The news

Queensland’s literary awards have been hit by delays after the major cultural event lost more than one-third of its judges following ministerial intervention to torpedo a separate First Nations fellowship early in the year.

The awards, supported by the state government via Arts Queensland and the state library, were slated to reveal shortlisted entries on August 5 – the same week library chief Vicki McDonald shared detail of the record judge exodus.

No update has been shared by the awards or library, which manages them, since. Its website had noted dates including a planned September 12 announcement of winners, but now states only that shortlists “will be announced soon”.

Arts Minister John-Paul Langbroek confirmed on Saturday the winners, sharing in more than $200,000 worth o

See Full Page