The Latest Breaking News from Bendigo Writers festival

Bendigo Writers Festival has questions to answer over ‘untenable’ code of conduct for authors

Around 20 writers, including prominent Palestine advocate Randa Abdel-Fattah and Stella Prize winners Evelyn Araluen, Clare Wright and Jess Hill, have reportedly withdrawn from Bendigo Writers Festival, which opens today.

The Conversation · Aug 15, 2025

Writers’ festival requires ‘complete self-censorship’ over Gaza war, academic claims, as speakers withdraw in protest

Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah among those to boycott Bendigo writers’ festival, arguing she cannot appear ‘as a Palestinian’ due to speaker code

The Guardian - AU · Aug 14, 2025