Music industry figures rally behind Queensland award winner after pro-Palestine controversy

More than 2,000 people sign petition in support of jazz musician and composer of River to Sea, Kellee Green

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More than 2,000 people in the music industry have signed a petition supporting a jazz musician and composer whose winning entry River to Sea in the 2025 Queensland Music Awards prompted Brisbane city council to revoke its funding of the annual event.

Australian pianist Jayson Gillham, who is locked in a legal battle with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, also issued a statement on Monday, condemning Kellee Green's case as yet another troubling example of the suppression of political expression by Australian artists.

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This article was updated on 1 April 2025, and amended to reflect that the petition was launched by the group Matt Hsu's Obscure Orchestra, not by its founder, Matt Hsu.