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Private Notes
Kicking off the new series in its new timeslot, Hamish Macdonald chairs a debate that asks how the new Biden presidency will affect Australia, if the debate surrounding Australia Day has affected race relations, and whether the vaccine brawls erupting in Europe will disrupt the Australian rollout. Joining him to discuss these questions and more are: 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; and Tanya Hosch, Social inclusion advocate.
It could be the most powerful weapon in the fight against COVID-19: A vaccine. So when will it be available? Who will get priority and how will it change the way Australians live, work and travel? Is the national strategy the right one? Joining Hamish to discuss these points and more are: 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.
The tech giants have threatened to pull their services from Australia if the Government goes ahead with new laws forcing them to pay media outlets for their news content. Should governments reign in the might of the tech sector? Will the proposed Media Code support traditional news media outlets? Has the spread of conspiracies and online extremism corrupted our democracies and how much is big tech to blame? And what would life without Google look like? Joining Hamish Macdonald to discuss these questions and more are: 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.
On the eve of the final report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care, Q+A asks is Australia failing its older citizens? The pandemic has exposed nightmare stories of neglect for those in aged care. What needs to change and are there alternative models for aged care we should be exploring? Joining Hamish Macdonald to discuss the topic are: Katie Allen, Liberal Member for Higgins; Clare O'Neil, Shadow Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services; Mike Baird, CEO of HammondCare and Former NSW Premier; Jane Halton, Health expert and former head of Australia’s Finance Department; and Joseph Ibrahim, Professor at the Department of Forensic Medicine, Monash University.
With the Brittany Higgins scandal and growing number of sexual assault claims engulfing the Federal parliament, Q+A brings together a diverse panel of women to discuss gender, justice, and equality. How far has feminism brought us and what is the role of men in ending the power imbalance? Joining Hamish Macdonald to discuss these questions and more are: Isabel Allende, Internationally acclaimed author and feminist; Susan McDonald, Queensland National Party Senator; Anne Aly, WA Labor MP; Samantha Maiden, National Political Editor; Dhanya Mani, Lawyer and former NSW Liberal Party staffer; and Kate Crawford, Academic and leading artificial intelligence expert; with a live performance from Somalian poet Hani Abdile.
Australia's economic rebound: who is leaping ahead and who is falling behind? Plus Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's interview, Australia's trade relationship with China, and is it time to rethink COVID border restrictions? Joining Hamish Macdonald to discuss this and more are: Zed Seselja, Minister for International Development and the Pacific; Kristina Keneally, Shadow Home Affairs Minister; Fiona Simson, President, National Farmers’ Federation; Gareth Parker, Breakfast host, 6PR Perth; Kim Rubenstein, Legal scholar and citizenship expert.
This week, students, parents, experts and educators take a frank look at the vexed issue of consent, how men can help change the power imbalance and what needs to be done to combat the cultures of violence and silence that threaten the daily lives of Australian girls and women. Joining Hamish Macdonald on the panel are: 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 vaccine 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? Joining Hamish Macdonald on the panel are: Stan Grant, journalist and author; Bruce Pascoe, author; Sam Mostyn, President, Chief Executive Women; Gigi Foster, Economist, UNSW; Adam Creighton, Economics editor, The Australian. Also joining the conversation is Thomas Piketty, Internationally renowned economist. Also includes a live musical performance by Dami Im.
The Federal Government’s so-called “women’s ministry” meets for the first time this week in an attempt to drive action when it comes to the treatment of women. Will it be enough to turn the Prime Minister’s fortune around? The Government is also trying to turn around its vaccine rollout, as it fails to reach its targets; what can be done to accelerate and restore confidence in the process? And, as another Indigenous Australian died in custody this week, how do Australians turn the tide against Indigenous disadvantage and stop First Nations people dying in prison? Joining Hamish Macdonald on the panel to discuss these topics are: Trent Zimmerman, Liberal Member for North Sydney; Anika Wells, Labor Member for Lilley; Martyn Iles, Managing Director of the 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.
After new medical advice derailed the COVID vaccine rollout, how quickly can the Australian government get the program back on track? As Australia's relationship with China continues to sour over the fallout of its push for an international investigation into Covid-19, how can the relationship be repaired? Does having a trade relationship with China mean we have to stay silent on human rights issues? Joining Hamish to discuss these topics and more are: 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.
As more countries set ambitious targets to reduce emissions, Australia stands at a crossroads. After more than a decade of bickering on both sides of politics, is the country ready to put an end to its climate wars? The Prime Minister has signalled he's open to setting a net zero target by 2050 but how do you build a policy framework that can lead to the reduction of emissions, attract economic investment and keep energy costs down? And with work gathering pace on the draft report into The Voice to Parliament, we’ll look at the battle for Indigenous recognition. Joining Hamish to discuss these topics are: 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.
As mass vaccination centres operate at a fraction of capacity, what does the government need to do to restore faith in its vaccination rollout? Also, the war of words over Australia’s hotel quarantine system is raging on, with some calling the system “faulty” and not fit for purpose. What is the future for this system? Joining Hamish to discuss these topics and more are: Bridget McKenzie, Nationals Senate Leader; Courtney Act, performer and activist; Mark Butler, Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing; Parnell Palme McGuinness, Communications Consultant; and Hervé Lemahieu, Director of the Power and Diplomacy Program at the Lowy Institute.
This week's discussion takes a look at housing affordability, childcare and the government’s big spend. Joining Hamish Macdonald on the panel are: Alan Kohler, Finance journalist and Editor-in-Chief at The Eureka Report; Jess Hill, journalist and author of See What You Made Me Do; Fiona Martin, Liberal Member for Reid; Linda Burney, Shadow Minister for Families and Social Services; and Bri Lee, lawyer and author of Eggshell Skull and Beauty. Includes a live performance from Julia Stone.
With the economy showing strong signs of recovery, the government is focusing on jobs and talking up its spending on aged care, infrastructure and childcare. It’s being touted as a “women’s budget”, but will the measures, including more funding for domestic violence prevention and women’s health, be enough to stave off the effects of the so-called “pink recession”? And will the Government’s cash splash safeguard the economy from the threat of more lockdowns and extended border closures? On the panel are: 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 likely to remain closed until mid-2022, senior Government ministers are standing by the decision to keep the doors shut, despite internal party backlash. What will extended border closures mean for the country’s productivity? Despite the economy showing strong signs of recovery, the budget papers forecast a decade of deficits and debt, set to peak at almost $1 trillion in 2025. Will Australia ever see a surplus again? And as the situation escalates between Israelis and Palestinians on the Gaza strip, the panel discuss the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the Middle East. Joining Hamish for this discussion are: 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 Lisa Jackson Pulver, Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Sydney.
With the conflict in the Middle East between Israel and Hamas arriving at a ceasefire, how long will the peace last? Also, as Australia marks Reconciliation Week, what action needs to be taken to amplify the voices of and achieve better outcomes for First Nations people? And, with Health Minister Greg Hunt saying the government expects to have two million doses of Pfizer supplied each week from October, will it be enough to restore confidence in the vaccination program? Joining Hamish on the panel to discuss these questions are: 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. Also includes a live musical performance from Mitch Tambo.
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 for regional areas. On the panel are: Tim Wilson, Liberal MP for Goldstein; Stephen Jones, Labor MP for Whitlam; Diane Smith-Gander, National Chair, CEDA; Gordon Bradbery, Lord Mayor of Wollongong; and Lisa Jackson Pulver, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Strategy and Services, University of Sydney.
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 a look at the trade war tensions between Australia and China. Joining Hamish on the panel are: 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.
As Melbourne slowly emerges from its fourth heartbreaking lockdown, what is the nation's view on job security and business confidence in the COVID recovery, plus the impact of Victoria’s recent devastating floods. Other topics include the latest developments in the plight of the Biloela Tamil family, allegations of misogyny in the Olympic swim team culture, and Israel’s new Prime Minister. Joining guest host David Speers on the panel are: 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.
This week, Hamish Macdonald returns to the Q+A host chair and along with the panel takes a look at Sydney’s growing COVID cluster, disability, autism and the other big stories of the week.On the panel are: 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.
When it comes to vaccinations, it seems Australia has 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, should the Tokyo Games go ahead next month. Joining Hamish on the panel are: 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 leads discussions on the four-stage plan to lead Australia out of the COVID pandemic, fresh accusations of sexism and unwanted sexual advances in federal politics, plus the global issue of vaccine equity. Joining him on the panel are: 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 has been extended by two weeks after an alarming increase in daily recorded cases, with some health experts tipping it could go on even longer. The NSW and federal governments have announced support payments for businesses struggling to survive in lockdown, drawing comparisons to the recent support package offered to Victoria during its last lockdown. The situation in NSW is deteriorating rapidly, with more than 70 patients in hospital, and growing numbers in ICU, many of whom are young people. Joining guest host Virginia Trioli on the panel are: 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.
Almost half of the Australian population remains in lockdown with no end in sight, as authorities pin their hopes on restrictions stopping chains of transmission. Victoria’s lockdown has been extended with contract tracers there racing to keep up with infections amid cases spreading to regional areas. Sydney is facing its fifth week of lockdown and tough new restrictions have seen construction sites shut down. It’s a very different story in the UK, with so-called “Freedom Day” set to see an end to almost all restrictions. But with new cases reaching 50,000 a day, it’s feared abandoning the measures could see another spike in infections. Joining guest host Virginia Trioli on the panel are: 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.
Sydney seems headed for an extended lockdown period, possibly into mid-September, as NSW continues to record high numbers of locally acquired cases. Friction has erupted between the Federal Government and NSW as Premier Gladys Berejiklian pushes for more vaccines while the PM seems to favour a harder lockdown. There are also fears of a new wave of infections following the weekend’s anti-lockdown rallies, in which thousands took the streets, mainly mask-less. 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.
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.
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. Hosted by David Speers. 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.
The Taliban have taken control of Afghanistan in just over a week.
Deadly chaos at Kabul airport has erupted as locals attempt to flee the country, and Western countries scramble to evacuate their personnel.
Scott Morrison has ordered a military evacuation for Australians and Afghans who once served in the ADF, but is it too late now to help those who assisted us for so many years? 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.
Q+A puts young people front and centre on the panel and asking questions from around the country. The Delta variant is radically changing the face of COVID and we're seeing a rising number of infections in children and teens. 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.
In the lead up to the Prime Minister’s National Summit on Women’s Safety, Q+A focuses on financial security, sexual violence, policing, and child exploitation. 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.
Q+A explores the power of words in the workplace, on the sporting field and big business. The panel discuss vaping, racism in sport, growing inequality, power and consent, alternative futures and challenging big corporations. 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.
Have we traded away too many freedoms in the name of COVID safety? How will vaccine passports work and who will miss out? Plus we check in on regional Indigenous communities dealing with COVID outbreaks. Hosted by Stan Grant. 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, vaccine passports and roadmaps out of lockdown and border closures. Plus high-level international diplomacy and a net-zero emissions target by 2050. 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 NSW Government is in turmoil after Gladys Berejiklian said she had no option but to resign due to an ICAC inquiry. The last NSW premier to serve a full term was Bob Carr. What will yet another changing of the guard mean as NSW navigates the roadmap out of lockdown?
Meanwhile, the threat of COVID-19 has driven millions of people into the safety of their own homes – remote working and studying is now the norm, and we are spending more hours online than ever before. But in the race to protect ourselves from a deadly airborne disease, are we sleepwalking into a global cyber pandemic? Panellists: Paul Fletcher, Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, Tanya Plibersek, Shadow Minister for Education, Marc Fennell, Journalist. Zara Seidler, Co-founder, The Daily Aus, Alastair MacGibbon, CyberCX chief strategy officer and former federal cybersecurity advisor.
Australia’s future climate policy is being thrashed out this week as the Federal Liberal and National parties try to reach a deal. As business groups and other stakeholders add their voices to the debate, can our political leaders deliver a plan that will satisfy? And political transparency has been thrust into the spotlight after the sudden resignation of NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian. Now a new documentary ‘Big Deal’, directed by Craig Reucassel examines Australia’s billion-dollar political lobbying industry. Is our democracy for sale 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.
In this year’s ABC Boyer lectures, Shakespeare: Soul of the Age, actor and theatre director John Bell argues Shakespeare’s works still have profound relevance to contemporary political issues, but is great art always relevant? Bell’s lectures cover four main themes and on Q+A we take a closer look at each of them: corruption and leadership, gender inequality, the influence of social media, and what makes for a good life.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, Tim Dean, Philosopher and author.
All eyes turn to Glasgow as world leaders meet at the COP26 climate summit. The Glasgow talks have been described as the "last best hope for the world to get its act together" to prevent a climate catastrophe. Prime Minister Scott Morrison is attending, but Australia faces strong criticism over its net zero climate plan. Former UN climate chief Christiana Figueres has labelled Australia’s policy “irresponsible”, but Scott Morrison insists it’s unrealistic to expect countries to follow the same path to a decarbonised net zero economy. Can politics be put aside to strike a deal that will hold the rise in the earth’s temperature to 1.5 degrees? 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, Kavita Naidu, International climate justice lawyer.
This week on Q+A – Friends and Foes. Finding Australia’s place in an increasingly complicated international landscape. It’s been a bruising few weeks on the world stage as Australia navigates the fallout from AUKUS, the much-heralded defence pact with the United Kingdom and the United States. The PM has described it as a “forever partnership”, but is forever an impossible aim in a world of shifting power balances and competing geopolitical interests? And will this new alliance provoke fresh tensions with 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, Yun Jiang, Producer of China Neican and editor at ANU.
The Great Resignation. Are Australian workers preparing to leave traditional jobs behind as they embrace a post-pandemic work life? Traditional 9 to 5 office jobs have been cast aside by the work-from-home revolution created by the COVID-19 pandemic. In an incredibly short space of time millions of workers around the world swapped the office for their living rooms, and now that life is starting to return to normal, many employees are re-evaluating their priorities. Panellists: George Megalogenis, Author and journalist; Jane Halton, Health expert and former head of Australia’s Finance Department; Andy Penn, Telstra CEO and Managing Director; Emma Fulu, Executive Director of the Equality Institute; Eliza Hull, Musician, disability advocate and writer.
Debate over our freedoms is dominating the news this week. Borders are opening and life is returning to normal in many parts of Australia, however, a weekend of protests saw tens of thousands of people venting their anger over vaccine mandates and proposed pandemic legislation. How should Australia respond to these increasing protests, some bearing violent imagery? And what does this mean for political leaders who are now becoming the target of violent threats? Panellists: Jason Falinski, NSW Liberal MP; Andrew Barr, ACT Chief Minister; Melinda Cilento, Company director and economist; Yaara Bou Melham, Journalist and documentary filmmaker; 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. 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.
