State bans disgraced author’s books

“Best-selling Australian author Craig Silvey’s works will be permanently removed from West Australian public schools following his guilty plea to child exploitation offences. Mr Silvey, best known for acclaimed novel Jasper Jones , had already seen his books temporarily pulled from shelves and classrooms after he was charged earlier this year. The book has sold over a million copies worldwide. That interim move will now become permanent across the state’s public education system. The 43-year-old Fremantle writer and father of three was charged by WA Police’s child abuse squad following a January raid on his home. His case attracted international attention, with bookstores nationwide swiftly removing his titles from sale, including Jasper Jones and other works such as Runt , Honeybee and Rhubarb . Mr Silvey pleaded guilty on Tuesday to two charges relating to child exploitation material: one of possession and the other of distribution. Another charge of possession and one of producing child exploitation material were dropped. West Australian Education Minister Sabine Winton confirmed the decision to lock in the ban, saying schools would be supported to transition to alternative texts. “There is absolutely no place in our school system for works authored by someone who has admitted to such serious crimes,” Ms Winton said in a statement. “Now that he has pleaded guilty, those texts will not return to the curriculum. “Predatory behaviour against children is abhorrent and has no place in our community, let alone in materials studied by students in our schools.” Ms Winton said students already studying Mr Silvey’s work would not be penalised in ATAR assessments, while schools would be assisted in adjusting lesson plans and replacing texts. Mr Silvey’s novels have long been widely taught and read in Australian schools, as they often explore themes including racism, identity, sexuality and abuse through teenage perspectives. Jasper Jones was also adapted into a feature film, while his broader body of work has garnered literary awards and strong commercial success.

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