‘Masterclass in poor governance’: what was the board’s role in the end of Adelaide Writers Week?

‘Masterclass in poor governance’: what was the board’s role in the end of Adelaide Writers Week?

This afternoon, Adelaide Writers Week was cancelled for 2026 – less than a week after Palestinian-Australian writer Randa Abdel-Fattah was disinvited by the Adelaide Festival board. This came despite the “strongest opposition” from Writers Week director Louise Adler, who resigned this morning. The board has announced its remaining members will
Why London feels lawless

Why London feels lawless

Mark Rowley, the head of the Metropolitan Police, has been discussing London’s crime rates. Rowley it seems, is eager to talk about London’s homicide rate – which fell last year. During one interview he told listeners that he ‘is about facts and evidence cos I’m a copper’, before going on to provide some highly selective statistics to support his claim ...
Why can’t a Jewish MP visit his local school?

Why can’t a Jewish MP visit his local school?

Ruth Wisse defines anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism as ‘the organisation of politics against the Jews’, and in Britain it is striking just how openly the organisers operate. During his remarks to Sunday’s Jewish Labour Movement conference, Communities Secretary Steve Reed revealed that a Jewish colleague was ‘banned’ from visiting a school in his ...
How much will net zero cost?

How much will net zero cost?

In the race to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, many Whitehall departments, Westminster thinktanks and independent bodies have produced cost estimates of the policy. These range from modest percentages of GDP to eye-watering trillions. Often, however, they rely on overly optimistic assumptions about the price of green technologies, and mask the ...
Why external risk now belongs on every board agenda

Why external risk now belongs on every board agenda

External shocks have always existed. What has changed is how quickly they now convert into balance-sheet consequences, cancelled capital programs, disrupted approvals, and rewritten budgets.  They belong on board agendas now, not because leaders suddenly care more, but because the operating environment is more likely to break key assumptions within
The trust fall

The trust fall

When the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were directed late last year to review and update the US Childhood Immunisation Schedule, professional healthcare bodies reacted with alarm. Many feared the memorandum would further jeopardise already declining vaccination rates and ...

‘Masterclass in poor governance’: what was the board’s role in the end of Adelaide Writers Week?

‘Masterclass in poor governance’: what was the board’s role in the end of Adelaide Writers Week?
This afternoon, Adelaide Writers Week was cancelled for 2026 – less than a week after Palestinian-Australian writer Randa Abdel-Fattah was disinvited by the Adelaide Festival board. This came despite the “strongest opposition” from Writers Week director Louise Adler, who resigned this morning. The board has announced its remaining members will

Why London feels lawless

Why London feels lawless
Mark Rowley, the head of the Metropolitan Police, has been discussing London’s crime rates. Rowley it seems, is eager to talk about London’s homicide rate – which fell last year. During one interview he told listeners that he ‘is about facts and evidence cos I’m a copper’, before going on to provide some highly selective statistics to support his claim ...

Why can’t a Jewish MP visit his local school?

Why can’t a Jewish MP visit his local school?
Ruth Wisse defines anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism as ‘the organisation of politics against the Jews’, and in Britain it is striking just how openly the organisers operate. During his remarks to Sunday’s Jewish Labour Movement conference, Communities Secretary Steve Reed revealed that a Jewish colleague was ‘banned’ from visiting a school in his ...

How much will net zero cost?

How much will net zero cost?
In the race to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, many Whitehall departments, Westminster thinktanks and independent bodies have produced cost estimates of the policy. These range from modest percentages of GDP to eye-watering trillions. Often, however, they rely on overly optimistic assumptions about the price of green technologies, and mask the ...

Why external risk now belongs on every board agenda

Why external risk now belongs on every board agenda
External shocks have always existed. What has changed is how quickly they now convert into balance-sheet consequences, cancelled capital programs, disrupted approvals, and rewritten budgets.  They belong on board agendas now, not because leaders suddenly care more, but because the operating environment is more likely to break key assumptions within

The trust fall

The trust fall
When the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were directed late last year to review and update the US Childhood Immunisation Schedule, professional healthcare bodies reacted with alarm. Many feared the memorandum would further jeopardise already declining vaccination rates and ...