Season 12 Plot

After 12 years, this season was Tony Jones's final season as full-time host.

Q&A Season 12 aired on February 4th, 2019.

Season 12 Episodes

1. The Boats, the Banks, and the River

February 4th, 20191 hr

Tony Jones returns with a powerful line-up of independent voices: Julia Banks, Andrew Wilkie, Adam Bandt, Kerryn Phelps, Rebekha Sharkie.

2. Manus, Hakeem, and Franking Credits

February 11th, 20191 hr

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 and People's Panellist Zoya Patel.

3. Q&A on Drugs

February 18th, 20191 hr

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 Jauncey; Former AFP Commissioner Mick Palmer.

4. Jordan Peterson Destroys Q&A

February 25th, 20191 hr

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/commentator Van Badham.

5. A Church in Crisis

March 4th, 20191 hr

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 and relationship counsellor Shmuley Boteach.

6. Q&A: Women in Leadership

March 11th, 20191 hr

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, Sabina Shugg and AFLW boss Nicole Livingstone.

7. Q&A In Townsville

March 18th, 20191 hr

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 McMillan and rural property valuer Roger Hill.

8. Roxane Gay on Q&A

March 25th, 20191 hr

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 and Liberal Vice President Teena McQueen.

9. Cash, Guns, Gangs, and Life

April 1st, 20191 hr

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 and People's Panellist Lakshmi Logathassan.

10. Q&A Budget Special

April 8th, 20191 hr

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 to dominate the Federal election campaign.

11. Election 2019: The Battle For Queensland

April 15th, 20191 hr

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 issues ahead of the May 18 election.

12. The Election Countdown

April 29th, 20191 hr

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 Australian's Foreign Editor Greg Sheridan.

13. Bill Shorten on Q&A

May 6th, 20191 hr

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.

14. The Q&A Last Chance Saloon

May 13th, 20191 hr

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 Plibersek and Greens Leader Richard Di Natale.

15. The Wash Up

May 20th, 20191 hr

After Australians deliver their election verdict, Labor frontbencher Jim Chalmers, former Liberal MP Christopher Pyne, broadcaster Alan Jones, political reporter Alice Workman and business leader Ming Long join Tony Jones.

16. First Australians and Quiet Australians

May 27th, 20191 hr

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-Henri Levy and people's panelist Rachael Jacobs.

17. Jimmy Barnes Rocks Q&A

June 3rd, 20191 hr

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 energy policy specialist Matthew Warren.

18. Q&A at Vivid

June 10th, 20191 hr

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 Marshall and cyberpsychologist Jocelyn Brewer.

19. Science Special

June 17th, 20191 hr

Joining Tony Jones to talk everything science: physicist Prof. Brian Cox, marine ecologist Emma Johnston, atmospheric and climate scientist David Karoly, astrophysicist Kirsten Banks and astrobiologist Martin Van Kranendonk.

20. The Freedom to Fund Yourself

June 24th, 20191 hr

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 and people's panellist Ash Belsar.

21. Union Bosses and Suburban Dads

July 1st, 20191 hr

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 Grace Kelly and people's panellist Greg Day.

22. Nukes in an Uncertain World

July 8th, 20191 hr

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 White, Professor of Strategic Studies at ANU.

23. Deemed Not To Matter

July 15th, 20191 hr

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 and political strategist Toby Ralph.

24. Boris, Brexit and The Black Dog

July 22nd, 20191 hr

On the panel: UK political strategist Alastair Campbell, former WA Premier Geoff Gallop, Property Industry Foundation CEO Kate Mills, Menzies Research Centre Executive Director Nick Cater and political scientist Anne Tiernan.

25. Wage Theft and Celebrity Chefs

July 29th, 20191 hr

Fran Kelly joins Tasmanian Liberal Senator Eric Abetz, Victorian Labor Senator Kimberley Kitching, social justice advocate Tim Costello, communications consultant Parnell Palme McGuinness and cook/writer/presenter Adam Liaw.

26. Zali's Political Slalom

August 5th, 20191 hr

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 Australian's Economics Editor Adam Creighton.

27. How Good is Democracy?

August 12th, 20191 hr

Tony Jones joins philosopher/author A. C. Grayling, Minister for Population & Cities Alan Tudge, Shadow Minister for the Environment & Water Terri Butler, historian/broadcaster Clare Wright and people's panellist Li Shee Su.

28. The Indigenous Voice

August 19th, 20191 hr

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 and Patricia Turner.

29. High School Special

August 26th, 20191 hr

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 Berejiklian and Senator Kristina Keneally.

30. Writers Special

September 2nd, 20191 hr

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 Columbia Journalism School Steve Coll.

31. Donations, Disability and Disillusionment

September 9th, 20191 hr

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's Foreign Affairs Editor Greg Sheridan.

32. The Political Donations Arms Race

September 16th, 20191 hr

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 at the United States Studies Centre John Lee.

33. Kerry O'Brien and Your Right To Know

September 23rd, 20191 hr

Answering your questions are legendary journalist and author Kerry O'Brien, broadcaster/commentator Jan Fran, Communications Minister Paul Fletcher, Shadow Health Minister Chris Bowen and Fairfield City Councillor Dai Le.

34. The Power of Music

September 30th, 20191 hr

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 Juju, and Hip Hop artist L-FRESH The LION.

35. A Spotlight on Aged Care

October 7th, 20191 hr

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 Sean Rooney.

36. Democracy or Disruption?

October 14th, 20191 hr

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, Vicky Xu, Jennifer Hewett and Simon Longstaff.

37. Future Alert

October 21st, 20191 hr

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 potential disasters threatening human survival.

38. The Drought

October 28th, 20191 hr

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 Simson, Maryanne Slattery and Kate McBride.

39. Broadside

November 4th, 20191 hr

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 anti-ageism campaigner/author Ashton Applewhite.

40. Climate and Catastrophe

November 11th, 20191 hr

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 plus Silicon Valley entrepreneur Sarah Friar.

41. Q&A in WA

November 18th, 20191 hr

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 Scarr and people's panellist Dylan Storer.

42. International Power

November 25th, 20191 hr

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 Studies Centre and The Australian's Greg Sheridan.

43. Q&A Pacific

December 2nd, 20191 hr

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, Manu Tupou-Roosen and Virisila Buadromo.

44. The End of an Era

December 9th, 20191 hr

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 Msimang and ANU Vice-Chancellor Brian Schmidt.

All Seasons

Season 14

Season 14

Feb 4, 2021
Season 13

Season 13

Feb 3, 2020
Season 12

Season 12

Feb 4, 2019
Season 11

Season 11

Feb 5, 2018
Season 10

Season 10

Feb 6, 2017
Season 9

Season 9

Feb 1, 2016
Season 8

Season 8

Feb 2, 2015
Season 7

Season 7

Feb 3, 2014
Season 6

Season 6

Feb 4, 2013
Season 5

Season 5

Feb 6, 2012
Season 4

Season 4

Feb 7, 2011
Season 3

Season 3

Feb 8, 2010
Season 2

Season 2

Feb 12, 2009
Season 1

Season 1

May 22, 2008
Specials

Specials

Apr 26, 2012