Australia’s primary arts funding body has allocated grants totaling $669,240 to Pearls and Irritations, a political blog known for its pro-China stance and frequent criticism of Israel, despite the site not paying its contributors, raising questions over compliance with funding guidelines.

Pearls and Irritations, founded by John Menadue, disclosed in its application to the Australian Cultural Fund (ACF)—a Creative Australia fundraising platform—that its writers, many with backgrounds in diplomacy, government, journalism, and business, contribute content without payment. This practice conflicts with Creative Australia’s stated policy that artists professionally engaged in funded activities should receive payment, and that funding applications must include details of artist remuneration.

The ACF allows artists to seek tax-deductible donations for projects, which are then distributed as grants. It promotes itself as a platform that provides all donated funds directly to artists. However, documents obtained through Freedom of Information reveal that Pearls and Irritations claims to have used the full $669,240 exclusively for “project and production costs,” despite not paying contributors. The discrepancy has fueled scrutiny over whether the blog qualifies as an artistic project eligible for such funding.

Content analysis indicates Pearls and Irritations primarily publishes politically charged commentary opposing Israeli policies, with over 150 articles critical of Israel and consistent support for the Chinese Communist Party’s policies. At a Senate estimates hearing in May, Creative Australia officials struggled to identify any artistic material associated with the blog. Nicola Grayson, head of public affairs at Creative Australia, cited occasional book reviews, although the site has posted only a handful of original reviews on artistic or cultural topics in the current year.

Michael Gawenda, former editor-in-chief of The Age and noted observer of antisemitism in Australian media, described the blog’s funding as “bizarre,” characterizing Pearls and Irritations as mainly a news and commentary platform with limited artistic content.

Fundraising appeals on the blog itself did not frame its activities as arts-related. Instead, the drives emphasized its role in providing “independent comment on a wide variety of critical policy issues,” and the need for informed public discourse. On the ACF outlet, Pearls and Irritations promotes donations as a means to increase coverage of arts and culture and to expand its social media reach to younger audiences. Nevertheless, an examination of its 400 most recent Instagram posts found only three highlighting arts-related content—two book reviews with anti-Zionist themes and a television drama review—while the majority focused on political essays and promotion of anti-Israel protests, including those against Israeli President Isaac Herzog during his visit to Australia in February.

The blog’s fundraising endeavors under the ACF framework have reportedly drawn between $200,000 and $300,000 in taxpayer-backed tax-deductible donations. Among the notable donors are Kooyong MP Monique Ryan, Climate 200 convener Simon Holmes a Court, and businesswoman Janet Holmes a Court. Janet Holmes a Court expressed her support with a note thanking Pearls and Irritations for their work, stating, “Thanks for the work you do to inform us so we don’t have to support Rupert,” referring to media mogul Rupert Murdoch.

Pearls and Irritations’ chief executive, Catriona Jackson, declined to comment on the matter. Creative Australia also did not respond directly to inquiry but emphasized that ACF grants are not financed by government appropriations allocated to Creative Australia. The situation continues to raise debate about the boundaries of arts funding and the appropriate use of public-supported platforms.