00:00A move to avoid controversy has backfired spectacularly at the Bendigo Writers Festival.
00:08I feel really conflicted about attending anything now with authors being suppressed and not being able to say what they'd like to say.
00:17Dozens of authors have withdrawn from the festival after participants received a code of conduct two days ago.
00:24It says all writers must avoid language or topics that could be considered inflammatory, divisive or disrespectful.
00:32That felt like a very clear attempt at censorship.
00:36Kate Mildenhall was due to chair a panel on the suppression of literature.
00:40I was going to ask the panelists how they feel about censorship in general in the literature space. Fairly ironic given the situation that we find ourselves in.
00:49The code of conduct also said some participants must adhere to La Trobe University's anti-racism guidelines, which contains a contested definition of anti-Semitism.
01:00It was shattering as a Palestinian. I was going to this festival to talk about a book that I had written that was specifically addressing the question of silence and repression of our voices.
01:12In a statement, the university said it doesn't tolerate racism of any kind, including anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.
01:20Bendigo's council, La Trobe University and festival organisers have all made the point that codes of conduct are commonplace at writers' festivals.
01:29But the authors that have spoken to the ABC say this one has gone too far.
01:34Everyone is trying to work towards a solution, a resolution, and to be told that you can't talk on that is a bit inflammatory.
01:44Festival organisers say they respect the decisions of writers who have withdrawn, but admit it will take a toll on the event.
01:52We are expecting that it's going to have an impact on the local economy, but we're doing our best to deliver on all the promises that we've made.
01:59They say ticket holders for cancelled events will receive a full refund.
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