Acclaimed Australian author arrested on child exploitation material charges

Acclaimed Australian author Craig Silvey has been charged with possessing and distributing child exploitation material.

The Fremantle-based writer, 43, was arrested at his home on Monday after he was allegedly caught “actively engaging” with other child exploitation offenders online.

“He was immediately arrested, and his electronic devices were seized,” a WA Police spokeswoman said.

Silvey, best known for his 2009 novel Jasper Jones, has been charged with distribution of child exploitation material and possession of child exploitation material.

He appeared in Fremantle Magistrates Court on Tuesday where state prosecutors alleged Silvey had engaged in online conversations during which he expressed a sexual interest in children and distributed child exploitation material over several days in January.

It is also alleged he had refused to provide passwords to police to gain access to his mobile, laptop and other devices. He did not enter a plea and will return to court in February.

The magistrate described the charges as “very serious”.

Silvey was granted bail on $100,000 surety on the condition he report to his local police station three times a week, however he did not post his surety and was set to spend the night in prison on Tuesday.

He is also banned from any child-related work – including school visits – and is not allowed to be unsupervised around children, including his own. He is also banned from accessing the internet.

In the wake of the charges, WA Education Minister Sabine Winton ordered schools to pull the author’s books from their curriculum.

“There are over 100 texts that students may study in years 11 and/or 12 literature,” she said.

“Jasper Jones and Rhubarb by Craig Silvey are two of these texts, with Jasper Jones also being one of 40 suggested texts that may be studied in years 11 and 12 ATAR and General English Courses.

“I have asked the Department of Education to ensure that schools cease using texts by Craig Silvey for the 2026 school year while the allegations are under investigation.”

Silvey has been writing for more than 20 years, with Jasper Jones selling nearly 1 million copies worldwide.

His 2022 novel Runt collected a number of awards and was adapted into a feature film in 2024.

He has three young children with his partner.

with Amanda Sabatino

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