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The Latest Breaking News from Louise Adler

Thrown shoes, sabotaged launches and exposed affairs: the drama of Australian political publishing

The most striking example of performance politics in Joshua Black’s entertaining book comes when an audience member at a 2010 taping of the now-defunct ABC show Q&A throws a shoe at former prime minister John Howard. (It echoed a famous moment two years earlier, when an Iraqi journalist threw his…

The Conversation · Sep 1

Adelaide writers’ week sacrificed to save city’s prestigious arts festival, documents show

Briefings obtained by freedom of information warned a ‘cascade of withdrawals’ could lead to collapse of 2026 South Australian festival

The Guardian - AU · Apr 28

After collapse and controversy, Adelaide writers’ week has a new director: ‘I don’t envy anyone in this position’

Rosemarie Milsom, who formed and runs Newcastle writers festival, will take over from Louise Adler after the literary festival imploded over invitation to Randa Abdel-Fattah

The Guardian - AU · Apr 23

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Palestinian author lashes 'racist' festival axing

Randa Abdel-Fattah has opened up on her cancellation from Adelaide Writers' Week in a wide-ranging conversation with former festival director Louise Adler.

AAP · Mar 2

Randa Abdel-Fattah and Louise Adler to headline alternative to cancelled Adelaide writers’ week

Constellations, a series of events compiled after Adelaide festival board scrapped AWW, will run from 28 February to 5 March

The Guardian - AU · Feb 4

Palestinian author to appear at rebel literary event

Palestinian Australian author Randa Abdel-Fattah will appear at a last-minute alternative to the now-cancelled Adelaide Writers' Week.

AAP · Feb 4

Adelaide writers’ week was cancelled two weeks ago. ‘Not Writers’ Week’ is determined to do things differently

Constellations – or ‘Not Writers’ Week’ – has been pulled together by a grassroots coalition of authors who have turned ‘heartbreak’ into a community-led event – and one that won’t police speakers’ social media

The Guardian - AU · Jan 28

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SA premier ‘fundamentally opposed’ Randa Abdel-Fattah appearing at Adelaide writers’ week, letter to board shows

Three-page letter acknowledged that while Peter Malinauskas could not direct festival board, he was ‘deeply concerned’ Palestinian Australian author’s invitation not rescinded

The Guardian - AU · Jan 18

Call this social cohesion? The war of words that laid waste to the 2026 Adelaide writers’ festival

How a boardroom flare-up sparked an international boycott – and a looming defamation battle

The Guardian - AU · Jan 16

Pulp U-turn on festival boycott as it apologises for dropping Palestinian writer

The Sheffield band will now take part in the Adelaide Festival.

Evening Standard · Jan 15

Jewish American columnist Thomas Friedman says he was uninvited from 2024 Adelaide writers’ week over ‘timing’

Claim comes after former festival board member Tony Berg accused Louise Adler and Randa Abdel-Fattah of ‘hypocrisy’ in their accusations of repressing freedom of speech

The Guardian - AU · Jan 15

Adelaide Festival Apologises To Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah & Invites Her To 2027 Writers’ Week

Adelaide Festival has issued an official apology to author Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah after disinviting her from Writers' Week.

Pedestrian.tv · Jan 15

Adelaide festival apologises to Randa Abdel-Fattah and invites her to participate in 2027 writers’ week

Apology comes as former Adelaide festival board member accuses Louise Adler of hypocrisy after she resigned citing free speech concerns

The Guardian - AU · Jan 15

Minns says bridge used in Bondi attack should be torn down – as it happened

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The Guardian - AU · Jan 13

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The Guardian - AU · Jan 13

An Australian writers’ festival cut a Palestinian author in the wake of a terror attack. Then it fell apart

Randa Abdel-Fattah, who is Palestinian Australian, has faced criticism for controversial comments on Israel, including alleging Zionists had ‘no claim or right to cultural safety’

The Independent UK · Jan 13

Major Australian arts festival cancelled after mass boycott over Palestinian author’s removal

Adelaide Writers’ Week saw more than 180 speakers pull out after Randa Abdel-Fattah was barred following Bondi Beach attack

The Conversation · Jan 13

‘Masterclass in poor governance’: what was the board’s role in the end of Adelaide Writers Week?

This afternoon, Adelaide Writers Week was cancelled for 2026 – less than a week after Palestinian-Australian writer Randa Abdel-Fattah was disinvited by the Adelaide Festival board. This came despite the “strongest opposition” from Writers Week director Louise Adler, who resigned this morning. The board has announced its remaining members will…

The Guardian - AU · Jan 13

Afternoon Update: Adelaide writers’ week cancelled; Rudd calls time as US ambassador a year early; and DiCaprio’s viral moment

The writers’ week director Louise Adler also quit in protest of the decision to disinvite Randa Abdel-Fattah

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Pedestrian.tv · Jan 13

Adelaide Writers’ Festival Cancelled & Apology Issued To Randa Abdel-Fattah

"This is a deeply regrettable outcome."

AAP · Jan 12

Festival canned after author's dumping sparks backlash

A leading writers' festival has collapsed under the weight of backlash over the dumping of a Palestinian-Australian novelist from its program.

The Guardian - AU · Jan 12

I cannot be party to silencing writers, which is why I am resigning as director of Adelaide writers’ week

Cancelling the Australian Palestinian author Randa Abdel-Fattah weakens freedom of speech and is the harbinger of a less free nation

The Guardian - AU · Jan 12

Louise Adler resigns as director of Adelaide writers’ week

Exclusive: Writing for Guardian Australia, Adler says she ‘cannot be party to silencing writers’ after Adelaide festival board cancelled Randa Abdel-Fattah’s invitation to appear

The Guardian - AU · Jan 12

Jacinda Ardern pulls out of Adelaide writers’ week as fallout over Randa Abdel-Fattah’s axing continues

Ructions within festival board over Palestinian-Australian academic’s inclusion began in October, email reveals

The Guardian - AU · Jan 11

Adelaide festival did not dump Jewish columnist from 2024 program despite request from Randa Abdel-Fattah and others

Palestinian academic rejects accusations of hypocrisy, saying board resisted attempts to remove Thomas Friedman, while cancelling her invitation this year

The Guardian - AU · Jan 10

SA premier denies pressuring Adelaide festival to drop Randa Abdel-Fattah

Letter from 11 South Australian cultural leaders labels cancellation of Palestinian-Australian’s participation a ‘grave mistake’ which brought festival into disrepute

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