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Behind the Lines

They love me, they love me not

‘Rom-coms’ often end with two star-crossed lovers finally getting together despite all the obstacles the screenwriter has placed in their path.

This year, the electorate’s love affair with the Labor Party continued, electing it emphatically to a second consecutive term and making Labor the first returning government to retain every one of its seats since 1966.

But many great romance movies are also about broken hearts. In favouring Labor, the electorate showed how it had fallen out of love with the Liberal-National Coalition. Before this election, and since its formation in 1944, the Liberal Party had dominated federal politics, elected as part of the Coalition in 19 out of 30 elections. The Coalition suffered one of the more high-profile break-ups – although they soon got back together. Both the Liberals and the Nationals spent much of 2025 trying to win back the Australian public.

The title reads, 'Middle-of-the-Road Mutant Ninja Tortoise.' PM Anthony Albanese as a teenage mutant ninja turtle says, 'Must… remain… humble!'

Middle-of-the-Road Mutant Ninja Tortoise

David Pope, The Canberra Times,

PM Anthony Albanese sits alone in parliament depicted as a giant figure with the sun beaming on his face.

Huge Majority

Glen Le Lievre, The Australian Financial Review,

A First Dog on the Moon comic explains the results of the 2025 election through small Australian animals and a democracy sausage. Dutton has lost, Labor enthusiasts have won, and First Dog ponders whether Albanese can stand up for any important issues, like the cost of living.

The Unduttoning

First Dog on the Moon, The Guardian Australia,

In the style of a Rembrandt painting, text reads, 'The last political anatomy lesson of Antony Green.' On a table, Antony Green dissects a man on the table in front of various politicians.

The Anatomy Lesson

David Rowe, The Australian Financial Review,

A sign says, 'Australian Party Leaders who lost their own seats club.' Peter Dutton welcomes former Greens leader Adam Bandt.

Join the Club

Fiona Katauskas, The Guardian Australia,

A man puts his green waste bin outside, with former a man in it.

Green Waste

Johannes Leak, The Australian,

PM Anthony Albanese says, 'We have a process in the Labour Party caucus!' Meanwhile, a person is beheaded outside Parliament House.

Labor Party Process

Dean Alston, The West Australian,

Two aliens land outside Parliament House. One says, 'We sure picked a helluva time to ask to be taken to their leader.' A sign reads, 'This week: Monday Nationals, Tuesday Liberals, Thursday Greens.'

All in the Timing

Fiona Katauskas, The Guardian Australia,

PM Anthony Albanese heads up a hill towards solar power labelled 'light on the hill.' Liberal leader Sussan Ley and Nationals leader David Littleproud walk up a hill labelled 'die on the hill,' with a nuclear power station.

Twin Peaks

Peter Broelman, The Canberra Times,

Nationals leader David Littleproud says to Sussan Ley, 'Ok, I'll go outside and have a think.' Outside he sees many natural disasters, comes back and says, 'Nope, I can't see what the problem is.'

Have a Think

Cathy Wilcox, Nine Papers,

A note on a fridge reads, 'Dear libs, it's not us, it's you. – Nats. PS Taking the dog.'

The No-alition

Chris Downes, The Mercury (Hobart),

A man and a woman watch former PM John Howard on TV. The man says, 'John Howard is right! They don't need quotas to get more women in the liberal party.' The woman says, 'They need quotas for less out of touch, underqualified old men.'

The Liberal Party's Women Problem

Sean Leahy, The Courier-Mail,

Liberal leader Sussan Ley drives a small biplane with deputy Ted O'Brien. Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price sits on one wing, weighing it down. Ley says, 'I'm having a real problem with my right wing.'

Trouble with My Right Wing

Mark Knight, Herald Sun,

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