WorkChoices | National Museum of Australia

In March 2006, the government's WorkChoices legislation came into effect. Representing a major reworking of Australian industrial relations law, the package outlined a new system for workplace relations. After an extensive government advertising campaign, endless analysis by commentators, and countless cartoons, WorkChoices remains the focus of considerable debate.

The cartoons

Cartoon of John Howard dangling a carrot in front of a lamb whose head is directly underneath the blade of a guillotine with the initials 'IR' - click to view larger image — 'Lambs to the slaughter' by Eric Löbbecke

Cartoon of three jobless men each holding up signs: first says, 'will work for food', second, will work for peanuts and third, 'will work under IR reform conditions' - click to view larger image — 'Desperate for work' by John Ditchburn

Cartoon of a WorkChoices advertising campaign with Amanda Vanstone and Philip Ruddock asking questions about whether they can be sacked. The answer is 'No, Relax - every Federal Minister is protected regardless of their culpability and rewarded with a promotion' - click to view larger image — 'WorkChoices' by David Pope

Cartoon of a variety of circus performers standing around a cannon with a woman in it. The ring master tells them, "Unless there's a test case to prove otherwise, you can all be legally fired this way!" - click to view larger image — 'The IR circus' by Matt Golding

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