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Behind the Lines

Take me to your leader

Australia may have a parliamentary party system, but there is no avoiding the fact that party leaders soak up most of the media and public attention.

Party leaders also attract the keen attention of our cartoonists. While some artists grieved the loss of their favourite targets for caricature at the election, others were over the moon to find perennially cartoonable Peter Dutton now sitting in the captain's chair of the starship Liberal Party.

Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison quintupled their fun when it became known he had secretly arranged to be sworn in as a minister of five different portfolios.

Record titled 'Scotty's old-time Hawaiian Holiday Ukelele Hits!' Scott Morrison is on the cover dressed in island attire holding a ukelele.

Scotty's Old-time Ukelele Hits

Warren Brown, The Daily Telegraph (Sydney),

Multiple cartoon panels each containing a different scene where 'Scott Man' refuses to address the situation at hand.

Scott Man 2020

First Dog on the Moon, The Guardian Australia,

Scott Morrison with the text 'Last act' and a picture of a boat on the sea. Anthony Albanese with the text 'First act' and the Aboriginal flag.

Last Act, First Act

Matt Golding, Nine Papers,

Anthony Albanese sits on a plane reading briefings and touching a Harry Potter-like scar on his forehead with the text, 'Ow!...??' Peter Dutton as Voldemort is hanging onto the wing of the plane.

You're a Prime Minister, Harry!

David Pope, The Canberra Times,

A board meeting where Clive Palmer's shortfalls and benefits are outlined. In the background are various billboards representing the United Australia Party.

The Buck Stops Here

Fiona Katauskas, The Echidna,

Caricature of Greens leader Adam Bandt carrying the Australian flag over his shoulder. It is ripped in half. He is discarding the other half into a bin labelled 'Green Ideology'.

Hurtful Symbolism

John Spooner, The Australian,

Anthony Albanese over three panels changes his shirt from South Sydney Rabbitohs to Hawthorn Hawks. A person alerts him that he is in Melbourne in the first panel.

Go the Hawkitohs!

Warren Brown, The Daily Telegraph (Sydney),

Text at the top: 'A possible coalition of vegetables and minerals'. Peter Dutton is on the left, as a potato. Barnaby Joyce is on the right, as a radish, holding a black substance.

A Union of Vegetables and Minerals

Matt Golding, The Sydney Morning Herald,

Men sit around a table, seats are labelled 'Liberal Party Room'. Text above the table, 'We paid the price for Morrison's unpopularity. What we need is someone cute and cuddly this time.' Peter Dutton enters saying, 'You rang?'

Lurch to the Right

Johannes Leak, The Australian,

Pauline Hanson holds a flashlight, looking at her hand which says, 'Welcome to country'. Text on the left reads, 'There's a new boogeyman in town'.

There's a New Boogeyman in Town

Nordacious, Self-published,

Eight panels with Scott Morrison acting in a different job in each. Text reads, 'I don't see a problem with these secret appointments'.

Jobs for the Boy

Peter Broelman, The Advertiser,

Scott Morrison and a child play 'Guess Who?' The child asks 'Does he hold the ministry of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources?' Morrison replies, 'Ummm...'

Guess Who Else?

Adele K Thomas, Self-published,

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