‘It’s failed us’: Stan Grant blasts the ABC amid racism review delay

Stan Grant has revealed details about his “bitter experience” within the ABC, declaring the organisation was failing First Nations staff and people of colour, as the broadcaster’s managing director confirmed it was yet to begin its promised review into racism.

On Thursday, David Anderson, who was recently reappointed to the position of managing director for another five-year term, was questioned by outgoing ABC Melbourne host Virginia Trioli about the ABC’s treatment of Grant.

Stan Grant and ABC managing director David Anderson.Credit: ABC and Alex Ellinghausen

After The Australian newspaper published a front-page story critical of Grant, citing an alleged incident involving another ABC staff member at the organisation’s Ultimo headquarters in Sydney in January, Grant criticised the ABC for not doing enough to defend him against “smears”.

He expressed scepticism at how seriously the ABC was taking the issue of racism.

“They have known about this problem forever,” he told this masthead. “Just months ago ... I warned the head of news, Justin Stevens, that the ABC was a culturally hostile environment for First Nations and people of colour. But we hear all the talk of ‘care’ and ‘concern’ and no action.”

Grant said the reason he left the ABC was because it had “failed us all of us, especially First Nations and people of colour”.

“I have exhausted my trust in the organisation,” he said.

“The ABC has admitted its failure, but it has done nothing. As I have experienced yet again, ABC management does not have the moral courage to defend its people when they are subject to vicious attack.”

He also took specific aim at ABC management for not doing enough to defend him in response to The Australian’s report.

“In my case, ABC management knew the truth and stood by as Murdoch media smeared me this week and no one raised their voice,” he said. “They did the same thing after I was pilloried and my family was threatened following the King’s coronation coverage. Management cannot cry ignorance or promise to do better.”

ABC staff gathered in solidarity with Stan Grant in May.Credit: AP

Anderson said he did not believe that The Australian’s story was in the public interest and that the incident was an internal matter. He also admitted that more than three months after the ABC ordered a review of its response to racism and its effect on staff, it had yet to commence.

“I hope to be able to announce some more details about that in the coming weeks,” Anderson said on Thursday. Asked if the review had begun, he conceded, “No it hasn’t”.

The ABC announced on May 21 that it would conduct the racism review in response to the attacks on Grant over his contribution to the ABC’s coverage of the coronation of King Charles.

The following day, ABC staff walked off the job in support of Grant, who had stated that he felt he had not received adequate support, privately or publicly, from the broadcaster as he was subjected to “vile racist attacks” on social media and elsewhere, including through sustained negative coverage in the Murdoch media.

Grant stepped away from hosting Q+A in the wake of the attacks, took indefinite leave, and last week revealed that he had resigned from the ABC “weeks ago” to take up a new post with the Denmark-based Constructive Institute.

ABC staff, speaking on the condition of anonymity to avoid being reprimanded by management, confirmed to this masthead no journalists had been asked to participate in the racism review and expressed concern that it had not begun.

On Thursday morning, Anderson admitted it had “taken a bit of time” to find an appropriate chair for the committee of inquiry, and that he had been working with the organisation’s Bonner Committee – which represents First Nations staff – “to get the terms of reference right”.

An ABC spokesperson said the broadcaster was finalising the terms of reference for the racism review, and that it would be chaired by an external expert, with further details to be announced shortly.

“This is an important process for the ABC, and we want to ensure the review is conducted to the highest standards. The review will be open to any former or current employees,” the spokesperson said. News Corp was contacted for comment.

“I hope that what I have gone through may force a change,” Grant said. “I hope the ABC realises employing us alone is not enough. They must actually see us. Sadly, I wonder if we just keep hoping for change when bitter experience tells us the ABC is incapable of it.”

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