rather than make a statement, it looks like it's intention is to draw a response from Australians in light of the recent furore over another cartoon. Whilst then we generally defended the right to publish such cartoons that lampoons such a sensitive subject, are we going to become emotional or upset when it is our leader being ridiculed. Probably not, but predictably Downer has wasted no time expressing his disgust and outrage. Obviously the cartoonist knew how he would react when poked in a sensitive spot.
