Randa Abdel-Fattah appears to abandon threatened defamation case against SA Premier

Palestinian-Australian author Randa Abdel-Fattah is reportedly no longer pursuing defamation proceedings against South Australia's Premier Peter Malinauskas, despite earlier threats of legal action. Her lawyers had previously sent concerns notices to the premier regarding comments made after her removal from the Adelaide Writers' Week program.

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I wanted to bring a defamation case but pursuing defamation against a sitting premier has proven to carry prohibitive cost and risk.

Abdel-Fattah had stated that Malinauskas's public statements, made around the time of her controversial exclusion from the festival, which subsequently led to its cancellation amid a boycott, were damaging to her character. The premier had defended his remarks, asserting they were made with a desire for compassion and civility.

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But those of us who are committed to the decolonial recognise not all victories are won in courts.

In a recent social media post, Abdel-Fattah explained her decision, noting, "pursuing defamation against a sitting premier has proven to carry prohibitive cost and risk." She also stated, "But those of us who are committed to the decolonial recognise not all victories are won in courts." This comes as Abdel-Fattah has initiated separate legal action against the organizers of the 2025 Bendigo Writers Festival, from which she withdrew participation due to a similar censorship controversy.

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I welcome the fact that it appears as though this court action against me has been dropped.

Premier Malinauskas welcomed the apparent decision to drop the case. "I welcome the fact that it appears as though this court action against me has been dropped," he told 891 ABC Radio Adelaide. He reiterated his stance that public debates at events like writers' weeks should be respectful of differing viewpoints. A spokesperson for the premier added that Malinauskas advocates for "civil, respectful and inclusive public debate."

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I will just maintain my position that I think people should be entitled to debate these issues at writers' weeks and other events, just as long as they respect other people's ability to be able to make a contribution from the alternate case.