Acting Leader of the Australian Greens and Arts & Communications spokesperson Sen. Sarah Hanson-Young said:
Like a lot of South Australians today, I am deeply disturbed the Adelaide’s beloved Writers Festival has been ruined by this terrible decision.
The decision to drop Palestinian writer Randa Abdel-Fattah from Adelaide Writers Festival is deeply concerning and should be reversed.
Freedom of expression and the exchange of ideas are what makes writers festivals what they are.
Engaging in respectful, thoughtful debate and challenging ideas and opinions is the whole purpose of an event like this.
Censorship and shutting down diverse voices, including Palestinian voices is the antithesis of an open, free and respectful democracy.
South Australia has a proud history of our arts festivals and supporting artist freedom of expression. This craven decision will leave our state and our reputation as the festival state in tatters.
The Greens will continue to advocate for artists to do their work free of political interference and pressure.
As both a regular panelist and supporter of the AWW I am extremely disappointed and saddened that the Adelaide Festival board has made this decision. It is a bad decision and should be reversed.