ABC chief backs reporters after Adelaide Writers Week boycott
ABC chief Hugh Marks has called out reporters boycotting the Adelaide Writers Festival for doing so because of controversial author Dr Dr. He defended Randa Abdel-Fattah, saying they did not do it to support him.
The invitation to the Palestinian-Australian author was canceled by the festival board due to “cultural sensitivity” following the terrorist attack on Bondi Beach, leading to a mass withdrawal of attendees and ultimately the cancellation of the entire 2026 event.
Liberal senator Sarah Henderson attacked the ABC for its staff joining the boycott during Senate estimates on Tuesday afternoon.
He said it was “completely inappropriate” given Dr Abdel-Fattah’s previous comments.
“They weren’t withdrawing because their grandmother was sick,” Senator Henderson told Mr. Marks.
“They were withdrawing because they had participated in the boycott in support of Dr. Randa Abdel-Fattah, and while others may have chosen to do so, we have informed you that in the case of ABC staff, to whom there are very strong obligations of impartiality, they have not demonstrated impartiality in their conduct.”
Mr Marks said each individual “will have their own reasons” for withdrawing from the event.
Responding to 7.30 presenter Sarah Ferguson’s comment, Mr Marks said he was instead talking “more about the politicization of the event”.
“It says absolutely nothing about the particular writer you’re discussing or your support for that writer. It talks about the politicization thing,” he said.
“So, of course, the principles of freedom of expression, interference, intervention and creative debate – these are principles that journalists have a right to defend.”
ABC editor-in-chief Gavin Fang said it was unfair to infer the reason for the boycott from staff’s open letter or social media comments.
“Unfortunately, I disagree with the notion that the fact that someone did not comment, or that someone made a comment on social media saying they were retracting, indicates that they have taken a position that supports Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah’s comments,” he told the inquiry.
He continued: “In this particular case, these reporters did not provide any motivation in their statements to the press as to why they chose to withdraw, and therefore it is not possible to draw that conclusion from their public statements alone.”
Senator Henderson responded: “Well, that’s totally wrong. Actually, it’s wrong.”
Dr Abdel-Fattah said the decision to sack him was “racist” and has since been invited to the event in 2027.
He will also appear in Adelaide and at a separate event at the Newcastle Writers Festival.
