Embattled Creative Australia boss served angry letters from staff and 600 literary figures amid Sabsabi fallout

### Summary: 1. **Conflict Over Biennale Team**: Creative Australia's chief executive, Adrian Collette, is under pressure following the withdrawal of artists Khaled Sabsabi and Michael Dagostino from representing Australia at the Venice Biennale next year. This decision has led to multiple letters of complaint. 2. **Staff Complaints**: Over 40 Creative Australia staff members have expressed dissatisfaction with Collette's leadership, citing lack of transparency and effective decision-making in handling the situation. They feel their workplace culture and safety are compromised due to perceived discrimination based on political, religious, or cultural backgrounds. 3. **Collette’s Response**: Collette acknowledged staff concerns and urged participation in an independent review by Blackhall & Pearl to examine processes leading to the commission's withdrawal. He clarified that the review would not judge the rightness or wrongness of the decision but identify areas for improvement. 4. **Union Concerns**: Staff representatives demanded union involvement and a cultural mediator in the review process, citing safety concerns about participation and potential repercussions on future employment. 5. **Literary Figures' Protest**: More than 600 Australian literary figures signed an open letter accusing Creative Australia’s board of compromising its integrity by withdrawing Sabsabi and Dagostino over a decades-old misrepresentation. They see this as evidence of increasing discrimination against artists from minority groups, fearing more will lose opportunities due to prejudice. 6. **Collette's Stance**: Collette reiterated that the selection process had issues but wasn't artistically flawed. He cited maintaining social cohesion and the public debate surrounding Sabsabi’s previous works as reasons for rescinding the commission, while condemning any form of racism or discrimination. Creative Australia has committed to promoting a safe, inclusive workplace and fostering an arts sector that reflects diverse voices.