Last week we heard from concerned members about a proposal from the State Library of Victoria (SLV) asking authors engaged to present workshops at the Library to agree to sign the Victorian Public Service (VPS) Code of Conduct. We understand this proposal was one of a number of proposals put forward at an External Focus Group convened by the Library, in which authors were invited to participate. 

Given that authors are independent contractors not employees of the SLV, it is inappropriate to ask them to sign up to the VPS Code of Conduct. The Code is intended to cover public service employees and imposes a range of obligations that are entirely inappropriate and irrelevant to independent authors being engaged by the SLV, such as a mandate to remain apolitical, a restriction on public comment, and the requirement that copyright works created in the course of “employment” with the SLV are owned by the SLV. We’re aware of the fact that authors and illustrators are becoming increasingly concerned about facing professional repercussions for expressing their views and we would like to reiterate our commitment to the principle that authors should be free to express their ideas and opinions, within reasonable limits set by anti-discrimination & other laws. 

While it is completely reasonable for authors to be bound by professional standards of behaviour while conducting workshops, this may be achieved by individual contractual terms or contractor-specific codes rather than importing the VPS Code, which we believe to be an overreach.  

We have been in communication with the Library to express our objections on behalf of authors and illustrators. 

Paul Duldig, SLV CEO says, “The purpose of the focus group was to gather feedback on a range of proposals for our response to the Duty of Care review. We’re grateful for the feedback we received from authors and the ASA. We’ve heard your concerns. Your feedback will inform our response to the Duty of Care Review which will be made public in the coming weeks.”

See a statement from the SLV on their Duty of Care review. We will continue a dialogue with the State Library on this matter.

The Duty of Care review was initiated in March 2024 after the effective cancellation of Teen Writing Bootcamp workshops to be presented by authors including Alison Evans, Jinghua Qian, Ariel Ries, and Omar Sakr. 

We feel deeply for all the authors who have been impacted by this situation. We know that, in the main, authors lead solitary and financially precarious lives and writing workshops, mentoring, and school and library visits represent essential income, particularly for children’s authors.

If you have questions or concerns you’d like to discuss with us, or you need advice, we are here. Contact us at [email protected] or through our free Member Advice Service.