Bendigo Writers Festival major sponsor La Trobe University has been accused of threatening to pull out of the event if certain conditions were not met.

The festival's founding director, Rosemary Sorensen, said La Trobe University pressured the City of Greater Bendigo Council to send a code of conduct to participants just days before the August event.

The code referenced La Trobe's anti-racism plan, which included a contested Universities Australia definition of antisemitism.

"They [La Trobe University] threatened to pull out: 'You must do this or we will pull out,'" Ms Sorensen said after attending a festival review meeting organised by Bendigo council.

The council has confirmed it sent the code with specific additions at La Trobe University's request.

However, it did not answer a que

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