Global accounting firm KPMG has asked the Sydney Writers’ Festival to remove its name from the event’s website, where it had been listed as a corporate partner.

The decision comes after the festival confirmed Palestinian Australian academic and writer Randa Abdel-Fattah would appear in two sessions during the 2026 event, following her earlier disinvitation from the Adelaide Writers’ Festival.

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KPMG Clarifies Role With the Festival

A spokesperson for KPMG stated that the firm serves as the festival’s auditor but does not consider itself a “partner,” a distinction now reflected on the festival’s website.

The spokesperson did not explicitly confirm whether Abdel-Fattah’s inclusion prompted the move but noted that KPMG had received calls expressing concern over the matter.

This clarification highlights the sensitivity global corporations face when associated with cultural or political events.

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Randa Abdel-Fattah and the Festival Context

Randa Abdel-Fattah is a well-known writer and academic, whose works often explore themes of identity, social justice, and the Palestinian experience.

Her scheduled appearance at the Sydney Writers’ Festival follows controversy surrounding her disinvitation from the Adelaide Writers’ Festival, making her participation a topic of public interest and debate.

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Corporate Sponsorship and Public Perception

The KPMG decision underscores the challenges companies face when their names are associated with cultural or political events:

• Corporate visibility can attract scrutiny based on event programming
• Companies may clarify or distance themselves from events to manage reputation
• Auditing or financial roles may be mistaken for formal sponsorship or partnership

In this case, KPMG emphasized its role as an auditor rather than a corporate partner.

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Reactions and Implications

The removal of KPMG’s name could spark discussions about the role of corporations in public events and the intersection of cultural programming with politics.

For the festival, this presents a delicate balance between supporting free expression and managing corporate relationships, especially when featuring speakers whose work engages with contentious political issues.

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Looking Ahead

While KPMG has clarified its position, the episode highlights how corporate involvement in cultural events can become complicated when political or social issues are involved.

The Sydney Writers’ Festival continues to proceed with Randa Abdel-Fattah’s sessions as planned, drawing attention from audiences interested in literature, social justice, and freedom of expression.