UQ Press Cancels Book Over Illustrator's Bondi Attack Comments

The University of Queensland Press (UQP) has cancelled an Indigenous children's book after its illustrator made controversial comments about the victims of the Bondi beach shooting. The move has sparked protests from several prominent Australian writers, who have cut ties with the publisher.

Bila, A River Cycle, a lyrical journey through Country written by Jazz Money and illustrated by Matt Chun, had already been printed when UQP decided to scrap it. According to BBC News, the decision came after Chun published an essay criticizing public responses to the Bondi shooting, which killed fifteen people at a Jewish festival on 14 December.

The University of Queensland said in a statement that Chun's comments were 'abhorrent and hateful to the innocent victims of the attack' and did not align with its policies. The university added that copies of the books are in storage while they consider 'recycling options'.

Chun has since written on Instagram that the university had not identified specific passages or statements in his political writing that contravene its policies. Money, who has received accolades for her poetry, said that her relationship with UQP was now over and that the decision set a 'precedent' for censorship.

The Guardian reported that several authors have terminated their contracts with UQP in protest of the decision. These include Evelyn Araluen, Randa Abdel-Fattah, Melissa Lucashenko, Natalia Figueroa Barroso, and Sara M Saleh. The Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies welcomed the move, saying the university had taken a stand against 'hate, vitriol and grotesque propaganda'.