Perth has officially become the only state capital in Australia without a major writers' festival. This status follows a period of instability for literary events in Western Australia, where previous festivals have struggled to maintain consistent operations or funding. The absence of such a festival leaves Perth as an outlier compared to other capital cities, which continue to host annual events dedicated to literature, authors, and public discourse.

The loss of a major festival is viewed by many in the arts community as a significant blow to the city's cultural infrastructure. Writers' festivals typically serve as hubs for local and international authors to engage with the public, promote new works, and foster a local literary scene. Without a dedicated major event, local writers and readers in Western Australia may have fewer opportunities for face-to-face engagement with the broader literary industry. While smaller, niche literary events may still occur, the lack of a 'major' festival signifies the absence of a large-scale, city-wide platform that attracts significant tourism and national media attention. The situation highlights ongoing challenges regarding arts funding and the sustainability of cultural institutions in the region.