UQP Cancels Indigenous Book, Sparks Free Speech Debate

0:00It's April 23rd, I'm Cory with The Story, and this is Sidney News today, your AI-powered local news. University of Queensland Press just cancelled a picture book by indigenous poet Jazz Money, called Bila, a river cycle, illustrated by Matt Chun. They printed 5,000 copies already, but now those are headed for the pulper, because Chun's past comments broke the university's anti-semitism, rules. This hits hard for First Nation storytelling. The decision ties back to a new anti-semitism definition. Australian universities adopted this year, which flagged certain Israel criticisms as, problematic. Chun wrote an essay after the Bondi killings that questioned media focus on some victims, and that sparked the backlash. UQP says they respect money's work and want to team up again someday. Big name authors like Stella Prize winner Evelyn Aralooan are bailing on UQP, calling the move shameful and erasing culture without real process. Randa Abdel Fata, Omar Sacker, and others joined in, refusing future contracts because

1:05it feels like censorship targeting voices on Palestine, and indigenous rights. Over 30 UQP writers, including heavy hitters like Ellen Bann Nairvin and Tony Birch, sent to letters standing firm with money. They demand the publisher honor the contract and push back against media or political pressure to kill the book. This saga spotlights tensions between free speech, publisher ethics, and activism in Aussie Lit, leaving everyone watching if Bila finds another home, or if more creators walk away.