Writer Randa Abdel-Fattah was cancelled from Adelaide Writers’ Week — sparking its collapse — because of intervention by Premier Peter Malinauskas, explosive documents reveal.
Meeting minutes obtained under freedom of information laws reveal the Adelaide Festival board feared that not cancelling Abdel-Fattah could put its government funding — and the event’s entire future — in jeopardy.
The Adelaide Festival board has produced the documents, despite earlier claiming it would not be able to do so up until “April 9” — which is after South Australia’s March 21 election.
Obtained by independent news outlet InDaily, the documents show the Adelaide Festival board met on January 5, three days after receiving a letter from Malinauskas aggressively pushing for Abdel-Fattah’s cancellation.
At that meeting, the board “agreed that government involvement materially changes the risk profile and that failure to act could jeopardise current and future funding, and the Festival’s broader viability”, the minutes state.
“Government involvement materially changes the risk profile” — Adelaide Festival board, January 5
The minutes, “noted heightened community sensitivity following recent national events and correspondence received from government, including a letter from the Premier”.
“The primary risks discussed were reputational, operational, financial, and related to public safety, inclusion, media escalation, and ongoing government funding and support,” the minutes of the January 5 meeting reveal.
“Failure to act could jeopardise current and future funding, and the Festival’s broader viability” — Adelaide Festival board, January 5
In his January 2 letter, Malinauskas wrote that Abdel-Fattah should be “removed from the program”; that her appearance was “not in the public interest”; that he was “surprised” that “this author” had been given “a platform” — and that it would be “astonishing” if Abdel-Fattah was not disinvited.
“I am…deeply concerned that the Board is not prepared to remove her (Abdel-Fattah’s) appearance from the program” – Premier Malinauskas, January 2
That is despite the Adelaide Festival being “independent” of government.
Adelaide Festival announced the cancellation of Abdel-Fattah on January 8.
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The new Adelaide Festival board had earlier claimed it would take up to “April 9” to produce the documents – after the SA election. Source: The Klaxon; Image top: Randa Abdel-Fattah. Picture: Flavio Brancaleone/AAP
Abdel-Fattah’s cancellation sparked a mass boycott by writers in defence of free speech, and Writers’ Week was cancelled on January 13.
Meeting minutes reveal that on January 12, the Adelaide Festival board was told that out of the planned 165 Writers’ Week sessions, only 12 still had a full participation list, reports InDaily.
“Out of 165 sessions on the Writers’ Week program, only 12 still had a full participation list”
Considered one of the nation’s best literary events, Adelaide Writers’ Week was to start today, February 27.
The event typically runs as part of the Adelaide Festival, which starts today.
Page one of the Premier’s three-page letter on January 2.
The documents released under freedom of information show Abdel-Fattah was discussed at a board meeting on December 20.
At that meeting, it was noted that there had been no media attention regarding Abdel-Fattah’s planned appearance at Writers’ Week, and that her involvement was “only” part of a one-hour panel, along with other authors.
The minutes show that at meeting it was noted that cancelling Abdel-Fattah “would risk placing [her] in the same category as individuals associated with hate-speech or hate-crime activity, which she is not”.
At the same meeting, “legal considerations were discussed, including caution against retrospectively applying standards or implying charges where none exist”.
“Legal considerations were discussed, including caution against retrospectively applying standards or implying charges where none exist” — Adelaide Festival board, December 20
“It was noted that Dr Abdel-Fattah had publicly condemned the Bondi attacks, and that there are no charges against her,” the board minutes state.
“It was noted that the author has appeared at multiple events without incident and that past dialogue between AWW (Adelaide Writers’ Week) writers and audiences has been civil”.
“It was noted that Dr Abdel-Fattah had publicly condemned the Bondi attacks” — Adelaide Festival board, December 20
Timeline:
Jan 2: Malinauskas tells board he “fundamentally opposes” Abdel-Fattah inclusion
Jan 5: Board determines that “Government involvement materially changes the risk profile”
Jan 8: Board announces Abdel-Fattah cancelled
Jan 13: Writers’ Week cancelled after mass boycott
Jan 13: SA Government announces new board
Jan 29: New chair says it will take up to “April 9” to hand over meeting minutes
Feb 27: Meeting minutes released
Regarding the minor role Abdel-Fattah was to have in the festival, the December 20 minutes state “she is not a writer in residence” and “she has not been offered a keynote address,” the minutes state.
“She is not a writer in residence and she has not been offered a keynote address” — Adelaide Festival board, December 20
In his January 2 letter, Malinauskas effectively threatened to use his position and the force of his government to attack the Adelaide Festival board if it did not comply with his wishes.
He wrote: “I want to put it on the record that the South Australian Government fundamentally opposes the inclusion of Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah…and reserves the right to make public statements to this effect”.
“The South Australian Government…reserves the right to make public statements to this effect” — Premier Malinauskas, January 2
Malinauskas has sought to distance himself from the scandal.
He has previously pointed to a statement mid-way through his three-page letter, in which he states the Adelaide Festival is “independent from Government”, that it is “not subject to Ministerial direction on the artistic nature or content of performances or other events or activities”, and that “I respect the law”.
Abdel Fattah has said Peter Malinauskas was spurred by the “pro-Israel lobby” and “Murdoch press”. Source: The Klaxon
InDaily reports the freedom of information documents reveal Festival Executive Director Julian Hobba wrote to the board on January 7 — “after the board decided to remove Abdel-Fattah, but before it had made that decision public” — asking it to not cancel the writer.
His email reportedly stated:
“Over the course of yesterday, I spoke with the chief executive of the Department of Premier and Cabinet, the Premier’s advisor, and the Premier himself. I received written assurance that, consistent with the Premier’s letter, he regards this matter as entirely a decision for the board.
“This position was reiterated verbally by the Premier, including confirmation that he is not contemplating overriding the board’s decision-making, nor considering punitive action such as a reduction in base funding (we did not discuss future discretionary grants).
“In my view, this clarification represents a material change to the factual basis on which the board reached its decision. I therefore respectfully request that the board reconsider its decision in light of this updated information.”
The following day Randa Abdel-Fattah was cancelled.
Judy Potter was appointed Adelaide Festival chair on January 13. Source: ABC News
The Adelaide Festival board collapsed and was replaced by the South Australian Government on January 13.
Last month Adelaide-based InDaily lodged a freedom of information request seeking the minutes of board meetings held between December 14 and January 14.
On January 29 newly-appointed Adelaide Festival chair Julie Potter said it would take up to 85 days to process the application — almost three times the legislated 30 days.
Potter said Adelaide Festival was unable to make a determination on the freedom of information request within the statutory timeframe as it “encompasses a substantial volume of material”.
In response, InDaily said it would “apply for a review of the decision under the Freedom of Information Act 1991”.
When contacted by The Klaxon today, Adelaide Festival refused to provide a copy of the documents it has now released, instead telling us to file a formal freedom of information request.
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Thank you,
Anthony Klan
Editor, The Klaxon
