SA Premier Denies Pressuring Adelaide Festival to Drop Randa Abdel-Fattah

The South Australian premier has denied exerting pressure on the Adelaide festival board to disinvite Randa Abdel-Fattah ‍as a speaker at Adelaide Writers’ Week, ​while reiterating ⁢that he agreed with the ⁢decision.The ‌board dumped the Palestinian Australian academic ⁤ as a ⁢speaker on Thursday, citing “cultural sensitivity” after the Bondi attack.

“By law, I ‌as Premier am prevented from directing the Board,” ⁢ Peter ‍Malinauskas said. ⁣”I support ​the intent‍ of⁣ this⁣ legislation, and have⁤ made it clear at every juncture that I​ would not seek to direct the board.”However, when asked for my opinion I was‌ happy to make it⁤ clear that the ⁤state government did not support the inclusion of Dr Abdel-Fattah on the Adelaide Writers’ Week ​program.”

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On Saturday, 11 prominent cultural figures wrote to Malinauskas and the board demanding the reinstatement of ‌Abdel-Fattah.

The​ letter was drafted by‍ Rob Brookman,‍ who has held ⁢almost every major leadership role⁢ at ‌the festival across three decades,​ including artistic ⁣director and executive⁢ director.

The ⁢10‌ cosignatories, including Neil Armfield, Jo dyer, ⁢Jim Sharman and ⁢Anthony Steel, have all previously held senior artistic or administrative positions at the festival.