This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Australia, which closed in 2021.

Triple J's Matt Okine Gets Real, Calls Out Gender Inequality At The 2015 ARIAs

Matt Okine Gets Real, Calls Out Gender Inequality At The ARIAs
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 26: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Matt Okine poses for a portrait with an ARIA for Best Comedy Release during the 29th Annual ARIA Awards 2015 at The Star on November 26, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/WireImage)
Mark Nolan via Getty Images
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 26: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Matt Okine poses for a portrait with an ARIA for Best Comedy Release during the 29th Annual ARIA Awards 2015 at The Star on November 26, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/WireImage)

Radio presenter Matt Okine highlighted the very real problem with Thursday night’s ARIA Awards -- the fact that it is 2015 and he was contesting against a category of all males.

During his acceptance speech for Best Comedy Release at the 2015 ARIA Awards in Sydney, Okine called out the inequality within the industry as a whole saying it was “absolutely necessary” to take note of the lack of women represented.

"I don't think there was any women at all nominated in the Comedy category and I don't think there is any women who are like, featured artists on tonight's show even," Okine said during the speech.

"I didn't feel great reading that list of people," Okine said.

Okine then quietened the crowd saying, "this is serious though, other than that there's a couple of featured guests but it's like, there's no one, you know? And I'd feel stupid if I didn't use this opportunity to say something about that," Okine said.

He also called on men to do more to combat the issue of domestic violence in Australia while being interviewed by media backstage.

"You know being a guy you can be like 'I don’t hit women, I’m doing my part' but it’s not enough,” Okine said.

Fairfax Media later reported following Okine's acceptance speech, he said to media,"People might say that's something you would say for attention, but I feel like, 'what should I do, just be passive?'

"A lot of guys my age think you're doing enough by not doing anything bad."

Close
This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Australia. Certain site features have been disabled. If you have questions or concerns, please check our FAQ or contact support@huffpost.com.