MoAD and the Courtyard Cafe are open. There may be building works during your visit. Learn more

Behind the Lines

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 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, The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald,

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, The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald,

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, The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald,

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),

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,

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,

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,

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, The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald,

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, The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald,

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, The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald,

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

Ed Iffland, Self-published,

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, The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald,

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,

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, The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald,

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,

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

Gold Standard

Glen Le Lievre, Patreon,

You may also be interested in...

Audio described cartoons

Audio described cartoons

Hear audio descriptions of political cartoons from Behind the Lines exhibitions.

How to vote in Australia

How to vote in Australia

Your guide to voting in Australian elections.

The sizzling history of the democracy sausage

The sizzling history of the democracy sausage

Barbecue snags and voting explained.

1977: National Song Poll

1977: National Song Poll

Australians were asked to pick a song for the national anthem in 1977.

Democracy

Democracy

How it works, why it matters and the power of your role in it.

What is a double dissolution?

What is a double dissolution?

Everything you need to know about a double dissolution.