Self-insemination performance artist could be forced to pay security on Australia Council’s legal costs

Lawyers for Casey Jenkins, who alleges council's withdrawal of funding was discriminatory, says security for costs' order is cynical'

• Follow our Australia news live blog for the latest updates
• Get our free news app, morning email briefing or daily news podcast

The Australia Council is attempting to get a court order that may force an artist to stump up a down payment on its sizeable legal costs, in a two-year court battle over the national arts funding body dropping its support for a performance documenting self-insemination.

Lawyers for the performance artist Casey Jenkins told the federal court the council's application for a security for costs" order appeared to be based on a cynical and misguided premise, and the body was covered by commonwealth government insurance to fight the case.

Sign up to receive an email with the top stories from Guardian Australia every morning