The Museum of Australian Democracy acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia. We recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the elders past, present and emerging.

The museum respectfully acknowledges the role that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples continue to play in shaping Australia’s democracy.

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Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House
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Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House
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    All schools resources

    Political cartoons

    Discover Australia’s rich tradition of political cartoons, where all politicians and policies may face the brute force of the cartoonist’s pen.

    The following resources will help students better understand the role of political cartoons in Australia’s media landscape. Australian political cartoons are a gateway to democracy. They represent freedom of expression and freedom of speech.

    Behind the Lines curriculum themes

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    Democracy and free speech
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    Globalising world
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    Rights and freedoms
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    Political personalities
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    Teacher and student resources

    • Behind the Lines exhibition student worksheet - primary
    • Behind the Lines exhibition student worksheet - secondary
    • Hidden Meaning Revealed: teacher education resource
    • Behind the Lines 2020 and previous years

    Slideshare resources

    • What is a political cartoon?
    • How to analyse a political cartoon
    • Humour and caricature
    • Time to draw a caricature


    Still want more? Continue exploring…

    • John Frith | the art of politics, MoAD Collection
    • Cartoon Analysis | John Curtin Prime Ministerial Library
    • Cartoon PD in a Package | John Curtin Prime Ministerial Library


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    *Australian Curriculum V8.3 – Curriculum Learning Areas

    HASSCivics and CitizenshipHistoryEnglishVisual ArtsMedia Arts

    Years

    5-67-89-1011-12

    Themes

    Political CartooningFree SpeechContemporary issuesAustralian politicsInternational eventsHow to create a political cartoonMeet the cartoonistBehind the Lines

    Useful resources

    Australian Curriculum learning areas

    Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House

    18 King George Terrace, Parkes, ACT 2600, Australia

    PO Box 3934
    Manuka ACT 2603

    Open daily 9am - 5pm
    Last entry is at 4pm

    ABN: 30 620 774 963

    Telephone: 02 6270 8222

    Enquiries:
    info@moadoph.gov.au

    Research library

    Please note: video surveillance is used 24 hours a day around and throughout the building and may be used for research purposes

    If the museum is closed due to an emergency, call for new opening times: 1800 716 066

    Visiting

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    The Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House is a Corporate Commonwealth Entity within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet