7am Revisiting Creative Australia’s decision to drop Khaled Sabsabi
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Jan 17, 2026 Karen Barlow, Chief Political Correspondent for The Saturday Paper, dives into the heated debate surrounding the Adelaide Writers’ Week and the fallout over Khaled Sabsabi's Venice Biennale appointment. She discusses the political pressures that led to his initial removal and the rapid reversal that followed public outcry. Barlow highlights issues of artistic freedom, national security's role in arts controversies, and the implications of these events on Australia's cultural landscape, revealing the tensions between politics and creativity.
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Senate Question That Sparked The Crisis
- Claire Chandler's Senate question triggered the controversy by highlighting Khaled Sabsabi's past works.
- Penny Wong was blindsided in question time and said she wasn't aware until asked.
Contested Works That Fueled Criticism
- Two of Sabsabi's earlier works stoked controversy: You and Thank You Very Much.
- Thank You Very Much, showing 9/11 imagery and George W. Bush saying 'Thank you very much', worried the Arts Minister most.
Rapid Board Reversal And Backlash
- Creative Australia convened an emergency board meeting the same afternoon and revoked the appointment.
- The rapid decision and short statement intensified public backlash and scrutiny.