Premier Peter Malinauskas Hit with Second Defamation Notice

ADELAIDE : South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas is facing a significant legal escalation after being served a second defamation notice by Palestinian writer Randa Abdel-Fattah.

The latest legal move follows an interview on January 14, in which Abdel-Fattah alleges the Premier “doubled down” on comments that previously linked her to “extremist” ideologies and the recent Bondi terrorist attack.

The dispute reached a boiling point last week when Malinauskas allegedly characterized the writer as an “extremist terrorist sympathiser” during a press conference. Abdel-Fattah claims the Premier went further by “directly” linking her to last month’s tragedy at Bondi—a claim she says has left her “terrified.”

“Rather than reflect on the harm he has caused me, he has doubled down,” Abdel-Fattah stated via social media. “He has left me no choice but to see this through until justice is served.”

Randa Abdel-Fattah.

The writer has launched a crowdfunding campaign to support her legal battle, successfully raising over $94,000 to date. Despite the community support, Abdel-Fattah acknowledged the high stakes of the litigation, noting that a failed suit could potentially “bankrupt” her family.

Premier Malinauskas has remained firm in his position, repeatedly insisting that his actions and public statements have been in accordance with his conscience. His office has been contacted for further comment regarding the second notice.

The Premier’s original intervention began when he wrote to the Adelaide Festival Board seeking Abdel-Fattah’s removal from the program over her comments regarding Zionism and “cultural safety.”