NSW parliament hosts best political cartoon of the year

For the first time in its history, the Parliament of NSW is hosting the popular ‘Behind
the Lines’ touring exhibition, showcasing the best political cartoons of 2021.

Developed and presented by the Museum of Australian Democracy (MoAD) at Old
Parliament House in Canberra, Behind the Lines 2021 highlights the contribution of
cartoonists and their drawings to our daily political and social discourse.

Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Jonathan O’Dea said he was excited for the
collaboration with MoAD because of the shared goal between the institutions
to highlight the importance of Parliament in the lives of Australians.

“As a working parliament and a public building, NSW Parliament is a most appropriate
place for visitors to view the Behind the Lines exhibition,” Mr O’Dea said.

“The exhibition captures the 2021 theme of ‘Prophecy and Chance’ and celebrates the
role of political cartooning to journalism and public discourse.”

President of the Legislative Council Matthew Mason-Cox said that visiting the NSW
Parliament to view Behind the Lines is an engaging way for the public to learn more
about the work of Australia’s best political cartoonists.

“The Behind the Lines exhibition is an excellent opportunity to come together to
remember and reflect on the past year, and to appreciate a unique, humorous and
poignant take on our social and political climate,” Mr Mason-Cox said.

“We look forward to welcoming the public into the Parliament to view Behind the
Lines 2021: Prophecy and Chance.”

MOaD Exhibitions Coordinator Sarah Murray said that cartoonists for Behind the Lines
2021 had been selected from outside of news media for the first time.

“This year, we have worked hard to source political cartoons from artists who publish
outside traditional print media, to meet self-publishing artists where they are and
spotlight new and diverse voices for the exhibition,” Ms Murray said.

The Fountain Court is one of two prominent exhibition spaces at the NSW Parliament.
The other – the Reconciliation Wall – is dedicated to the works of Aboriginal artists and
other displays relating to Aboriginal communities. The two spaces feature year-round
rotations of free public exhibitions, attracting thousands of visitors each year.