In a statement released today, Thurday 15 January, the new Board of the Adelaide Festival has issued a statement designed to reassure that “it is thoroughly committed to the successful delivery of Adelaide Festival 2026” and to apologise to Louise Adler, who resigned as director of the Festival earlier this week in response to the previous Board’s decision to univite writer and advocate Randa Abdel-Fattah from the program, citing concerns of “cultural sensitivity” after a review of operations following the Bondi terror attack.

“We acknowledge the principled stand she took in the extremely difficult decision to resign from her role as Director.”

“Louise is a revered figure of Australian literature who we hold in the highest regard. Her contributions to, and stewardship of, Adelaide Writers’ Week in the time she has been the Director (2023 – 2025) have been outstanding. We wish also to convey the warm affection of the staff for Louise and their gratitude for her strong convictions.”

The Board has also announced that an earlier decision to establish a subcommittee of the Board to review Adelaide Writers’ Week operational decisions will be reversed. “We commit to the curatorial independence of the Director of Adelaide Writers’ Week while noting...