Adelaide University cancels literary festival event with UN Gaza investigator Francesca Albanese

<p>Festival organisers criticise the university for last-minute booking cancellation of event headlined by special rapporteur for Palestinian territories</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2026/mar/04/politics-live-albanese-prime-minister-question-time-angus-taylor-cost-of-living-middle-east-work-from-home-victoria-ntwnfb">Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates</a></p></li><li><p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p></li></ul><p>Another free speech row at a literary festival has erupted, with Adelaide University abruptly cancelling a high-profile event featuring UN Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese.</p><p>The move has prompted the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/jan/29/adelaide-writers-week-was-cancelled-two-weeks-ago-not-writers-week-is-determined-to-do-things-differently">festival’s organisers</a> and speakers to accuse the 152 year-old institution of “crumbling in fear”.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/mar/04/adelaide-university-cancels-francesca-albanese-un-gaza-investigator">Continue reading...</a>

Read the full article at: The Guardian World →