Palestinian-Australian author and academic Randa Abdel-Fattah has commenced legal proceedings against Greater Bendigo City Council and La Trobe University over events surrounding the 2025 Bendigo Writers Festival. The case has been lodged with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), where she alleges she was discriminated against because of her political belief or activity.
The dispute stems from the 2025 Bendigo Writers Festival, where Abdel-Fattah had been scheduled to speak about her award-winning novel Discipline. Days before the festival began, organisers distributed a code of conduct requiring participants to follow behavioural guidelines, including adherence to a contested definition of antisemitism for some festival sessions associated with La Trobe University. The move prompted significant controversy among writers and academics.
More than 50 writers, academics and presenters withdrew from the festival in protest, arguing that the code of conduct placed unacceptable limits on freedom of expression and created concerns about censorship. The boycott resulted in numerous event cancellations and attracted national attention, with local businesses and festival organisers also feeling the impact.
In announcing the legal action, Abdel-Fattah said universities and cultural institutions should be held accountable if they discriminate against people because of their political views. Through her legal team, she argues the code of conduct was used in a way that unfairly excluded her from participating in the festival because of perceptions about her views on the Israel–Palestine conflict.
Her lawyer, Michael Bradley of Marque Lawyers, said the tribunal application seeks compensation, a public apology and commitments from both organisations to better protect freedom of political expression at future events. He also argued the controversy had affected Abdel-Fattah professionally, including damage to her reputation and the promotion of her work.
Documents previously obtained through Freedom of Information requests showed La Trobe University had expressed concerns about community safety before the festival and suggested additional moderation for Abdel-Fattah's scheduled session after receiving correspondence from a group of Jewish academics. Those developments became part of the broader debate over how cultural institutions should balance freedom of expression, inclusion and community safety.
Following an independent review of the 2025 festival, Greater Bendigo City Council decided to pause the event for 2026, with plans for the Bendigo Writers Festival to return in 2027 under a revised structure. Earlier this month, La Trobe University also announced it would not participate in the next edition of the festival.
The legal proceedings have renewed discussion across Australia's literary community about free speech, political expression and the responsibilities of publicly funded cultural organisations. The case will now proceed through VCAT, where the tribunal will consider the discrimination allegations and determine whether any legal remedies are appropriate. The allegations remain contested, and the respondents are expected to have the opportunity to present their positions during the tribunal process.
