The Adelaide Writers’ Week, a cornerstone of Australia’s literary calendar, is confronting severe organizational turmoil following the controversial removal of Palestinian-Australian author Dr. Randa Abdel-Fattah from its 2026 program. The decision has triggered a chain reaction of resignations and participant withdrawals that threatens the festival’s viability.
Former festival director Jo Dyer characterized the situation as “complete crisis,” revealing that nearly 100 authors have withdrawn from the event. The mass exodus includes prominent figures such as National Museum of Australia chair Clare Wright and Miles Franklin Award winners Michelle de Krester and Melissa Lucashenko.
The crisis deepened with the resignation of board chair Tracey Whiting, who announced her departure via social media on Sunday. Her exit followed three earlier board resignations from journalist Daniela Ritorto, businesswoman Donny Walford, and lawyer Nicholas Linke OAM. These departures have left the board without quorum, with only three voting members remaining.
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has become embroiled in the controversy, with critics accusing him of applying political pressure regarding Dr. Abdel-Fattah’s participation. While denying direct intervention, the Premier acknowledged expressing concerns about the author’s inclusion following recent tragic events at Bondi Beach. He stated that his government “did not support her inclusion” in the program, citing sensitivity toward the Jewish community while maintaining he respected the board’s legal independence.
The festival board defended its decision, stating the removal came after weeks of internal review and reflected consideration of “cultural sensitivity” following national tragedies. However, Dr. Abdel-Fattah condemned the action as “a blatant and shameless act of anti-Palestinian racism and censorship,” rejecting any association with the Bondi incident.
The author has engaged legal representation, with Marque Legal lawyer Michael Bradley issuing a preservation notice for all documents related to the decision. The controversy echoes previous tensions at the festival, which faced similar challenges in 2023 when Palestinian authors’ inclusion prompted sponsor withdrawals and calls for leadership changes.