QMA Fallout: Kellee Green, Artistic Freedom & Funding Cuts

April 4, 2025 113

The 2025 Queensland Music Awards (QMAs), long regarded as a celebration of the state’s rich musical talent, became the centre of national attention this year—not for the music itself, but for the speech that followed a jazz award.

What unfolded was a high-profile debate about freedom of expression, public funding, and the fine line between political speech and artistic responsibility. The incident has reverberated across the creative sector, igniting widespread discussion about the role of cultural institutions and the expectations placed upon them.

Kellee Green’s Speech Sparks National Debate

The controversy began when Brisbane-based jazz pianist and educator Kellee Green accepted the Jazz Award for her composition “River to Sea.” In her acceptance speech, Green referenced the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, criticized Australia’s political stance, and encouraged protest action in support of Palestine.

She closed her speech with the phrase, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” a slogan interpreted by some as a call for Palestinian liberation and by others as politically inflammatory. Within hours, Green’s comments had drawn a swift response from Brisbane’s Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, who denounced the remarks and announced an immediate withdrawal of city funding from the Queensland Music Awards.

Green’s personal website and social media were taken offline, and her employer—a Catholic school where she teaches music—responded by assuring parents that her comments did not reflect the school’s values and had not been made in the classroom.

Brisbane City Council Withdraws Funding

Lord Mayor Schrinner, citing the speech as antisemitic and divisive, withdrew Brisbane City Council’s $25,000 annual sponsorship of the QMAs. In a public statement, he condemned what he called “vile hate speech” and questioned whether the awards had been “hijacked by extremists.”

The decision was met with concern from many in the music and arts sector, who viewed it as a troubling precedent—raising serious questions about whether government funding should be contingent on the political neutrality of artists.

Queensland’s Minister for the Arts also requested a briefing on the incident, hinting at a potential review of QMusic’s state-level funding, which totals over $400,000 annually.

Artists Rally Behind Kellee Green

In response, more than 2,000 artists and music industry professionals signed an open letter initiated by Brisbane ensemble Matt Hsu’s Obscure Orchestra. The letter urged QMusic to take a stronger stance in support of Green and artistic freedom.

The petition stated:

“We categorically reject Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner’s gross mischaracterisation of Green’s work as ‘an offensively titled anti-Jewish song.’ Attempts to label such speech as ‘hate’ in order to suppress political expression are not only damaging to individual artists, but also to the health and integrity of our cultural institutions and public discourse.”

Artists across genres expressed concerns that the backlash and withdrawal of funding reflected an erosion of artistic freedom in Australia, particularly when the subject matter is politically sensitive or controversial.

QMusic Responds: “We Hear You”

As the controversy grew, QMusic—Queensland’s peak music industry body and organiser of the QMAs—released a public statement addressing the criticism and outlining its stance.

“More than 2,000 artists and industry professionals have signed an open letter asking QMusic to take a more transparent, braver stand in support of artistic freedom and the right to speak. We hear you, and we are committed to acting with care and accountability.”

In addition, QMusic announced a full review of the Queensland Music Awards, including how it honours artistic expression, fosters mutual respect, and maintains inclusive spaces at its events.

The Bigger Picture: What This Means for Publicly Funded Art

Beyond the immediate impact on Kellee Green and the QMAs, the incident has reignited national conversations around the relationship between artistic expression and government funding.

Public arts institutions have long walked a delicate line between supporting artists’ right to speak and maintaining political neutrality, particularly when reliant on state or municipal funding. When governments react to artists’ views by pulling support, many argue that it sends a chilling message to creatives who seek to challenge, confront or provoke.

This moment has raised uncomfortable but necessary questions:

Should public officials have the power to defund cultural events based on speech they disagree with?
Where do we draw the line between hate speech and uncomfortable political commentary?
How can arts organisations protect their independence while remaining accountable to funders?

QMusic’s Broader Role in Queensland’s Music Ecosystem

It’s important to remember that QMusic has been a cornerstone of Queensland’s contemporary music scene for more than two decades. The organisation runs a wide range of programs that help emerging artists develop their careers and gain national exposure.

Chief among these is BIGSOUND, one of Australia’s most influential music conferences and showcase festivals. BIGSOUND brings together hundreds of industry professionals, managers, and media each year, providing a launching pad for countless local artists.

In addition to events, QMusic also runs educational initiatives like QMusic Connect, offers export opportunities, and administers grants including the Billy Thorpe Scholarship and Carol Lloyd Award. These programs are vital for artists in a state where music industry infrastructure can otherwise be sparse or underfunded.

The controversy surrounding the QMAs is, therefore, not just about one event—it’s about the future of an organisation that plays a critical role in shaping Queensland’s music industry.

Moving Forward

QMusic has committed to listening, reviewing, and evolving. The organisation is now undertaking a full internal review, promising to improve its processes, communication, and care.

“We don’t have all the answers, but we are listening, we are learning, and we are committed to representing Queensland’s music industry with strength and integrity.”

Whether or not the Brisbane City Council restores funding, and how state government stakeholders respond moving forward, will be telling. The arts sector will be watching closely—not only for what QMusic does next, but for how Australia’s broader cultural institutions balance freedom of expression with public accountability.

In the meantime, the 2025 Queensland Music Awards may be remembered not just for who won, but for sparking one of the most important debates about the intersection of art, politics, and power in recent memory.

Written by: OzInDi Radio Australia

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