WA-based Federal Minister weighs in on debate over decision to cancel controversial writer’s invitation

WA-based Federal Minister Madeleine King has weighed into the debate over the Adelaide Writers’ Festival’s decision to axe a Palestinian-Australian writer from its line-up over her past anti-Israel comments.

The Resources Minister said she was “surprised” Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah was invited to attend the event, which is scheduled to run from February 27 to March 15.

Arrangements for the renowned festival have now descended into chaos after its board decided to rescind Dr Abdel-Fattah’s invitation, citing concern over “cultural sensitivity” in the wake of the Bondi terrorist attack, which killed 15 innocent people.

“I am on unity ticket with (South Australian Premier Peter) Malinauskas on this,” she said on Monday.

“And the views that she has said in relation to wishing for the end of Israel, as well as some other pretty, you know, vile commentary doesn’t deserve an invitation to the writers for the Writers’ Festival.”

Dr Abdel-Fattah called the decision to cancel her appearance a “blatant and shameless” act of racism and censorship and said she was weighing up her legal options.

“At what point will Palestinians be allowed to be present in the public space without being constructed as threats and enemies?” she wrote on X.

Arts Minister Tony Burke has refused to weigh in, insisting the decision was a matter for festival organisers.

Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinta Ardern pulled out of the event in protest on Monday, following in the steps of authors Trent Dalton, Peter Greste, Hannah Kent, Evelyn Araluen and author and media commentator Peter FitzSimons.

Bestselling author Zadie Smith, Pulitzer prize-winning writer Percival Everett, Greek economist and politician Yanis Varoufakis, Irish novelist Roisín O’Donnell and Russian American journalist M Gessen have all confirmed their withdrawal in recent days, according to The Guardian, along with more than 180 participants.

Festival chairwoman Tracey Whiting and at least three board members have since resigned, as the festival’s future hangs in the balance.

The organisers of the renowned event also temporarily unpublished the list of participants and events, while they “work through” changes to the program.

At a separate press conference in Perth, Assistant Minister for Climate Change Josh Wilson called for respectful debate, when he was asked whether cancel culture had gone too far.

“That’s a very big and complex question, and I don’t want to launch into that in a superficial way,” he said.

“Some issues will always have a potential for sort of heat and conflict around them, and we need to be able to discuss those things, that’s a vital part of our democracy.

“But the more that each of us can come to those conversations by bringing sympathy for one another, a focus on the ability to disagree respectfully and to show compassion and understanding for different points of view, the better we will all be.”