Q&A: Season 13
Season 13 of the long-running news and talk program Q&A marks a significant transition in the production history of the series. The primary narrative and structural development for this season is the change in leadership at the host position. Hamish Macdonald officially replaced Tony Jones as the new regular host of the program. As a forum for public discourse, the series continues its established format of bringing
Season 13 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- The program is a news and talk series that debuted in 2008.
- The show features a format where the public, politicians, and pundits debate current issues.
- The series is designed to function as a platform for democracy in action.
- Tony Jones served as the regular host of the program prior to the start of this season.
Season overview
Season 13 of the long-running news and talk program Q&A marks a significant transition in the production history of the series. The primary narrative and structural development for this season is the change in leadership at the host position. Hamish Macdonald officially replaced Tony Jones as the new regular host of the program. As a forum for public discourse, the series continues its established format of bringing together members of the general public, politicians, and various subject matter experts to engage in debate. The program functions as a platform for democracy in action, facilitating discussions on the topical issues of the week. By placing punters, pollies, and pundits together in the studio environment, the show maintains its objective of thrashing out current events and contentious subjects. This season focuses on the continuity of this interactive format under the guidance of Macdonald, ensuring that the studio audience and invited guests remain the central focus of the weekly broadcast. The program remains dedicated to its mission of providing a space for diverse viewpoints to be expressed and examined within the context of contemporary news and political analysis.
Episode Guide
Season 13 Progress Shield
Q+A Bushfires Special
Feb 3, 2020 · 60 min
The summer bushfires have shocked Australia and the world. Q+A returns with new host Hamish Macdonald for an important conversation in Queanbeyan about how these communities are re
Climate Solutions
Feb 10, 2020 · 60 min
Hamish Macdonald hosts a conversation on climate solutions. Joining him live in Melbourne to discuss how businesses and individuals are tackling the climate challenge are: Osher Gü
Trust
Feb 17, 2020 · 60 min
Joining Hamish Macdonald in Melbourne to discuss the topic of trust are: Katie Allen, Liberal MP for Higgins; Clare O'Neil, Shadow Minister for Innovation, Technology and the Futur
Q+A on China - A Healthy Relationship?
Feb 24, 2020 · 60 min
The Coronavirus has brought Australia's relationship with China into sharp focus. Hamish Macdonald examines the implications for our economy, region and community with: Wang Xining
The Australian Identity: Who Are We?
Mar 2, 2020 · 60 min
Joining Hamish Macdonald in Melbourne to discuss what it means to be an Australian in the 21st century are: Nova Peris, Olympian and former politician; Tarang Chawla, writer and an
Education - Are We Failing?
Mar 9, 2020 · 60 min
Hamish Macdonald presents an hour of topical debate from Sydney where he discusses the current issues facing the Australian education system. Joining him to discuss the topic are:
The Corona Challenge: Are We Prepared?
Mar 16, 2020 · 60 min
Hamish Macdonald hosts a special debate from Melbourne focussed on the coronavirus. Joining him on the panel to discuss this are: Richard Colbeck, Minister for Aged Care, Youth and
Ask The Doctors
Mar 23, 2020 · 60 min
As the coronavirus continues to dominate headlines, Hamish Macdonald presents an hour of topical debate from Sydney with a panel of medical professionals. Answering questions are:
Coronavirus: The Cost
Mar 30, 2020 · 60 min
Joining Hamish Macdonald in Sydney to discuss the repercussions of the coronavirus on Australia are: Nicki Hutley, economist at Deloitte Access Economics; Matt Comyn, CEO and Manag
Coronavirus: Stories from the Frontline
Apr 6, 2020 · 60 min
Joining Hamish Macdonald in Sydney to discuss the latest developments surrounding the coronavirus and share their experiences dealing with the pandemic are: Dr Stephen Parnis, Emer
Surviving Lockdown
Apr 13, 2020 · 60 min
Joining Hamish Macdonald to discuss coping mechanisms for enduring the social isolation required during the coronavirus pandemic are: Matt Preston, food critic and author; Craig Fo
COVID-19: Where to Next?
Apr 20, 2020 · 60 min
Joining Hamish Macdonald to discuss what the future holds for Australians in the wake of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic are: Nev Power, Executive Chairman of the National COVID-19 C
Education in the Age of COVID-19
Apr 27, 2020 · 60 min
Joining Hamish Macdonald to discuss the impact on the world of education during the current COVID-19 pandemic are: Nick Coatsworth, Deputy Chief Medical Officer; Lisa Jackson Pulve
The Post-COVID World Order
May 4, 2020 · 60 min
Hamish Mcdonald chairs a debate on how the world will carry on after the coronavirus pandemic passes. Joining him to discuss this topic are: Dave Sharma, Liberal Member for Wentwor
Q+A: The Premiers
May 11, 2020 · 60 min
Joining Hamish Macdonald in the studio to discuss the easing of Australia's quarantine conditions are: Dan Andrews, Premier of Victoria, Gladys Berejiklian, Premier of New South Wa
Young and Free?
May 18, 2020 · 60 min
Hamish Macdonald chairs a debate on the post-pandemic impact on young Australians. Will it be harder to find work, buy a home, get a degree? How will their way of life change? The
Australia Reimagined
May 25, 2020 · 60 min
Hamish Macdonald chairs a discussion about how Australia's future could be reimagined in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Joining him on the panel to share their thoughts and
Our Energy Future
Jun 1, 2020 · 60 min
The Federal Government has unveiled its roadmap for Australia's energy future, shifting focus from coal to gas. Will the new energy plan benefit all Australians now and into the fu
Hard Truths
Jun 8, 2020 · 60 min
In the wake of the international Black Lives Matter demonstrations and Australia's economy entering recession for the first time in 29 years, Hamish Macdonal chairs a discussion ab
The Future of Sport
Jun 15, 2020 · 60 min
Joining Hamish Macdonald to discuss how the world of sport will deal with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic are: Andrew Abdo, Interim NRL CEO; Brendon Gale, Richmond Football Club CEO;
Australia: Secret State?
Jun 22, 2020 · 60 min
Secrets, spies and hidden trials. How do we balance national security with your right to know? Joining Hamish Macdonald to discuss this and more are: Dennis Richardson, Former Dire
Saving the Arts and 'Brain Farts'
Jun 29, 2020 · 60 min
Claims of sexual harassment have rocked the High Court, youth unemployment is skyrocketing and the cancel culture debate looks like going nowhere. All this against a backdrop of a
Borders, Booze and the Big Spend on Defence
Jul 6, 2020 · 60 min
In politics, the voters of Eden-Monaro are heading to the polls on Saturday in a by-election touted as a test of voter confidence in Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Opposition le
Julia Gillard on Q+A
Jul 13, 2020 · 60 min
Former Prime Minister Julia Gillard joins Hamish Macdonald for a special Q+A live from Sydney. The only woman to hold the top job in Australia, she discusses her time as Prime Mini
Disrupted Recovery
Jul 20, 2020 · 60 min
As life opens up for much of Australia, the two most populated states are battling to contain a growing number of COVID cases. Victoria is now cut off from all states, with several
Fight Of Our Lives
Jul 27, 2020 · 60 min
The pandemic has already taken a terrible economic toll and the recovery will take longer than first predicted. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg says we are in the “fight of our lives”, w
The Frontline
Aug 3, 2020 · 60 min
Hamish Macdonald is joined by a panel of frontline workers and medical experts leading the fight against COVID. On the panel are: Kerryn Phelps, Former AMA President and City of Sy
State of Disaster
Aug 10, 2020 · 60 min
With stage 3 restrictions now in effect across the rest of Victoria, what is the impact for one of Australia's key states? Joining Hamish Macdonald to discuss this and more are: Ti
Media and Misinformation
Aug 17, 2020 · 60 min
The pandemic has fast turned Australia into two countries - the COVID states, and the COVID-free states, with border closures now a brutal necessity. So, how does Australia stay un
Generation COVID
Aug 24, 2020 · 60 min
Increasing numbers of young Australians are fearful for their future due to facing unemployment, underemployment, drained savings and superannuation accounts, bigger debts, a disru
Panel of Wisdom
Aug 31, 2020 · 60 min
This week Hamish Macdonald draws on the collective wisdom of some highly respected Australians. How do their life experiences shape what they take away from this COVID-19 crisis? W
Border Wars
Sep 7, 2020 · 60 min
The political battle over state borders is heating up. The Premiers are standing firm but the Prime Minister wants interstate travel to resume by Christmas. Hard border closures ar
The Age of Loneliness
Sep 14, 2020 · 60 min
Loneliness is predicted to be the next public health epidemic of the 21st century. What sort of politics could make us feel more connected? Does technology bring us together or kee
US Election 2020: Four More Years?
Sep 21, 2020 · 60 min
President Trump's handling of COVID-19 has been widely condemned and racial tensions have sparked protests in many American cities. Six weeks out from the election and polls sugges
Road to Recovery
Sep 28, 2020 · 60 min
After the devastating impact of bushfires and COVID-19, what should our economic recovery plan look like? Where should our priorities lie when it comes to jobs and growth post-pand
Budget Special
Oct 5, 2020 · 60 min
Next week’s budget will be unlike any other. Australia's gross debt has now soared past a record-breaking $800 billion, and somehow the Government must support the economy and plan
Anthony Albanese on Q+A
Oct 12, 2020 · 60 min
It’s a tricky time to be in Opposition, while we’re consumed by the pandemic and those leading us through it. Now, Labor’s leader has pledged to change tack and start providing an
Social Disconnect
Oct 19, 2020 · 60 min
Tech designers have control over how billions of us think and act, and some of them have started sounding the alarm on their own creations. Reports show higher social media use is
An Ethical Australia? Accountability, Ethics and Leadership
Oct 26, 2020 · 60 min
In these challenging times, who holds the powerful to account? Are the standards of our political leaders slipping as we grapple with the COVID crisis? Also, how do we achieve a mo
US Election: Trump vs Biden
Nov 2, 2020 · 60 min
America is bitterly divided, the economy is in trouble and COVID-19 is still ravaging the population. The polls and history are against Trump, voters tend to punish sitting preside
Politicians, Presidents and the Palace
Nov 9, 2020 · 60 min
This week, the topics include the US election, implications of the Queensland election, the 45th anniversary of Gough Whitlam’s dismissal, the Integrity Commission proposal, and na
Sex, Lies and a Better Politics
Nov 16, 2020 · 60 min
It's been a big week - allegations of sexual misconduct and a toxic culture for women in Canberra, Donald Trump clinging to power in a bizarre post-election campaign, Labor spats o
Live From Penrith
Nov 23, 2020 · 60 min
COVID has hit Australia’s poorest the hardest, and young people are struggling to find work in the coronavirus recession. Yet Labor struggles to hold onto its grassroots heartland
Q+A 2020 Finale: The Year That Changed Us
Nov 30, 2020 · 60 min
2020 brought us drought, bushfires and the chaos of a pandemic. COVID and the accompanying recession has changed the world, and all of us - in some ways for the worse, and in some