The Queensland Literary Awards are facing significant delays after a ministerial intervention led to the resignation of more than one-third of the judging panel. The controversy stems from Arts Minister John-Paul Langbroek‘s actions earlier this year to prevent a fellowship from being awarded to author K.A. Ren Wyld, which has sparked widespread criticism and prompted judges to step down in protest.
Originally scheduled to announce the shortlist on August 5, the awards have not provided any updates since the announcement of the judge departures. The awards are managed by the state library, which is supported by the Queensland government through Arts Queensland. The library’s chief, Vicki McDonald, disclosed details of the judge exodus during this period, highlighting the impact of the government’s intervention on the awards’ proceedings.
Langbroek had previously indicated that if judges chose not to continue, new judges would be appointed. His comments came amid a backdrop of mounting tensions surrounding freedom of expression and the role of arts funding in the state. The announcement for winners, which includes over $200,000 in prizes and opportunities across 11 categories, has now been rescheduled for September 26, 2023.
Controversial Intervention Sparks Resignation
In May, Langbroek expressed his concerns regarding the fellowship intended for Wyld after she was accused in parliament of “glorifying terrorism” due to a social media post praising the late Hamas leader, Yahya Sinwar. This action was perceived as politically charged, particularly in light of the ongoing national discussions about antisemitism and the conflict in Gaza. Following the intervention, four judges publicly announced their resignations, with a total of 12 out of 34 judges ultimately quitting.
During an August 7 parliamentary session, McDonald confirmed the judge departures but did not address the missed shortlist announcement. An independent review, which is not expected to influence the awards, is set to report to the board this month. Langbroek has defended his intervention, stating he will take similar actions if necessary and downplaying the significance of the resignations by asserting that replacements would be found.
The delay in announcing the winners is noteworthy, especially given that two award categories impose restrictions on entrants from submitting their work to other publishers or competitions until 12 weeks after the shortlist is unveiled.
Responses and Reactions
In response to inquiries regarding the upcoming announcements, Langbroek confirmed his anticipation for the shortlist and winners to be released as planned on September 26. A spokesperson from the library previously assured that the awards would proceed as scheduled, despite the challenges faced.
Wyld, in her defense, stated that her controversial post was unrelated to the fellowship related to the Stolen Generations manuscript. She expressed regret over her choice of wording while also conveying her dissatisfaction with the government’s stance on the situation in Gaza. The Australian Society of Authors has indicated intentions to advocate for the importance of freedom of expression and the integrity of arts funding processes in light of these events.
Langbroek maintains that while his government supports freedom of speech, it does not condone actions that celebrate violence or erode public trust. As the Queensland Literary Awards navigate this turbulent period, the outcomes of the upcoming announcements are likely to resonate within the broader context of arts and culture in the region.
