Caleb Lews has withdrawn from the 2009 Philip Parsons Young Playwrights Award shortlist in protest against the absence of female writers and directors in Company B Belvoir's 2010 program.

The award will be presented on 6 December, together with a debate on the question, Where are the women?

 The remaining shortlisted playwrights are Tamara Asmar, Van Badham, Tahli Corin and Nick Coyle.