ABC narrows field of hosts to replace Stan Grant on Q+A

ABC bosses scrambling for a new Q+A host are said to have found a frontrunner – but a less well known name could get the gig long term.

ABC bosses have reportedly narrowed down options to find a replacement for Q+A host Stan Grant who is due to step aside from presenting duties following Monday night’s program after he was targeted with racist abuse.

While many names are familiar ABC talent, one frontrunner may be less well known but is increasingly taking on larger roles at the public broadcaster.

On Sunday, ABC managing director David Anderson apologised to Grant, a Wiradjuri man, who had said that “not one ABC executive” had in publicly defended him.

It’s still unsure how long Grant will step down from presenting the discussion program. He himself said he doesn’t know when – or even if – he will return.

Stan Grant will step aside from Q+A after Monday’s episode. Picture: Brisbane Writers’ Festival.

It means the ABC will have to draft in heavyweight presenters to fill the role in the short term while also potentially bringing forward a more permanent replacement.

One name who will likely not take on temporary Q+A hosting duties is Insiders presenter David Speers.

According to The Australian’s Media Diary column, the ABC is said to be wary of replacing an Indigenous man, who has stepped down due to racism, with a white man.

It’s thought unlikely David Speers will take on Q+A. Picture: Gary Ramage.

A front runner to take on the Q+A role, at least on an interim basis, is RN Breakfast host Patricia Karvelas.

The Australian has reported Karvelas is likely to present at least two weeks’ worth of Q+A from 29 May.

ABC Radio Melbourne presenter Virginia Trioli has done presenting stints on the program in the past and would be a solid pair of hands to take on Q+A for a spell.

But it’s reported she would be unlikely to want to take on the gig full time at the moment.

Former ABC radio host and presenter of the now axed show Frankly, Fran Kelly, is not thought to be in the running.

ABC presenter Patricia Karvelas is thought to be the front runner as an interim host of the show. Picture: Aaron Francis/The Australian

Possible permanent replacement

One name being bandied about as a possible longer term replacement for Grant, should one be needed, may be less familiar to some viewers. But Dan Bourchier is highly regarded at the ABC.

A fellow Indigenous journalist, The Australian reported that Grant already had his eye on Bourchier as a possibility to succeed him eventually.

Bourchier worked for National Indigenous Television before becoming Sky News’ Northern Territory bureau chief.

In 2017, he began presenting the ABC News in Canberra as well as the ABC Canberra breakfast show.

He is now being seen nationwide on the ABC as a co-host of the ABC’s political discussion show The Drum and is the broadcaster’s correspondent on the Voice to Parliament.

Dan Bourchier could be tapped for Q+A. Picture: ELISE DERWIN.

It’s thought some in the ABC are keen for Bourchier to host an upcoming special Q+A from the Garma Indigenous cultural festival, held in the Northern Territory in August, if Grant hasn’t returned.

Grant had hosted Q+A for less than a year when he decided to step aside last week.

In a lengthy statement on Friday, Grant said the breaking point was vile criticism directed at him following his discussion of colonisation on the ABC’s coverage of the coronation of King Charles.

“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.”

Grant said “nothing could be further from the truth” and his ancestors would not allow him to be “filled with hate”.

“I don’t take time out because of racism … I take time out because we have shown again that our history — our hard truth — is too big, too fragile, and too precious for the media.

“I am writing this not because I think it will make a difference. No doubt the haters will twist this, too, and trigger another round of racism,” he said.

ABC managing director David Andersen has apologised to Grant. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

ABC criticised by Grant

Grant also had some harsh words for his ABC bosses.

“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.”

ABC director of news Justin Stevens released a statement on Friday saying Grant had been subjected to “grotesque racist abuse” which included threats to his safety particularly since the ABC’s coronation coverage.

“It is abhorrent and unacceptable,” Mr Stevens said.

“He was not the instigator of the program. He was asked to participate as a Wiradjuri man to discuss his own family’s experience and the role of the monarchy in Australian in the context of Indigenous history.”

On Sunday, the ABC’s managing director David Andersen apologised to the veteran journalist.

“Stan Grant has stated that he has not felt publicly supported,” Mr Anderson said.

“For this, I apologise to Stan. The ABC endeavours to support its staff in the unfortunate moments when there is external abuse directed at them.”

Mr Anderson also agreed to launch an investigation of ABC responses to racism affecting staff.

“The Chair and Deputy Chair of the ABC’s Bonner Committee have asked me to conduct a review to investigate and make recommendations about ABC responses to racism affecting ABC staff, and what we can do better to support staff who face it,” he said.

He said he was “dismayed” that Grant had been exposed to such “sickening behaviour”.