In a year defined by global uncertainty and political turmoil, Australia's finest cartoonists have once again distilled complex issues into powerful visual commentaries. The much-anticipated annual collection, Best Australian Political Cartoons 2025, has been published, offering a piercing look back at the events that shaped the nation and the world.
Edited by Russ Radcliffe, the compilation is available now from Scribe Publications for AU$35. Released on Friday 28 November 2025, the collection serves as a poignant visual record of a tumultuous period.
A Global Stage for Local Satire
The book reveals how Australian artists turned their gaze to international affairs with sharp insight. Guardian cartoonist Fiona Katauskas captures the pervasive anxiety surrounding the state of US politics, openly questioning whether the world will navigate its way through to the end of the year.
Meanwhile, the threat from former US President Donald Trump 'to go after people' is met with defiance in a contribution from the Age's Megan Herbet. The international theme continues with David Rowe, who adds meticulous detail to the finger-pointing involving Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Domestic Politics Under the Microscope
Closer to home, the Albanese government's policies come under fire. The popular cartoonist First Dog on the Moon takes aim at a proposed new superannuation tax on the wealthy, sarcastically wondering if the affected will still manage their five overseas holidays a year.
David Pope of the Canberra Times tackles the government's conflicting words and actions regarding its stance on Gaza. The internal dynamics of the Labor party are also a target, with Mark Knight from the Herald Sun depicting a backbench so large it could fill a stadium.
Former opposition leader Peter Dutton finds himself left out in the cold in a pointed cartoon by Matt Golding for the Sunday Age. In the realm of defence, Nordacious (James Hillier) breaks down Australia's role in the controversial 'non-lethal' contributions to the MK-84 bomb.
Diverse Voices and Platforms
The collection showcases the breadth of the cartooning landscape. Andrew Weldon for the Big Issue delivers a classic 'tell him he's dreaming' moment, while Cathy Wilcox of the Sydney Morning Herald highlights the stinking reality of AI. Glen Le Lievre depicts Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in a star-spangled tangle in a cartoon created for Patreon, illustrating the evolving platforms for political art.
Together, these works prove that in times of complexity, a single, well-drawn panel can often communicate more than a thousand words, holding a mirror up to power with wit, courage, and fine detail.
