Q+A - Season 14 / Year 2021

Q+A is back for 2021 in its new timeslot as host Hamish Macdonald moderates a debate on some of the current issues likely to shape the year ahead.

What now for Australia with a new Biden presidency? Will we feel the reverberations of lingering Trumpism here? How has the Australia Day debate impacted race relations and will the vaccine brawls erupting in Europe disrupt the Australian roll-out? Plus a chance to hear directly from our new Australian of the Year who's pledged to dismantle the system of grooming used by sexual predators.

The show will close with a live performance from didgeridoo player and musical director William Barton.

Guests:

Grace Tame, Australian of the Year

Alexander Downer, Former Liberal Foreign Affairs Minister

Warren Mundine, Chairman of the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation

Shane Fitzsimmons, Former NSW RFS Commissioner

Tanya Hosch, Social inclusion advocate

A vaccine could be our most powerful weapon in the fight against COVID-19. So when will it be available? Who will get priority and how will it change the way we live, work and travel? Is our national strategy the right one?

Panellists: Nick Coatsworth, Federal Government infectious diseases advisor; Sharon Lewin, Leading infectious diseases expert and Director of the Doherty Institute; Michelle Ananda-Rajah, Associate director, Monash Institute of Medical Engineering; and Tony Blakely, Epidemiologist, University of Melbourne.

Should governments reign in the might of the tech sector? Will a proposed Media Code support traditional news outlets? Has the spread of conspiracies and online extremism corrupted democracy and how much is big tech to blame?

Panellists: Paul Fletcher, Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts; Michelle Rowland, Shadow Communications Minister; Julie Inman Grant, eSafety Commissioner; Lydia Khalil, International security expert; and Hal Crawford, Media consultant and former news director.

With the Brittany Higgins scandal and growing number of sexual assault claims engulfing our federal parliament, it's clear that the very institution responsible for enacting and protecting peoples' rights has systemic problems in the way it treats women. What urgent changes are needed to end Canberra's toxic culture of silence? Has Grace Tame's rousing speech as Australian of the Year started a snowballing effect - and what is the role of men in changing the power imbalance?

We'll also discuss Facebook re-friending Australia, the climate wars dividing the coalition, the new JobSeeker rate, the impact of COVID on women - and whatever else you'd like to ask this stellar line-up of women!

This week Q+A is in Melbourne as it tackles Australia's economic rebound, as it asks who is leaping ahead and who is falling behind?

In three weeks, JobKeeper payments will come to an end and the true state of our economy will be revealed. Will more businesses go under? Will more job losses eventuate?

We'll also discuss the interview the world has been waiting for – Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. The Duchess of Sussex has revealed when she was first pregnant with son Archie there were "concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born".

And we'll look at our trade relationship with China, the vexed issue of agricultural exemptions for net zero targets, and whether it's time to re-think our COVID border restrictions?

Joining Hamish on the panel:

Kristina Keneally, Shadow Home Affairs Minister
Fiona Simson, President, National Farmers Federation
Gareth Parker, Breakfast host, 6PR Perth
Kim Rubenstein, Legal scholar, ANU

Australian students, parents, experts and educators come together for a frank look at consent, how men can help change the power imbalance, and what needs to be done to combat the cultures of violence and silence.

Panellists: Yumi Stynes, Broadcaster and author, Welcome to Consent; Briony Scott, Principal, Wenona School; Michael Salter, Associate Professor of Criminology, UNSW; Yasmin Poole, 2021 Youth Influencer of the Year; and Joe Williams, Former NRL player and mental health advocate.

COVID is giving us a chance to reset, but already we're seeing a toxic form of nationalism take hold, in which unequal access to vaccines is leaving some countries out in the cold. So how do we design a more equal world?

Panellists: Stan Grant, Journalist and author; Bruce Pascoe, Author; Sam Mostyn, President, Chief Executive Women; Gigi Foster, Economist, UNSW; Adam Creighton, Economics editor, The Australian. Thomas Piketty, Internationally renowned economist also joined the conversation.

The Government's "women's ministry" meets for the first time this week to drive action when it comes to the treatment of women. Plus another Indigenous Australian dies in custody, the fifth death since the start of March.

Panellists: Trent Zimmerman, Liberal Member for North Sydney; Anika Wells, Labor Member for Lilley; Martyn Iles, Managing Director, Australian Christian Lobby; Antoinette Lattouf, Journalist, diversity advocate, and author; and Teela Reid, Wiradjuri/Wailwan, Lawyer. With a live performance from singer-songwriter Robbie Miller.

The Federal Government scrapped targets for the nationwide rollout of COVID vaccines. When will Australians be fully vaccinated and how can we get the program back on track? Plus how do we repair our relationship with China?

Panellists: Norman Swan, Presenter RN and Coronacast; James Paterson, Liberal Senator for Victoria; Katy Gallagher, Shadow Minister for Finance; Vicky Xu, Journalist and researcher; and David Olsson, President, Australia China Business Council.

Hamish Macdonald and the panel discuss the big issues including Australia's climate policy which will be under the international spotlight as world leaders lay out their plans for action at President Biden's climate summit.

Panellists: Malcolm Turnbull, Former Prime Minister; Narelda Jacobs, Presenter, 10 News First and Studio 10; Keith Pitt, Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia; Sarah Hanson-Young, South Australian Greens Senator; and Andrew Liveris, Former CEO, The Dow Chemical Company.

Hamish Macdonald and the panel discuss plans to get more women into the workforce, the future for our hotel quarantine system, mass vaccination centres and repatriation flights plus the impact of COVID on our arts community.

Panellists: Bridget McKenzie, Nationals Senate Leader; Courtney Act, Performer and advocate; Mark Butler, Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing; Parnell Palme McGuinness, Communications Consultant; and Hervé Lemahieu, Director, Power and Diplomacy Program, Lowy Institute.

Q+A is in Melbourne to discuss the big issues including housing affordability, childcare, coercive control and the government's big spend.

Panellists: Alan Kohler, Finance journalist and Editor-in-Chief, The Eureka Report; Jess Hill, Journalist and Author, See What You Made Me Do; Fiona Martin, Liberal Member for Reid; Linda Burney, Shadow Minister for Families and Social Services; and Bri Lee, Author, Eggshell Skull and Beauty. With a live performance from Julia Stone.

With the economy showing signs of recovery, the government is focusing on jobs and spending on aged care, infrastructure and childcare. With more funding for DV prevention and women's health it's touted as a "women's budget".

Panellists: Jane Hume, Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and the Digital Economy; Jim Chalmers, Shadow Treasurer; Larissa Waters, Greens Senator; Jacqui Lambie, Independent Senator; and Helen Haines, Independent Member for Indi.

With Australia's borders unlikely to re-open until mid-2022, some MPs are concerned Australia will become a "hermit nation". Despite strong signs of economic recovery the budget papers forecast a decade of deficits and debt.

Panellists: Luke McGregor, Comedian, writer and actor; Barnaby Joyce, Nationals Member for New England; Gabriela D'Souza, Senior Economist, Committee for Economic Development of Australia; Tony Burke, Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations; and Zoe Whitton, Executive Director, Pollination.

Q+A covers the big issues including the vaccine rollout, reconciliation and a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict. COVID restrictions return in Victoria with a 7 day circuit-breaker lockdown to bring the outbreak under control.

Panellists: Jennifer Robinson, Human Rights Lawyer; Mitch Tambo, Singer and songwriter; Dave Sharma, Liberal Member for Wentworth; Ed Husic, Labor Member for Chifley; and Randa Abdel-Fattah, Author and academic.

Q+A heads to Wollongong with guest host Stan Grant, looking at Victoria's COVID crisis, the challenges facing universities, plus what growing urban sprawl means for infrastructure, jobs and property prices in regional towns.

As frustrated Victorians endure a fourth lockdown, businesses across the country are hurting. Is it time we learnt to live with COVID long term? What risk are we prepared to live with? Plus Australia's place in the region.

Panellists: Omar Khorshid, President, Australian Medical Association; Kamalini Lokuge, Epidemiologist, Australian National University; Peter Hartcher, Political Editor, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age; Sally Scales, APY Art Centre Collective Regional Programs Coordinator and Uluru Statement Leadership; and Cameron Murray, Economist and Research Fellow.

Guest host David Speers and the panel check the nation's pulse on job security and business confidence in the COVID recovery, Victoria's flood crisis, the plight of the Biloela family, swim team culture, plus Israel's new PM.

Panellists: Darren Chester, Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Defence Personnel; Clare O'Neil, Shadow Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services; Hana Assafiri, Businesswoman and social change agent; Susan Alberti, Businesswoman and philanthropist; and Tom Elliott, Radio broadcaster. With guest host David Speers.

This week, Hamish Macdonald returns to the Q+A host chair as we talk disability, autism, and the big stories of the week.

The NDIS is moving to a new model of eligibility testing called independent assessments which has spread fear and distress among Australians with disabilities. Is the original intent of the NDIS being undermined?

In politics, Barnaby Joyce returns as Deputy Prime Minister, after beating Michael McCormack in a National Party leadership spill.

A Ugandan athlete has tested COVID positive in Tokyo and been barred entry to Japan, in the first detected infection among athletes arriving for the Tokyo Games. Should we be holding the Olympics and Paralympics in the midst of this pandemic? The International Olympic Committee and Japanese government insist the Games can be held safely, but are the risks too great?

We'll also look at the latest NSW COVID cluster and the Prime Minister's trip to Cornwall.

Panellists: Jayden Evans, Love on the Spectrum participant and disability worker; Bill Bowtell, Adjunct Professor, UNSW and Strategic Health Policy Adviser; Marylouise McLaws, Epidemiologist; Nicole Rogerson, CEO of Autism Awareness Australia; Hollie Hughes, Liberal Senator for NSW; and Andrew Leigh, Shadow Assistant Minister for Treasury and Charities.

Guest Host: David Speers, live from Melbourne, Victoria (due to COVID lockdown in Brisbane, Queensland)

Up to 12 million Australians are in lockdown as four states now race to contain outbreaks of the Delta variant of COVID-19.

South East Queensland, Magnetic Island and Townsville have gone into a three day snap lockdown. Perth and the Peel region have entered a four-day lockdown. And the Northern Territory has extended its stay-at-home orders until Friday. In New South Wales, the Sydney outbreak shows no sign of ending quickly - with another 19 cases identified today - and Treasurer Dominic Perrottet has unveiled a business rescue package.

Confusion has followed the Prime Minister's announcement that Australian adults aged under 40 will finally be allowed to request the AstraZeneca vaccine, even though Pfizer is the preferred option for that age group.

Meanwhile, when it comes to vaccinations, it seems we have fallen to the very last of all OECD countries, with only 4.75% of Australians vaccinated, as compared 45.76% in the United States.

And with Brisbane on track to be named the official host of the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics, we'll explore the debate around whether the Tokyo Games should go ahead next month.

Panellists: Annastacia Palaszczuk, Premier of Queensland; Jason Falinski, NSW Liberal MP; Michelle Ananda-Rajah, Infectious diseases expert; Stephen Duckett, Director of Health and Aged Care, Grattan Institute; and Jennifer Hewett, National Affairs Columnist, Australian Financial Review.

Guest host David Speers and the panel discuss another COVID lockdown in Greater Sydney, the four-stage plan to lead us out of the pandemic, Australia's vaccination concerns plus accountability in government and academia.

Once again live from Melbourne due to the lockdown in Sydney.

Panellists: Peter Singer, Philosopher; Katie Allen, Liberal Member for Higgins; Malarndirri McCarthy, Labor Senator for Northern Territory; Santilla Chingaipe, Journalist, filmmaker and author; and Cameron Stewart, Associate Editor of The Australian.

Sydney's lockdown extended by 2 weeks after an alarming increase in daily cases. Government support payments to businesses and individuals struggling to survive in lockdown. Plus the vaccine rollout and advertising campaign.

Panellists: Marylouise McLaws, Epidemiologist; Steve Price, Radio broadcaster; Mukesh Haikerwal, GP and former President of the AMA; Meshel Laurie, Podcaster and author; and Alison Pennington, Economist, The Centre for Future Work. With guest host Virginia Trioli.

Almost half of Australia's population remains in lockdown with no end in sight as authorities pin their hopes on restrictions to stop chains of transmission. Plus the vaccine rollout, UK's Freedom Day and sport in a pandemic.

Host: Virginia Trioli

Panellists: Libby Trickett, Olympic Gold Medallist; Russel Howcroft, Broadcaster; David Gillespie, Regional Health Minister; Bill Shorten, Shadow Minister for the NDIS and Government Services; and Astrid Edwards, Podcaster, teacher and disability advocate.

Host: Virginia Trioli, broadcast from Melbourne due to the ongoing COVID lockdown in Sydney.

As western Sydney continues faces greater lockdown restrictions, the Q+A panel discuss getting the people back to work, getting the arts industry back on track, and providing some relief for business.

Panellists: Deborah Cheetham, Artistic Director, Short Black Opera; Andrew Bragg, Liberal Senator for NSW; Chris Bowen, Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Energy; Clover Moore, Lord Mayor of Sydney; and Michael Mohammed Ahmad, Author and founding director of Sweatshop Literacy Movement.

Host: Stan Grant

Q+A looks beyond our locked borders to the rest of the world where life and economies are starting to open back up. What can we learn from these countries about our own pathway out of COVID?

Panellists: Helen Clark, Former Prime Minister of New Zealand; Dr Eric Feigl-Ding, Epidemiologist and health economist; Yulia Supadmo, Chief editor, Rajawali Televisi; Damien Cave, Australian bureau chief, The New York Times; Julie Leask, Vaccine specialist; and Kate Mills, CEO Property Industry Foundation.

 Hosted by David Speers, from Melbourne.

With Sydney in its seventh week of lockdown and Melbourne back for its sixth, the economic impact on businesses and individuals is now crippling. Plus regional lockdowns for Tamworth and Byron Bay.

Panellists: Matt Canavan, Nationals Senator for Queensland; Catherine King, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development; Alan Kohler, Financial journalist; Paul Zahra, CEO, Australian Retailers Association; and Angela Jackson, Health economist.

Hosted by David Speers, from Melbourne.

The Q+A panel discuss the unfolding situation in Afghanistan, and the ramifications of the Taliban's capture of Kabul.

Panellists: Darren Chester, Nationals Member for Gippsland; Bob Carr, Former Labor Foreign Minister; Diana Sayed, CEO, Australian Muslim Women's Centre for Human Rights; Lydia Khalil, International Security Expert; Daniel Keighran, Afghanistan Veteran and Victoria Cross recipient; and Yalda Hakim, BBC Host and correspondent.

Host: Virginia Trioli in Melbourne.

Q+A puts young people front and centre on the panel and asking questions from around the country.

Panellists: Norman Swan, Aus. Research Alliance for Children and Youth and Coronacast presenter; Anthea Rhodes, Paediatrician and child health researcher; Fiona Russell, Paediatrician and epidemiologist; Petria Houvardas, Year 12 student from Sydney; and Arth Tuteja, Year 11 student from Melbourne.

Hosted by David Speers, from Melbourne.

Violence against women and children in Australia continues at a terrifying rate, despite increased awareness in recent years. Q+A looks at the why the horror statistics persist and what can be done.

Panellists: Grace Tame, Australian of the Year; Reece Kershaw, Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police; Marcia Langton, Professor of Indigenous Studies; Anne Ruston, Minister for Women's Safety; and Penny Wong, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Virginia Trioli is joined by a panel of big thinkers to discuss the Prime Minister's Father's Day trip, the future of arts, the government's new vape laws and how corporations can use words to create blurred lines of meaning.

Panellists: John Safran, Writer and filmmaker; Virginia Gay, Actor, writer and director; Julia Banks, Author, lawyer, and former Federal Liberal and Independent MP; Tony Armstrong, ABC News Breakfast presenter and former AFL player; Rachel Doyle, Barrister; and Yanis Varoufakis, Greek economist and author.

Stan Grant and the Q+A panel discuss communities divided by COVID restrictions in Sydney and around Australia, as well as the AUKUS pact for nuclear submarines and the ongoing debate around diversity in Parliament.

Panellists: Dave Sharma, Liberal Member for Wentworth; Linda Burney, Shadow Minister for Families and Social Services; Mariam Veiszadeh, Lawyer and Diversity & Inclusion Champion; Khal Asfour, Mayor of Canterbury Bankstown; John Lee, Foreign Affairs expert, United States Studies Centre; and Chris Barrie, retired senior officer of the Royal Australian Navy.

The response to the COVID pandemic thrust scientists into the public eye. What Comes Next? Some of Australia's finest scientific minds look to the future to discuss quantum computers, AI, nuclear-powered submarines and more.

Panellists: Brian Schmidt, Nobel laureate and Vice-Chancellor, ANU; Lidia Morawska, International Air Quality expert; Michael Biercuk, Quantum Physicist and innovator; Vanessa Pirotta, Wildlife scientist and science communicator; Toby Walsh, Artificial Intelligence expert; and Kirsten Banks, Astrophysicist and science communicator.

David Speers and the panel discuss the vexed issue of mandatory vaccination and the best way forward for a country divided by uncertainty, lockdowns, and border closures.

Panellists: Jennifer Westacott, CEO, Business Council of Australia; Sally McManus, Secretary, ACTU; Simon Longstaff, Executive Director, The Ethics Centre; Dinesh Palipana, Emergency doctor and disability advocate; and Bruce Keebaugh, Founder, The Big Group.

The rise of online crime and misinformation, as we spend more time online due to remote work and study the risks of phone-based scams, cyber attacks and extremist groups grows. Plus the shock departure of Gladys Berejiklian.

Panellists: Paul Fletcher, Minister for Communications and the Arts; Tanya Plibersek, Shadow Minister for Education; Marc Fennell, Journalist; Zara Seidler, Co-founder, The Daily Aus; and Alastair MacGibbon, CyberCX chief strategy officer and former federal cybersecurity advisor.

Host: Virginia Trioli

Can our political leaders deliver a climate policy that will satisfy Australians? And what can be done to ensure the political integrity of Australia's elected representatives?

Panellists: Craig Reucassel, Writer, director and comedian; Kate Roffey, Business Leader; Andrew Bragg, Liberal Senator for NSW; Mark Dreyfus, Shadow Attorney-General; and Helen Haines, Independent Member for Indi.

The hotly-disputed pathway to net zero. As world leaders prepare to gather in Glasgow, can talks between the Liberal and National parties deliver a deal that will put Australia on track to reach net zero emissions by 2050?

Panellists: Simon Holmes à Court, Cleantech investor and Founder of Climate 200; Tim Wilson, Assistant Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reductions; Chris Bowen, Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Energy; Amelia Telford, National Director of the Seed Indigenous Youth Climate Network; Anne Baker, Mayor of Isaac Regional Council.

From the classroom, to the theatre, and in modern life - how relevant is the work of William Shakespeare when it comes to our standards of living and leadership?

Panellists: John Bell, Founding Artistic Director of Bell Shakespeare; Nakkiah Lui, Writer, actor, and director and Gamillaroi/Torres Strait Islander woman; Paul McDermott, Satirist and entertainer; Bri Lee, Author, academic and activist; and Tim Dean, Philosopher and author. With a special closing performance from Zahra Newman.

All eyes on Glasgow as world leaders meet at the COP26 climate summit. French President Emmanuel Macron accused Scott Morrison of lying about cancelling a submarine contract. Plus quarantine-free international travel resumes.

Panellists: Matt Kean, NSW Treasurer; Adam Bandt, Leader of the Australian Greens; Blair Palese, Managing Editor, Climate & Capital Media; Greg Sheridan, Foreign Editor, The Australian; and Kavita Naidu, International climate justice lawyer.

Finding Australia's place in an increasingly complicated international landscape. As Australia navigates the fallout from AUKUS, what does it mean for our relationship with neighbours in Southeast Asia, the Pacific and China?

Panellists: James Paterson, Liberal Senator for Victoria; Ed Husic, Labor Member for Chifley; Chris Uhlmann, Nine News political editor; Lavina Lee, International relations expert; and Yun Jiang, Producer of China Neican and editor at ANU.

With the so-called 'Great Resignation' taking hold in the USA, are Australian workers also preparing to leave traditional jobs behind as they embrace a post-pandemic work life?

Panellists: George Megalogenis, Author and journalist; Jane Halton, Health policy expert; Andy Penn, Telstra CEO and Managing Director; Emma Fulu, Executive Director of the Equality Institute; and Eliza Hull, Musician, disability advocate and writer.

Stan Grant and the panel discuss the week's big issues including protests over vaccine mandates and proposed pandemic legislation, contentious Religious Discrimination Bill, borders reopen for skilled migrants plus Tim Paine.

Panellists: Jason Falinski, NSW Liberal MP; Andrew Barr, ACT Chief Minister; Melinda Cilento, Company director and economist; Yaara Bou Melham, Journalist and documentary filmmaker; and Michael Jensen, Theologian and Pastor.

2021 was a year some of us would rather forget, with COVID-19 and lengthy lockdowns dominating the headlines and our lives. Has it changed our way of life forever and what will the new normal hold?

The year also saw a revolution of sorts, as thousands of young Australian women were enraged and inspired by the brave public campaigns of Grace Tame and Brittany Higgins. Consent and abuse of power became national talking points from Canberra to workplaces and classrooms. Debate around climate policy remained fraught, with our Government's commitment to action scrutinised on the global stage at the COP26 talks in Glasgow. Relations with China deteriorated and cancel culture increasingly permeated university life and everyone's social feeds.

In our final show for the year, David Speers is joined by a panel of thinkers and entertainers to reflect on this challenging year and dare to propose a more uplifting and joyful 2022.

Panellists: Missy Higgins, Singer/songwriter; Arj Barker, Comedian; Narelda Jacobs, Presenter, 10 News First and Studio 10; John Roskam, Executive Director, Institute of Public Affairs; Hugh van Cuylenburg, Founder, The Resilience Project