'South Pacific Tour 2008' cartoon by Matt Davidson, the Sunday Age, 2008

This is a cartoon Matthew Davidson which shows Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, in victorious pose, on a colourful poster. The poster says, 'Rudd - South pacific Tour - 2008'.

Political cartoons have a long history in Australia, and remain one of the most popular forms of political commentary. Though caricatures and satirical illustrations appeared in some of Australia's earliest newspapers, it was not until the 1830s that they became a frequent and respectable feature of the print media. Publications such as the Melbourne Punch, the Sydney Punch, the Bulletin featured both caricatures and cartoons, and it was through these publications that political cartoons became a popular element of the Australian press.

Matthew Davidson has been an artist and illustrator for 15 years.