The Premier of South Australia, Peter Malinauskas, has publicly denied applying pressure on the Adelaide Festival board to cancel the invitation to Palestinian-Australian academic and author Randa Abdel-Fattah. This follows the board's controversial decision to drop her as a speaker from the upcoming Adelaide Writers' Week.
Premier's Stance and Board's Decision
Peter Malinauskas stated that while state law prevents him from directly instructing the festival's board, he was "happy to make it clear that the state government did not support" Abdel-Fattah's inclusion in the programme. The board removed the author on Thursday, citing "cultural sensitivity" in the aftermath of the Bondi attack. Malinauskas confirmed he agreed with the board's ultimate decision, emphasising his support for the legislation that safeguards the board's independence from political direction.
Open Letter from Cultural Figures
The move has provoked a fierce backlash from prominent figures within South Australia's arts community. On Saturday, a letter signed by 11 senior cultural leaders was sent to the Premier and the festival board, demanding Abdel-Fattah's immediate reinstatement.
The letter was spearheaded by Rob Brookman, a former artistic and executive director of the festival with decades of experience. Notable signatories include Neil Armfield, Jo Dyer, Jim Sharman, and Anthony Steel, all of whom have held key artistic or administrative roles at the festival in the past.
The letter strongly criticised the cancellation, labelling it a "grave mistake" that has damaged the reputation of both the Adelaide Festival and Writers' Week. It argued that revoking the invitation creates an unacceptable link between Abdel-Fattah and the Bondi tragedy. "Wickedness thrives in darkness and prejudice thrives in ignorance born of silence," the letter stated, championing open discussion as the path to community cohesion.
Questioning Support for Festival Director
The letter also raised serious concerns about the board's apparent withdrawal of support for the Director of Adelaide Writers' Week, Louise Adler. Adler, who is preparing for her fourth festival running from 28 February to 4 March, had previously defended the inclusion of Palestinian speakers in the 2023 programme.
Interestingly, Premier Malinauskas himself defended the festival's artistic independence last year. Facing pressure to cut funding over controversial speakers, he warned against politicians deciding what is culturally appropriate, suggesting it was a path leading "into the territory of Putin's Russia."
The cultural leaders' letter pointedly referenced this past principle, stating: "The festival board has previously been admirable in its support of the director’s decisions... the board’s reversal of its principled support for the director and her program at this time is, in our view, antithetical to what the festival and writers week have and should stand for."
The Adelaide Festival board and Louise Adler were contacted for comment following the controversy.
