Australia's promised poet laureate role remains unfilled after four years

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 31 Oct, 20:50 · Archive

Australia has not appointed a poet laureate despite promising the $80,000-a-year role almost four years ago.

Australia promised a national poet laureate when launching its cultural policy in early 2023, but nearly four years later the position remains unfilled. The $80,000-a-year post was expected to be announced in November but the announcement has been delayed. Creative Australia, the arts funding body overseeing the selection, says it is working towards announcing the laureate in early 2027.

Writers who have published at least three professional books of poetry are eligible for the post. Nominations closed in March. A new government body, Writing Australia, was established under Creative Australia in July 2025 with a council that includes poet Sarah Holland-Batt. The body is funded to the tune of $26 million over three years, with appointing a poet laureate as one of its main jobs.

Melinda Bufton, chief executive and publisher of the Australian Poetry journal, said the inaugural laureate will have to carve out the scope of the job themselves. The selection process occurs as Australian authors more broadly contend with declining traditional publishing models, increased political attacks on writers, and the impact of artificial intelligence. A 2022 survey found the average annual income Australian authors earn from their creative work is $18,200, well below the poverty line.

How it is being reported

• Australia was promised a poet laureate: where are they?Australia was promised a poet laureate to bust out some rhymes for the nation almost four years ago. So where are they?Perth Now · 31 Oct, 20:32
• Australia was promised a poet laureate: where are they?Australia was promised a poet laureate to bust out some rhymes for the nation almost four years ago. So where are they?The West Australian · 31 Oct, 20:31

In this story: Australia · Creative Australia · Writing Australia · Sarah Holland-Batt · Melinda Bufton · Michael Massey Robinson

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