Sex Party Brisbane Lord Mayor candidate, Rory Killen, has vowed to reinstate a “bigger and improved” literary award in response to Newman’s axing of the Premier’s Literary Award.

“My campaign is committed to offering a vision of how Brisbane can better itself, including how to expand our cultural achievements,” said Mr Killen. “Queensland enjoyed the nation’s most expansive literary award, which Newman has axed.

“The financial cost to taxpayers was minimal but the Award punched above its weight in its contribution to Brisbane, to Queensland and the Australia’s standing on the literary world stage. It is deeply unfortunate that the LNP fails to recognise the importance of the arts to the people of Brisbane. They would see us as a sleepy town – an administrative hub for the mines – when we are truly a burgeoning world city with metropolitan aspirations and a thirst for improved access to cultural and artistic activity.”

“If elected as Lord Mayor I will commit Brisbane to a new award, an expanded award that will revive the pre-existing headline categories but include more community stakeholders – universities, libraries, writers’ associations – to ensure the cultural investment is perceived by everyone in Brisbane.”

Unfortunately, a City Council sponsored prize would likely distribute a reduced cash amount due to lack of State government support for the Arts. “I would hope to commit an admirable cash prize, supplemented with contributions from community philanthropists and supporters, but the important activity will be to ensure that Newman’s axing of the award does not spell the end of accessible prestige literary events and culture in Brisbane.”

The Sex Party’s Lord Mayoral campaign includes ranging commitment to arts and culture in Brisbane, with support for live and independent music, community broadcasters and now a commitment to the literary community and its supporters.

Follow the Sex Party Lord Mayoral campaign online
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