The Adelaide Festival has been plunged into a leadership crisis after its board chair and three other members resigned in protest over the handling of a controversial programming decision.
Leadership Exodus Rocks Premier Arts Event
Board chair Tracey Whiting officially stepped down from her role on January 11, 2026, joining three fellow board members who had also tendered their resignations. This mass departure follows days of intense public and industry backlash after a Palestinian advocate was removed from the Writers' Week lineup. The festival, one of Australia's premier cultural events, now faces significant organisational disarray just weeks before its scheduled start.
Controversy Sparks Institutional Unrest
The resignations represent a direct response to the festival's decision to pull the Palestinian speaker from the program. While the exact reasons for the initial cancellation have not been fully detailed by festival management, the move provoked immediate criticism from literary circles, free speech advocates, and sections of the public. The subsequent board resignations signal a deep internal rift over the festival's artistic direction and commitment to diverse voices.
The loss of four board members, including the chair, creates an immediate governance vacuum. Tracey Whiting's departure, confirmed on January 11, 2026, is particularly damaging given her leadership position. The remaining board must now navigate the fallout, find interim leadership, and attempt to salvage the festival's reputation while managing the ongoing public relations disaster.
Future of Writers' Week in Jeopardy
This controversy casts a long shadow over the future of Adelaide Writers' Week, a cornerstone event within the larger festival known for fostering robust debate. The incident raises serious questions about artistic freedom, political pressure in cultural programming, and the challenges facing major Australian arts institutions in a polarised climate. The festival's management must now act swiftly to address the crisis, reassure artists and patrons, and outline a clear path forward to restore confidence in one of the nation's most respected literary forums.
