‘Racism, discrimination’: Qld Theatre Company forced to investigate internal culture

An investigation has been launched into the way a major Queensland theatre company treated the cast involved in a war production, following accusations of racism and discrimination.

The incidents allegedly occurred during production of First Casualty. (File picture)

The Queensland Theatre Company was forced to launch an independent investigation into its own conduct following serious complaints of racism and discrimination towards staff members.

The company’s production First Casualty, a play set in Afghanistan depicting struggles of Australian soldiers during war, sparked reports made to the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance that some members of the production had experienced unfair treatment.

Whistleblowers described the production’s environment as “dangerous”, telling The Sunday Mail that senior members of the company were treating cast members with foreign backgrounds without respect for their various cultural backgrounds.

It is understood that those responsible at QTC for the treatment are not named in the report.

One incident involved Afghan cast members being handed replica AK47 assault rifles without prior warning, the same guns used to kill their own family members during the War.

They were thrust into a scenario where they were playing Taliban people without mental health care,” the whistleblower said.

“They were put through War and had no voice.

One cast member was hospitalised after becoming physically injured during the production and was then bedridden.

“Afterwards, staff went, this isn’t okay, we need to speak to the board.”

MEAA Equity director Michelle Rae said the union was concerned over “cultural incompetency” displayed by “individual workers”.

“MEAA raised concerns with the Board of QTC last year because it was obvious that our members were suffering from the effect of the treatment they experienced during the production of First Casualty and collectively they wanted to make sure other workers from culturally diverse backgrounds did not experience the same behaviours,” she said.

“The real cost of cultural incompetency is carried by the individual workers and that has to end.

“It is unacceptable when racism … and discrimination occur for the victim to be left bearing the cost of recovery.”

But, after being contacted by The Sunday Mail, a spokesman for Queensland Theatre apologised for the company’s “lack of understanding” that caused distress and said QTC had “learned a lot”.

“Queensland Theatre takes very seriously the wellbeing of everyone working with us and wants to ensure they feel safe, respected and equal,” he said.

“Diversity and inclusion are integral to the arts and to how we operate at Queensland Theatre.

“With this in mind, and with the benefit of the independent review and hindsight, we know that our lack of understanding caused distress for some of our cast and creatives on First Casualty, and for this, we are deeply sorry.

“As soon as we became aware that we had not been mindful of the diverse experiences and backgrounds of everyone who worked with us, the company immediately implemented an independent cultural awareness and competency review, to complement our usual internal post-production review.”

Staff members were interviewed as part of the internal investigation and have since been provided with a copy of recommendations of a broader report at a meeting with the chair and deputy chair of the company board.

Months after the production ended on June 20, the investigation report was provided to the MEAA.

It was not provided to Arts Queensland, the government body which funds QTC.

A spokesperson for Arts Queensland said the department was aware of the independent review.

“Which outlined recommendations to support continual improvement in its processes and approaches,” they said.

“It is the department’s expectation that any arts organisation that receives Queensland Government investment will ensure that its programming and operations reflect this commitment and that it has the necessary frameworks and training in place.”

The QTC confirmed to The Sunday Mail it would implement the recommendations of the review in full including conducting broader cultural awareness training, undertaking cultural risk assessments and developing management plans for future productions as well as conducting assessments on the effectiveness of these plans after each production.

No one in the Queensland Theatre Company was reprimanded following the independent review.

Arts Minister Leeanne Enoch was contacted but chose not to provide comment.

The spokesperson for QTC said the review had “strengthened our resolve to continually improve our cultural awareness as we strive to provide platforms to explore complex stories with diverse communities”.