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Adelaide Writers' Week Canceled Amid Author Disinvitation Controversy and Board Resignations

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Controversy Plunges Adelaide Writers' Week into Crisis, Leading to Cancellation

The 2026 Adelaide Writers' Week was canceled following the withdrawal of an invitation to Palestinian Australian author Randa Abdel-Fattah, which led to mass resignations from the festival board, the director's departure, and a boycott by numerous authors and sponsors.

The initial decision by the Adelaide Festival board cited concerns over "cultural sensitivity" following a December incident in Bondi. In response, Abdel-Fattah described her removal as "anti-Palestinian racism and censorship." A new board has since been appointed, issuing an apology and re-inviting Abdel-Fattah for the 2027 event. The controversy has also led to legal action threats and discussions at other literary festivals across Australia.

Background to the Disinvitation

In October, former Adelaide Festival board member Tony Berg resigned. He cited dissatisfaction with the direction of Writers' Week and its director, Louise Adler, over programming choices he viewed as "blatantly one-sided" and promoting "anti-Zionism." Berg, who identifies as a Zionist, specifically mentioned Randa Abdel-Fattah's inclusion.

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas stated he first raised concerns about Abdel-Fattah's inclusion with the Adelaide Festival board in September. Leading up to the board's decision, he held "a number" of conversations with the board chair and sent a letter dated January 2 to the board, "advocating" against Abdel-Fattah's inclusion.

In this letter, Malinauskas advised that her appearance was "not in the public interest" and could lead to "accusations of hypocrisy" and "legitimate public ridicule," referencing her past statements on Zionism and a social media image posted after October 7, 2023.

He also expressed concern about the "national mood and need for social cohesion following the Bondi terror attack." The Premier denied legally directing the board but confirmed he was "forthright" in expressing his view.

On January 8, the Adelaide Festival board announced the removal of Abdel-Fattah from the 2026 Writers' Week lineup. The board cited a lack of "cultural sensitivity" to program her "at this unprecedented time so soon after Bondi," referring to a December shooting. The board explicitly stated it did not suggest any connection between Abdel-Fattah or her writings and the Bondi incident, but based its decision on "her past statements."

Initial Fallout and Resignations

Following the board's decision, significant repercussions unfolded:

  • Author's Response: Randa Abdel-Fattah described her exclusion as "blatant and shameless anti-Palestinian racism and censorship" and deemed the attempt to link her with the Bondi attack "despicable." Her legal team issued a formal challenge to the "cultural sensitivity" grounds used for her removal, demanding reinstatement and an apology.
  • Writers' Week Director's Resignation: Louise Adler, the director of Writers' Week, who had initially invited Abdel-Fattah, resigned. Adler, a daughter of Holocaust survivors, stated her opposition to silencing writers, describing the board's decision as weakening freedom of speech and setting a precedent for political pressure.
  • Author Boycott: Over 180 participants, including prominent literary figures such as Jacinda Ardern, Zadie Smith, Helen Garner, and Trent Dalton, withdrew from the event in protest. The Writers' Week website temporarily removed its participant list.
  • Sponsor Withdrawal: The public policy think tank, The Australia Institute, withdrew its sponsorship for the 2026 event.
  • Board Resignations: Following initial resignations by Daniela Ritorto, Donny Walford, and Nicholas Linke, board chair Tracey Whiting also resigned, leaving the board inquorate. This led to the resignation of all remaining members.
  • Cancellation: Amid the mass resignations and boycotts, the Adelaide Festival Corporation canceled the 2026 Adelaide Writers' Week.

Allegations of Hypocrisy and Previous Incidents

The controversy prompted accusations of hypocrisy against Abdel-Fattah and Adler regarding a previous incident involving journalist Thomas Friedman.

  • Thomas Friedman Controversy (2024): Former board member Tony Berg and Premier Malinauskas alleged that Adler had threatened to resign if the board did not withdraw an invitation to New York Times journalist Thomas Friedman for the 2024 Writers' Week. Abdel-Fattah was among 10 individuals who had petitioned the board to rescind Friedman's invitation following a controversial column he published.
  • Conflicting Accounts: Premier Malinauskas stated the board had removed Friedman and supported this "consistent application of principle." However, the Adelaide Festival board, chaired by Tracey Whiting, had previously rejected the petition, citing support for "artistic freedom of expression," and stated Friedman's non-appearance was due to "last-minute scheduling issues." Friedman himself later acknowledged that some found his column insulting and dehumanizing.
  • Responses to Hypocrisy Allegations: Abdel-Fattah rejected the hypocrisy allegation, stating her concern regarding Friedman's column was its impact on marginalized people through dehumanizing tropes. She contrasted this with her own cancellation, which she attributed to her "presence and identity as a Palestinian" being deemed "culturally insensitive" and linked to a "Bondi atrocity." Louise Adler declined to comment on confidential board discussions.
  • Prior Controversies: In 2023, the festival's director, Louise Adler, refused to remove Palestinian authors Susan Abulhawa and Mohammed El-Kurd despite sponsor withdrawals, advocating for "brave spaces." Abdel-Fattah was also among participants who withdrew from the Bendigo Writers' Festival in 2023 following the implementation of a code of conduct.

Government Involvement and Statements

  • South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas: Publicly supported the board's decision to remove Abdel-Fattah. While denying direct interference, he confirmed his office communicated its strong views to the board. He later compared the situation to a hypothetical scenario of a "far-right Zionist" speaking hateful rhetoric, stating he would oppose that too.
  • Federal Ministers: Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King supported the board's decision, while Federal Arts Minister Tony Burke stated that participant decisions are for festivals themselves. Shadow Home Affairs Minister Jonno Duniam also supported the board's decision, calling it "absolutely correct."
  • New South Wales Premier Chris Minns: Expressed disagreement with the Newcastle Writers Festival's decision to invite Abdel-Fattah, calling it "crazy" due to potential divisiveness, but affirmed he would not intervene. NSW Arts Minister John Graham emphasized the need for social cohesion and making Jewish arts and culture lovers feel welcome at events, while also expressing disfavor for "cancel culture."

New Board and Reversal

A new Adelaide Festival board was appointed, led by its immediate past chair, Judy Potter, and including Rob Brookman, Jane Doyle, and John Irving.

  • Apology and Re-invitation: The new board publicly apologized to Randa Abdel-Fattah "unreservedly for the harm the Adelaide Festival Corporation has caused her" and extended an invitation for her to participate in the 2027 Adelaide Writers' Week.

The board acknowledged that intellectual and artistic freedom is a significant human right which the corporation "fell well short" in upholding. Judy Potter also issued an apology to Louise Adler, acknowledging her principled decision to resign.

  • Abdel-Fattah's Response: Abdel-Fattah accepted the apology and stated she would consider the invitation for the 2027 festival at an appropriate time, noting that while the statement acknowledged harm, it would not be a rapid solution to repair the damage.

Alternative and Other Festival Appearances

  • "Constellations: Not Writers' Week" (Adelaide): An alternative literary event, organized by local booksellers, publishers, and authors, was launched in Adelaide. Abdel-Fattah participated in a discussion with Louise Adler and other sessions.
    • Adelaide University Event Cancellation: An event featuring UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese at "Constellations" was scheduled for Adelaide University's Elder Hall but was canceled by the university, citing procedural issues and failure to comply with booking policies. Organizers disputed this, stating the cancellation followed reports linking Albanese to US sanctions. The event was relocated to Norwood Concert Hall at increased cost.
  • Newcastle Writers Festival: Abdel-Fattah was confirmed as a speaker at the Newcastle Writers Festival, which held multiple sold-out sessions featuring her. The festival director, Rosemarie Milsom, confirmed the invitation predated the Adelaide controversy and stated the festival's commitment to freedom of expression without government intervention.
  • Sydney Writers' Festival: The Sydney Writers' Festival confirmed Abdel-Fattah as a featured writer for two sessions, stating its commitment to "freedom of expression as a core value" and not engaging in "cancelling or censoring writers."
    • KPMG Withdrawal: Global accounting firm KPMG requested its name to be removed from the Sydney Writers' Festival website, clarifying its role as an auditor rather than a corporate partner, following Abdel-Fattah's scheduling.

Legal Actions

  • Abdel-Fattah vs. Malinauskas: Abdel-Fattah's lawyers issued a concerns notice under the Defamation Act against Premier Peter Malinauskas. They stated his public comments about her character since her cancellation constituted a "vicious personal assault" and were defamatory. Malinauskas stated his remarks were public record and based on a desire for civil treatment.
  • Abdel-Fattah's Consideration of Legal Options Against Festival: Abdel-Fattah confirmed she was exploring legal options regarding her cancellation from the Adelaide Writers' Week, arguing that being framed as "culturally insensitive" and linked to the Bondi incident constituted racism.

Broader Context

The events have raised questions regarding free speech, artistic independence, and the influence of political pressure and community tensions on cultural institutions in Australia, particularly concerning discussions around the Israel-Palestine conflict. The Adelaide Festival, established in 1960, receives approximately $10 million annually from the state government.