1. 2023

Two words, eight syllables

International relations … Playing charades with your relations is always a bit awkward. Take AUKUS, for example. Early in 2023, Australia’s decision to sign a multi-billion-dollar nuclear submarines deal with the United Kingdom and United States was met with confused expressions on couches across the country.

Back home, Victoria snubbed family fun time by cancelling the Commonwealth Games, but the coronation of King Charles III in May had been the perfect opportunity for a low-key gathering of one’s nearest and dearest.

Meanwhile, the Australian Government signalled to our Pacific neighbours that it wanted to improve security in the region. It also tried to capture the attention of China and India without sending mixed messages.

A man plays with a toy submarine labeled 'AUKUS', overshadowed by a large black submarine with a Chinese flag, and a voice from it says 'You undermine peace in the region.'

AUKUS Threat Submarine

Badiucao, The Sydney Morning Herald,

The Commonwealth Games Federation announces its new venue for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, a man standing at a remote pub says 'Looks like we won the bid' and another voice replies 'I suppose I'd better put the kettle on.'

Untitled

Warren Brown, The Daily Telegraph (Sydney),

Entitled 'Uneasy lies the head...' King Charles wears a large purple crown, within which are contained a list of uncomfortable truths about his past and the British monarchy..

Coronation

Cathy Wilcox, The Sydney Morning Herald,

Across a space background, words in yellow begin 'King Charles III, The Irrelevant Empire Strikes Back.'

The Irrelevant Empire Strikes Back

Matt Golding, The Sydney Morning Herald,

King Charles III faces two Indigenous Australians who say that he isn't king because he doesn't have a breast plate with his name on it.

New King

Danny Eastwood, Koori Mail,

Two men skip together holding a basket of red spots, which are scattered in the air to spell the words 'human rights'.

Kindred Spirits

Pat Hudson, self-published,

Entitled, 'One Biden short of a conga line,' Anthony Albanese wears a red white and blue party hat, somebody's hands on his shoulders, and his arms reaching forward.

The Quad Conga

Matt Golding, The Sydney Morning Herald,

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

Untitled

David Rowe, The Australian Financial Review,

A crowd of people stare at the phones, and in the background, large harvesting machines fly TikTok and Facebook flags.

Safeguarding Democracy

David Pope, The Canberra Times,

Anthony Albanese walks next to Penny Wong, telling her to 'Send China our strong rebukes... and our kindest regards.'

Our Strong Rebukes

Alan Moir, self-published,