Stan Grant: What Happened, Biography, Career, and Family

When Stan Grant stepped away from hosting the ABC’s Q+A in May 2023, it wasn’t just a career decision—it was a public reckoning with racism in Australia, as the veteran journalist, a Wiradjuri man with more than 40 years in news, had received a torrent of online abuse after covering King Charles III’s coronation. His resignation sparked a national conversation that eventually led to an independent review of racism inside Australia’s national broadcaster.

Born: 30 September 1963 ·
Age (2024): 61 ·
Walkley Award: 2015 ·
Ethnicity: Wiradjuri ·
Current role: Distinguished Professor at Charles Sturt University

Here is a summary of key facts about Stan Grant.

What happened with Stan Grant?

Resignation from ABC in May 2023

Stan Grant announced he would step away from hosting the ABC’s Q+A program in May 2023, citing a flood of racist abuse that followed his coverage of King Charles III’s coronation. In a statement, he said: Racism is a crime. Racism is violence. And I have had enough. (BBC News (UK broadcaster))

The abuse had intensified after Grant’s commentary on the coronation, which drew around 1,800 complaints to the ABC, according to Senate Estimates testimony (SBS NITV (Indigenous media service)). Grant accused the ABC of an institutional failure to protect him and his family (BBC News (UK broadcaster)).

Online abuse and racism controversy

• Grant said the abuse included death threats and racial slurs targeting him and his children (SBS News (Australian multicultural broadcaster))
• The International Federation of Journalists reported that no action was taken by the ABC against the sustained online racial abuse (IFJ (global journalists’ federation))
• His resignation triggered a national debate about racism in Australian media (Australian Financial Review (business newspaper))

In response, ABC managing director David Anderson apologized to Grant and ordered an independent racism review, led by Indigenous lawyer Terri Janke (Australian Financial Review (business newspaper)). The review, published in October 2024, found evidence of systemic racism within the organization (ABC News (Australian public broadcaster)).

Career at The 7.30 Report

Before his resignation, Grant co-hosted ABC’s flagship current affairs program The 7.30 Report from 2020 to 2023. He had previously served as Indigenous affairs editor for Guardian Australia and worked for outlets including SBS and CNN (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)). Over four decades, he covered major events from the Gulf War to the Olympics, earning a reputation as one of Australia’s most prominent Indigenous journalists. Read more about fellow journalist Sofia Levin: Age, Background, Career, and MND Advocacy.

Who are Stan Grant’s children?

Children from first marriage

Stan Grant has two children from his first marriage: a son and a daughter. Their names have not been publicly disclosed, in line with Grant’s efforts to protect his family’s privacy. In interviews, he has spoken about the impact of the online abuse on his children, noting that they received racist messages as well (SBS News (Australian multicultural broadcaster)).

Stepson from partner’s previous relationship

Grant also has a stepson from his current partner’s previous relationship. The blended family unit has been a source of personal stability for Grant, who has described his partner as a key support during the 2023 crisis.

What this means: Grant’s family became collateral damage in the racist attacks, adding a deeply personal dimension to a public controversy.

Does Stan Grant have a partner?

Current relationship status

Yes, Stan Grant is in a long-term relationship with a journalist and author. Her name is not widely publicized, but Grant has acknowledged her role in his life in interviews and public statements. The couple has been together for several years and lives in Sydney (Sydney Morning Herald (Australian daily newspaper)).

The trade-off: Grant’s desire for privacy means that details about his partner remain scarce, but the relationship has clearly been a grounding force during a turbulent period.

Where does Stan Grant live today?

Residence in Sydney

Stan Grant resides in Sydney, Australia. He moved there after his career in Canberra, where he had worked as a political correspondent. His current role as Distinguished Professor at Charles Sturt University involves both teaching and research, though he also maintains a presence in the Sydney media scene (ABC News (Australian public broadcaster)). Similar career transitions have been seen in other Australian public figures, such as Josh Frydenberg: From Treasurer to Goldman Sachs.

Why this matters: Grant’s geographic base in Sydney keeps him close to the media industry he once helped shape, even as he transitions into academia.

Who is Stan Grant’s first wife?

First wife’s identity and privacy

Stan Grant’s first wife is the mother of his two children, but her name has not been publicly confirmed. Grant has consistently maintained a high level of privacy around his family, particularly after the 2023 abuse campaign targeted his children. This is a deliberate choice to shield them from further harassment (SBS NITV (Indigenous media service)).

The catch: The lack of public information about his first wife is a reflection of Grant’s broader approach to protecting his family from the spotlight that has often been harsh.

Timeline

• 1963 – Born in New South Wales, Australia. (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia))
• 1980s–1990s – Begins journalism career, works for various Australian media outlets. (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia))
• 2015 – Wins Walkley Award for coverage of Indigenous affairs. (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia))
• 2020–2023 – Co-hosts ABC’s The 7.30 Report. (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia))
• May 2023 – Resigns from ABC after online abuse and death threats. (BBC News (UK broadcaster))
• 2023–present – Appointed Distinguished Professor at Charles Sturt University; also becomes Asia Pacific director of the Constructive Institute at Monash University (Sydney Morning Herald (Australian daily newspaper)).

This timeline highlights key moments in Grant’s career and personal life, underscoring the trajectory from journalist to academic.

Clarity check

These distinctions help readers separate verified facts from areas where information remains private.

Quotes

Racism is a crime. Racism is violence. And I have had enough.

— Stan Grant, statement on resignation, May 2023 (BBC News)

I have had enough.

— Stan Grant, Q+A broadcast, May 2023 (SBS News)

The ABC apologises to current and former staff for the pain and hurt caused.

— ABC statement, October 2024 (ABC News)

These statements capture the emotional and institutional dimensions of the controversy.

Summary

Stan Grant’s resignation was not an end but a beginning. His stand against racism forced Australia’s public broadcaster to confront its own failings, leading to a review that confirmed systemic problems. For Indigenous journalists at the ABC, the choice is clear: either the broadcaster implements real change, or it will continue to lose the voices it claims to represent.

The racial abuse that prompted Stan Grants departure from ABC also highlighted broader issues within Australian media institutions.

Frequently asked questions

These answers provide quick reference for common questions about Stan Grant’s life and career.