"A mean country": Stan Grant shares his thoughts on the Voice referendum
Stan Grant has opened up about his thoughts on the Voice referendum campaigns, admitting it is becoming harder to defend Australia's "mean" reputation.
The former ABC presenter appeared as a social guest on a special two-part episode of the podcast Blak Matters, with each part airing just before the Voice vote on October 14th.
In the podcast, Grant spoke about his recent trip to Europe, working with the Constructive Institute in Denmark, and how difficult it has become to speak positively about living in Australia.
“When you’re overseas, you’re almost an ambassador for your own country, you have to explain your country to other people,” Mr Grant said.
“And it really saddened me that the word I kept coming back to was ‘mean,’ and I think we have become an increasingly mean country. I think there’s an absence of kindness in our country."
“You hear it in things like ‘if you don’t know, vote no.’ That’s a mean thing to say.”
Grant went on to criticise the "noise" surrounding the Voice, saying there has been very little constructive debate about the issue and too much fear mongering.
“This is also the first referendum of the 24/7 news cycle and social media and that’s elevated and amplified the noise,” Mr Grant said.
“For a lot of people, when you add uncomfortable questions of history and race, they’re barbecue stoppers."
“If you want to stop the party, talk about racism, or talk about history. No one wants to go there."
“And we have a referendum that lands right at that point of history and race and politics amplified by 24/7 news media, and a toxic social media weaponised by 24/7 news media coverage.”
Image credits: Listnr