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South Australian Premier Sparks Controversy Over Writer’s Inclusion

1/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas criticized the inclusion of Palestinian Australian writer Randa Abdel-Fattah in the 2026 Adelaide Writers' Week program, citing public interest concerns after the Bondi terror attack.
In a letter dated January 2, 2023, he claimed her statements could be seen as antisemitic and warned her presence might provoke disunity.
In response, festival artistic director Louise Adler resigned, and the festival board later apologized to Abdel-Fattah, promising her an invitation for 2027.
Abdel-Fattah accused Malinauskas of making harmful public statements that linked her to extremism.

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Story summary

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas criticized the inclusion of Palestinian Australian writer Randa Abdel-Fattah in the 2026 Adelaide Writers' Week program, citing public interest concerns after the Bondi terror attack.
In a letter dated January 2, 2023, he claimed her statements could be seen as antisemitic and warned her presence might provoke disunity.
In response, festival artistic director Louise Adler resigned, and the festival board later apologized to Abdel-Fattah, promising her an invitation for 2027.
Abdel-Fattah accused Malinauskas of making harmful public statements that linked her to extremism.