Q+A - Season 18 / Year 2025

A one-on-one with Anthony Albanese. The PM makes his pitch for a second term, taking questions from the audience about cost of living pressures, the economy, community cohesion, our relations with the world and more.

Panellist:

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

Rarely has democratic government been so precarious. Australia faces a federal election within weeks, with huge economic and diplomatic challenges. How will Trump, Putin and Netanyahu play into our election - and our lives?

Panellists:

Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Tim Watts,
Liberal NSW Senator & former diplomat Dave Sharma,
Sky News presenter Cheng Lei, Journalist,
Author & former UK Labour adviser Tom Baldwin, and
Tech journalist, author and podcaster Kara Swisher.

After Cyclone Alfred affected communities in SE Qld and Northern NSW, Q+A is in Wyong on the NSW Central Coast to discuss emergency response, cost of living, housing, work and commuting, health and welfare service delivery.

Panellists:
Minister for Health & Aged Care Mark Butler,
Shadow Assistant Minister for NDIS & Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Hollie Hughes,
Climate Change Authority chair & former NSW minister Matt Kean,
Policy strategist & commentator, Parnell Palme McGuinness
News Corp columnist and Sky News contributor, Joe Hildebrand

Are we breaking up with America? Donald Trump has levied hefty tariffs on Australian steel and aluminium. It's an economic blow ahead of a high-stakes federal budget and a diplomatic minefield on the eve of an election. So what happens now? And how will it impact Australians?

Panelists:
Shadow Minister for Trade & Tourism Kevin Hogan,
NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey,
Deputy Editor of Foreign Policy Amelia Lester
and Australian Financial Review Editor-at-Large Michael Stutchbury

It's Jim Chalmers' fourth budget, and the national ledger is splashed with red ink, as the community calls for more cost-of-living relief. What are the budget breaks and big economic reforms that would make your life easier?

Panellists:
Independent MP for Wentworth: Allegra Spender,
IPA Chief Economist & The Australian columnist: Adam Creighton,
Lead Economist, Impact Economics: Angela Jackson, and
Author, columnist & former Labor adviser: Sean Kelly

It's finally on. Australians will go to the polls in a high-stakes, neck-and-neck contest for power on May 3. And the campaign battlelines have been starkly drawn. Who has the vision to steer us through these turbulent times?

Panellists:
Minister for Industry & Science: Ed Husic,
Shadow Minister for Climate Change & Energy: Ted O'Brien, and
CEO of Grattan Institute: Aruna Sathanapally

Q+A is from Casula in Sydney's outer south-west. Who do you trust to lead the country in an increasingly unstable world? Who has the solutions on transport, housing, health, education and Trump-proofing Australia's fragile economy? What will make a difference to your life?

Panellists:
Minister for Emergency Management of Australia: Jenny McAllister,
Shadow Assistant Minister for Home Ownership: Andrew Bragg,
Greens Spokesperson on Housing & Homelessness: Max Chandler-Mather,
Social researcher & youth affairs advocate: Angelica Ojinnaka-Psillakis, and
Journalist & broadcaster: Marc Fennell

The rising cost of putting a roof over your head is at the heart of this election. Q+A from Berwick in the booming housing belt of south-east Melbourne, where population increase has come with increasing social disadvantage.

Panellists:
Minister for Housing & Homelessness: Clare O'Neil,
Shadow Minister for Social Services, NDIS, Housing & Homelessness: Michael Sukkar,
Independent MP for Warringah: Zali Steggall,
Deputy Mayor for the City of Melbourne: Roshena Campbell, and
Executive Director, The Australia Institute: Richard Denniss

What sort of world will Anthony Albanese or Peter Dutton inherit? Who's best to steer us through increasingly stormy seas? And what does it all mean for your job and your hip pocket? What do you want to hear from political leaders in the dying days of a still-tight election race?

Panellists:
Minister for the Environment & Water: Tanya Plibersek,
Liberal MP for Bradfield: Paul Fletcher,
Greens leader & MP for Melbourne: Adam Bandt,
Robert Menzies Institute CEO: Georgina Downer, and
Political & international editor, The SMH & The Age: Peter Hartcher

After five weeks of pleas and promises, stunts and scandals, brickbats and backflips Australians have made their choice. The winners, the losers and all the wash-up from the election. What will the next three years look like?

Panellists:

Minister for Home Affairs, Immigration & Multicultural Affairs, Cyber Security & the Arts: Tony Burke,
Senator for Victoria & Nationals Senate leader: Bridget McKenzie,
ANU National Security College Professor & former attorney-general: George Brandis KC,
Writer & Social Analyst: Dr Rebecca Huntley, and
Editor-at-large, The Australian: Paul Kelly.

Anthony Albanese hasn't just secured a Labor majority, he's crushed his political rivals and weakened opposition to his agenda. What now for Albanese's Australia? What do Australians get for handing them such a big mandate? And what should the opposition and crossbenchers stand for - and against?

Panellists:
Labor MP for Chifley: Ed Husic,
Outgoing Liberal Senator for NSW: Hollie Hughes,
Greens Senator for NSW: David Shoebridge,
Editor-at-Large for Australian Financial Review: Michael Stutchbury, and
Writer-at-Large for The Nightly: Latika Bourke

Election aftershocks are still rocking Canberra. New ministers, a new opposition leader and promises of a new political mission. Q+A is in Melbourne where voters booted senior Liberals and shored up Labor's state stronghold.

Panellists:
Minister for Industry, Innovation & Science: Tim Ayres,
Liberal Senator for NSW: Dave Sharma,
Independent MP for Indi: Helen Haines,
State Liberal MP for Hawthorn: John Pesutto, and
Creative Director & Labor campaign strategist: Dee Madigan