Adelaide Writers’ Week Cancelled After Backlash Over Abdel-Fattah Disinvitation

Adelaide Writers’ Week 2026 was cancelled amid a mass walkout after the festival board disinvited Palestinian Australian author Randa Abdel-Fattah over “cultural sensitivities” following a Bondi attack. More than 180 authors and speakers withdrew, the board resigned (save for the city council representative), and Louise Adler, the director, also resigned. A new board led by Judy Potter was named to steer a scaled-back Adelaide Festival, with refunds for ticketholders. Abdel-Fattah rejected the board’s apology, calling the move racist and an attack on free speech; the government emphasized safeguarding the festival’s future.