Stan Grant’s career in Australian journalism peaked with a Walkley Award, but a torrent of racial abuse after his coronation commentary drove him to resign from the ABC’s Q+A in 2023. His move from the newsroom to the university highlights the personal toll of public hatred and the industry’s failure to protect its diverse talent.
Age: 61 years (born 30 September 1963) ·
Profession: Journalist, author, academic ·
Key Awards: Walkley Award (2015) ·
Indigenous Heritage: Wiradjuri, Kamilaroi, Dharawal ·
Career Span: More than 40 years
Quick snapshot
- Resigned from ABC in May 2023 after racial abuse (SBS NITV (Australia’s Indigenous news service))
- Walkley Award winner (2015) (Wikipedia)
- Currently Vice-Chancellor’s Chair at Charles Sturt University (IHACPA Conference 2025 (government health pricing authority))
- Wiradjuri, Kamilaroi, Dharawal heritage (The New York Times (international news outlet))
- Exact details of his current religious beliefs
- Specific nature of all health issues beyond public statements
- Exact year of his divorce from Karla Grant
- May 2023: Leaves ABC Q+A after racist abuse (The New York Times (international news outlet))
- 2024: Joins Charles Sturt University as academic (Charles Sturt University News (Grant’s academic institution))
- 2025: Appointed Monash University Professor of Journalism and director of Constructive Institute Asia-Pacific (IHACPA Conference 2025)
- Completing Doctor of Theology at Charles Sturt University (IHACPA Conference 2025)
- Continues as columnist for The Saturday Paper (EBSCO (academic research database))
- Public speaking and writing on media ethics and Indigenous belonging (IHACPA Conference 2025)
Seven facts about Stan Grant, one pattern: his career reflects a steady rise through Australian media, punctuated by a dramatic exit and a turn toward academia.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Stan Grant |
| Date of Birth | 30 September 1963 |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Ethnicity | Wiradjuri, Kamilaroi, Dharawal |
| Profession | Journalist, Author, Academic |
| Notable Award | Walkley Award (2015) |
| Current Role | Vice-Chancellor’s Chair, Charles Sturt University |
Bottom line: Grant’s career map shows a journalist who reached the top of his field, then chose a different path when the cost of visibility became too high.
What happened with Stan Grant?
In May 2023, Stan Grant resigned from the ABC’s Q+A program after a sustained wave of racial abuse triggered by his commentary during the network’s coverage of King Charles III’s coronation. The abuse was overwhelmingly directed at him online, and he described the broadcaster’s response as an “institutional failure,” saying the ABC did not publicly defend him adequately (SBS NITV (Australia’s Indigenous news service)).
Why did Stan Grant leave the ABC?
- He said the abuse affected both him and his family (Charles Sturt University News (Grant’s academic institution)).
- ABC news director Justin Stevens stated the network stood by Grant and condemned the attacks, and said threats would be referred to police (SBS NITV).
- Grant’s departure was initially described as temporary (The New York Times (international news outlet)).
What was the controversy surrounding Stan Grant?
The controversy began when Grant appeared on ABC’s coronation coverage and offered a critical perspective on the British monarchy’s colonial history. That triggered a barrage of racist messages, including death threats. The Conversation noted that the abuse became a workplace health and safety concern for diverse journalists (The Conversation (academic news analysis)).
Grant’s exit laid bare a paradox: the same industry that celebrated his Walkley Award failed to protect him from the racism that arrived with prime-time visibility. The implication: for Indigenous journalists in Australia, professional success can come with a personal cost that the institution is not equipped to manage.
The implication: this pattern underscores the structural vulnerability of diverse journalists in high-profile roles.
Where is Stan Grant now?
Stan Grant is no longer a daily face on television, but he has not left public life. He has moved into academia and writing, with a focus on Indigenous belonging, moral philosophy, and media ethics.
What is Stan Grant doing after the ABC?
- He is the Vice-Chancellor’s Chair of Australian-Indigenous Belonging and Director of Yindyamarra Nguluway at Charles Sturt University (Charles Sturt University News).
- In 2025, he was also appointed Monash University Professor of Journalism and director of the Asia-Pacific arm of the Constructive Institute, based in Denmark (IHACPA Conference 2025).
- He is completing a Doctor of Theology with Charles Sturt University (IHACPA Conference 2025).
- He joined The Saturday Paper as a columnist in 2024 (EBSCO (academic research database)).
Is Stan Grant still a journalist?
He continues to write and speak publicly, but he has stepped away from frontline media work after a career spanning more than 40 years (YouTube / ABC-related upload (video interview)). His current work blends journalism, academia, and philosophy.
Bottom line: Grant is not retired; he has redirected his energy from the newsroom to the lecture hall, where he can shape the next generation of storytellers while completing his own theological doctorate.
Is Stan Grant unwell?
Grant has been open about the mental health toll of the abuse he received. He described the experience as “devastating” for him and his family, and took time off for his well-being.
What health issues does Stan Grant have?
- He experienced severe mental health challenges directly linked to online racial abuse (SBS NITV).
- He said the abuse became a “health and safety” issue, not just a career setback (The Conversation (academic news analysis)).
- No specific clinical diagnosis has been publicly disclosed beyond his statements about stress and trauma.
Did Stan Grant have a breakdown?
Grant did not use the word “breakdown” in his public statements, but he said he needed to “step away” for his mental health. Charles Sturt University quoted him as saying, “I don’t take time out because of racism — I won’t give racists the satisfaction” (Charles Sturt University News).
Grant’s case is a professional toll for Indigenous journalists: the same public platform that amplifies their voices also exposes them to targeted harassment. The Conversation’s research shows online harassment is pushing diverse journalists out of the industry for wellbeing reasons (The Conversation).
The pattern: systemic harassment forces talented journalists to retreat from the very platforms that need their perspectives.
Who are Stan Grant’s children?
Stan Grant has at least two children from his relationships. He has spoken about the impact of the abuse on his family, but keeps details of their lives largely private.
How many children does Stan Grant have?
- He has a son named Jed Grant from his marriage to Karla Grant.
- He has other children from his relationship with Tracey Holmes, though their names are not widely publicized.
What are the names of Stan Grant’s children?
Only Jed Grant is publicly named. Other children have not been identified in media reports. Grant has chosen to protect their privacy, especially after the 2023 harassment.
Bottom line: Grant’s family became collateral damage in the online abuse, reinforcing his decision to step away from the spotlight.
Is Stan Grant religious?
Grant was raised Catholic and has explored philosophical and moral questions throughout his career. His current religious views are not labelled, but his academic work engages with theology.
What is Stan Grant’s religion?
- He was raised in the Catholic faith (Wikipedia).
- He is currently completing a Doctor of Theology, indicating a serious academic engagement with religious thought (IHACPA Conference 2025).
- He has not publicly identified with a specific denomination in recent years.
Does Stan Grant believe in God?
Grant has not made a definitive public statement about his current belief in God. His writings on Indigenous belonging and moral philosophy suggest a spiritual dimension, but he does not label himself.
Timeline: Stan Grant’s career and recent events
- 1963 – Born on 30 September (Wikipedia).
- 1980s – Began his career in journalism (Wikipedia).
- 2015 – Won the Walkley Award for coverage of Indigenous affairs (Wikipedia).
- May 2023 – Resigned from ABC Q+A after racial abuse (The New York Times).
- 2024 – Joined Charles Sturt University as Vice-Chancellor’s Chair; began column for The Saturday Paper (Charles Sturt University News).
- 2025 – Appointed Monash University Professor and director of Constructive Institute Asia-Pacific; completing Doctor of Theology (IHACPA Conference 2025).
Bottom line: The timeline shows a sharp pivot: 40 years of journalism followed by a rapid exit and an equally rapid re‑invention as an academic leader.
Clarity: What we know and what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Stan Grant resigned from the ABC in 2023 after racial abuse.
- He received racial abuse following coronation commentary.
- He is a Walkley Award winner (2015).
- He is an academic at Charles Sturt University.
What’s unclear
- Exact details of his current religious beliefs.
- Specific nature of all health issues beyond public statements.
- Exact year of his divorce from Karla Grant.
- Wiradjuri, Kamilaroi, Dharawal heritage.
The pattern: the most personal details remain guarded, while the public record is built on institutional sources.
Quotes: Stan Grant and the ABC respond
“I don’t take time out because of racism — I won’t give racists the satisfaction.”
— Stan Grant, via Charles Sturt University News (Charles Sturt University News)
“The ABC stands by Stan Grant and condemns the attacks directed toward him. Threats will be referred to police.”
— Justin Stevens, ABC News Director, via SBS NITV (SBS NITV)
Stan Grant’s story is not just about one journalist’s exit from the ABC. It is a warning for Australian media: the industry’s failure to shield its diverse talent from targeted abuse risks losing the very voices it needs most. For the ABC and other news organisations, the choice is clear: build real protections for Indigenous journalists, or watch them leave for safer environments.
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Frequently asked questions
What triggered Stan Grant’s departure from the ABC?
He resigned from the ABC’s Q+A in May 2023 after sustained racial abuse triggered by his coronation commentary.
What were the specific reasons for Grant’s resignation?
He cited the mental health impact of racist abuse and said the ABC’s response was an “institutional failure.”
Where is Stan Grant currently working?
He is a Vice-Chancellor’s Chair at Charles Sturt University and a Professor of Journalism at Monash University.
Has Stan Grant spoken about his health?
He has spoken about severe mental health challenges due to online abuse, but has not disclosed a specific diagnosis.
Who are Stan Grant’s children?
He has a son named Jed Grant and other children from his relationship with Tracey Holmes.
What is Stan Grant’s religious background?
He was raised Catholic and is completing a Doctor of Theology, but his current religious views are not publicly labelled.
Who is Stan Grant married to now?
He was previously married to Karla Grant and is now in a relationship with Tracey Holmes.
What books has Stan Grant written?
He has written several books including “The Tears of Strangers” and “Australia Day.”
Alex Chen is Editor-in-Chief at Australia Data, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.