MoAD and the Courtyard Cafe are open. Some exhibitions and rooms will be closed from September 2025 for essential building works. Learn more

Behind the Lines

Matt Golding

Political Cartoonist of the Year

Matt Golding is a Melbourne-based cartoonist who currently draws political cartoons for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. A second-time winner of this award, he is also a Walkley Award-winner and has received multiple Stanley Awards from his peers at the Australian Cartoonists Association. His cartoons have appeared consistently in Behind the Lines exhibitions since the 1990s, when he was staff cartoonist for Melbourne Independent Newspapers. In 2009 Golding published a collection of his cartoons called Three-Second Thoughts.

Golding was the clear winner in the voting for this year's award. A master of the pocket cartoon, in 2025 he created work that was funny, poignant and constantly inventive. His cartoons covered the big themes of the year, including the 2025 federal election and its aftermath, climate change, inequalities faced by Indigenous peoples, child abuse in daycare centres, the housing crisis and various other stories from around the world.

A collage of images makes up the American flag. Top left is President Donald Trump's profile in red matchbox texture. The horizontal stripes are made from matches; the bottom one is on fire and the third from the top has just been lit.

Inflammation of a Nation

Matt Golding, Nine Papers,

In an office text reads, 'Are we getting smarter?' A glass box sits over the top of a desk, where a man at a laptop says, 'Yes, Max… I know it's your legislated right to work from home twice a week, but do you have to insist we Zoom inside the cone of silence?'

Working from Home... and Loving It

Matt Golding, Nine Papers,

One Catholic cardinal says to another, 'Pope Francis has asked for his funeral rites to be down to earth and simplified.' They stand in an ornate papal building.

A Pope's Humble and Final Gesture

Matt Golding, Nine Papers,

An artist carves a stone cube face with sharp lines. A person says, 'The coalition social media team have asked if we could soften Dutton's image?' The artist climbs down and says, 'My work here is done,' leaving it with minute alterations.

Softening Dutton's Image

Matt Golding, Nine Papers,

A painting in the style of Edward Hopper's Nighthawks shows former Australian prime ministers at a bar, with someone tapping on the window.

Nighthawks at the Sky After Dark Diner

Matt Golding, Nine Papers,

A mock Ikea instruction manual shows Peter Dutton crossed out, with a man and a woman building a chair. The instructions have names in the style of Ikea furniture names. The final panel shows 'Kooyong' out of stock, and 'Goldstein' in stock.

The Liberals' Post-Election Complete Rebuild

Matt Golding, Nine Papers,

Various world leaders skip over the top of a giant film projector. At the front, PM Anthony Albanese hops into the projector light.

Are We Rolling?

Matt Golding, Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House,

Cavemen gather around rocks, one of which is carved like a wheel. They hold up signs, 'Slow the transition to the wheel,' 'We love our rocks,' 'Wheels… but at what cost?'

Rocks in Their Heads

Matt Golding, Nine Papers,

A meteorite hurtles towards two dinosaurs. One asks, 'What's your number one issue?' The other says, 'Cost of living.'

The Cost-of-Not-Living Crisis

Matt Golding, Nine Papers,

You may also be interested in...

What is the difference between misinformation and disinformation?

What is the difference between misinformation and disinformation?

Common terms explained.

Cartoonists

Cartoonists

Browse all cartoonists featured in Behind the Lines.

Eight ways an Australian prime minister can lose the top job

Eight ways an Australian prime minister can lose the top job

How the head of the government can lose their position.

Referendums A to Z

Referendums A to Z

What is a referendum? Why should you care? We’ve broken down everything you need to know, from A to Z. 

1937: Aviation

1937: Aviation

A 1937 referendum asked Australians if the Commonwealth should regulate air travel.

'We've been sacked': the 1975 Whitlam government dismissal

'We've been sacked': the 1975 Whitlam government dismissal

For the first time in Australian history, a governor-general dismissed a prime minister and government.