2026-03-04
Quotes attributable to Greens Senator for South Australia, Sarah Hanson-Young:
“Reports that Adelaide University has pulled their venue from the Constellations event featuring United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Francesca Albanese is concerning.
“Adelaide University really needs to explain why they have cancelled the booking for an event featuring one of the world’s leading legal experts in international law and human rights in the Middle East.
“The whole Writer’s Week debacle shows that there is a culture of fear infecting our institutions. A fear of having difficult conversations and hearing views and facts that are uncomfortable and challenging.
“You cannot cancel curiosity, you cannot cancel compassion, and you cannot silence a city that believes in the exchange of ideas and freedom of expression.
“South Australians expect better from our cultural institutions. Universities should not simply capitulate to external political pressure or media intimidation
“Seeking to silence a distinguished international human rights expert undermines academic freedom, weakens intellectual integrity, and contradicts the very principles universities are meant to uphold.
“I’m concerned that this decision continues the dangerous precedent set by Premier Malinauskas’ political interference in Writer’s Week.
“We live in a time of division and uncertainty but we cannot overcome that if we run from these difficult conversations. It’s up to all of us to defend free speech, not retreat from it.”
“Thankfully the event will go ahead and a new venue with a sold out crowd in attendance showing that South Australian audiences aren’t as fearful as these institutions.