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Behind the Lines

Running Out of Belt

A tool punches holes into a belt, each hole is labelled with a rising cost of living. There is almost no belt left.

Megan Herbert
29 May 2023

The costs of housing, food, electricity and insurance all rose in the 12 months leading up to May 2023, putting financial strain on Australian households. Cartoonists found clever and novel ways to illustrate the increasing pressure.

JUDGE’S COMMENT
Megan Herbert has a way with powerful metaphors … This year, she conveys the pain of the cost-of-living crisis with an ever-tightening belt and a particularly sinister hole punch. You laugh while you wince.

Robert Phiddian
Political Cartoonist of the Year panel

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The Museum of Australian Democracy acknowledges Australia's First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia. We recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We respectfully acknowledge the role that First Nations people continue to play in shaping Australia's democracy. We also acknowledge the Ngunnawal, Ngunawal and Ngambri peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the region in which MoAD is located.

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