Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House

Political life lines

Palmistry and the art of political survival

A cabinet reshuffle, an uncomfortable compromise and a move to the backbench are all pretty standard stuff for parliament.

Yet the return of Barnaby Joyce — the cartoonists' darling and one of Australia's most resilient politicians — was an event unforeseen by most political pundits.

Two former prime ministers (from different sides of the aisle) joined forces to challenge a media baron, and the Leader of the Opposition took heat for a policy backflip.

A three step recipe for 'How to make the LNP Andrew Lamington'. Text on bottom says, 'will last until whenever the next election is called'.

How to Make the LNP Andrew Lamington

Edmund Iffland, Self-published, 1 April 2021

Political Actors

David Rowe, The Australian Financial Review, 13 April 2021

Michaelia Cash says, 'Don't blink' to Karen Andrews. Underneath Andrews' 'Home Affairs' desk a sick child is locked in a cage. Peter Dutton depicted with one eye is outside watching.

Home to Bilo

David Pope, The Canberra Times, 12 June 2021

Two panels. First panel Michael McCormack walks away from Barnaby Joyce who is in a 'NATS' recycling bin. The second slide the roles are reversed. Parliament House is in the background.

Bin Night

Matt Golding, Nine Papers, 23 June 2021

Barnaby Joyce wearing a 'NATS' hat has pushed Scott Morrison off a cliff. Morrison, wearing a 'LIBS' hat says, 'One of these days you'll push me too far!' Morrison holds a 'Climate Policy' briefcase.

One of these Days You'll Push Me Too Far

Alan Moir, Nine Papers, 26 June 2021

A blue dog is on the ground at 'Drover's Dog School'. Two faceless men hold a sign, 'Tax cuts for the rich'. They say to the dog, 'Roll Over!' and, 'He's as ready as he'll ever be.'

Drover's Dog

Jon Kudelka, The Saturday Paper, 3 July 2021

Scott Morrison hides behind military badges attached to an army green military jaScott Morrison hides behind military badges attached to an army green military jacket with gold buttons.cket with gold buttons.

Human Shield

Glen Le Lievre, Patreon, 22 July 2021

Craig Kelly is on a ladder painting over a poster of Clive Palmer as a dinosaur. Palmer is also painting it.

Clive Palmer Erases Himself

John Shakespeare, Nine Papers, 2 August 2021

Scott Morrison pushes Christian Porter on a chair through a door titled, 'Leader of the House'. Text above reads, 'Wheels of justice'.

The Wheels of Justice Roll Along

John Shakespeare, Nine Papers, 5 August 2021

Scott Morrison wearing a face mask receives a vaccine titled, 'National Cabinet Vaccine'. He says, 'Hopefully I'll develop an immune response'.

An Immune Response

Mark Knight, Herald Sun, 5 August 2021

A bust of Scott Morrison. A 'Sexual assault petition' book, COVID-19 phone, and a hose are all trying to be handed to him.

The PM of No Responsibility

Jim Pavlidis, Nine Papers, 23 August 2021

Scott Morrison's daughters sit with him. They ask, 'Daddy, what did YOU do in the COVID lockdown?' A bag with a CBR tag is in the background.

Daddy What Did YOU Do?

Cathy Wilcox, Nine Papers, 8 September 2021

Six panels, in each panel a journalist asks a minister a question. Text above is, 'Blind trust is the answer to everything.'

Blind Trust

Cathy Wilcox, Nine Papers, 16 September 2021

Malcolm Turnbull is at a bar. The drinks on offer are 'Bile', 'Sour Grapes', 'Venom', 'Vitriol' and 'Bitters'. Text reads, 'With pubs reopening, Malcolm was back on the usual...'

Sour Grapes

Warren Brown, The Daily Telegraph (Sydney), 30 September 2021

A queue of rats are jumping off a ship. As they fall off, they gain golden parachutes.

Gold Standard

Glen Le Lievre, Patreon, 7 October 2021

Scott Morrison and Barnaby Joyce say social media needs to be held accountable for misinformation. George Christensen and another backbencher in the background say, 'Free speech baby!'

Free Speech, Baby!

Cathy Wilcox, Nine Papers, 12 October 2021