"could I support an event funded by profits of mandatory detention...? My answer: emphatically no."

How about support for an event funded by profits of mandatory confiscations based on threat of mandatory detention - tax?

Bit of hypocrisy there?

"It is bureaucracy by privatised fiat."

The fiat is all governmental. The decision whether an asylum-seeker has refugee status is made by the PNG government whose case-officers are trained by Australian Immigration officers, not by Transfield.

Does that make it okay? What makes you think that is any less corrupt?

" In its response last Friday, members decided to side step the messiness of Manus and extol the sponsorship, soiled as it might be."

You raise a real issue about artists being sponsored by the rich and powerful.

But the same artists would love nothing better than a big bucket of money from the federal government, and we would hear no objection based on the feds' part in blowing up shepherds and bridal parties in Afghanistan then would we?

Binoy, I will watch with interest the comments section on this piece. Nothing quite as entertaining as watching an ethicist (is that a profession?) caught on the horns of a dilemma. Perhaps the yartists could approach the Medici family as co sponsors.

Hint: Could you find alternative expressions to 'tentacles' ? It's quite hackneyed and a dead giveaway, just a little more subtlety may keep a reader progressing through your turgid prose.

Binoy

I love your refusal to accept money from transfield.
I know a few drug dealers and criminals who pay taxes rates and charges to various Australian Governments.
My question. To be consistant should you now call on a boycott of income from Australian Governments until this practise stops?

one can justify any stupidity in order to confirm ones dogma. Does RMIT or yourself receive any Government money? Don't you realise Rudd/Gillard pig headedness lead to over 1000 drownings?

Excuse me, "a policy slammed by the UNHCR as inhumane and non-compliant with international law?"

WOW! They mustn't think much of their own Camps around the World well.

Australian Detention Camps are a damm side better than anything they provide to Refugees. Well, they would be if the Detainees would stop burning them down & destroying the facilities provided for them.

Show me a UNCHR Refugee Camp with TV, Sports facilities, proper bed off the ground, Hot & cold running water.

It's obvious you don't like G4S or Transfield. Who would you like to see running the Camps, Binoy. Maybe you would prefer various Islamic Groups, Maybe a coalition of Shia & Sunni groups. Would that suit you? Would you support a Festival run by such a group?

You forget that Labor was the biggest sponsor of all time of Transfield.