The Adelaide Festival is in turmoil. A mass boycott by writers is underway after the board cancelled the appearance of Palestinian-Australian author Dr. Randa Abdel-Fattah, citing "cultural sensitivity" following the Bondi Beach terror attack in December 2025. Now, South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has waded into the firestorm, denying he ordered the ban but explicitly supporting it.

The controversy centers on the intersection of free speech, safety, and political pressure. Dr. Abdel-Fattah, a vocal critic of Israel and a prominent academic, was disinvited on January 8. The board claimed her presence poses a security risk and would be "insensitive" to the community mourning the Bondi victims.

"I Did Not Order It, But I Agree"

"By law, I cannot direct the board," Malinauskas told reporters. "But when asked for my opinion, I made it clear: the state government does not support her inclusion." His statement has enraged the arts community, who view it as government censorship by proxy.

• The Boycott: Over 50 writers, including heavyweights like Trent Dalton and Clementine Ford, have pulled out of the festival in solidarity. They argue that silencing a Palestinian voice equates to erasing a perspective, setting a dangerous precedent for future festivals.
• The Letter: 11 prominent South Australian cultural leaders penned an open letter calling the decision a "grave mistake" that has brought the festival into disrepute. "Wickedness thrives in silence," the letter read.
• The Bondi Context: The December attack in Bondi, though tragic, had no direct link to Abdel-Fattah. Her supporters argue her cancellation is a cynical use of a national tragedy to silence political dissent regarding the Middle East conflict.

A Festival in Crisis

With the program now pulled from the website and sponsors like The Australia Institute withdrawing funding, the 2026 Adelaide Writers’ Week is on the brink of collapse. It is a stark reminder of how quickly the culture wars can dismantle institutions built on the free exchange of ideas.