Losing the Freedom to Laugh in the Age of Woke: Cartoonist Leunig Reflects on 55-Year Career

“Humour is something that has largely disappeared.” It’s a short statement, and relevant as ever to veteran cartoonist Michael Leunig, who after 55 years, penned his very last cartoon for a major newspaper. Over the years, his charmingly naive cartooning style won the hearts—and occasional disdain—of millions of Australians. His commentary is sometimes outlandish, often gentle. Leunig never went to art school, flexing his creative style into one that would be the most recognisable in Australia. Five-and-a-half decades is a very long time. When Leunig started, John Gorton (1968—71) was the Australian prime minister, and an average home in Sydney cost just 20 percent of what it does today....