MoAD and the Courtyard Cafe are open. Some exhibitions and rooms will be closed from September 2025 for essential building works. Learn more

Behind the Lines

The Australian Financial Review

The Australian Financial Review is a business-focused daily newspaper covering the current business and economic affairs of Australia and the world.

In the style of superhero comics, the title reads, 'Angry Boomer comics.' An older man lifts a car off the ground. Text reads, 'Featuring, get your hands off my super, man!'

Angry Boomer

Glen Le Lievre, The Australian Financial Review,

In the style of Monty Python's films, text reads, 'The Quest for the Holy Grail.' Patsy, King Arthur's servant, clops coconuts together around PM Anthony Albanese's head, who is dressed as King Arthur.

Holy Grail

Glen Le Lievre, The Australian Financial Review,

PM Anthony Albanese sits alone in parliament depicted as a giant figure with the sun beaming on his face.

Huge Majority

Glen Le Lievre, The Australian Financial Review,

Treasurer Jim Chalmers dressed as Julius Caesar has been stabbed in the back by percentages. He says, 'Et tu, RBA?' Governor of the Reserve Bank Michele Bullock says, 'C'mon Jim it was 6-3.'

Et Tu, Michele?

David Rowe, The Australian Financial Review,

Under the title 'Gone with the Windbag,' Elon Musk and US President Donald Trump embrace. Trump says, 'But where shall I go? What shall I do? Golf aside…' Musk says, 'Frankly my dear, I don't give a Tesla.'

I Don't Give a Tesla

David Rowe, The Australian Financial Review,

In the style of a Rembrandt painting, text reads, 'The last political anatomy lesson of Antony Green.' On a table, Antony Green dissects a man on the table in front of various politicians.

The Anatomy Lesson

David Rowe, The Australian Financial Review,

In a rendition of 'Singing in the Rain,' PM Anthony Albanese swings around a lamppost decorated with former Liberal leader Peter Dutton's head. Albanese sings, 'I'm happy again.'

Anthony by Lamplight

David Rowe, The Australian Financial Review,

Former Liberal leader Petter Dutton holds a package of medication. Text reads, 'Trouble getting your policies up? Suffering from electile dysfunction? You may be eligible under the PBS * for Trumps.' The medication is two pills in the shape of Trump's head. Text reads, '* Presidential benefits scheme.'

Presidential Benefits Scheme

David Rowe, The Australian Financial Review,

The title reads, 'Lapdogs of war.' Russian President Putin holds the leashes of dogs with the faces of US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, barely holding them back from barking at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Trump's Dogs of War

David Rowe, The Australian Financial Review,

Various Australian politicians spend time at the beach. US President Donald Trump carries Elon Musk on his shoulders.

The Beach

David Rowe, The Australian Financial Review,

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and ASIO chief Mike Burgess hold up the bar for a pole vaulting Grim Reaper with a bomb strapped to his back and a scythe labelled 'Terrorism.' The landing mat is labelled 'Terror threat'. Albanese says, 'Should we raise it Mike?'

Terror Threat

David Rowe, The Australian Financial Review,

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 female-symbol, upright, ends in a hand which grips a male symbol. The male's extended fist is covered in blood. At the base of the painting are many overlapping female symbols.

Untitled

David Rowe, The Australian Financial Review,

Text description coming.

The Eyes of a Needle

David Rowe, The Australian Financial Review,

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and a naval officer re-enact the moment from Titanic where Jack stands behind Rose, on a large warship labelled '$11 billion warship upgrade'. Albanese says, 'Open your eyes,' and the naval officer says, 'I'm flying!'

Battleship Politics

David Rowe, The Australian Financial Review,

A group of people look up at the sky. Animated houses fly by, their roofs flapping like wings.

High Prices

Glen Le Lievre, The Australian Financial Review,

Four people sit in a room, one says, 'Ok... we've got the stupid racist vote.. now what?' Another responds, 'We appeal to their higher selves', a third says 'Smart racists'.

Untitled

David Rowe, The Australian Financial Review,

A frail Benjamin Netanyahu sits in a hospital bed with his chest hooked up to a red IV. In the next bed lies a lady called 'Justice' whose heart monitor shows a flat line. Text reads: 'Peacemaker pacemaker?'

Untitled

David Rowe, The Australian Financial Review,

A colourful bus map representing the Robodebt Royal Commission.

Thrown under a Bus Route

Glen Le Lievre, The Australian Financial Review,

In front of Australian Parliament House flying the Aboriginal flag, Anthony Albanese places a paper 'Voice' boat on a red, yellow and black pond.

Untitled

David Rowe, The Australian Financial Review,

Across a table from Xi Jinping, flanked with a wall of large missiles, four men, including Anthony Albanese, sit with a handful of small missiles. Albanese says, 'And there's more where that came from... right Jimbo?'

Untitled

David Rowe, The Australian Financial Review,

Entitled 'John Howard Wilderness Tours', a short man guides a tall man through a jungle, saying 'Forget about the sharks... but I'd watch out for snakes, spiders and Nazis...' A skeleton holds a 'Robodebt' sign.

Untitled

David Rowe, The Australian Financial Review,

Jim Chalmers and Anthony Albanese dressed in green as Robin Hood characters sit in a tree. Albanese asks, 'But just say you did have, say, 3 mill in super..? 2025 right?'

Untitled

David Rowe, The Australian Financial Review,

Queen Elizabeth II enters gold gates, corgis with white wings run to her. Sir John Kerr sits with Gough Whitlam who says, 'This should be interesting...'

Vale Queen Elizabeth II

David Rowe, The Australian Financial Review,

Jim Chalmers and Anthony Albanese are at a bathroom vanity. They wipe the mirror to reveal reflections of Paul Keating and Bob Hawke. They think, 'Oh you handsome devil you...'

Summit Prep Continues

David Rowe, The Australian Financial Review,

A cocktail party with red curtains. Independent MPs stand together. Anthony Albanese and Chris Bowen stand together saying how 'cozy' it is. Bowen asks whether he should turn the temperature down.

Climate Control

David Rowe, The Australian Financial Review,

Anthony Albanese wears a crown and holds a chalice on a medieval battleground. Other candidates stand in the background holding weapons or lie defeated on the ground.

The Marrickville miracle

David Rowe, The Australian Financial Review,

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,

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,

Scott Morrison lies awake in a Cronulla Sharks-themed room. Brittany Higgins and Grace Tame look in through the window. Outside, the sun is rising, with the gender symbol for women visible.

Good Morning, Canberra

David Rowe, The Australian Financial Review,

In the style of the game 'Space Invaders' hospital workers throw vaccine syringes at the virus. 'Deaths' and 'Lives Saved' are in the top corners.

Space invaders

Glen Le Lievre, The Australian Financial Review,

Dog store called 'Watchdogs'. Inside are two big, vicious dogs called IBAC and ICAC. A third small dog lies on a sign that reads, 'Federal integrity commish'. Scott Morrison is outside saying 'good boy' to the small dog.

How Much Is that Integrity

David Rowe, The Australian Financial Review,

Doctors and nurses are combined together in the form of a pretzel. One gloved hand holds a paper titled: 'Doherty Modelling'.

Pretzel

Glen Le Lievre, The Australian Financial Review,

A passport stamped with different rooms in a house.

The Lockdown Passport

Glen Le Lievre, The Australian Financial Review,

Joe Biden and Boris Johnson cling to their respective flags. The flags are attached to a woman wearing a head covering. Scott Morrison looks glum. Helicopters are in the background.

Evacuees

David Rowe, The Australian Financial Review,

Anthony Albanese and Scott Morrison walk arm in arm. They are at the 'low-bar' competition at the Olympics. The announcer says that they have agreed to share the gold, both men think '...until the election'.

Low Bar Olympians

David Rowe, The Australian Financial Review,

A despondent Scott Morrison tunes a guitar with the strings labelled as each of the states and territories. Text reads, 'Slow Hand Scott and The Delta Blues'.

The Delta Blues

David Rowe, The Australian Financial Review,

Gladys Berejiklian is on a hospital bed. Scott Morrison stuffs cash into her pillow saying, 'Here... let me plump your pillow Gladys'. Text reads: 'Some Victorians might find this ad distressing'.

NSW PM

David Rowe, The Australian Financial Review,

A distressed Sussan Ley stands knee-deep in water holding flippers branded 'Barrier Reef'. Behind her, Barnaby Joyce, Matt Canavan and George Christensen are on jet skis.

Beautiful One Day ... Blindsided the Next

David Rowe, The Australian Financial Review,

Kevin Rudd says to Malcolm Turnbull, 'Finally we can agree on one thing... you're not the most powerful political actor in Australia'. Rupert Murdoch hovers over them. Fox News logo is on the bottom left.

Political Actors

David Rowe, The Australian Financial Review,

A statue labelled 'Veteran Suicides' faces the sunrise. Scott Morrison kneels before it with a wreath labelled 'Royal Commission'. The cartoon is in a grey wash.

At the Going down of the Sun

David Rowe, The Australian Financial Review,

Scott Morrison and Josh Frydenberg walk past Christian Porter's office. Frydenberg says, 'So... it's not just the economy... stupid.'

'It's not Just the Economy ... Stupid'

David Rowe, The Australian Financial Review,

Kamala Harris holds her fist high. Hilary Clinton says to her, 'Don't look up. Trust me.' Above them is a cracked glass ceiling, with a semi-naked Donald Trump wearing a crown and royal robe lying face down on it.

Glass Ceiling

David Rowe, The Australian Financial Review

You may also be interested in...

The 1966 Wave Hill walk-off

The 1966 Wave Hill walk-off

The Gurindji strike and its legacy explained.

1946: Social Services referendum

1946: Social Services referendum

The 1946 referendum led to the pharmaceutical benefits scheme and the beginnings of universal healthcare.

Memorable marches in Australian history

Memorable marches in Australian history

How protests marches can influence a nation.

How to vote in Australia

How to vote in Australia

Your guide to voting in Australian elections.

1999: Republic referendum

1999: Republic referendum

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

The dismissal: where were you?

The dismissal: where were you?

Stories and reflections from the day of the 1975 dismissal.