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Top state literary award winner calls out silencing of genocide concern
The news
Darumbal and South Sea Islander journalist Amy McQuire has won Queensland’s top literary award for her book about the media’s failings in Indigenous affairs reporting, using her acceptance speech to criticise child imprisonment and the silencing of those warning of genocide in Gaza.
McQuire’s Black Witness: The Power of Indigenous Media was named winner of the $30,000 Queensland Premier’s Award for a Work of State Significance at the Queensland Literary Awards ceremony at the State Library on Friday night.
“Our relationship with the state of Queensland has always been one of violence, and a part of that violence is the silencing of black witnesses, especially in times of genocide, whether it’s here in Magandjin [Brisbane] or over there in Gaza,” the QUT academic and researcher said.
“I want to say that no child belongs in any watch house or child jail. They belong at home with their families and communities.”
Why it matters
The awards were hit by delays after one-third of the original judges resigned following Arts Minister John-Paul Langbroek’s intervention in separate First Nations writing fellowship also managed by the state library back in May.
Langbroek raised concerns with library leaders on two occasions before intervening to stop the fellowship going to Adelaide-based author K.A. Ren Wyld, whom he accused in parliament of “glorifying terrorism”.
The decision, based on a since deleted social media post praising slain Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, was welcomed by the state’s peak Jewish body amid national debate about antisemitism and speech relating to Israel’s alleged genocide in Gaza.
Langbroek repeatedly defended his decision, vowing to do so again “if it’s deemed necessary” and dismissing the resignations of 12 of the 34 judges for the literary awards’ more than $200,000 in prize money across 11 categories because “we will find other judges”.
What they said
“It’s such an honour to be here accepting the Queensland Literary Award for a work of state significance,” McQuire said in footage of her speech posted to social media, and reshared by McQuire herself.
“But I also can’t accept it without mentioning the significance of the state in the lives of blackfellas, not just historically, but in the continuing present.”
“Thank you for this recognition. I’ll use this to continue fighting state racist and gendered violence in all its forms, for the future of all of our people.”
“From the river to the sea – always was, always will be,” McQuire added, using a common combined refrain by supporters of First Nations and Palestinian rights across Australia to express solidarity between the groups.
Another perspective
In a statement announcing the winners on Friday night, judges described McQuire’s book as a work of “outstanding scholarly rigour and moral clarity”.
“Grounded in meticulous evidence, it offers a powerful indictment of systemic injustice and underscores the need for truth-telling,” they said. “This is a vital contribution to Indigenous scholarship and the national reckoning we so urgently need.”
In comments also included in the media release, Langbroek – who was briefed on the winners after judging was finalised – congratulated McQuire and the rest of those who took home prizes.
“Queensland’s literary sector is part of a vibrant statewide arts and cultural scene, which will play a pivotal role in sharing our unique stories with the world in the lead-up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond,” he said.
What you need to know
The full first half of the combined phrase used by McQuire (“from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”) is claimed by some to be antisemitic in nature and a call for the destruction of Israel.
Others have asserted it is about freedom from the illegal Israeli occupation of Gaza and the West Bank – recognised by the vast majority of the world, now including Australia, as the State of Palestine.
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Matt Dennien is a reporter at Brisbane Times covering state politics and the public service. He has previously worked for newspapers in Tasmania and Brisbane community radio station 4ZZZ. Contact him securely on Signal @mattdennien.15Connect via email.