Q&A: Season 12
The twelfth season of Q and A marks a significant milestone in the history of the program, serving as Tony Jones's final season serving as the full-time host after twelve years in the role. The series continues its tradition of public affairs broadcasting by bringing together everyday citizens, politicians, and commentators into the studio setting. Together, the participants engage in direct debate and discussion reg
Season 12 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Tony Jones has served as the full-time host of the program for twelve years leading into this season.
- The series brings together everyday citizens, politicians, and pundits in a studio setting.
- Discussions focus on thrashing out the hot issues of the week.
- The program centers on democracy in action through direct audience engagement.
Season overview
The twelfth season of Q and A marks a significant milestone in the history of the program, serving as Tony Jones's final season serving as the full-time host after twelve years in the role. The series continues its tradition of public affairs broadcasting by bringing together everyday citizens, politicians, and commentators into the studio setting. Together, the participants engage in direct debate and discussion regarding the prominent and pressing issues of the week. This format emphasizes active democratic participation and public discourse, allowing the studio audience to question decision-makers and subject matter experts directly about current events and policies.
Episode Guide
Season 12 Progress Shield
The Boats, the Banks, and the River
Feb 4, 2019 · 60 min
Tony Jones returns with a powerful line-up of independent voices: Julia Banks, Andrew Wilkie, Adam Bandt, Kerryn Phelps, Rebekha Sharkie.
Manus, Hakeem, and Franking Credits
Feb 11, 2019 · 60 min
Tony Jones is joined in Melbourne by Liberal Member for Corangamite Sarah Henderson; Shadow Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus; Crikey founder Stephen Mayne, businesswoman Megan Purcell
Q&A on Drugs
Feb 18, 2019 · 60 min
On the panel to discuss drug policy: Chief Superintendent Stuart Smith; author Kerryn Redpath; Pioneer of pill testing in Australia Dr David Caldicott; Medical Director Marianne Ja
Jordan Peterson Destroys Q&A
Feb 25, 2019 · 60 min
Tony Jones is joined in Melbourne by Canadian psychologist/author Dr Jordan Peterson; QLD Labor MP Terri Butler; freelance broadcaster/writer/author Catherine McGregor and writer/c
A Church in Crisis
Mar 4, 2019 · 60 min
Tony Jones is joined by NSW Liberal Senator Jim Molan, NSW Labor Senator Kristina Keneally, Catholic Lay Leader Francis Sullivan, institutional abuse lawyer Dr Viv Waller and rabbi
Q&A: Women in Leadership
Mar 11, 2019 · 60 min
Annabel Crabb presents a Women in Leadership special with Industry Minister Karen Andrews, Australias first indigenous female MP Linda Burney, Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, Sa
Q&A In Townsville
Mar 18, 2019 · 60 min
A special Q&A in Townsville. Tony Jones joins Minister for Emergency Management Linda Reynolds, Labor MP for Herbert Cathy O'Toole, Professor Stephen Williams, grazier Jane McMilla
Roxane Gay on Q&A
Mar 25, 2019 · 60 min
Tony Jones joins feminist writer Roxane Gay, retiring Government MP Craig Laundy, Shadow Minister for Environment, Water and Citizenship Tony Burke, Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi a
Cash, Guns, Gangs, and Life
Apr 1, 2019 · 60 min
On the eve of the budget Tony Jones joins Liberal senator Arthur Sinodinos, Labor front-bencher Amanda Rishworth, social analyst Rebecca Huntley, IPA Executive Director John Roskam
Q&A Budget Special
Apr 8, 2019 · 60 min
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg joins Tony Jones for an election budget special in Melbourne, as the audience ask about the Coalition government's economic plan and the big issues likely
Election 2019: The Battle For Queensland
Apr 15, 2019 · 60 min
Guest host Virginia Trioli is in Queensland with LNP Senator James McGrath, Labor MP Terri Butler, Greens Senator Larissa Waters and One Nation candidate Malcolm Roberts to discuss
The Election Countdown
Apr 29, 2019 · 60 min
Tony Jones is joined by Communications Minister Mitch Fifield, Shadow Treasurer Chris Bowen, The Guardian Editor Lenore Taylor, Crikey Managing Editor Bhakthi Puvanenthiran and The
Bill Shorten on Q&A
May 6, 2019 · 60 min
Just 12 days before election day, the Leader of the Opposition Bill Shorten joins Tony Jones and an audience of undecided voters in Melbourne to face the public's questions.
The Q&A Last Chance Saloon
May 13, 2019 · 60 min
With less than a week before Australia decides who will govern for the next three years the public question Liberal campaign spokesman Simon Birmingham, Deputy Labor Leader Tanya P
The Wash Up
May 20, 2019 · 60 min
After Australians deliver their election verdict, Labor frontbencher Jim Chalmers, former Liberal MP Christopher Pyne, broadcaster Alan Jones, political reporter Alice Workman and
First Australians and Quiet Australians
May 27, 2019 · 60 min
The debate turns philosophical with politicians and big thinkers Liberal MP Tim Wilson, ALP MP Mark Dreyfus, Professor of Indigenous Studies Marcia Langton, philosopher Bernard-Hen
Jimmy Barnes Rocks Q&A
Jun 3, 2019 · 60 min
Joining Tony Jones on the panel from Melbourne are: rock icon and author Jimmy Barnes, author Sisonke Msimang, SA Liberal MP Nicolle Flint, regional Labor MP Joel Fitzgibbon, and e
Q&A at Vivid
Jun 10, 2019 · 60 min
In a special Q&A from the Vivid Festival: rapper/actor/writer Adam Briggs, broadcaster/writer Faustina Agolley, Atlassian co-founder Mike Cannon-Brookes, CEO of CSIRO Dr Larry Mars
Science Special
Jun 17, 2019 · 60 min
Joining Tony Jones to talk everything science: physicist Prof. Brian Cox, marine ecologist Emma Johnston, atmospheric and climate scientist David Karoly, astrophysicist Kirsten Ban
The Freedom to Fund Yourself
Jun 24, 2019 · 60 min
Joining Tony Jones in Melbourne: Education Minister Dan Tehan, Shadow Infrastructure Minister Catherine King, Centre Alliance Senator Rex Patrick, Director of Change.org Sally Rugg
Union Bosses and Suburban Dads
Jul 1, 2019 · 60 min
On the eve of parliament's return, Tony Jones joins Liberal Senator James Paterson, Shadow Minister for Innovation Clare O'Neil, writer/broadcaster Jamila Rizvi, IR Commentator Gra
Nukes in an Uncertain World
Jul 8, 2019 · 60 min
Joining Tony Jones: Senate President Scott Ryan, Opposition Senate Leader Penny Wong, Human Rights Lawyer Diana Sayed, Tom Switzer from the Centre for Independent Studies and Hugh
Deemed Not To Matter
Jul 15, 2019 · 60 min
Joining Tony Jones in Melbourne: Shadow Minister for Families Linda Burney, Centre Alliance MP Rebekha Sharkie, Former Liberal Senator Jim Molan, comedian Sami Shah and marketing a
Boris, Brexit and The Black Dog
Jul 22, 2019 · 60 min
On the panel: UK political strategist Alastair Campbell, former WA Premier Geoff Gallop, Property Industry Foundation CEO Kate Mills, Menzies Research Centre Executive Director Nic
Wage Theft and Celebrity Chefs
Jul 29, 2019 · 60 min
Fran Kelly joins Tasmanian Liberal Senator Eric Abetz, Victorian Labor Senator Kimberley Kitching, social justice advocate Tim Costello, communications consultant Parnell Palme McG
Zali's Political Slalom
Aug 5, 2019 · 60 min
Joining Tony Jones are Independent MP Zali Steggall, Liberal MP Jason Falinski, Labor Senator Katy Gallagher, Australian Council of Social Service CEO Cassandra Goldie and The Aust
How Good is Democracy?
Aug 12, 2019 · 60 min
Tony Jones joins philosopher/author A. C. Grayling, Minister for Population & Cities Alan Tudge, Shadow Minister for the Environment & Water Terri Butler, historian/broadcaster Cla
The Indigenous Voice
Aug 19, 2019 · 60 min
A special look at the case for Constitutional Recognition and an Indigenous voice to parliament. Tony Jones is joined by Noel Pearson, Linda Burney, Julian Leeser, Jacinta Price an
High School Special
Aug 26, 2019 · 60 min
We open up the panel to the leaders of the future. In a High School Special, students William Gillett, Aurora Matchett, Willoughby Duff and Varsha Yajman join NSW Premier Gladys Be
Writers Special
Sep 2, 2019 · 60 min
A Q&A Writers special with American novelist Lionel Shriver, civil rights activist DeRay Mckesson, Australian journalist Ruby Hamad, writer/broadcaster Benjamin Law and Dean of Col
Donations, Disability and Disillusionment
Sep 9, 2019 · 60 min
Guest host Fran Kelly joins ACT Liberal Senator Zed Seselja, Labor MP for Cowan Anne Aly, WA Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John, Grattan Institute's Danielle Wood and The Australian
The Political Donations Arms Race
Sep 16, 2019 · 60 min
Tony Jones is joined by Liberal Senator James Paterson, Shadow Minister for Trade Madeleine King, author/social analyst Eva Cox, former Labor Senator Sam Dastyari and China expert
Kerry O'Brien and Your Right To Know
Sep 23, 2019 · 60 min
Answering your questions are legendary journalist and author Kerry O'Brien, broadcaster/commentator Jan Fran, Communications Minister Paul Fletcher, Shadow Health Minister Chris Bo
The Power of Music
Sep 30, 2019 · 60 min
Explore the power of music to transform lives with rock legend Tex Perkins, singer/songwriter Katie Noonan, The Choir of Hard Knocks founder Jonathon Welch, soul/blues artist Mojo
A Spotlight on Aged Care
Oct 7, 2019 · 60 min
Guest host Fran Kelly leads a national conversation on aged care. We discuss the issues plaguing the system with Maggie Beer, Richard Colbeck, Julie Collins, Sarah Holland-Batt and
Democracy or Disruption?
Oct 14, 2019 · 60 min
As Extinction Rebellion and Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters take to the streets, Hamish Macdonald discusses China, climate and the right to protest with Tim Wilson, Tim Watts, V
Future Alert
Oct 21, 2019 · 60 min
Guest host Annabel Crabb is joined by John Hewson, Jordan Nguyen, Veena Sahajwalla, Julian Cribb and Chloe Spackman to discuss whether our government is capable of addressing poten
The Drought
Oct 28, 2019 · 60 min
Guest host Hamish Macdonald leads a discussion on drought with Minister for Water Resources and Drought David Littleproud, Shadow Minister for Agriculture Joel Fitzgibbon, Fiona Si
Broadside
Nov 4, 2019 · 60 min
Guest host Fran Kelly leads an all-women panel with journalist Mona Eltahawy, author Jess Hill, writer/Indigenous rights activist Nayuka Gorrie, businesswoman Hana Assafiri and ant
Climate and Catastrophe
Nov 11, 2019 · 60 min
Tony Jones is joined by economic strategist Ross Garnaut, Aus Energy Council CEO Sarah McNamara, Liberal MP Jason Falinski, Shadow Minister for Climate Change & Energy Mark Butler
Q&A in WA
Nov 18, 2019 · 60 min
Q&A is in WA for an Australia Talks special. Joining Tony Jones is Labor MP Anne Aly, WA State Liberal MP Zak Kirkup, human rights lawyer Hannah McGlade, political editor Lanai Sca
International Power
Nov 25, 2019 · 60 min
A focus on international affairs with Former US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power, Labor MP Tanya Plibersek, Israeli Parliamentarian Tamar Zandberg, James Brown from the US Studi
Q&A Pacific
Dec 2, 2019 · 60 min
Q&A celebrates 80 years of Australia broadcasting into the Asia-Pacific region with a special from Suva, Fiji. Joining Tony Jones are Alex Hawke, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, Enele Sopoaga
The End of an Era
Dec 9, 2019 · 60 min
The 2019 finale of Q&A. Joining Tony Jones on the panel Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese, Indigenous leader Pat Turner, author Sisonke Msi