Original ideas and illustrations by Dani Burbrook ©

Some context for Australian politics for non-Australian readers:

• Australia has two major parties:
  • on the LEFT is the Labor Party – founded by the trade union movement and with a social democratic perspective, they champion equality, fairness and social justice. They introduced Medicare in 1984 to provide affordable, accessible and universal health care and champion public education.
  • on the RIGHT is the Liberal Party – founded post WW2 by a group of conservatives in direct opposition to democratic socialism – they champion individual freedom, private enterprise and the rights of the middle classes. They favour small government and minimal regulation. They are usually in coalition with the National Party (rural conservatives).
• The other significant parties are:
  • One Nation – ultra-nationalist far right populists who champion individual rights and fossil fuels and campaign strongly against muslims, immigration and political correctness. They are more likely to be vaccine hesitant and they hold deeply conservative social views.
  • The Greens – left wing activists championing environmental protection, economic reform, human rights and social equality. They champion renewable energy systems, speak out in support of refugees and asylum seekers and they want to tax the rich to ensure a more equitable distribution of wealth.
• There are numerous other small parties and independents who stand variously left and right of those mentioned above.