I dont recognise the ump. Is it supposed to be Leak??

Les,
I puzzle over the identity of the umpire too. I presume it was a commentator of some sort as they see themselves as the Camberra Press Gallery sees itself as performing the role of umpire in the game of politics.

What's the dog got to do with things? He/she always appears in cartoons of Rudd?

Yeah Rudd is being likened to cartoon character and his dog...he looks very similar to that....hes a real do gooder and dog side kick that saves the day....On the tip of my tongue but can't get it...

Argh!! Finally
He is depicted as the cartoon detective "Tin Tin" and his little doggy side kick.
I wonder how long before his little dog gets a girly face with a big nose...hahaha

Les
you got it--it's Tin Tin, the creation of Georges Prosper Remi or Herge. This article saYs:

Tintin was a boy reporter, whose courage and ingenuity, good manners and fine sensibilities, were constantly challenged by strokes of great fortune and misfortune, as is often the case with heroes At the end, Tintin changed with the times, and wore bell-bottoms, and a peace-pin; but for the most of his excellent career, he was attired in knickers. In these politically correct times, much has been found to lament and criticise in the rather ethnocentric world-view

According to Wikepedia Tin Tin represents the everyman.Snowy, an exceptionally white terrier, is Tintin's four-legged companion, who travels everywhere with him. The bond between the dog and Tintin is unbreakable>

I haven't read The Adventures of TinTin. Have you?

I reckon that leak is onto a goldmine here. All sorts of characters can be introduced into Rudd's adventures

No havent read it but have seen the cartoon on the abc quite often...he is a snappy thinker....I would think the abc bookshop would have a dvd of it....I dont think its on at the moment....

This will help Rudd appeal to the child vote. That would mean he can look to be elected in about 2015. My kids are big fans. We used to read it in French. I do think that it is a very inspired cartoon characterisation for Rudd.