not greeted as enthusiastically. A group of asylum seekers was flown to Nauru in February after being found in remote Western Australia. Australia's immigration policy and its treatment of refugees continued to make news during the year, especially as the Israel–Gaza War, a tragic conflict keenly felt by many Australians, escalated.

The statue of a WWI and WWII veteran looks in concern at explosions in the distance labelled 'Ukraine' and 'Gaza'.

Lest We Forget

Harry Bruce, The Mercury (Hobart),

A busy group of people hold up flags for Palestine and Israel. A lonely man with a Ukrainian flag and a microphone says, 'Ahem!'

Ahem!

Alan Moir, Self-published,

Text says, 'Ceasefire now…' In a four-panel comic, a man with a Palestinian flag on his shirt knocks on a building labelled 'International Humanitarian Law.' The building, just a façade, collapses to reveal harried aid workers.

Ceasefire Now

David Pope, The Canberra Times,

Two men look out of a window at people protesting war. One says, 'Can you believe the violence of these protestors?' The other replies, 'Absolute barbarians, the lot of them.' Behind them are large tanks. A half-obscured sign reads, 'As tested in Ga…'

Barbarians

Cathy Wilcox, Nine Papers,

A boat approaches a shore. On land, a politican says, 'Straight to Nauru for the lot of them!' Another says, 'Unless any happen to be tradies.'

Welcome

Brett Lethbridge, The Courier-Mail,

A person performs a 3-cup monte trick in a booth. The booth's sign reads: 'Spot a Visa. Now you see it, now you don't.'

Apply Here

Lindsay Foyle, New Matilda,

Text reads, 'Boats make it to shore.' Opposition Leader Peter Dutton looks out on the sea, and a man in a boatload of people says, 'He's asked if we could come back in the week before the next federal election.'

Shore Thing

Peter Broelman, The Canberra Times,

A large robot which looks vaguely like Peter Dutton holds terrified Immigration Minister Andrew Giles in its grasp. Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says, 'Oh, goodness no, Mr Giles! This was only ever designed as cosplay to keep Peter occupied! It was never equipped for actual policy.'

Inheriting the Mecha-Department

David Pope, The Canberra Times,

Worried Immigration Minister Andrew Giles lies in bed, thinking, 'Drones? It's just a nightmare.' Outside his window is a hulking drone with Peter Dutton's face, saying, 'Morning Giles.'

Morning, Giles

David Rowe, The Australian Financial Review,

A long First Dog on the Moon comic addresses the housing crisis and the way in which the government tries to tie it to immigration, through small cartoon animals.

Immigration OR Housing

First Dog on the Moon, The Guardian Australia,

Immigration Minister Andrew Giles and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attempt to navigate a treacherous swamp labelled 'immigration policy' by following a paper labelled 'Direction 99.'

Another Change of Direction

Harry Bruce, The Cairns Post,

A giant panda chews on a bamboo stalk which serves a part of the Australian coat of arms. The coat's kangaroo and emu look angry and scared. Text reads, 'Ties are back on track.'

Auss

Badiucao, Nine Papers,

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