Kerri-Anne Kennerley causes huge row on Studio 10 over “racist” Australia Day comment
Kerri-Anne Kennerley has been slammed as “racist” following a heated discussion on Australia Day protests on Studio 10.
The panel was discussing the protests on Australia Day when Kennerley suggested that protesters were ignoring the alleged sexual violence occurring in the “outback”.
“Has any single one of those 5,000 people waving the flags saying how inappropriate the day is, has any one of them been out to the outback where children, where babies and five-year-olds are being raped, their mothers are being raped, their sisters are being raped,” said Kennerley.
“They get no education.”
"You're sounding quite racist right now." @yumichild says to Kerri-Anne as they clash over Australia Day & #ChangeTheDate. #Studio10 pic.twitter.com/qI2qBsiT9t
— Studio 10 (@Studio10au) 27 January 2019
Fellow panellist Yumi Stynes responded, “That is not even faintly true Kerri-Anne, and you’re sounding quite racist now.”
Stynes also criticised Kennerley’s implication that “women aren’t being raped here in big cities and children aren’t being raped here in big cities”.
The segment has sparked outrage since its broadcast on the Australia Day public holiday, January 28, with audiences describing Kennerley as “uninformed” and “ignorant”.
Kerri-Anne I have no words except, get off the screens; ignorant and uninformed - making generalised comments does not reflect the many communities I visit. Everyone wants everyone safe & well - Harmful & damaging comments!!
Thank you @yumichild rock solid sister!! https://t.co/F0nCyQONf6— Joe Williams - TEW (@joewilliams_tew) 28 January 2019
Disgusting! This debate is about us Aboriginal ppl being valued & respected as a race, acknowledging our resilience & survival. Many people of all races are now marching & supporting our struggle. Putrid & ignorant comments from KAK. Thanks @yumichild ♥️ #WhitePrivilege #racism https://t.co/6gjOnevY0F
— Nova Peris OAM OLY MAICD (@NovaPeris) 28 January 2019
Stynes announced on Instagram Monday night that she would not be appearing on the show on Tuesday morning.
“This is not because of what happened today between Kerri-Anne and I,” she wrote on a post. “I am feeling stable and calm and like I’m on the right side of history.”
.@yumichild was scheduled to be on the #Studio10 panel today but she has decided not to join us. pic.twitter.com/Pu46caanNT
— Studio 10 (@Studio10au) 28 January 2019
Kennerley has defended her comment, saying it had “nothing to do” with racism.
“I don’t think I’m superior, I don’t think anyone else is inferior, but I just stated a fact,” she told 2GB’s Ben Fordham.
It’s the second time this month that the Australia Day debate has rocked morning shows. Two weeks ago, Today’s new entertainment reporter Brooke Boney drew controversy after saying she does not want to celebrate the national public holiday on January 26.
“I'm a Gamilaroi woman, my family is from northern NSW, been there for about 60,000 years or so,” said Boney.
“I can’t separate 26 January from the fact that my brothers are more likely to go to jail than school, or that my little sisters and my mum are more likely to be beaten or raped than anyone else’s sisters or mum. And that started from that day.”
What do you think about the Australia Day date controversy? Do you think it should be moved? Tell us in the comments below.