Cartoonists Satirize Current Events in Sydney Morning Herald

The Sydney Morning Herald on May 12, 2026, released its weekly best-of editorial cartoons for the following day, presenting 11 panels that comment on unfolding events. The compilation showcases work from four cartoonists. Matt Golding contributed six drawings while Joe Benke provided two, Dionne Gain one and Cathy Wilcox two.

Each panel uses visual metaphor and exaggeration to address topics in the news that week. Editorial cartoons have long served as a form of compressed commentary in Australian media. The Sydney Morning Herald regularly curates selections from its staff artists and freelancers to capture the mood of public discourse.

The newspaper's digital presentation allows readers to view the full set as a gallery. Individual credits appear beneath each image, listing the artist responsible for that week's contribution. No specific subjects of the cartoons were detailed in the accompanying text.

The publication focused instead on presenting the artwork itself alongside standard website navigation and subscription prompts. The feature appears amid other unrelated content on the site, including sections on subscriptions, puzzles and classified advertising.

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Golding's six contributions form the bulk of the collection. His style frequently appears in the Herald's editorial pages on both domestic policy and international affairs. Wilcox has maintained a regular presence in Australian newspapers for decades, often focusing on federal politics and social issues.

The mix of artists allows the publication to present varied perspectives within a single gallery. Different drawing techniques and satirical approaches appear side by side.

Readers reach the cartoon gallery through the newspaper's website. The page includes social media sharing buttons for Twitter, Facebook and Instagram as well as links to related Herald sections. A note at the top of the page reminds users they have reached their maximum number of saved items.

The feature requires no subscription for viewing though many Herald articles sit behind a paywall. The cartoons remain available as a static gallery without additional commentary or explanation of individual panels. This approach leaves interpretation to the reader.

“Best of cartoons, May 13, 2026”

The publication continues its tradition of weekly cartoon roundups. Similar collections appear regularly, offering a visual summary of the preceding week's events through the eyes of its artists.