Ken SUniversity Of Queensland Press sees exodus of authors following handling of ‘anti-semitism’ allegations
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-23/authors-quit-university-of-queensland-press-jazz-money-matt-chun/106596326
#AusBiz #AusPol #QldPol
As a Jew, I am very aware of the reality of antisemitism. But as a writer, I do not believe we counter racism, antisemitism, homophobia or transphobia by boycotts and cancellations.
https://theconversation.com/uqp-has-cancelled-a-childrens-book-illustrated-by-matt-chun-citing-antisemitism-281316 #AusBiz #AusPol #QldPol
“But the thing to me that is most pressing about this whole story is the precedent that this sets: that even a kids’ book about a river written by an Aboriginal person on Aboriginal land can be destroyed because of a right wing media campaign.”
University of Queensland Press cancels children’s book over illustrator’s post on ‘Zionist framing’ of Bondi attack
Authors including Evelyn Araluen and Melissa Lucashenko say they won’t work with publisher after it dumps Jazz Money’s book illustrated by Matt Chun, who called Bondi victims ‘affluent beneficiaries of imperialism’
“A children’s picture book scrapped. Just like that. An Indigenous children’s picture book where Indigenous children can read themselves into the literary landscape. A book so needed in this settler colony, where Indigenous children are incarcerated at a higher rate than any other. Cancelled. Erased. Pulped. Because Zionists made those of you up top tremble. But I tremble at your immoral choice, and for that I have made the decision never to sign with you again”
https://allaboutnatalia.substack.com/p/terminating-my-relationship-with
“Yesterday, news broke that the University of Queensland Press—which is the publisher of my poetry—has declared they will pulp 5,000 copies of a new children’s book Bila, a river cycle by Wiradjuri poet Jazz Money and illustrated by Matt Chun, on the basis of complaints from Zionists at “The Australian” about Matt’s supposed anti-Semitism. These books are already published, sitting in a warehouse somewhere, and they are going to be destroyed for no good reason. I know Jazz personally, and this informs my rage, in all honesty, because Jazz is such a beautiful person and wonderful poet but even were that not the case, this would still be a disgraceful decision on UQP’s part.”
https://sakr.substack.com/p/the-cultural-apartheid-in-australias
“Evelyn Araluen walks away from UQP in solidarity with Jazz Money
It's with the deepest regret and anger that I write this email to inform you that I am terminating any further projects and contracts I hold with the University of Queensland Press as a result of the shameful and abhorrent decision to pulp the work of a fellow Aboriginal storyteller without due process, communication, respect or consideration.”
Readers and Writers Against the Genocide AU on Instagram: "🔥Evelyn Araluen quits UQP in solidarity with Jazz Money🔥 It’s with the deepest regret and anger that I write this email to inform you that I am terminating any further projects and contracts I hold with the University of Queensland Press as a result of the shameful and abhorrent decision to pulp the work of a fellow Aboriginal storyteller without due process, communication, respect or consideration. I have been privileged to have worked with UQP over the years on my books, and felt deeply supported and interconnected in the community of First Nations writers working with UQP. I fiercely advocated for UQP’s significant place in the literary ecology of this colony and developed deep and lasting relationships with workers at this publishing house. I encouraged other Blak storytellers to send in their manuscripts and publishing workers to apply for professional roles. I have supported UQP in grant applications and on peer assessment panels. By my calculations I have brought in over three-quarters of a million dollars worth of revenue to the organisation. I have poured my heart into the works I’ve published with UQP. It is devastating to see that despite the cultural, emotional and intellectual labour given to UQP through its First Nations storytellers, our work can be erased on a political whim. Make no mistake - this is cultural violence and UQP should be deeply ashamed. (Cont’d)"
3,499 likes, 98 comments - readerswritersagainstgenocide on April 22, 2026: "🔥Evelyn Araluen quits UQP in solidarity with Jazz Money🔥 It’s with the deepest regret and anger that I write this email to inform you that I am terminating any further projects and contracts I hold with the University of Queensland Press as a result of the shameful and abhorrent decision to pulp the work of a fellow Aboriginal storyteller without due process, communication, respect or consideration. I have been privileged to have worked with UQP over the years on my books, and felt deeply supported and interconnected in the community of First Nations writers working with UQP. I fiercely advocated for UQP’s significant place in the literary ecology of this colony and developed deep and lasting relationships with workers at this publishing house. I encouraged other Blak storytellers to send in their manuscripts and publishing workers to apply for professional roles. I have supported UQP in grant applications and on peer assessment panels. By my calculations I have brought in over three-quarters of a million dollars worth of revenue to the organisation. I have poured my heart into the works I’ve published with UQP. It is devastating to see that despite the cultural, emotional and intellectual labour given to UQP through its First Nations storytellers, our work can be erased on a political whim. Make no mistake - this is cultural violence and UQP should be deeply ashamed. (Cont’d)".
“I need to note it is often Indigenous people who catch the brunt of abusive hate-speech laws and cancellation campaigns from the right wing. It is Indigenous people who stand up first and who are uncompromising in standing against genocide in solidarity with others. “
