When the country’s peak arts body, Creative Australia, decided to dump Australia’s representative at the Venice Biennale, it set in motion an existential crisis for the arts. 

The artist in question, Khaled Sabsabi, was removed from the role just days after his appointment – following an article in a News Corp newspaper, a set of opposition questions in the Senate and a phone call from the Arts Minister Tony Burke. 

Now, the boss of Creative Australia faces questions about why he decided to drop Sabasabi – and whether there was ministerial interference.

Today, chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Barlow, on the controversy at Creative Australia, and what it means for artistic freedom.

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Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Karen Barlow

Photo: Creative Australia