Author Randa Abdel-Fattah Drops Defamation Case Against SA Premier

By Daniel Keane

Topic: Arts Events

On July 21, 2026, at 3:24 pm

Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah sent two notices to Peter Malinauskas.

In short:

Author Randa Abdel-Fattah will not pursue a defamation case against the SA premier due to high costs and risks.

She made this statement in a social media video after sending two notices to Peter Malinauskas about comments he made during the Adelaide Writers' Week controversy.

What's next?

The premier welcomes the decision not to pursue the case.

Author Randa Abdel-Fattah will not pursue defamation proceedings against the SA premier.

In January, Abdel-Fattah sent two notices to Premier Peter Malinauskas about comments he made around the time of her removal from the Adelaide Writers' Week lineup.

Abdel-Fattah referred to public statements Mr Malinauskas made about her and her character.

Mr Malinauskas defended his comments, saying they were made to promote compassion and civility.

Abdel-Fattah sent a second notice after Mr Malinauskas made comments on a radio station.

The Adelaide Writers' Week festival has had over 100,000 attendees in the past.

Abdel-Fattah launched a separate legal action against the Bendigo Writers Festival organizers.

Abdel-Fattah indicated she was no longer pursuing the defamation case against the SA premier in a social media video.

Pursuing a defamation case against a premier is too costly and risky, Abdel-Fattah said.

Not all victories are won in court, Abdel-Fattah stated.

Abdel-Fattah's lawyer has no comment on the matter.

Premier Peter Malinauskas backed Abdel-Fattah's removal from the Adelaide Writers' Week lineup.

SA Premier Peter Malinauskas welcomes the decision not to pursue the defamation case.

Mr Malinauskas believes people should debate issues at writers' weeks and other events respectfully.

A spokesperson for the SA premier said Mr Malinauskas had no comment on Abdel-Fattah's remarks.

The spokesperson stated that Mr Malinauskas advocated for a civil and respectful public debate.

The removal of Abdel-Fattah from the Adelaide Writers' Week led to the event's cancellation and the director's resignation.

The Adelaide Festival board removed Abdel-Fattah from the program, citing her past statements.

The board stated that programming Abdel-Fattah would not be culturally sensitive after the Bondi incident.

Abdel-Fattah found it outrageous to be linked to the Bondi incident.

The decision to remove Abdel-Fattah led to a mass boycott, the director's resignation, and the event's cancellation.

SA Premier Peter Malinauskas supported Abdel-Fattah's removal from the lineup.

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