Hicks book in line for $15,000 prize

THE memoir of David Hicks has been shortlisted for a $15,000 literary prize, even though prosecutors are trying to seize the profits.

THE memoir of convicted terrorism supporter David Hicks has been shortlisted for a $15,000 literary prize, even though federal prosecutors are trying to seize the profits as proceeds of crime.

While the move has delighted his supporters, it will put the Queensland government on the spot if he gets the nod in its prestigious Premier's Literary Awards next month.

Hicks's Guantanamo: My Journey was one of five books yesterday shortlisted in the non-fiction category, putting him in the running for the $15,000 cash prize.

Premier Anna Bligh last night distanced herself from the nomination, saying the award judges made their own decisions.

"The shortlists are determined by an independent panel of highly respected professionals, including authors, academics and educators, and judged on their literary merit," she said.

Federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland confirmed that any literary "benefit" was covered by the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Hicks's father, Terry Hicks, praised the judges for keeping "an open mind" and considering the book on its merits. He said his son was very pleased with the nomination, but he didn't know whether Hicks would attend the ceremony in Brisbane on September 6. Ms Bligh's office said last night the state government would not pick up the tab for his travel.

In the book, Hicks tells his side of how he came to join the Taliban in Afghanistan prior to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York and Washington.

He spent five years at Guantanamo Bay before being returned to Australia, under a plea deal, after he owned up to the offence of providing material support for terrorism. Hicks maintains his confession was coerced.

Critics of the book say it is self-serving and deeply flawed.

A NSW judge this month issued a restraining order freezing the proceeds of the 30,000 sales of the book, estimated to be worth about $10,000 to Hicks, pending the outcome of an application by the commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions to seize the funds under proceeds-of-crime provisions.

Hicks's competition in the awards is: John Bradley, for Singing Saltwater Country: Journey to the Songlines of Carpentaria; Anna Krien for Into the Woods: The Battle for Tasmania's Forests; Maggie MacKellar for When It Rains: A Memoir; and Mark McKenna for An Eye for Eternity: The life of Manning Clark.