Kerri-Anne Kennerley: let me make myself perfectly clear

While I acknowledge the delivery of my comments on indigenous communities could have been smoother, I stand by what I said. And I’ll tell you why, writes Kerri-Anne Kennerley.

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It has been a week of “outrage” and “racist” allegations made against me.

Thousands of words in TV and radio commentary and enormous space devoted to the story in print and online.

In case you missed it, a panel discussion on morning show Studio 10 last Monday got ugly.

The chat started about protesters wanting to change the date of Australia Day. I asked if any of the protesters had been to the outback to see where babies, children and women are being raped and abused.

Yumi Stynes on the panel said there was no fact in that statement and went on to say: “Every time you open your mouth you sound like a racist.”

Yumi felt so strongly about the issue that when she was invited back the following day she, well, had the day off. “I’m not coming in because I really urgently want to lie around and do nothing.” she said. Each to their own.

Kerri-Anne Kennerley stands by her comments and implores others to help make a difference. Picture: David Swift.

But the “racist” word became the burning headline… the spark that started the fire and what a burn it has been.

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The definition of racism is considering another culture inferior or considering a culture superior. Abuse and violence whatever the culture is wrong and should be called out.

Now I acknowledge that my delivery of my point on the panel could have been smoother and clearer.

Indigenous Health Minister Ken Wyatt said as much when he said that my delivery was “clunky” but he was also honest and brave enough to say: “We have reached a point of political correctness in this country where people cannot talk about difficult issues for fear of being accused of racism.”

He also acknowledged not enough has been done in remote communities for women and children.

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Jacinta Price, an indigenous woman who is a councillor in Alice Springs and brings an up-close and personal view to the discussion, she came on Studio 10 the day after, supporting the idea that abuse today, overrides changing the date of Australia Day.

Protesters outside Channel 10 Studios in Sydney following the TV stoush. Picture: Paulie Bover/Facebook

She has suffered terrible vilification this week for speaking the truth. I thank her for her contribution to the debate.

I also acknowledge the support of indigenous leader Warren Mundine who praised me for opening up the discussion.

So let me make myself perfectly clear. I am talking about abuse here and now. That issue only. I can let others debate the merits of Australia Day. To me, the much more pressing issue for not only the indigenous community but the nation as a whole is the horrific rape of children, babies and women in indigenous communities as reported by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. The reports are online for all to see. I encourage you to read them. It’s simply mind-boggling.

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At no stage did I suggest that all indigenous communities or men were guilty. I simply asked what is being done to sort these horrendous crimes, which are much more pressing and important than protesting Australia Day.

Indigenous leader Warren Mundine has defended Kerri-Anne Kennerley. Picture: Jonathan Ng

How can people turn a blind eye to this? Where are the protests against these crimes? Isn’t this more important than arguing about the merits of a date for a public holiday?

It is acknowledged in the Australian community at large, abuse knows no social or economic boundaries.

I too have had personal experience of this many years ago which I finally admitted last year in my book. I could not bring myself to discuss this for 35 years. I have watched how this ugly subject has been brought from the unspoken darkness to being highlighted.

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It happened gradually and now is openly discussed and considered socially reprehensible.

People are called out and charged. It is in the open. Teachers report suspected abuse, friends open the discussion about bruises and breaks more often than ever. It is not the quiet almost embarrassing secret it was.

This has been achieved because people talked about it. But mention this happening in indigenous communities and you are immediately labelled a racist.

I urge whoever can make a difference, whoever has the power to help, start now. Issues of our complicated history are many but lets prioritise those issues.

Number one… halting the abuse and violence today.