Australia news live: Adelaide writers’ week fiasco was ‘masterclass in poor governance’, outgoing director Louise Adler says | Australia news
Louise Adler says Adelaide festival mayhem is ‘masterclass in mismanagement’
Caitlin Cassidy
Louise AdlerThe former director of Adelaide Writers’ Week told the ABC’s 7.30 program that the turmoil surrounding the festival would be viewed in retrospect as a “masterclass in mismanagement” and an “act of cultural vandalism”.
Adler said it would be “untenable” for the event to continue this month after 180 writers withdrew.
I think this is a turning point, a watershed moment in the history of Adelaide writers’ week… We’ve had a number of these dramas where political interventions, donors and lobby groups have been able to come in and have influence and influence over what gets programmed and what doesn’t get programmed.
Asked if the board was under pressure to remove Randa Abdülfettah Adler, who was on staff before the Bondi terror attack, said he “didn’t know” whether it was pressure from the prime minister’s office or external influences, but said there was a “long story” of pro-Israel lobbyists opposing the inclusion of Palestinian writers in the festivals he manages.
Adler said he was “pretty confident” Adelaide Writers’ Week would be resurrected and “rise from the ashes” from 2027.
From my perspective, there is a very important lesson here for the arts community and for people who feel committed to the practice of freedom of speech, freedom of expression, inclusivity, and civil debate.
important events
Good morning and happy Wednesday. Nick Visser I’m here today to take the reins of the blog. Let’s see what’s in the news.
UK may accept Australia’s social media ban
Australia’s ban on under-16s using various social media apps could be copied by Britain after the country’s prime minister told MPs he was considering a similar plan after being concerned about the time children and teenagers spend on their phones.
Keir Starmer He had previously opposed banning children’s social media, believing such a move would be difficult to control by police and could push young people onto the dark web.
However, as cross-party political support for such a ban grew, the British prime minister told a Labor Party parliamentary meeting that he had changed his position.
“We’re looking at Australia, there are different ways you can implement this,” he told the meeting.
Read our full story here:
Xavier Maher He was one of the locals waiting for Jacinta Allan outside the hospital in Alexandra and said communities affected by the fire just wanted their voices heard.
He said the NBN shutdown was a real blow to morale in a town already cut off from the rest of Victoria by numerous road closures.
Maher has been hosting dinner parties since the weekend to bring people together.
“The best medicine for everyone is humor,” he said. “It’s a tight community and we all look out for each other.”
Victorian premier heckled by crowd while visiting fire-affected communities
An angry crowd greeted the state’s premier. Jacinta AllanHe visited fire-affected communities in central Victoria yesterday amid accusations that his government was not prepared for the disaster that destroyed hundreds of homes. Australian Associated Press reports.
Allan was at Alexandra district health offices on Friday to celebrate the efforts of staff who opened the center to vulnerable and frightened residents as the fire closed in on them.
Following the tour, Allan briefed the media on disaster funds available to those affected by the ongoing wildfires across the state.
But he dodged questions about the government’s failures to prepare for the 2026 fire season, saying the focus should be on supporting those affected, not on spreading misinformation.
Outside, angry locals gathered after hearing about his arrival on a television news bulletin.
They demanded that the Prime Minister meet them and answer questions about his support for the Country Fire Authority and rumors that the town’s NBN had been deliberately cut.
Allan left the health service through the back door as locals scattered across the car park, hoping to stop him.
When they realized he was gone, they shouted “shame” at his staff.
Louise Adler says Adelaide festival mayhem is ‘masterclass in mismanagement’
Caitlin Cassidy
Louise AdlerThe former director of Adelaide Writers’ Week told the ABC’s 7.30 program that the turmoil surrounding the festival would be viewed in retrospect as a “masterclass in mismanagement” and an “act of cultural vandalism”.
Adler said it would be “untenable” for the event to continue this month after 180 writers withdrew.
I think this is a turning point, a watershed moment in the history of Adelaide writers’ week… We’ve had a number of these dramas where political interventions, donors and lobby groups have been able to come in and have influence and influence over what gets programmed and what doesn’t get programmed.
Asked if the board was under pressure to remove Randa Abdülfettah Adler, who was on staff before the Bondi terror attack, said he “didn’t know” whether it was pressure from the prime minister’s office or external influences, but said there was a “long story” of pro-Israel lobbyists opposing the inclusion of Palestinian writers in the festivals he manages.
Adler said he was “pretty confident” Adelaide Writers’ Week would be resurrected and “rise from the ashes” from 2027.
From my perspective, there is a very important lesson here for the arts community and for people who feel committed to the practice of freedom of speech, freedom of expression, inclusivity, and civil debate.
Welcome
Martin Farrer
Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I Martin FarrerI’m bringing you the top local stories before I deliver this morning Nick Visser.
Former director of Adelaide Writers’ Week Louise Adler He told the ABC’s 7.30 program that the turmoil surrounding the festival would be viewed in retrospect as a “masterclass in mismanagement” and an “act of cultural vandalism”. We’ll have more information about his comments shortly.
Craig Silvey Publisher Allen & Unwin is suspending promotional efforts for the author accused of possessing and distributing child abuse material. More is coming.
An angry crowd greeted the state’s premier. Jacinta AllanHe visited fire-affected communities in central Victoria yesterday amid accusations that his government was not prepared for the disaster that destroyed hundreds of homes.
Let’s get started.
