The Board and Staff of Theatre Network Australia are alarmed by Creative Australia’s decision to rescind Khaled Sabsabi and Michael Dagostino as the Artistic Team representing Australia at the Venice Biennale 2026.

Creative Australia must fulfill its stated mission through its establishing legislation, the Creative Australia Act 2023, ‘to uphold and promote freedom of expression in the arts and to support Australian arts practice that reflects the diversity of Australia.’

TNA joins the sector in calling for:

• immediate reinstatement of the Artistic Team of Khaled Sabsabi and Michael Dagostino for Venice Biennale 2026
• transparency and accountability around this hastened decision by the board of Creative Australia 
• safeguarding arms-length funding processes for a thriving arts sector and a culturally confident nation.

We acknowledge the industry expert panel who participated in a rigorous selection process, and affirm their sector expertise and due diligence. 

TNA also calls for further detail to be released on the terms of reference for the independent review of the selection process, and for these to include the decision-making by the board. This is a vital step for rebuilding confidence between Creative Australia and the sector it champions.