November 12th 2024.
Jamie Oliver is facing criticism for his children's fantasy novel, prompting calls for him to engage with a truth-telling commission and meet with First Nations people. The celebrity chef has removed his book Billy And The Epic Escape from shelves, months after its release, due to backlash over his portrayal of Indigenous Australians.
Sue-Anne Hunter, deputy chair of the Yoorrook Justice Commission, has extended an invitation to Oliver to learn and understand the history of First Peoples. In a statement, she emphasized the importance of truth-telling and the impact of not knowing the full story of Australia's shared history.
Hunter hopes that this will be a positive step towards greater understanding among everyday Australians. This comes after the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Corporation raised concerns about stereotypes and the depiction of an Indigenous girl in foster care in Oliver's book, as reported by The Guardian Australia.
Oliver and his publisher, Penguin Random House, faced criticism for not consulting with Indigenous Australians prior to publication. In response, Oliver apologized and expressed his devastation at causing offense. He also announced the withdrawal of the book from sale.
The incident occurred while Oliver was in Australia promoting his new book, Simply Jamie, which was released on November 9. The book tour was a one-night event in Sydney. This news was reported with the Associated Press and readers can stay updated on the latest breaking news, sports, politics, and weather through the 9News app, available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
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