Adelaide Writers' Week 2026 has been cancelled following significant backlash over the disinvitation of Palestinian Australian author Randa Abdel-Fattah. The decision led to the resignation of nearly all board members and the withdrawal of over 180 authors and speakers from the event, scheduled to begin on February 28.

Adelaide Writers' Week Cancellation
The festival board announced the cancellation on Tuesday, citing the overwhelming response from the literary community. The board apologized to Abdel-Fattah for the way the decision was communicated and acknowledged the impact it had on the festival's integrity. Following the backlash, three remaining board members resigned, leaving only one representative from the Adelaide City Council, whose term is set to expire in February.

Kevin Rudd's Early Departure
In related news, Kevin Rudd will step down as Australia's ambassador to the United States a year earlier than planned. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commented on Rudd's departure, emphasizing his dedication to public service and the significant contributions he made while representing Australia abroad. Rudd's early exit comes amid a series of high-profile events affecting Australian culture and politics.

New Hate Speech Legislation
In another significant development, Australia's spy agency chief has been granted new powers to recommend organizations be classified as hate groups under proposed hate speech legislation. This legislation aims to strengthen protections against religious vilification and includes provisions for a large-scale gun buy-back program, the most extensive since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre. The National Socialist Network, a neo-Nazi group, announced plans to disband prior to the legislation's introduction.

Craig Silvey's Legal Troubles
Prominent Australian author Craig Silvey has been charged with possessing and distributing child exploitation material. The charges follow a police search at his Fremantle home, where he was allegedly found engaging with other offenders online. This development has raised concerns in the literary community about the implications for authors and public figures facing legal issues.

Wrap-up
The cancellation of Adelaide Writers' Week and the resignations of its board members highlight the growing tensions surrounding freedom of expression and the responsibilities of literary organizations. Concurrently, Kevin Rudd's early departure, new hate speech legislation, and Craig Silvey's legal troubles underscore the complex landscape of Australian culture and politics.

Sources
theguardian.com

@hoju-korean.com Editorial Team