Story perspectives

UQ Press Cancels Book, Sparks Boycott Over Illustrator Essay

4/24/2026

Summary

Story summary

University of Queensland Press cancelled the forthcoming children’s book “Bila: A River Cycle” and stored the printed copies.
The cancellation triggered a boycott by several leading Australian writers, including Indigenous authors.
UQP said the decision was based on illustrator Matt Chun’s Substack essay about the Bondi beach shooting, which it said violated the university’s antisemitism policy.
Police are working with the Engagement and Hate Crime Unit regarding Chun’s post.

History

Historical Context

In February 1989 Penguin Books halted the Australian launch of Salman Rushdie’s *The Satanic Verses* after violent protests and nationwide security threats, destroying about 1,000 printed copies. The decision echoed earlier bans in Pakistan (Nov 1988) and a 10,000-person protest in Islamabad on 12 Feb 1989, illustrating how Australian publishers repeatedly confront freedom-of-expression disputes that shape national censorship debates.

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Story summary

University of Queensland Press cancelled the forthcoming children’s book “Bila: A River Cycle” and stored the printed copies.
The cancellation triggered a boycott by several leading Australian writers, including Indigenous authors.
UQP said the decision was based on illustrator Matt Chun’s Substack essay about the Bondi beach shooting, which it said violated the university’s antisemitism policy.
Police are working with the Engagement and Hate Crime Unit regarding Chun’s post.

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