Sorry, that’s almost as obscure as Leunig. Please explain.

The ultimate sacrifice or desire in idealistic love is to die together eg Romeo and Juliet. It was also a melodramatic threat in a Pepe Le Pew cartoon.

The cartoon is simply an editorial comment on the current stench and potential for democratic mass suicide at the next election.

It isn’t Leunig. I drew his style back in the days of “Super Annoyed.”

Nice timing guys. Smack in the middle of the European summer and smack in the heart of the worlds greatest sporting event - le tour. Any cycling fans on le trip?

Sorry, that’s almost as obscure as Leunig. Please explain.

I do believe that the animals in question are skunks. Does that help?

Missing from this line up of France bound Alderfolk is the green party alderman Helen Burnet.

Does this mean that the cartonist is Green leaning hence would ruin a good story with the truth if she was included.

Come on Mark - be fair.  Where’s Ald. Helen Burnett in this very apt cartoon?  I find it more disappointing when a Green jumps on the gravy train - they usually take the high moral ground and avoid such obvious junkets. 
The barefaced cheek of these six alderpersons and some partners is beyond belief.  The ridiculous picture of smirking Valentine in a beret said it all - these alderpersons are so used to ignoring public opinion that they have become arrogant.
How about a revised cartoon Mark to replace this one - perhaps add some long eyelashes to the female skunk?

Although not disappointed to be left out of the Pepi le Pew postcard, yes I am going to France. And yes, I reckon it is only fair to have to justify such a trip to the people of Hobart.
The official Council business in Brest is not only about cultural exchange but a chance to showcase Hobart and Tasmania to a million people. The 4-yearly maritime expo has obvious connections with our own Wooden Boat Festival, and France is the biggest trading partner of Tas, in boats and catamarans. Being there is likely to generate interest in the event here, and maybe even trading opportunities that may otherwise have been missed.
Brest is the place from which the 18th Century French explorers embarked, such as Baudin and d’Entrecasteaux, and their place in Tasmanian history should be highlighted some more. It is the most recent successful campaign to save Recherche Bay from logging which I hope the French are likely to be interested in, so too the first friendly encounter with Aborigines in 1792, the first European woman to set foot in Australia, and the first garden planted on Australian soil by Delahaye. This is a story which more French people should know about, and perhaps a reason that they may visit us in the future.
The delegation includes 2 French undergraduate students from UTAS, giving them a fantastic opportunity to practice their language skills, and also tourism and Economic development reps from the state government.
In all, the Council officers have put together an impressive showcase of Tasmania and Hobart. It wouldn’t have happened wihthout the HCC driving it.
I don’t treat this as a junket, I think it is an opportunity to take Hobart to the world, and a niche market at that. I expect criticism, but also expect to deliver as part of my official duties, and to be accountable.
And just for the record, I am flying economy.

Yes, but with all due respect Helen, what can YOU personally offer, or any of the Aldermen for that matter, that a professional Tasmanian public relations/promotions team along with a notable historian like James Boyce, a couple of economic development and tourism officials, a few French speaking students and some representatives of the Wooden Boat Festival not successfully achieve?

If we are to provide an ‘impressive showcase of Tasmania and Hobart’I suggest it could have been far more worthwhile to consider those individuals in our community with notable linkages to French culture, cuisine and viticulture, the wooden boat community and history as opposed to a group of local councillors elected on the basis of popularity. Unfortunately, some of the other councillors travelling to Brest appear to have about as much politeness, sophistication and decorum as Sir Les Paterson.

Bon Voyage.

If it walks like a canard and quacks like a canard, it’s a canard. Enjoy your fois gras on your junket, Helen.

Then Helen we must assume that you are in favour of a Mt Wellington Hillclimb given that your junket will costs vast amounts of CO2 flying to europe!

Nothing sinister in Helen not making the cut. I wasn’t even aware Helen was a Green councillor - sorry to dent any egos!

The simple reason was that only so many skunks can fit into attributes of 550X450 pixels.

Perhaps Helen should be the painted cat?