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Behind the Lines

The Echidna

The Echidna is a weekday newsletter with a difference. Featuring the wit and insight of celebrated Australian journalists Garry Linnell and John Hanscombe, with the whimsical cartoons of Fiona Katauskas.

Lidia Thorpe and Pauline Hanson angrily point at one another, each saying 'I'm voting no because of her!'

The Noes Have It

Peter Broelman, The Echidna,

A mother and son arrive at a 'Support group'. There are a group of people sitting in a circle in the room, one says, 'Yes, this is for the families of MPs who've left politics in order to spend more time with them'.

Won't Somebody Think of the Children?

Fiona Katauskas, The Echidna,

A girl in black with a raincloud over her head leaves a room with two kids ankle-deep in water. One says, 'If you think La Nina was bad, just wait 'til you meet her brother'. A flaming boy called 'El Nino' looks in the window.

Kids These Days

Fiona Katauskas, The Echidna,

Entitled 'Life imitates art', a woman lying down covered with paper, says 'Everything, everywhere all at once...'

No Hollywood Ending

Fiona Katauskas, The Echidna,

David Littleproud sits behind a 'Nats' sign in a paddock, holding a long paper list which flows around him across the land. A farmer asks, 'So what did you do for the bush over the past nine years?'

National Enquirer

Peter Broelman, The Echidna,

Two people walk their dog past two posters. First poster is Anthony Albanese 'Mild-mannered fossil fuel supporter'. Second is 'Captain carbon cuts'. They say, 'Funny how you never see them both in the same room'.

The Great Australian Hero

Fiona Katauskas, The Echidna,

Two people with their dog lean over a park bench and ask a homeless man if they can 'pinch the property section' of the newspaper. The man is using newspaper as bedding.

Propertied

Fiona Katauskas, The Echidna,

Three panels of 'alternative energy': a radio jockey getting mad, a spinning wind turbine with a bullseye target in the centre, and a blue Peter Dutton.

Power Politics

Fiona Katauskas, The Echidna,

A woman arrives home to her family holding a piece of paper saying, 'Min wage rise 5.2%'. She says they can't buy a home, but they may be able to put a deposit on an iceberg lettuce.

Salad Days

Fiona Katauskas, The Echidna,

Room called 'Dept. of Immigration Storeroom 97' containing piles of 'Unwelcome' mats. A woman shows a man a 'Welcome' mat for one family, but says the rest are for 'everyone in offshore detention'.

Making His Mark

Fiona Katauskas, The Echidna,

Four Greek men stand outside the Acropolis next to a large scroll. Above the men is the text, 'The invention of democracy...' A man says, 'All it needs now is some kind of meat product wrapped in a slice of bread...'

Food for Thought

Fiona Katauskas, The Echidna,

Scott Morrison walks away from a bin throwing a document called, 'Uluru Statement from the Heart' into it. Morrison says, 'It's the "From the Heart" bit I just can't relate to...'

Empathy Coach? Who Needs 'Em?

Fiona Katauskas, The Echidna,

A ghost with 'Election 2019' scares people dressed in Halloween costumes. A skeleton says, 'I know I said to come as something horrifying but Labor supporters are traumatised enough'.

Ghost of Elections Past

Fiona Katauskas, The Echidna,

A board meeting where Clive Palmer's shortfalls and benefits are outlined. In the background are various billboards representing the United Australia Party.

The Buck Stops Here

Fiona Katauskas, The Echidna,

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