For years, politicians have been the target of Dean Alston.
Like every cartoonist worth his crayons, Alston believes an integral part of his job is keeping those we’ve elected on notice. While columnists may try to do the same in 1000 words, Alston’s sharpened pencil can do so in one sizzling sketch. For almost 40 years, WA’s favourite cartoonist has never missed an MP with an oversized ego.
For years, politicians have been the target of Dean Alston.
Like every cartoonist worth his crayons, Alston believes an integral part of his job is keeping those we’ve elected on notice. While columnists may try to do the same in 1000 words, Alston’s sharpened pencil can do so in one sizzling sketch. For almost 40 years, WA’s favourite cartoonist has never missed an MP with an oversized ego.
February 12, 1991
Walkley Award Winner
A sheep show
This was a classic cartoon that captured the mood of a nation, and was later rewarded with the prestigious Walkley Award. At the time, Australia was weighed down by its wool. At one stage, a stockpile of almost four million bales was sitting in storage around the country with taxpayers footing the bill and farmers unable to shear, or sell, their sheep. When MPs and bureaucrats started telling those in the bush what to do, Alston sharpened his pen and gave the politicians a reminder of how the public feel about being lectured to from the safety of a Canberra pulpit.
February 12, 1991
Walkley Award Winner
A sheep show
This was a classic cartoon that captured the mood of a nation, and was later rewarded with the prestigious Walkley Award. At the time, Australia was weighed down by its wool. At one stage, a stockpile of almost four million bales was sitting in storage around the country with taxpayers footing the bill and farmers unable to shear, or sell, their sheep. When MPs and bureaucrats started telling those in the bush what to do, Alston sharpened his pen and gave the politicians a reminder of how the public feel about being lectured to from the safety of a Canberra pulpit.
December 10, 2008
Profiling a premier
Alan Carpenter’s reign as WA premier could see his mood change from cutting to convivial, and that’s how Alston summed him up in this Inside Cover sketch.
December 10, 2008
Profiling a premier
Alan Carpenter’s reign as WA premier could see his mood change from cutting to convivial, and that’s how Alston summed him up in this Inside Cover sketch.
November 20, 1995
Waterfront or water views?
With another dispute gridlocking our ports, what better way to show ‘union power’ than sketching Bob, Hawke enjoying his Harbour views after the former PM and his wife, Blanche d’Alpuget, had bought waterfront real estate.
March 20, 2001
On the road to nowhere
As much as politicians think they may be the ones shifting the dial, on many occasions, they’re the ones being left behind. That was Alston’s take in this cutting sketch of PM John Howard and treasurer Peter Costello after Howard was accused of being a “50s man”.
September 15, 2012
Hot read
When the saucy book 50 Shades of Grey flew off the shelves, only Alston could have imagined it was a John Howard biography...
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January 2, 2016
Causing a racquet
Colin Barnett loved a game of tennis, so when Fringe World came to town at the same time as the premier was feeling the summer heat of bushfires and skyrocketing State debt, Alston found a way to combine them all.
January 2, 2016
Causing a racquet
Colin Barnett loved a game of tennis, so when Fringe World came to town at the same time as the premier was feeling the summer heat of bushfires and skyrocketing State debt, Alston found a way to combine them all.
September 20, 2016
State of power
After eight years as WA premier, Colin Barnett had survived a pesky spill motion to continue his reign as emperor. But critics said he had stopped listening and was out of touch. It can be a lonely life at the top, as only other long-term world leaders can understand...
September 20, 2016
State of power
After eight years as WA premier, Colin Barnett had survived a pesky spill motion to continue his reign as emperor. But critics said he had stopped listening and was out of touch. It can be a lonely life at the top, as only other long-term world leaders can understand...
November 21, 2017
Ghostly reminder
Colin Barnett was the driving force behind Optus Stadium. Unfortunately for him, after being voted out of office, he was a mere member of the public when it was finally built. But, like most politicians looking for a legacy, Alston believed the former premier’s spirit would haunt the precinct as payback for anyone daring to forget him.
November 21, 2017
Ghostly reminder
Colin Barnett was the driving force behind Optus Stadium. Unfortunately for him, after being voted out of office, he was a mere member of the public when it was finally built. But, like most politicians looking for a legacy, Alston believed the former premier’s spirit would haunt the precinct as payback for anyone daring to forget him.
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August 1, 2022
You’re the Voice
The Indigenous Voice to Parliament has stirred polarising debate in the countdown to the referendum later this year. But, at its core, an opportunity to amend the Constitution to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the first peoples of Australia, is an historic moment in time. And something Alston portrayed better than most politicians.
August 1, 2022
You’re the Voice
The Indigenous Voice to Parliament has stirred polarising debate in the countdown to the referendum later this year. But, at its core, an opportunity to amend the Constitution to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the first peoples of Australia, is an historic moment in time. And something Alston portrayed better than most politicians.
March 27, 2018
Flying high
When Steve Jobs invented the iPhone, it was fair to assume he didn’t see the quokka selfie becoming such a cultural craze. But its popularity meant a miniature marsupial — who is often described as being mangy or magical — was soon more popular than the premier.
August 24, 2018
Prime targets
In a nine-year period from 2007 to 2015 Australia had six Prime Ministers. When Malcolm Turnbull claimed the mantle in 2015 he may have thought the leadership instability was over. He was wrong. In 2018 his fate was also
sealed, and Alston found a subtle way to illustrate that fact.
May 12, 2023
Sweet smell
WA’s 2023 State Budget had the smell of success, with net debt declining for the fourth year in a row and a forecast of a $3b operating surplus. That alluring aroma of iron ore meant Premier and Treasurer Mark McGowan would never be on the nose.
March 27, 2018
Flying high
When Steve Jobs invented the iPhone, it was fair to assume he didn’t see the quokka selfie becoming such a cultural craze. But its popularity meant a miniature marsupial — who is often described as being mangy or magical — was soon more popular than the premier.
August 24, 2018
Prime targets
In a nine-year period from 2007 to 2015 Australia had six Prime Ministers. When Malcolm Turnbull claimed the mantle in 2015 he may have thought the leadership instability was over. He was wrong. In 2018 his fate was also
sealed, and Alston found a subtle way to illustrate that fact.
May 12, 2023
Sweet smell
WA’s 2023 State Budget had the smell of success, with net debt declining for the fourth year in a row and a forecast of a $3b operating surplus. That alluring aroma of iron ore meant Premier and Treasurer Mark McGowan would never be on the nose.
May 30, 2023
Last goodbye
Mark McGowan shocked Australia when he resigned as WA Premier in May. He spent 11 years as Labor leader, six years in charge of the State, and 26 years in politics. At one point during his reign his popularity was above 90 per cent. In his farewell speech he thanked family, friends, political colleagues, and the “people of this great State”. Alston reckons there should have been one more ‘thank you’...
May 30, 2023
Last goodbye
Mark McGowan shocked Australia when he resigned as WA Premier in May. He spent 11 years as Labor leader, six years in charge of the State, and 26 years in politics. At one point during his reign his popularity was above 90 per cent. In his farewell speech he thanked family, friends, political colleagues, and the “people of this great State”. Alston reckons there should have been one more ‘thank you’...
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