Artistic freedom, the exchange of ideas, and respectful debate are essential to a strong democracy.
For more than 65 years, our beloved Adelaide Writers’ Week has been a space where diverse voices are heard, ideas are challenged, and public debate thrives.
That tradition is now under threat.
Premier Peter Malinauskas’s political intervention has seriously undermined Writers’ Week and put the future of the Adelaide Festival at risk.
If left unchecked, this kind of interference sets a dangerous precedent for all of South Australia’s arts institutions. It’s up to the Premier to fix this mess.
Freedom of expression isn’t optional in a healthy democracy: it is the lifeblood of our cultural identity.
Political leadership means defending these values, even when conversations are challenging or uncomfortable. It means respecting the role of arts and writers in public debate, not silencing or sidelining them.
South Australia has a proud history as a festival state that values artistic independence. This decision damages that reputation and erodes trust in our cultural institutions.
Premier Malinauskas created this mess. Now he must take responsibility and act to restore confidence in the independence of our arts, save our festival and protect our state's reputation.
The arts must be free from political interference. Together, it’s up to all of us to fight for artistic freedom and resist censorship in our cultural institutions.
The Greens are calling for:
- An independent review into the Adelaide Writers’ Week crisis, including the Premier’s political involvement and options to strengthen institutional independence
- Increased arts funding to support the creation of Australian stories and protect freedom of expression
- A formal apology from Premier Peter Malinauskas for his intervention and its consequences