Key Takeaways:
- The South Australian premier, Peter Malinauskas, wrote a letter to the Adelaide writers’ week board criticizing the inclusion of Palestinian Australian writer Randa Abdel-Fattah in the 2026 program.
- The premier cited comments attributed to Abdel-Fattah as "antisemitic" and "hateful" and stated that her appearance would "provoke disunity" in the community.
- Abdel-Fattah was initially invited to participate in the festival, but the board intervened and overturned the decision, leading to the resignation of the festival’s artistic director, Louise Adler.
- The new Adelaide festival board has since apologized to Abdel-Fattah and promised to invite her to the 2027 festival.
- The premier’s letter was released after Abdel-Fattah threatened defamation action against him over his public comments about her.
Introduction to the Controversy
The controversy surrounding the inclusion of Palestinian Australian writer Randa Abdel-Fattah in the 2026 Adelaide writers’ week program has taken a new turn with the release of a letter written by the South Australian premier, Peter Malinauskas. The three-page letter, dated January 2, expresses the premier’s concerns about Abdel-Fattah’s participation in the program, citing comments attributed to her as "antisemitic" and "hateful". Malinauskas states that he does not believe it is in the public interest to include Abdel-Fattah in the program, particularly in light of the recent Bondi terror attack.
The Premier’s Concerns
The premier’s letter outlines his concerns about Abdel-Fattah’s comments and actions, which he believes are "likely to provoke disunity" in the community. He cites several public statements and actions attributed to Abdel-Fattah, which he claims are "antisemitic and hateful at worst and deeply offensive and insulting at best". Malinauskas stresses that his government condemns and rejects all racist or antisemitic behavior, remarks, or sentiment, including those attributed to Abdel-Fattah. He also notes that the board had concerns about Abdel-Fattah’s inclusion prior to the Bondi attacks, and points to the resignation of Tony Berg, a businessman and governor on the Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce, in October over his concerns about the program.
The Festival’s Response
The Adelaide festival’s artistic director, Louise Adler, had initially invited Abdel-Fattah to participate in the 2026 program. However, the board of Adelaide festival intervened and overturned the decision, leading to Adler’s public resignation. The new Adelaide festival board has since issued an "unreserved" public apology to Abdel-Fattah, which she has accepted. The board has also promised to invite Abdel-Fattah to the 2027 Adelaide writers’ week. Adler, the daughter of Holocaust survivors, is a respected figure within Australian publishing and a prominent progressive Jewish voice. Her resignation and subsequent statements have highlighted the controversy surrounding Abdel-Fattah’s inclusion in the program.
Abdel-Fattah’s Response
Abdel-Fattah has responded to the premier’s comments, accusing him of making harmful public statements about her and refusing to become a political punching bag. She has also threatened defamation action against Malinauskas, stating that he has never attempted to contact her or meet with her. Abdel-Fattah has accused the premier of linking her to the Bondi atrocity and suggesting that she is an "extremist terrorist sympathiser". Her response has sparked a wider debate about free speech, censorship, and the role of artists in promoting social cohesion.
The Broader Implications
The controversy surrounding Abdel-Fattah’s inclusion in the Adelaide writers’ week program has raised important questions about the role of government in shaping the cultural agenda. While the premier’s letter acknowledges that the Adelaide Festival is independent from the government, it also stresses that the government "fundamentally opposes" Abdel-Fattah’s inclusion in the program. This has led to accusations of censorship and political interference in the arts. The debate has also highlighted the need for nuanced and respectful discussion about complex issues, including antisemitism, racism, and free speech. As the Adelaide festival board has acknowledged, the inclusion of diverse voices and perspectives is essential to promoting social cohesion and understanding.