Stan Grant has announced that Monday 22nd will mark his final episode hosting Q+A, and he will be stepping back from writing columns for the ABC. He cites racial abuse that he has been on the receiving end of since the coronation of King Charles III.
In a column posted on the ABC’s website, Grant writes that “Since the King’s coronation, I have seen people in the media lie and distort my words. They have tried to depict me as hate filled. They have accused me of maligning Australia.
“Nothing could be further from the truth. My ancestors would not allow me to be filled with hate.
“I was invited to contribute to the ABC’s coverage as part of a discussion about the legacy of the monarchy. I pointed out that the crown represents the invasion and theft of our land. In the name of the crown my people were segregated on missions and reserves. Police wearing the seal of the crown took children from their families. Under the crown our people were massacred.”
Grant goes on to speak about how the ABC’s reaction to the abuse helped him come to his decision.
“I am writing this because no one at the ABC — whose producers invited me onto their coronation coverage as a guest — has uttered one word of public support. Not one ABC executive has publicly refuted the lies written or spoken about me. I don’t hold any individual responsible; this is an institutional failure.
“I value the friendship of ABC director of news, Justin Stevens. He has been a support and a comfort. He is trying to change an organisation that has its own legacy of racism. But he knows I am disappointed. I am dispirited.”
Justin Stevens
Stevens has also released a statement, calling the treatment of Stan Grant “abhorrent and unacceptable.”
“Stan is one of Australia’s best and most respected journalists and broadcasters. The ABC stands by him and condemns the attacks directed towards him.
“The ABC has and will continue to refer any threats to police. Already this year the ABC has lodged a detailed complaint with Twitter over the racist abuse of Stan being published on its platform.
“Any complaints, criticism – or vitriol – regarding the coverage should be directed to me, not to him.”
Stevens finished his statement with “Yindyamalgirridyu mayinyguwal. In Wiradjuri that means I will respect other people.”