Minister pressed library leaders twice before sinking award ceremony

The news

Arts Minister John-Paul Langbroek unsuccessfully pressed State Library leaders on two occasions before issuing a direction that led to the last-minute cancellation of a First Nations author’s award ceremony in May.

The previously unknown detail of a meeting between Langbroek, the library chief executive and board chair one week prior comes as the library launches a promised review into its award processes.

Arts Minister John Paul-Langbroek said in May that he believed publicly funded arts programs and venues needed to be “held to the highest standards, promoting artistic excellence and social cohesion”.Credit: Jamila Filippone

The review’s terms of reference say it will aim to “strike a balance between the priorities and expectations of the Minister” and the role of the library as a publicly funded entity.

Why it matters

The library flagged the review in May, after Langbroek intervened to stop one of two black&write! fellowships going to Adelaide-based author K.A. Ren Wyld, whom he accused in parliament of “glorifying terrorism”.

One day before their presentation, Langbroek made a formal direction that the $15,000 award should not be given to Wyld in a state-owned venue due to a social media post praising slain Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar – flagged with him by his department, and now deleted.

Langbroek’s directive, which followed the May 12 meeting and a May 16 follow-up letter, led to the library cancelling Wyld’s contract only after she flew to Brisbane and hours before the federally funded program’s ceremony was set to begin.

The decision sparked the resignations of several Queensland literary award judges in protest. It was praised by the state’s peak Jewish body, and came amid a national debate about antisemitism and free speech.

What they said

A spokesperson for the library confirmed the May 12 meeting – revealed in recently released ministerial diaries – involved Langbroek sharing his concern about the fellowship winner, “which was also reflected in his correspondence” on May 16.

To comply with the eventual May 19 direction, the fellowship was not awarded and the event was postponed, they said. The library declined to say whether its leadership refused to act on earlier informal requests from Langbroek.

The library quietly announced last week it had appointed Australian Catholic University chancellor and former Supreme Court judge Martin Daubney AM KC to conduct its promised independent review.

Considerations include “clarifying the role of the minister” and that of the library board in “ensuring the minister’s priorities and expectations are met”, and assessing governance and decision-making arrangements around award funding and venue use.

Asked about the status of the 2025 fellowships, the library spokesperson said a private event for the second winner would be held at an unspecified date. No other award or fellowship is affected by the review.

Another perspective

Wyld told Guardian Australia in May that her X post bore no relevance to her manuscript on the Stolen Generations that originally garnered her the fellowship.

“I probably could have worded it less emotional,” Wyld said. “It was mostly me being really devastated at the Albanese government’s approach to the whole [Gaza] situation.”

On social media on the day, Wyld described the fellowship cancellation – which includes a publication opportunity with University of Queensland Press – as “a big hit”.

She also made clear she did not seek to blame McDonald who “was not able to give me much information”.

“But I’ll not be silenced,” she said. “Genocide, apartheid, forced starvation, murdering children are horrific crimes against humanity. Shame on anyone who refuses to condemn such brutality towards Palestinian people.”

In May, Langbroek said his government would “always defend freedom of speech including the arts, but that freedom does not extend to celebrating murder and violence, nor does it absolve individuals from the consequences of eroding public confidence or support”.

Contacted for comment this week on the detail of the review and how it relates to his role, Langbroek said he backed the decision to hold it and looked forward to the outcomes being released.

“The arts should be a platform that brings people together to celebrate talent, culture, and creativity,” he said.

Langbroek would not be drawn on whether his initial attempts to stop the award being presented in a publicly funded building were rebuffed by the library.

What’s next

The review will begin on July 28, with a report expected to be handed to the library’s board by September 30.

Input on the terms of reference was sought from Langbroek by the library board. Both the board and minister agreed on the appointment of Daubney, who is also a member of the QAGOMA board.

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