An Australian publisher has scrapped a children's book over comments made by the book's illustrator on the Bondi beach shooting, which the publisher says violates its policy on antisemitism. The move has prompted several prominent Australian writers to cut ties with The University of Queensland Press (UQP) and sparked allegations of political censorship.
Thousands of copies had already been printed for 'Bila, A River Cycle' - an Indigenous children's book, written by poet Jazz Money and illustrated by Matt Chun.
In January, Chun wrote and published an essay on his public Substack newsletter critiquing some of the public's responses to the Bondi shooting. Fifteen people were killed after two gunmen opened fire at a Jewish festival held at the beach on December 14. The victims included Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who led the local Chabad mission, an international Hasidic Jewish group that organized the event.
In his essay, Chun accused the 'Australian left' of trying to 'perform respectability and avoid accusations of anti-semitism' in the wake of the shooting while also criticising media coverage of the incident. He further criticized Chabad and Schlanger for their support of Israel's military actions and illegal settlements in Palestinian territories.
The University of Queensland stated that Chun's comments were abhorrent and hateful to the innocent victims of the attack and expressed regret for the impact their decision has on Money, saying they have 'enormous respect' for her. They noted that copies of the books are in storage while they consider recycling options and added that they would welcome the opportunity to work with Jazz again in the future.
Separately, the New South Wales Police mentioned that they were 'working with the Engagement and Hate Crime Unit' regarding Chun's post. Chun has since stated on Instagram that the university has not identified specific statements in his political writing that contravene its policies and values.
Money expressed her disillusionment over the decision to scrap the book, viewing it as a precedent for censoring politically urgent content. She has received accolades for her poetry, including the 2025 Kate Challis RAKA Award. The ongoing controversy has led to a boycott of UQP by multiple authors including Evelyn Araluen and Randa Abdel-Fattah, who announced the termination of their contracts in solidarity with Money.
Thousands of copies had already been printed for 'Bila, A River Cycle' - an Indigenous children's book, written by poet Jazz Money and illustrated by Matt Chun.
In January, Chun wrote and published an essay on his public Substack newsletter critiquing some of the public's responses to the Bondi shooting. Fifteen people were killed after two gunmen opened fire at a Jewish festival held at the beach on December 14. The victims included Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who led the local Chabad mission, an international Hasidic Jewish group that organized the event.
In his essay, Chun accused the 'Australian left' of trying to 'perform respectability and avoid accusations of anti-semitism' in the wake of the shooting while also criticising media coverage of the incident. He further criticized Chabad and Schlanger for their support of Israel's military actions and illegal settlements in Palestinian territories.
The University of Queensland stated that Chun's comments were abhorrent and hateful to the innocent victims of the attack and expressed regret for the impact their decision has on Money, saying they have 'enormous respect' for her. They noted that copies of the books are in storage while they consider recycling options and added that they would welcome the opportunity to work with Jazz again in the future.
Separately, the New South Wales Police mentioned that they were 'working with the Engagement and Hate Crime Unit' regarding Chun's post. Chun has since stated on Instagram that the university has not identified specific statements in his political writing that contravene its policies and values.
Money expressed her disillusionment over the decision to scrap the book, viewing it as a precedent for censoring politically urgent content. She has received accolades for her poetry, including the 2025 Kate Challis RAKA Award. The ongoing controversy has led to a boycott of UQP by multiple authors including Evelyn Araluen and Randa Abdel-Fattah, who announced the termination of their contracts in solidarity with Money.
