I should have behaved better, admits Stan Grant

Indigenous broadcaster Stan Grant has admitted he ‘should have behaved better’ during an ‘unfortunate disagreement’ with a colleague at his former employer, the ABC.

Former ABC Indigenous broadcaster Stan Grant.

Indigenous broadcaster Stan Grant has admitted he “should have behaved better” during an “unfortunate disagreement” with a colleague at his former ­employer, the ABC.

The Australian revealed on Tuesday that ABC management had investigated a public bullying incident involving Grant and a senior ABC colleague, which occurred in the foyer of the broadcaster’s Ultimo headquarters in full view of witnesses.

In a post on LinkedIn on Tuesday, Grant wrote that he had, over the past 24 hours, “been the subject of a smear campaign by media. I have also seen my former employer the ABC fail again to defend me”.

“Earlier this year I was involved in an unfortunate disagreement with a respected colleague,” he wrote. “I was deep in conversation in the ABC foyer with a friend and colleague who was consoling me over the sudden death of my niece 24 hours earlier. I had also just returned from caring for my elderly ailing father. I was in an emotionally fragile state.

“A colleague approached me in what I and the witness felt was a confrontational manner.

“Things escalated in a way they should not and things were said that were not acceptable. I accept responsibility for this. I should have behaved better.

“In hindsight I should not have been at work but I felt an obligation to host Q+A before driving to be with my family and deliver the eulogy at my niece’s funeral.”

ABC Q+A host Stan Grant on his final show on Monday, May 22, 2023, before taking indefinite leave. Picture: ABC

Grant added that the incident had been resolved with “no finding or sanction against any party” before declaring: “Now I am being smeared.”

In the post, he also attacked the ABC. “The ABC typically has failed to tell the truth,” he wrote. “Instead, it is hiding behind bureau­cracy. The ABC crafted a statement which I rejected. I believe the truth is more important.

“My family this year has been subject to horrendous racial abuse and violent threat. The ABC failed to adequately defend me.

“This past year I have felt used by the ABC and abused by others. This is destroying my family.

“I left the ABC because trust is broken. I left the media because I don’t believe it serves us well.

“It divides and it doesn’t care who it hurts. It is toxic. I have been part of the problem for too long.

“I am so sorry my colleague has been dragged into this. No one deserves this.

“This was an awful misunderstanding at an emotionally fraught time. This is the truth. Judge me how you wish. We should all be better. We should all expect better from the media. We should all expect the truth.”

The Australian sought comment from Grant and the ABC before publication of the report and again on Tuesday.

Grant did not respond and the ABC declined to comment.

Documents obtained by The Australian using the Freedom of Information Act revealed a complaint was lodged about Grant in the days after he allegedly erupted in a tirade against a female ABC staff member.

Grant allegedly shouted at the woman, a longstanding colleague, for several minutes in front of dozens of ABC staff after she approached him with a question concerning production of a show. At the time, he was hosting China Tonight and Q+A. The incident took place in late January, the same day Q+A was due to return for 2023.