MoAD is open. There may be building works during your visit. Learn more

Behind the Lines

I Will Not Fall for That Trick Again

Treasurer Jim Chalmers knocks on the door of a woman in a dressing gown. He holds a ribbon-wrapped 'federal budget', roses, champagne, and a kitten. The woman says, 'I will not fall for that old early election sweetener trick again.. I will not'. In the bottom right a separate panel shows the woman looking lovingly downwards and exclaiming 'A kitten!'

Mark Knight
16 May 2024

Mark Knight suggests that on 14 May Treasurer Jim Chalmers and the Labor Party had presented the electorate with a federal Budget laden with treats, including roses, sparkling wine and a bow-tied kitten. At the time, speculation was rife in the media that an early election could be called in 2024.

You may also be interested in...

'We've been sacked': the 1975 Whitlam government dismissal

'We've been sacked': the 1975 Whitlam government dismissal

For the first time in Australian history, a governor-general dismissed a prime minister and government.

Referendums A to Z

Referendums A to Z

What is a referendum? Why should you care? We’ve broken down everything you need to know, from A to Z. 

Behind the lines

Behind the lines

The year's best political cartoons.

1967: Indigenous affairs

1967: Indigenous affairs

Collection

Collection

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

1999: Republic referendum

1999: Republic referendum

In 1999 Australia voted no to replacing the Queen as our head of state with a president.