This caricature of politician John Howard dates from the mid-'80s, when he was Shadow Treasurer. The future long-running prime minister is instantly recognisable, thanks to how artist Peter Nicholson has crafted the puppet's mouth, glasses and bushy eyebrows. The puppet also maintains the house style of the other 'rubbery figures' created for the show so that they are believably from the same world when they interact.

Created on a shoestring budget, the political satire Rubbery Figures (1984–1990) originated in Nicholson’s makeshift film studio in North Melbourne for ABC TV. The show later found new life as a popular segment on Steve Vizard’s Fast Forward (1989–1992).