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Season 15 - Episode Guide

Episodes

Power, Expectations and Making Change

Episode: 15x01 | Airdate: Feb 10, 2022

Power, Expectations and Making Change

What makes a great leader? Virginia Trioli and an influential panel of Dylan Alcott, Rosie Batty, Tom Calma, Katie Allen and Tanya Plibersek discuss social change, protecting our most vulnerable plus the return of parliament.

Panellists: Dylan Alcott, 2022 Australian of the Year; Rosie Batty, 2015 Australian of the Year; Tom Calma, Indigenous Voice Co-chair; Katie Allen, Liberal Member for Higgins; and Tanya Plibersek, Shadow Minister for Education and Women.

Russia, Donations and Distractions

Episode: 15x02 | Airdate: Feb 17, 2022

Russia, Donations and Distractions

Stan Grant and the Q+A panel discuss the crisis unfolding between Russia and Ukraine, political donations ahead of the federal election, plus the Prime Minister's use of the term 'Manchurian candidate'.

Panellists: Chris Bowen, Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Energy; Andrew Constance, Liberal candidatefor Gilmore; Allegra Spender, Independent candidate for Wentworth; Lavina Lee, International Relations Expert; and Greg Sheridan, Foreign Editor, The Australian.

Opening Up: Anxiety and Mental Health

Episode: 15x03 | Airdate: Feb 24, 2022

Opening Up: Anxiety and Mental Health

A conversation around anxiety, mental health and living in the public eye. David Speers brings together a panel with personal experience, expertise and passion to share their stories, talk risk factors and how to manage it.

Panellists: Jelena Dokic, Former World No. 4 tennis player and broadcaster; Brooke Blurton, Mental health advocate; Bridget Archer, Federal Member for Bass; Stephen Jones, Labor MP for Whitlam; Mark Cross, Psychiatrist and author; With a live performance from the legendary Archie Roach

Putin's War

Episode: 15x04 | Airdate: Mar 3, 2022

Putin's War

Stan Grant and the panel discuss the broader consequences of war in eastern Europe, the reluctance to deploy foreign forces in Ukraine, and the perspective of Australia's Ukrainian and Russian communities watching from afar.

Panellists: Dennis Richardson, Former Director-General of ASIO; Deborah Snow, Senior writer, Sydney Morning Herald and former Moscow correspondent; Jason Falinski, NSW Liberal MP; Brendan O'Connor, Shadow Minister for Defence; and Olga Boichak, Lecturer in Digital Cultures, University of Sydney.

Feminism, Floods, and Refugees

Episode: 15x05 | Airdate: Mar 10, 2022

Feminism, Floods, and Refugees

A thought-provoking conversation about power, politics, and progress. A powerhouse panel of advocates, trailblazers and voices from the next generation debate ideas around gender, equality and justice. Plus a look at Ukraine.

Panellists: Lillian Flex Mami Ahenkan, Podcaster and entrepreneur; Wendy McCarthy, Educator and businesswoman; Najeeba Wazefadost, Refugee and gender policy advisor; Fiona Simson, President, National Farmers' Federation; and Claire Lehmann, Founder and Editor of Quillette.

Cancel Culture and Branding Balls-Ups

Episode: 15x06 | Airdate: Mar 17, 2022

Cancel Culture and Branding Balls-Ups

Virginia Trioli hosts cultural icon Roxane Gay and a panel of thinkers to discuss cancel culture, bad branding, and racial injustice.

Panellists: Roxane Gay, Writer; Sarah Henderson, Liberal Senator for Victoria; Anne Aly, Labor MP for Cowan; Thomas Mayor, Author and advocate; Pru Goward, Former NSW Liberal Minister. With a live performance from Chris Cheney.

Cost of Living and the Bottom Line

Episode: 15x07 | Airdate: Mar 24, 2022

Cost of Living and the Bottom Line

David Speers and the Q+A panel discuss the rising cost of living, low wages, healthcare and immigration ahead of the release of the 2022 Federal Budget.

Panellists: Dan Tehan, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment; Terri Butler, Shadow Minister for the Environment and Water; Omar Khorshid, President, Australian Medical Association; Ronni Kahn, CEO and Founder, OzHarvest; and Melinda Cilento, CEDA CEO, company director and economist.

Budget Special

Episode: 15x08 | Airdate: Mar 31, 2022

Budget Special

David Speers is joined by Barnaby Joyce, Jim Chalmers, Jacqui Lambie, Zali Steggall, and Paul Kelly to discuss who wins - and who misses out - in the 2022 Federal Budget.

Panellists: Barnaby Joyce, Deputy Prime Minister; Jim Chalmers, Shadow Treasurer; Jacqui Lambie, Independent Senator for Tasmania; Zali Steggall, Independent MP for Warringah; and Paul Kelly, Editor-at-large, The Australian.

The Election Countdown

Episode: 15x09 | Airdate: Apr 7, 2022

The Election Countdown

With the election poised to be called any day now, Virginia Trioli is joined by Samantha Maiden, Steph Tisdell, Gideon Rozner, Anne Ruston and Clare O'Neil to discuss the policies that will shape how Australia votes.

Panellists: Samantha Maiden, National political editor; Steph Tisdell, Performer and writer; Gideon Rozner, Director of Policy, IPA; Anne Ruston, Minister for Families, Social Services and Women's Safety; and Clare O'Neil, Shadow Minister for Aged Care Services.

The Race for the Nation

Episode: 15x10 | Airdate: Apr 14, 2022

The Race for the Nation

Stan Grant is joined by Osher Gunsberg, Megan Davis, Kate McBride, Andrew Bragg, and Chris Bowen to discuss the first week of the 2022 election campaign.

Panellists: Osher Günsberg, TV and podcast host; Megan Davis, Pro Vice Chancellor Indigenous, UNSW; Kate McBride, Farmer and researcher; Andrew Bragg, Liberal Senator for NSW; and Chris Bowen, Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Energy.

Live from Gladstone

Episode: 15x11 | Airdate: Apr 21, 2022

Live from Gladstone

Q+A is in Gladstone, central Queensland in the seat of Flynn, to discuss the opportunities and challenges in the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Plus youth unemployment and the issues that matter to locals.

Panellists: Bob Katter, Member for Kennedy; Bronwyn Fredericks, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Indigenous Engagement, University of Queensland; Keith Pitt, Minister for Resources and Water; Murray Watt, Labor Senator for Queensland; and Amanda Cahill, CEO, The Next Economy.

Inflation, Floods and Preparing for War

Episode: 15x12 | Airdate: Apr 28, 2022

Inflation, Floods and Preparing for War

As we near the halfway point of the election campaign, Stan Grant hosts Q+A live from Brisbane.

Panellists: Stuart Robert, Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business; Anika Wells, Labor MP for Lilley; Campbell Newman, Former Queensland Premier and Senate candidate; Larissa Waters, Greens Senator; and Caitlin Byrne, Director, Griffith Asia Institute.

Anthony Albanese on Q+A

Episode: 15x13 | Airdate: May 5, 2022

Anthony Albanese on Q+A

David Speers hosts a one-on-one special with Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese, putting your questions to the Labor leader. Does he have what it takes to be Australia's next Prime Minister?

The Undecided Voters

Episode: 15x14 | Airdate: May 12, 2022

The Undecided Voters

Undecided voters will play a key role in determining the 2022 election result. What are the most pressing issues that will inform their choice?

Panellists: Paul Fletcher, Minister for Communications and the Arts; Catherine King, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development; Caroline Di Russo, Lawyer and political commentator; Siimon Reynolds, Advertising entrepreneur; and Intifar Chowdhury, Researcher and ANU academic.

The Final Election Countdown

Episode: 15x15 | Airdate: May 19, 2022

The Final Election Countdown

In the election campaign's final days, the Q+A panel discuss the issues that defined the past six weeks, and speculate on what the next parliament will look like.

Panellists: Cathy McGowan, Former independent member for Indi; James Paterson, Liberal Senator for Victoria; Josh Burns, Labor Member for Macnamara; Gigi Foster, Economist, UNSW; and Peter Hartcher, Political Editor, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.

New Politics

Episode: 15x16 | Airdate: May 26, 2022

New Politics

David Speers and the panel discuss an election result unlike any other - a change in government, a shift away from the major parties and an overwhelming endorsement of teal independents, driven by disillusioned female voters.

Panellists: Amanda Rishworth, Labor Member for Kingston, Andrew Bragg, Liberal Senator for NSW, Mehreen Faruqi, Greens Senator for NSW, Monique Ryan, Independent Member for Kooyong, and Alexander Downer, Former Liberal Foreign Affairs Minister.

Mabo, a Voice and the Road Ahead

Episode: 15x17 | Airdate: Jun 2, 2022

Mabo, a Voice and the Road Ahead

On the eve of the 30th anniversary of the historic Mabo decision, we reflect on what's been achieved since the High Court handed down its decision to overturn the myth of terra nullius.

Panellists: Gail Mabo, Artist and daughter of land rights campaigner Eddie Koiki Mabo; Linda Burney, Minister for Indigenous Australians; Julian Leeser, NSW Liberal MP; Chris Kenny, Member of the Indigenous Voice Senior Advisory Group; Shireen Morris, Constitutional lawyer and author; and Frank Brennan, Priest, human rights lawyer and academic.

A Kick in the Arts

Episode: 15x18 | Airdate: Jun 9, 2022

A Kick in the Arts

As the arts sector roars back to life, Q+A brings together some of Australia's leading artists and thinkers, to explore the future of the industry.

Panellists: Darren Hayes, Iconic Australian performer and award-winning songwriter; Katie Noonan, Artistic director, musician and producer; Adam Liaw, Cook, Writer and TV Presenter; Tony Burke, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations and Minister for the Arts; and Paul Fletcher, Shadow Minister for Science and the Arts.

Australia's Energy Crisis

Episode: 15x19 | Airdate: Jun 16, 2022

Australia's Energy Crisis

What does Australia's deepening energy supply crisis mean for you - and how can state and federal governments strengthen our energy policy?

Panellists: Chris Bowen, Minister for Energy and Climate Change; Zoe Daniel, Independent member for Goldstein; Saul Griffith, Inventor, author, and scientist; Sarah McNamara, Chief Executive of the Australian Energy Council; and Tony Wood, Energy and Climate Change Program Director, Grattan Institute.

Price Pressures and Postcode Discrimination

Episode: 15x20 | Airdate: Jun 23, 2022

Price Pressures and Postcode Discrimination

David Speers hosts Q+A from Werribee, as the panel discusses wages, skills shortages, and the cost of living in the outer suburbs of Australia.

Panellists: Brendan O'Connor, Minister for Skills and Training; Bridget McKenzie, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development; Gabriela D'Souza, Senior Economist, Committee for Economic Development of Australia; Lech Blaine, Writer and journalist; and Alexi Boyd, CEO, Council of Small Business Organisations Australia.

The Choice: Violence or Poverty

Episode: 15x21 | Airdate: Jul 7, 2022

The Choice: Violence or Poverty

The cruel choice facing Australian women in abusive relationships: violence or poverty. Q+A speaks with survivors, advocates and experts about the shocking extent of the crisis and what can be done to change the conversation.

Panellists: Anne Summers, Lead researcher and trailblazing author; Anne Aly, Labor Minister and survivor; Jess Hill, Journalist and author; Veronica Gorrie, Author and survivor; and Arman Abrahimzadeh, Anti-domestic violence campaigner.

A Foreign Affair: Boris, AUKUS, Ukraine and Assange

Episode: 15x22 | Airdate: Jul 14, 2022

A Foreign Affair: Boris, AUKUS, Ukraine and Assange

The Q+A panel discuss Boris Johnson's resignation, AUKUS, the war in Ukraine, the imprisonment of Julian Assange, and Australia's place in an increasingly divided global community.

Garma Festival

Episode: 15x23 | Airdate: Aug 1, 2022

Garma Festival

Stan Grant and the panel are in the NT for a special from the Garma Festival, which celebrates Indigenous culture and sets the political agenda. Is Australia ready for a constitutionally enshrined Indigenous Voice?

Panellists: Linda Burney, Minister for Indigenous Australians; Yiŋiya Mark Guyula, Independent member for Mulka, NT and Yolŋu elder; June Oscar, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner; Dean Parkin, Director, From the Heart; Mayatili Marika, Rirratjingu Traditional Owner; and Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, Country Liberal Senator for NT.

Global Megatrends and Lived Experiences

Episode: 15x24 | Airdate: Aug 4, 2022

Global Megatrends and Lived Experiences

A glimpse into the future. How can we tackle the complex problems facing society? Q+A discusses a new CSIRO report outlining the 'megatrends' that will define our future, and a campaign to take ableism out of popular culture.

Panellists: Larry Marshall, Chief Executive of CSIRO; Jenny McAllister, Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy; Sarah Hanson-Young, Greens Senator for SA; Warren Mundine, Director, Indigenous Forum, Centre for Independent Studies; and Hannah Diviney, Writer and disability advocate.

China, Democracy and Capitalism

Episode: 15x25 | Airdate: Aug 11, 2022

China, Democracy and Capitalism

Q+A looks beyond our borders, to some of the big global issues that are causing ripples around the world, and here at home.

Panellists: Pat Conroy, Minister for International Development and the Pacific; James Paterson, Liberal Senator for Victoria; Sharan Burrow, General Secretary, International Trade Union Confederation; Jennifer Hsu, Research Fellow, Public Opinion and Foreign Policy Program, Lowy Institute; and Damien Cave, Australian Bureau Chief, The New York Times.

Morrison's Secret Ministries

Episode: 15x26 | Airdate: Aug 18, 2022

Morrison's Secret Ministries

The Q+A panel discusses the revelations of Scott Morrison secretly swearing himself into multiple additional portfolios while he was PM.

Panellists: Johann Hari, Author, Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention; Murray Watt, Minister for Emergency Management and Agriculture; Keith Pitt, Federal Member for Hinkler; Catherine Cusack, Former NSW Liberal Member of the Legislative Council; Blak Douglas, Archibald Prize-winning artist and musician; and Amanda Rose, Founding Director of Western Sydney Women.

Sports, Inclusion and Redemption

Episode: 15x27 | Airdate: Aug 25, 2022

Sports, Inclusion and Redemption

The Q+A panel discuss leadership in sport, the Manly players' decision not to participate in the NRL's pride round, and the big ethical questions facing sport in Australia.

Panellists: Kieren Perkins, Chief Executive, Australian Sports Commission; Hannah Mouncey, Handball player; Joe Williams, Former NRL player and mental health advocate; David Lakisa, Pacific sport consultant; and Catherine Ordway, Sports lawyer, University of Canberra.

Workers, Taxes and Getting a Fair Go

Episode: 15x28 | Airdate: Sep 1, 2022

Workers, Taxes and Getting a Fair Go

British philosopher A.C. Grayling and the Q+A panel discuss jobs, migrant workers, proposed stage-three tax cuts and whether Australia is still the land of the 'fair go'.

Panellists: A.C. Grayling, British philosopher and author; Katy Gallagher, Minister for Finance, Women and the Public Service; Stuart Robert, Shadow Assistant Treasurer and Shadow Minister for Financial Services; Catherine Marriott, Chief Executive, Riverine Plains; and Wendy El-Khoury, Entrepreneur and business owner.

Ambition, Power and Storytelling Without A Pen

Episode: 15x29 | Airdate: Sep 8, 2022

Ambition, Power and Storytelling Without A Pen

Emmy Award-winning actor Brian Cox, singer/songwriter Marlon Williams, Deborah Cheetham, Andrew Quilty and Catherine McGregor discuss ambition, power and who gets to tell stories on the panel for Melbourne Writers' Festival.

Royalty, a Republic and Truth-Telling

Episode: 15x30 | Airdate: Sep 15, 2022

Royalty, a Republic and Truth-Telling

What does the Queen's death mean for Australia, the debate on a republic, and facing into our national identity?

Panellists: Eric Abetz, Campaign Chairman, Australian Monarchist League; Teela Reid, Wiradjuri and Wailwan lawyer; Simon Longstaff, Executive Director, The Ethics Centre; Sisonke Msimang, Award-winning writer; and Ruth Ben-Ghiat, Author and historian.

Corruption, Sport and Big Corporates: Who Can We Trust?

Episode: 15x31 | Airdate: Sep 29, 2022

Corruption, Sport and Big Corporates: Who Can We Trust?

The Q+A panel discuss the long-awaited federal anti-corruption commission, the Optus data breach, and the shocking allegations of racism in the AFL.

Panellists: Ed Husic, Minister for Industry and Science ; Bridget McKenzie, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development ; Jacqui Lambie, Senator for Tasmania ; Ben Abbatangelo, Gunaikurnai and Wotjobaluk writer ; and Alan Jones, commentator.

Religion, Economics and Extremism

Episode: 15x32 | Airdate: Oct 6, 2022

Religion, Economics and Extremism

The Q+A panel discuss global economic insecurity, Australia's cost of living crisis, and racism in sport and politics.

Panellists: Jonathan Sumption, Former Justice of the UK Supreme Court and author; Amanda Rishworth, Minister for Social Services; Mehreen Faruqi, Australian Greens Deputy Leader; Francis Awaritefe, Chair, Professional Footballers Australia; and Alan Oster, Chief Economist at NAB

Protests, People and Power

Episode: 15x33 | Airdate: Oct 13, 2022

Protests, People and Power

Erin Brockovich joins a Q+A panel of politicians and changemakers to discuss the plight of women under the Iranian regime, religion, and 'fake news'.

Panellists: Erin Brockovich, Consumer advocate and environmental activist; Stephen Jones, Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services; Perin Davey, Deputy Leader of the Nationals; Tim Costello, Advisor at Centre for Public Christianity; Saba Vasefi, Writer & journalist Gardian Newspaper

Climate Targets, Floods and Taxes

Episode: 15x34 | Airdate: Oct 20, 2022

Climate Targets, Floods and Taxes

As we approach the budget, we ask whether Australia can become an economic superpower in a cleaner, greener world - and at what cost. Floods again devastated communities across several states, with more wild weather forecast.

Panellists: Chris Bowen, Minister for Energy and Climate Change ; Ross Garnaut, Economist ; Yun Jiang, AIIA China Matters Fellow ; Varsha Yajman, Climate justice advocate ; and Anthony Tran, Mayor of Maribyrnong City Council.

Budget Special from Canberra

Episode: 15x35 | Airdate: Oct 27, 2022

Budget Special from Canberra

Q+A answers your questions about the Albanese Government's first Budget. Households are hurting and there are warnings that the outlook is only getting worse with inflation soaring and global financial markets in turmoil.

Joining Stan Grant on the panel:
Katy Gallagher, Minister for Finance, Women and the Public Service
Jane Hume, Shadow Minister for Finance
Dai Le, Independent MP for Fowler
George Megalogenis, Author and journalist
Sonia Arakkal, Co-founder, Think Forward

Jim Chalmers on Q+A

Episode: 15x36 | Airdate: Nov 3, 2022

Jim Chalmers on Q+A

Who is the man who holds our economic future in his hands? How will he steer the nation through this period of economic volatility? Treasurer Jim Chalmers joins Q+A for a one-on-one special.

Panellists: Jim Chalmers, Treasurer.

Cyber Hacks, Musk and Trump

Episode: 15x37 | Airdate: Nov 10, 2022

Cyber Hacks, Musk and Trump

This week on Q+A, how fragile is our democracy? With cyber-crime on the rise, politicians and their families coming under violent attack and existential threats looming – how can we protect ourselves and the system that has served us for so many years?

Millions of Australians have had their private data stolen by hackers, revealing just how vulnerable big companies are to ransom attacks. So what more can we do as individuals to protect ourselves? Has government dropped the ball on cyber security?

Meanwhile, Elon Musk's Twitter takeover is causing a storm, with mass layoffs and companies pulling their advertising dollars over the Tesla billionaire's changes. Is it the end of the road for the social media giant? What would a world without Twitter look like?

Joining David Speers on the panel:

Anne Aly, Minister for Early Childhood Education and Minister for Youth
Dan Tehan, Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship
Kamila Shamsie, Author
Joe Siracusa, Professor of Political History and International Security
Alastair MacGibbon, CyberCX chief strategy officer and former national cybersecurity advisor.

Power, Politics, and the Spectre of War

Episode: 15x38 | Airdate: Nov 17, 2022

Power, Politics, and the Spectre of War

Against the backdrop of the G20 summit, the Q+A panel discuss the Prime Minister's meeting with Xi Jinping, Putin's war plans, Donald Trump, and the World Cup in Qatar.

 

Panelists:

Joe Hockey, Former Ambassador to the USA;
Peter Khalil, Chair, Intelligence and Security Committee;
Santilla Chingaipe, Writer, filmmaker and historian;
Sir Lawrence Freedman, Emeritus Professor of War Studies;
Gideon Rachman, Chief foreign affairs columnist, Financial Times

The Value of NDIS

Episode: 15x39 | Airdate: Nov 24, 2022

The Value of NDIS

The government says the cost of the NDIS is blowing out, but how do we put a price on supporting people with disabilities?

 

 

Panellists:

Elly Desmarchelier, Disability Rights Campaigner
Bill Shorten, Minister for the NDIS and Government Services
Stuart Robert, Shadow Assistant Treasurer and Shadow Minister for Financial Services
Jordon Steele-John, Greens Senator for WA
Amy Auster, Chief Economist and Insights Officer, PwC Australia

2022 Finale: Respect and Understanding

Episode: 15x40 | Airdate: Dec 1, 2022

2022 Finale: Respect and Understanding

In what's been a tumultuous 12 months, we've seen war, floods, cost-of-living pressures and a change in government. What lessons can we take from 2022? How have we changed and what does the year ahead hold?

 

Panellists:

Grace Tame, Bestselling author
Nova Peris, Republican, Olympian and former politician
Allegra Spender, Independent MP for Wentworth
Matt Kean, NSW Treasurer
Josh Szeps, Broadcaster

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