Truth, Trust and Transparency
MARION Responds to Les Carlyon Literary Prize Decision
MARION has noted recent reports concerning the Australian War Memorial Council’s decision not to award the 2024 Les Carlyon Literary Prize, despite the judging panel’s clear recommendation. Several of our members have raised this matter with us and expressed their concern. We are disheartened by the decision not to award Chris Masters the prize, especially when it was the clear intent of the judges to do so. We are also dismayed by the inconsistent application of rules by the Australian War Memorial after the independent judging process had concluded. If the Council wishes the prize to focus only on emerging writers, it is our view that those terms should be clearly set out for future rounds and never applied retrospectively.
Authors, whether established or emerging, expect that their work will be judged on its merits under the rules published at the time of entry, and that the decisions of independent panels will be respected. Changing the terms after the fact undermines confidence in literary awards and damages trust in cultural institutions. While we welcome the War Memorial’s announcement of a governance review and the apologies they have offered to entrants, we believe the most transparent and fair outcome would be to honour the recommendation of the judging panel and award the 2024 prize as intended. As the ACT’s peak body for writers, MARION will continue to support authors and to advocate for fair, transparent and independent recognition of their work.
Signed,
MARION Board & Staff – the ACT’s peak body for writers
