Randa Abdel-Fattah Sues Bendigo Writers Festival Organizers Over Discrimination Claims

Author Randa Abdel-Fattah has launched legal action today against the organisers of the 2025 Bendigo Writers Festival.

The Palestinian Australian academic is claiming Greater Bendigo City Council and event sponsor La Trobe University discriminated against her on the basis of her political belief or activity.

Dr Abdel-Fattah was due to speak at the August 2025 festival about her book, Discipline, when a code of conduct sent to authors just days before opening night saw dozens boycott over censorship concerns.

In a video posted to social media today, Dr Abdel-Fattah said universities and cultural institutions must be held accountable for discrimination and anti-Palestinian racism.

"This is not a time for normalising the racism and repression demanded by the antisemitism definitions that are being used to silence those who speak out against Israel, an apartheid state and genocidal settler colony," she said.

Her lawyer Michael Bradley, managing partner of Marque Lawyers, said the complaint had been lodged with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

"[The code of conduct] was a mask for getting rid of Randa because they knew she wouldn't agree to it, because it included a contested definition of antisemitism she was required to sign up to," he said.

"[It] was designed to exclude her on the basis of their perception of her political beliefs or potential activity."

Ahead of the event, La Trobe University received a letter from a consortium of Jewish academics raising concerns about Dr Abdel-Fattah's upcoming appearance on a panel it was sponsoring.

Documents obtained by the ABC under freedom of information revealed the university raised concerns about community safety with the council in the lead-up to the event, and suggested a "highly skilled and experienced moderator" for the session with Dr Abdel-Fattah.

After a review of the 2025 event, the council decided to take a year off and pledged to return in 2027.

Earlier this month, La Trobe vice-chancellor Theo Farrell said the university had no plans to be involved in the next iteration and was finding other ways to support cultural life in Bendigo.

Mr Bradley said Dr Abdel-Fattah was seeking compensation, a public apology and a commitment from both organisations to freedom of political expression in the future.

"It had direct ongoing effects in terms of book sales, but also reputationally it further entrenched this narrative that's been plugged for years now, that she is some kind of persona non grata in public spaces," he said.

Mr Bradley said Dr Abdel-Fattah did not decide to take legal action lightly.

"It is indicative of how much damage has been done to her, and she's kind of had enough, so she's made the big decision to fight back."

A La Trobe University spokesperson said it was notified of the matter today.

"In light of the legal proceedings, the university cannot comment any further," the spokesperson said.

Greater Bendigo City Council declined to comment.