Craig Silvey’s books pulled from WA and Victoria curriculums after child exploitation material charges

Craig Silvey. Sydney-based theatre company Belvoir said it would ‘indefinitely pause’ sales of its stage adaptation of Silvey’s children’s book Runt. Photograph: Rex Martinich/AAP

Australian novelist Craig Silvey’s books have been withdrawn from school curriculums in Victoria and his home state, and a major stage adaptation of one of his works has been halted after the author was charged with possessing and distributing child exploitation material this week.

Silvey, 43, was arrested on Monday 12 January after detectives executed a search warrant at his Fremantle home. He appeared before the Fremantle magistrates court on Tuesday, charged with distribution of child exploitation material and possession of child exploitation material. No pleas were entered.