Urgent inquiry needed into political interference at Creative Australia
Urgent inquiry needed into political interference at Creative Australia | Australian Greens Skip to main content Search Get Involved Join Donate Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news Get Involved Join Donate Search Our plan Toggle Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Toggle Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Toggle Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement Toggle About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news Urgent inquiry needed into political interference at Creative Australia 2025-02-17 The Greens have called for an urgent independent inquiry into Creative Australia’s shock decision to revoke Australia’s selection to the Venice Biennale, 6 days after awarding the commission to artist Khaled Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino.
Citing the capitulation to political pressure, Greens spokesperson for the Arts, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has called for a full and frank inquiry into the crisis that has now engulfed Australia’s art world and put into question the integrity and independence of the Creative Australia Board. The Senator has vowed to hold the agency and Minister to account at the upcoming Senate Estimates, scheduled for Tuesday 25 February, and believes a specific Senate hearing is warranted.
Comments attributable to Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson for the Arts: “It’s an appalling capitulation that has plunged arts policy in Australia into crisis. “It has undermined the entire integrity and credibility of the newly formed Creative Australia. Succumbing to political pressure from the Murdoch media and conservative politicians has brought the nation’s premium cultural institution into disrepute.
“Artistic expression must be free from political interference and intimidation. To allow this censorship of artistic thought and expression is to allow an attack on the very values of freedom and peace that are the lifeblood of our democracy. “To award the submission to two of Australia’s great creative minds, only to revoke it 6 days later after political interference sets a dangerous precedent, not just in the art world but for all of our public institutions.
“This is nothing short of an international arts embarrassment for Australia. “There must be a full and frank inquiry into how this decision was made, who was involved and how much it has cost the Australian taxpayer. “What role did the Minister for the Arts, or any other members of government have in this cancel-culture calamity?
“The cancellation of the commission must be reversed, and the original contract with Mr Sabsabi and Mr Dagostino must be upheld. “Senate Estimates can’t come soon enough. The agency has failed to stand with the arts community and the public deserves to know the full story.” Facebook for the Australian Greens YouTube for the Australian Greens X for the Australian Greens Instagram for the Australian Greens Bluesky for the Australian Greens Privacy Members website Your safety Contact us Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action In your language 2025 policy platform Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Federal portfolios Federal media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Upcoming events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Green Magazine All news Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Members website State/territory parties Contact us The Greens acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.
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