The ABC has announced that Stan Grant has decided to step away from his role as presenter of Q+A and move on to new projects with the ABC.
Patricia Karvelas will continue as host of the program for the rest of the year, as well as continuing to present RN Breakfast from Tuesday to Friday.
ABC Director, News Justin Stevens said the ABC respected and supported Grant’s decision.
“Stan Grant is one of the country’s finest journalists, storytellers and broadcasters and we will be delighted to have his contribution across a number of different ABC programs,” Stevens said.
“We want to do all we can to support Stan and ensure he continues to play a major role in Australian media. He has the ability to lead our media toward a kinder and more constructive conversation.
“In Wiradjuri ‘dyiraamalang’ means a teacher and leader. Stan Grant, a proud Wiradjuri man, is both of those things and I’m looking forward to seeing what he does into the future.
“Patricia Karvelas has been doing an outstanding job as fill-in host and we’re delighted she has agreed to continue in that role.”
Voice Correspondent and The Drum presenter Dan Bourchier will host a special edition of Q+A from the Garma Festival, presenting a range of views from the all-Indigenous panel.
“Dan is doing terrific work in a key role covering the Voice to Parliament debate and referendum and having him anchor the program from Garma will be another important part of this,” Stevens said.
Signing off of his final show in May, Grant said that “I’m not walking away for a while because of racism, we get that far too often. I’m not walking away because of social media hatred.I need a break from the media. I feel like I’m part of the problem, and I need to ask myself how or if we can do it better.
“To my people, I have always wanted to represent you with pride. I know I might disappoint you sometimes, but in my own little way I just wanted to make us seen, and I’m sorry that I can’t do that for a little while. To my family, I love you. Goodnight.”
See Also: “Endurance is not always strength”: Stan Grant farewells Q+A