Aboriginal Children’s Book Withdrawn Amid Illustrator’s Comments on Bondi Shooting

The University of Queensland Press (UQP) has withdrawn the children’s book *Bila, A River Cycle* after its illustrator, Matt Chun, faced criticism for remarks made on the Bondi beach shooting. The publisher claimed Chun’s comments breached its antisemitism policy, sparking accusations of political censorship from several Indigenous authors.

Written by Wiradjuri poet Jazz Money and illustrated by Chun, *Bila* had already seen thousands of copies printed before its sudden cancellation. The incident in question occurred on 14 December when two gunmen attacked a Jewish festival at Bondi Beach, killing 15 people, including Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who headed the local Chabad mission. Chun later published an essay on his Substack platform, questioning public reactions to the event and criticizing the Australian left for prioritizing respectability over accountability.

“The Australian left is trying to perform respectability and avoid accusations of ‘anti-semitism’ after the shooting,” Chun wrote. He also took aim at Chabad and Schlanger, arguing they endorsed Israel’s military actions and settlements in Palestinian territories.

UQP condemned Chun’s remarks, stating they were “abhorrent and hateful to the innocent victims of the attack.” The publisher emphasized its commitment to avoiding any association with such comments, even as it expressed regret for the fallout on Money, whom it praised for her literary contributions. Copies of the book remain in storage, with the press considering “recycling options” for the printed stock.

Chun defended his decision on Instagram, asserting that UQP had not specified which parts of his political writing violated its policies. “No single term from our publishing agreement can justify this termination,” he noted. Money, who had known about the cancellation for months, described the situation as a “precedent for censorship” in Indigenous literature.

“The pulping of *Bila* sets a dangerous precedent,” Money wrote. “Any book that is political, urgent, or sensitive could now be targeted.”

Jazz Money, a recipient of the 2025 Kate Challis RAKA Award and the First Nations Emerging Career Award, has faced a wave of backlash. Notable authors like Evelyn Araluen and Randa Abdel-Fattah have announced they will end their collaborations with UQP. Abdel-Fattah, whose disinvitation from an Adelaide literary event ignited controversy earlier this year, said her upcoming work *Discipline* would be her “first and last” with the press. Others, including Melissa Lucashenko and Natalia Figueroa Barroso, have followed suit.

Established in 1948, UQP has historically published a wide range of genres, from fiction to poetry. Its recent action has drawn sharp criticism, with many viewing it as an attempt to silence voices that challenge dominant narratives. The New South Wales Police confirmed they are investigating Chun’s post through their Engagement and Hate Crime Unit.