Q+A (Australian talk show)

Q+A was created as Q&A by founding executive producer Peter McEvoy, Presented by Tony Jones, the show premiered on Thursday, 22 May 2008, at 9:35 pm on ABC TV, featuring a solo appearance by prime minister Kevin Rudd. From the following week, it adopted a regular format of panellists, generally comprising politicians and three additional people representing various sectors of society and occupations.{{cite web | last=Knox | first=David | title=Airdate: Q&A | website=TV Tonight | date=2008-04-24 | url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2008/04/airdate-qa.html | access-date=2024-09-03}}

In 2010, Q&A moved to Monday nights and aired a full season of 40 episodes.{{Cite web|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2009/12/abc-2010-highlights.html |title= ABC: 2010 Highlights|access-date=10 December 2009 |publisher= Knox, David|date= 7 December 2009}} From 26 April 2010, Q+A introduced a Twitter feed; selected tweets discussing Q+A live started to be displayed on screen.{{Cite web|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2010/04/q-a-hot-on-twitter.html |title= Q&A Hot On Twitter|access-date=14 April 2010 |publisher= Knox, David|date= 13 April 2010}} From October 2010, Q+A was simulcast live on ABC News, allowing it to be viewed live across the country.[http://blogs.abc.net.au/abc_tv/2010/10/qa-goes-live-across-australia-on-abc-news-24.html Q&A goes live across Australia on ABC News] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101107105558/http://blogs.abc.net.au/abc_tv/2010/10/qa-goes-live-across-australia-on-abc-news-24.html |date=7 November 2010 }}, ABC TV Blog, 22 October 2010. In March 2015, ABC News ceased simulcast of Q+A.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}

In August 2015, following the Zaky Mallah incident, the ABC moved the show from its entertainment division to the news division, which would subject it to more oversight and stricter guidelines.{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/abc-board-moves-qa-to-news-division-following-zaky-mallah-controversy-20150806-gitd77.html|title=ABC board moves Q&A to news division following Zaky Mallah controversy|work=Sydney Morning Herald|date=6 August 2015}}

Q&A was presented by Tony Jones and produced by Peter McEvoy from its inception until 2019.{{cite web | last=Johnson | first=Natasha | title=ABC Q&A host Tony Jones and executive producer Peter McEvoy sign off after 12 years | website=ABC News | date=2019-12-09 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/redirects/backstory/television/2019-12-09/tony-jones-and-peter-mcevoy-sign-off-from-qanda-after-12-years/11769906 | access-date=2024-09-03}} Virginia Trioli, Annabel Crabb, Julia Baird, Tom Ballard, and Jeremy Fernandez filled in for Jones while he was on leave.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}

In January 2020 the program's name styling was changed from using an ampersand (Q&A ) to a plus sign (Q+A).{{cite web |url=https://www.pedestrian.tv/entertainment/q-and-a-is-no-longer-q-and-a/ | title=The ABC Quietly Murdered The 'Q&A' Ampersand & Boomers Are Quaking In Their Orthopaedic Shoes |first=David |last=Adams |date=11 February 2020 |work=Pedestrian |access-date=3 September 2024}}

At the end of 2020, the show moved to Thursday nights, but moved back to Monday nights in 2023, after appointing Stan Grant as host from August 2022.

In August 2023, during the show's "Garma Special", Q+A received its lowest ratings ever, with fewer than 84,000 metro viewers.{{cite web|title=ABC's Garma Special Q+A delivers show's lowest audience ever - Sydney Morning Herald|url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/abc-s-garma-special-q-a-delivers-show-s-lowest-audience-20230808-p5duwn.html|date=August 9, 2023}} In 2023 the show recovered to a median metro audience of 800,000, but remained one of the ABC's least-watched broadcasts.{{cite web|title=What next for Q+A, if not the end? |website =The Sydney Morning Herald|first=Calum |last=Jaspan|url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/what-next-for-q-a-if-not-the-end-20230811-p5dvv7.html|date= August 14, 2023}}{{cite web|title=Biased, out of touch: Is time for Q+A to be scrapped? |website =The Australian|url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/biased-out-of-touch-time-for-qa-to-be-scrapped/news-story/20f068ffa27696e250ac11e8d704586f?amp&nk=43a53cab007f83eaf4cc3de26f1142c4-1699925473|date=November 14, 2023|url-access =subscription }} From 2024, the ABC cut the number of annual episodes from 40 to 24. Patricia Karvelas, who took over as a fill-in in 2023, was appointed as permanent host,{{cite web | last=Buckingham-Jones | first=Sam | title=The ABC cuts Q+A by 40 per cent | website=Australian Financial Review | date=20 December 2023 | url=https://www.afr.com/companies/media-and-marketing/abc-cuts-q-a-by-40-per-cent-20231220-p5esns | access-date=2 September 2024|url-access=subscription |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20240120134956/https://www.afr.com/companies/media-and-marketing/abc-cuts-q-a-by-40-per-cent-20231220-p5esns|archive-date =20 January 2024 }} with Eliza Harvey becoming executive producer.{{Cite news |last=Knox |first=David |date=21 December 2023 |title=Report: Q+A cuts back on episodes in 2024 |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2023/12/report-qa-cuts-back-on-episodes-in-2024.html |access-date=30 May 2025 |work=TV Tonight}}

On 11 June 2025, the program was canceled by the ABC after 18 years on air.{{Cite news |date=11 June 2025 |title=ABC to discontinue Q+A after panel show's 18 years on air |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-11/abc-panel-show-q-a-discontinued-after-18-years-on-air/105400400 |url-status=live |access-date=11 June 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250611015911/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-11/abc-panel-show-q-a-discontinued-after-18-years-on-air/105400400 |archive-date=11 June 2025 |work=ABC News}}

In November 2019, the ABC announced that Hamish Macdonald would replace Jones as host from February 2020.{{Cite web |last=Kelly |first=Vivienne |date=2019-11-07 |title=Hamish Macdonald confirmed to host ABC's Q&A in 2020 |url=https://mumbrella.com.au/hamish-macdonald-confirmed-to-host-abcs-qa-in-2020-605653 |access-date=2019-11-07 |website=Mumbrella |language=en-US}} Jones hosted his final episode of Q+A on Monday 9 December 2019,{{cite web |date=December 2019 |title=The End of an Era - Q&A 2019 Finale |url=https://www.abc.net.au/qanda/2019-09-12/11751668 |access-date=5 March 2022 |website=Q+A}} and the program was renamed Q+A from the first episode of 2020, hosted by Macdonald.{{cite web |date=3 February 2020 |title=Q+A Bushfires Special |url=https://www.abc.net.au/qanda/2020-03-02/11906192 |access-date=5 March 2022 |website=Q+A}} In February 2021, Q+A moved back to its original timeslot of Thursday night at 8:30 pm. From its peak of over 600,000 viewers, the programme suffered a substantial reduction down to a record low of just above 200,000 viewers across the five major capital cities in April 2021.[https://thewest.com.au/entertainment/tv/abcs-flagship-current-affairs-program-qa-suffers-massive-ratings-fall-after-re-launch-ng-b881854484z "ABC’s flagship current affairs program Q+A suffers massive ratings fall after re-launch"], The West Australian, 23. April 2021

Macdonald resigned in July 2021, citing the overwhelming amount of personal abuse and trolling on social media, and then subsequently in person, that he suffered as a result of hosting the show as a reason for quitting. He returned to Network 10's current affairs and talk show The Project,{{cite web |date=21 August 2021 |title=Hamish Macdonald on why he left ABC's Q+A after 18 months |url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/current-affairs/hamish-macdonald-on-why-he-left-abcs-qa-after-18-months/news-story/ce2a6a8e4754ffc98a163c2d411a7e8d |access-date=6 March 2022 |website=news}} after which Q+A was hosted by a rotating series of hosts until the end of the year.{{cite web |date=19 July 2021 |title=Hamish Macdonald quits as host of ABC's Q+A |url=https://thenewdaily.com.au/entertainment/tv/2021/07/19/hamish-macdonald-qa/ |access-date=6 March 2022 |website=The New Daily}}{{cite web |date=19 July 2021 |title=Q+A host Hamish Macdonald leaves ABC, show to be hosted on rotation |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-07-19/q-a-host-hamish-macdonald-leaves-the-abc/100304042 |access-date=6 March 2022 |website=ABC News |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation}} The three rotating hosts, Stan Grant, David Speers, and Virginia Trioli, were appointed to continue in an ongoing capacity through until July 2022.{{cite web |date=25 November 2021 |title=Upfronts - Q+A will return to the ABC in 2022 despite ratings decline |url=https://tvblackbox.com.au/page/2021/11/25/upfronts-qa-will-return-to-the-abc-in-2022-despite-ratings-decline/ |access-date=6 March 2022 |website=TV Blackbox}}

In July 2022, the ABC announced that Stan Grant would permanently host the show from 1 August.{{Cite web |title=Stan Grant appointed host of Q+A |url=https://about.abc.net.au/press-releases/stan-grant-appointed-host-of-qa/ |access-date=2022-07-25 |website=About the ABC |language=en-AU}} In May 2023, Grant resigned from the show after “grotesque racist abuse, including threats to his safety”. The abuse followed an ABC panel discussion which preceded the coronation of Charles III, on which he was a guest. He said that he was disappointed by the lack of support by the ABC over the abuse.{{Cite news |last=Meade |first=Amanda |date=2023-05-19 |title=Q+A host Stan Grant standing down from ABC show after racist abuse |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/may/19/stan-grant-abc-qa-qanda-host-standing-down-racist-abuse |access-date=2023-05-19 |issn=0261-3077}}

Patricia Karvelas took over as a fill-in and was appointed as permanent host in 2024.

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from: 29/05/2023 till: 19/05/2024 color:Q+A text:"Patricia Karvelas"

{{as of |2024}} Q+A runs on Monday nights in six-week slots over the year,hosted by Patricia Karvelas. It generally features a panel of five public figures, usually including politicians from each of the major federal parties (Labor and Liberal) as well as minor party politicians, media personalities, academics and celebrities, answering questions provided by viewers and the studio audience. On occasion, the show features a sole notable individual, such as the Prime Minister or Leader of the Opposition. The program was broadcast live (in the eastern states) on ABC TV and online, in front of a studio audience, and is available afterwards on ABC iview.{{cite web | title=About us - Q+A | website=ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) | url=https://www.abc.net.au/qanda/about/ | access-date=5 March 2022}}

The program was usually broadcast from the ABC's studios in the Sydney suburb of Ultimo, but was sometimes broadcast from various Australian metropolitan and rural centres. Audience participation was a key aspect of the program, with producers selecting members who represent "a diverse and well-balanced" group.{{Cite web|url=http://www2b.abc.net.au/AudienceBooking/Client/AudienceRegistration.aspx |title= Join the Audience of Q&A|access-date=20 March 2009 |publisher= ABC}}

On 25 October 2010, former Prime Minister John Howard had a pair of shoes thrown at him from a member of the audience due to responses on his attitude to the Iraq War. The shoe-thrower was subsequently removed from the audience. Although Howard seemed indifferent to the incident, it was criticised by both Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, among other members of Parliament from both the Government and the Opposition. The shoe-thrower, environmental activist Peter Gray, died of cancer six months later; before he died, however, he asked the ABC to auction his shoes and the money to be donated to the Red Cross.[http://www.smh.com.au/national/shoe-thrower-departs-with-bequest-from-the-soul-20110509-1eg4h.html Shoe thrower departs with bequest from the soul]; smh.com.au; 10 May 2011[http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/national/cancer-claims-john-howard-shoe-thrower-peter-gray/story-e6freuzr-1226052886649 "Cancer claims John Howard shoe thrower, Peter Gray"], The Daily Telegraph, 10 May 2011[http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/man-who-threw-shoes-at-john-howard-dies-of-cancer/story-fn7x8me2-1226053052647 "Man who threw shoes at John Howard dies of cancer"], Herald Sun, 10 May 2011 Tony Jones announced the auction on the show on 9 May 2011, saying: "Before he died he asked that the shoes, which we kept, be auctioned for charity and the money given to the International Committee for the Red Cross for its work in Iraq. Former Prime Minister John Howard has expressed sorrow at Mr Gray's death and endorsed this idea. So the shoes, which symbolise the {{sic}} their disagreement over Iraq, will now be used to provide practical help to people in Iraq."[http://www.abc.net.au/tv/qanda/txt/s3205559.htm Q&A Transcript: The Bin Laden Hit]; abc.net.au The auction was won by Volley for $3,650.{{Cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/tv/qanda/shoes1.htm |title=Peter Gray and John Howard's shoes |website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=5 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807201721/http://www.abc.net.au/tv/qanda/shoes1.htm |archive-date=7 August 2018 |url-status=dead }}

The show was disrupted on 5 May 2014, when a group of university students began protesting against proposed higher education cuts. The group unfurled a banner over the back of the set and began to chant at Minister for Education Christopher Pyne, before they were removed from the studio while the live broadcast was replaced with footage of a musical performance from an earlier episode. In the lead-up to the protest, Pyne was the subject of several questions regarding education cuts and was heckled by members of the Socialist Alternative.{{cite news|title=Q&A hijacked by protesters, Anna Burke praises Christopher Pyne|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/qa-hijacked-by-protesters-anna-burke-praises-christopher-pyne-20140505-zr53t.html|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=6 May 2014}}

File:Depictions of ABC coverage of Zaki Mallah on tabloid newspapers.jpg

The Zaky Mallah incident stirred great controversy and led to a boycott of Q+A by the Abbott government, after a former terror suspect was invited to ask a question of a minister from the live audience.[http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/qa-fallout-tony-abbott-orders-frontbench-ministers-to-boycott-abc-show-20150705-gi5olb.html Q&A fallout: Tony Abbott orders frontbench ministers to boycott ABC show]; smh.com.au; 6 July 2015 Zaky Mallah had been convicted of threatening to kill Commonwealth officials in 2003,[https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/jun/29/qa-host-tony-jones-says-zaky-mallah-should-not-have-been-allowed-on-show Q&A host Tony Jones says Zaky Mallah should not have been allowed on show.] The Guardian'', 29 June 2015[http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/abc-offices-in-security-lockdown-after-threats-following-qa-zaky-mallah-episode-20150625-ghy48b.html ABC offices in security lockdown after threats following Q&A Zaky Mallah episode]; smh.com.au; 26 June 2015 but found not guilty of terrorism offences in 2005.{{cite news | url = http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/oz-jihadist-charged-for-issuing-how-to-survive-holy-war-list-on-facebook-113051800346_1.html| title = Oz jihadist charged for issuing 'how-to survive' holy war list on Facebook

| newspaper = Business Insider| date = 18 May 2013| location = Sydney, Australia| quote = An Australian has been charged under anti-terrorist laws for issuing a how-to list on Facebook for how young men can engage in holy war without getting killed or ending up in Guantanamo Bay.}} Prior to his appearance on the program, Mallah had tweeted derogatorily and lewdly about two female News Ltd columnists, Miranda Devine and Rita Panahi, mentioning gang banging them.{{cite web|url= http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/qa-guest-zaky-mallah-hits-back-with-new-gangbang-tweets/news-story/fe0701f40bc64bc45b2053194949d81c |title=Q&A guest Zaky Mallah hits back with new gang-bang tweets|date= 1 July 2015| url-access=subscription}}{{cite web | title=Zaky Mallah has spouted some new sexist tweets | website=Mamamia | date=1 July 2015 | url=https://www.mamamia.com.au/zaky-mallah-sexist-tweets/ | access-date=6 March 2022}} He was known to Q+A{{'}}s editorial team, attending three shows as an audience member since 2011, and twice being rejected as a panel member,{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-03/report-finds-qa-did-investigate-zaky-mallah-before-appearance/6593810|title=Q&A: Program did investigate Zaky Mallah before his appearance, Department of Communications report finds |work=ABC News|date=3 July 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.skynews.com.au/news/top-stories/2015/07/03/abc-check-found-mallah-wasn-t-dangerous.html|title=ABC check found Mallah wasn't dangerous| work=Sky News |date=3 July 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/abc-producers-had-concerns-about-zaky-mallah-government-review-finds-20150703-gi4s2u.html|title=ABC producers had concerns about Zaky Mallah, government review finds|date=3 July 2015|work= The Sydney Morning Herald}} but they were not aware of the misogynist tweets; Jones said that he would not have been allowed on the programme had they known.

On 22 June 2015, Mallah posed a pre-approved question about terrorism laws to Parliamentary secretary Steven Ciobo, who was on the Q+A panel that night: "What would have happened if my [terrorism] case had been decided by the Minister and not the courts?" and confirmed he had pleaded guilty to threatening to kill officials.{{cite web | title=Terror, Poverty & Native Titles | website=Q+A | date=22 June 2015| format= Video + transcript| publisher= Australian Broadcasting Corporation| url=https://www.abc.net.au/qanda/terror-poverty-native-titles/10654700 | access-date=6 March 2022}} Ciobo replied that he understood that the acquittal was based on a technicality, so would be happy to see the government remove Mallah from the country.{{cite news | title=Abbott asks the ABC 'whose side are you on?' over Zaky Mallah's Q&A appearance| url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/jun/23/abbott-asks-the-abc-whose-side-are-you-on-over-zaky-mallahs-qa-appearance}} Mallah later was directed to respond, saying "The Liberals now have just justified to many Australian Muslims in the community tonight to leave and go to Syria and join ISIS because of ministers like him". Jones called these comments "totally out of order". Mallah later wrote that he "hates ISIS" and his comments were "misinterpreted".{{cite news | title=Zaky Mallah: I stand by what I said on Q&A. Australia needs to hear it |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jun/23/zaky-mallah-i-stand-by-what-i-said-on-qa-the-public-needs-to-hear-it|author=Zaky Mallah|date=23 June 2015|work=The Guardian Comment is Free}}

The following day, the ABC published an apology for including Mallah on a live event, admitting to an error of judgement,{{cite web|url=https://about.abc.net.au/statements/abc-statement-qa/|title=ABC statement – Q&A|date=23 June 2015|author=Richard Finlayson, Director ABC Television}} and around a week later the ABC board appointed Shaun Brown and Ray Martin to do an independent audit of the show,{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/abc-board-appoints-ray-martin-to-conduct-audit-of-qa-following-zaky-mallah-episode-20150701-gi2lcn.html|title=ABC board appoints Ray Martin to conduct audit of Q&A following Zaky Mallah episode|work=Sydney Morning Herald|author=Matthew Knott|date=1 July 2015}} and issued a formal warning to Q+A executive producer Peter McEvoy.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-01/abc-board-response-q-and-a-zacky-mallah/6587674|title=Q&A: Executive producer given formal warning after former terrorism suspect Zaky Mallah's appearance on program|work=ABC News|date=1 June 2015}} ABC director Mark Scott conceded the producers had erred putting Mallah on live television, but defended the independence of the ABC's editorial decisions{{cite web|url=http://about.abc.net.au/speeches/annual-corporate-public-affairs-oration/|title=Annual Corporate Public Affairs Oration|author=Mark Scott|work=abc.net.au|date=25 June 2015}} and argued there is merit in platforming "views that run contrary to accepted public values" in order to "understand the root cause" of alarming actions.{{cite news | title=Mark Scott says the ABC is on the side of Australia – in all its forms | url=http://www.businessinsider.com.au/mark-scott-says-the-abc-is-on-the-side-of-australia-in-all-its-forms-2015-6| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150629152233/http://www.businessinsider.com.au/mark-scott-says-the-abc-is-on-the-side-of-australia-in-all-its-forms-2015-6| url-status=dead| archive-date=29 June 2015}}

Following the incident, the ABC reported that it had received over 1000 complaints over its decision to allow Mallah into the audience.[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-25/heads-should-roll-at-abc-says-tony-abbott/6572688 Tony Abbott declares 'heads should roll' at ABC over Q&A 'betrayal']; abc.net.au; 25 June 2015 The decision was criticised by Labor deputy leader Tanya Plibersek,[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-30/qanda-zaky-mallah-explanation-lacks-logic-steven-ciobo/6582342 Q&A: Explanation for including 'terrorist sympathiser' Zaky Mallah on program lacks logic, Steven Ciobo says]; abc.net.au; 30 June 2015 and Prime Minister Tony Abbott{{cite news | title='Whose side are you on?' Tony Abbott lashes ABC's Q&A program | url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/whose-side-are-you-on-tony-abbott-lashes-abcs-qa-program-20150623-ghvd0l.html}}{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/qa-tony-abbott-says-heads-should-roll-over-zaky-mallah-episode-orders-inquiry-20150625-ghxeti.html|title=Q&A: Tony Abbott says 'heads should roll' over Zaky Mallah episode, orders inquiry|work=Sydney Morning Herald|date=25 June 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.skynews.com.au/news/top-stories/2015/06/23/mallah-question-a--grave-error-of-judgement-.html|title=PM slams ABC: 'Whose side are you on here?'|work=Sky News|date=23 June 2015}} banned members of his frontbench appearing on the program.{{cite news|title=Barnaby Joyce pulls out of Q&A as Tony Abbott insists frontbenchers boycott show | url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/jul/06/barnaby-joyce-pulls-out-qa-tony-abbott-orders}} He later offered to permit them if the show was moved from the ABC's Television section to News and Current Affairs.{{cite web|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2015/07/pm-wants-qa-to-shift-to-news-current-affairs.html|title=PM wants Q&A to shift to News & Current Affairs|work=Tvtonight.com.au|date=10 July 2015}} Substantially negative coverage of the ABC's conduct appeared in News Corporation-owned papers,{{cite news|url=http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/qa-host-tony-jones-defends-zaky-mallah-appearance/2690508/|title=Tony Jones: ABC unaware of Zaky Mallah gangbang tweet|work=Sunshine Coast Daily}}{{cite news | title=The Courier-Mail is running an utterly damning front page on the Q&A Zaky Mallah disaster | url=http://www.businessinsider.com.au/the-courier-mail-is-running-an-utterly-damning-front-page-tomorrow-on-the-qa-zaky-mallah-disaster-2015-6| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150625235844/http://www.businessinsider.com.au/the-courier-mail-is-running-an-utterly-damning-front-page-tomorrow-on-the-qa-zaky-mallah-disaster-2015-6| url-status=dead| archive-date=25 June 2015}} including The Daily Telegraph{{cite news | title=ABC doing the devil's work in giving terrorist sympathiser Zaky Mallah a voice | url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/opinion/abc-doing-the-devils-work-in-giving-terrorist-sympathiser-zaky-mallah-a-voice/story-fni0cwl5-1227412165676}} and The Australian.{{cite news | url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion-high-time-to-rein-in-qa-wingnuts/story-e6frg6n6-1227412297500 | title=High time to rein in Q&A 'wingnuts'| url-access=subscription}} Other commentators defended the ABC, including Ray Martin,{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/ray-martin-urged-to-step-down-from-qa-review-after-calling-boycott-silly-20150707-gi75x0.html|title=Ray Martin urged to step down from Q&A review after calling boycott silly|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=8 July 2015}} Peter Greste,{{cite web | last=Bachelard | first=Michael | title=Peter Greste says shutting down Zaky Mallah means shutting down debate | website=The Sydney Morning Herald | date=24 June 2015 | url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/peter-greste-says-shutting-down-zaky-mallah-means-shutting-down-debate-20150624-ghwn3f.html | access-date=6 March 2022}} Jonathan Holmes,{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/comment/abc-seems-to-be-cowering-in-silence-over-qa-program-fallout-20150624-ghw8hs | title=Zaky Mallah: ABC cowers in the face of Q&A fallout}} and Richard Ackland.{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jun/24/the-hysteria-over-zaky-mallah-on-qa-would-make-joseph-mccarthy-proud | title= The hysteria over Zaky Mallah on Q&A would make Joseph McCarthy proud}}

In August 2015 the ABC moved the show from its entertainment division to the news division, which would subject it to more oversight and stricter guidelines. In November 2015, Tony Jones said the furore and boycott was based on a "big lie" [that Mallah supported ISIS].{{cite web | last=McMahon | first=Neil | title=Q&A host Tony Jones says Zaky Mallah furore and boycott was based on a 'big lie' | website=Brisbane Times | date=22 November 2015 | url=https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/federal/qa-host-tony-jones-says-zaky-mallah-furore-and-boycott-was-based-on-a-big-lie-20151122-gl4u8i.html | access-date=6 March 2022}}

Duncan Storrar asked assistant government minister Kelly O'Dwyer a question on tax-free thresholds, asking why poorer people were not receiving similar tax relief from the Coalition government. He quickly gained widespread support as an embodiment for the 'battling Aussie'. The publicity from his question caused various media outlets to cover his life, with some outlets publishing allegations that he was a drug addict and that he had previously failed to care for his family. Storrar became traumatised as a result of his harsh media treatment.{{cite news | url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-17/duncan-storrar-thanks-australia-for-support-after-qanda/7420918|title=Duncan Storrar thanks Australians for support in wake of Q&A appearance, hits out at News Corp|date=17 May 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/finance/economy/federal-budget/melbourne-dad-duncan-storrar-steals-the-election-debate-from-the-pollies/news-story/3e3bdcd28baf3005b65f677cf3952271|title=Geelong dad Duncan Storrar steals the election debate from the pollies}} A crowdfunding campaign was started to buy him a new toaster, which played on O'Dwyer's remarks about depreciation treatment for small business, namely cafes.{{cite web | url=https://www.gofundme.com/23hcwd8|title=Go Fund Me: Buy Duncan Storrar a toaster}}

In February 2017, panellist Yassmin Abdel-Magied defended sharia law, arguing that Islam is "the most feminist" of all religions. On the same program, Abdel-Magied stated in response to another panellist, Jacqui Lambie, that Sharia law is as simple as "me praying five times day," and that it says in Islam, "you follow the law of the land on which you are on".{{cite web|title=Blackouts, Childcare, and Migration|url=http://www.abc.net.au/tv/qanda/txt/s4612398.htm|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=17 February 2017|date=13 February 2017}} Some Islamic scholars{{Who|date=February 2017}} have disputed this saying "they must comply with the laws of their country of residence without, at the same time, disobeying Islamic law."{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/taxpayers-billed-for-qa-activist-yassmin-abdelmagieds-grand-tour-of-islamic-regimes/news-story/7d406323d63bdca4b20da74d567fa028 |title=Taxpayers billed for Q&A activist Yassmin Abdel-Magied's grand tour of Islamic regimes |author=Overington, Caroline|date=16 February 2017|work=The Australian|access-date=16 February 2017|author-link=Caroline Overington }}{{subscription required}}

On 4 November 2019, Q+A hosted a special show in conjunction with The Wheeler Centre's Broadside festival of feminist ideas.

{{cite web |url=https://www.abc.net.au/qanda/2019-04-11/11646878 |title="Q&A Broadside" |website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=2019-11-04 |access-date=2019-11-09 }} The show aired content including swearing and discussions about violence. This led to hundreds of complaints being filed against the ABC about language and viewpoints,{{cite web |url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/tv-and-radio/let-them-be-scared-q-and-a-panellist-stands-by-comments-after-complaints-20191108-p538qs.html|title="'Let them be scared': Q&A panellist stands by comments after complaints"|last=Carmody |first=Broede|date=2019-11-08 |access-date=2019-11-09}}{{cite web | last=Henriques-Gomes | first=Luke | title='Let's burn stuff': Q&A panellists debate violence and shattering the status quo | website=The Guardian | date=4 November 2019 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/nov/05/lets-burn-stuff-qa-panellists-debate-violence-and-shattering-the-status-quo | access-date=19 August 2024}} resulting in the ABC network opening an investigation into whether the show violated editorial standards. Panellists included Mona Eltahawy; author Jess Hill; Nayuka Gorrie; Ashton Applewhite; Hana Assafiri; and host, Fran Kelly.{{cite web | last1=Eltahawy | first1=Mona | last2=Hill | first2=Jess | last3=Gorrie | first3=Nayuka | last4=Applewhite | first4=Ashton | last5=Assafiri | first5=Hana | title=Q&A Broadside | website=Q+A | date=4 November 2019 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/qanda/2019-04-11/11646878 | access-date=19 August 2024| format=Includes transcript.}}

On 3 March 2022, Q+A fielded several questions on the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine by Russia. A Russian-Australian audience member, Sasha Gillies-Lekakis, saying that there were a lot of Russians both in Australia and around the world who support Putin's actions, and accusing the Ukrainian Government of collaborating with "Nazi groups like the Azov Battalion in "besieg[ing] the Russian populations in the Donbas, killing an estimated 13,000 people", asked the panel why grief and concern had not been expressed for those Russians. Host Stan Grant pointed out that the UN had recorded 13,000 deaths in total (both sides) since the conflict began in 2014.{{Cite tweet |user=QandA|number=1499327127623139328|title=Has Western media lacked nuance in its depiction of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and ignored Russian voices who support Putin?}} Some time later, after other questions and discussions, Grant asked that Gillies-Lekakis leave the studio.{{cite web | title=Putin's War | website=Q+A | publisher= Australian Broadcasting Corporation| date=3 March 2022 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/qanda/2022-03-03/13769842 | access-date=5 March 2022| format=Video (1h 4m) + transcript, see 24:59}} Grant apologised for not having ejected him directly after his question, saying "We can’t have people advocating violence, and I should have asked you to leave". After an argument with another audience member, the questioner was ejected from the studio by security.{{cite web | title=Q+A | website=ABC iview | date=6 March 2018 | url=https://iview.abc.net.au/show/qanda/series/0/video/NC2204H004S00 | access-date=5 March 2022|format= Video (1h 4m}}{{Cite tweet |user=tyson_whelan|number=1499332849799172101|title=Stan gives a QandA audience member the flick.}}

The ABC posted an explanation of the incident afterwards on the Q+A website:{{blockquote|Sasha Gillies-Lekakis did not ask the question that he had agreed{{efn|The question as submitted by Gillies-Lekakis before the show read "Since 2014, the Ukraine has besieged the Russian-majority populations in Donbas, in flagrant violation of the Minsk Agreement. The UN estimates 13,000 people have been killed in the conflict".{{cite web | last=Quinn | first=Karl | title=Sasha Gillies-Lekakis ejected from Q+A by Stan Grant after 'small' question change | website=The Sydney Morning Herald | date=4 March 2022 | url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/tv-and-radio/the-small-question-change-that-led-to-sasha-gillies-lekakis-q-a-ejection-20220304-p5a1ob.html | access-date=5 March 2022}}}} and what he said instead contained major inaccuracies. He was asked to finish his question and the issue was aired in the panel discussion. As the program developed, Stan Grant, a highly experienced presenter of live TV, was aware that other audience members were distressed. After careful consideration he decided the best course of action was for Mr Gillies-Lekakis to leave the studio, which was live-to-air. The ABC fully supports his judgement and handling of this situation.}}

Discussion of the incident followed in the media, with commentators agreeing that Gillies-Lukakis deserved a strong rebuttal for "promoting Russian propaganda", but that sending him out gave the appearance of "weakness rather than the moral and intellectual strength these times demand".{{cite web| url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/critics-slam-stan-grant-for-decision-to-boot-putin-sympathiser-from-qa-audience/news-story/3ac118fff51d888f01f4f42449ddfccc| website= The Australian| title=Critics slam Stan Grant for decision to boot Putin sympathiser| date= March 2022|url-access=subscription}}{{cite web | last=Quinn | first=Karl | title=Q+A host Stan Grant was right to be angry, but wrong to eject Sasha Gillies-Lekakis over Russian question | website=The Sydney Morning Herald | date=4 March 2022 | url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/tv-and-radio/stan-grant-was-right-to-be-angry-but-wrong-to-eject-sasha-gillies-lekakis-20220304-p5a1vi.html | access-date=5 March 2022}}{{cite web | last=Mitchell | first=Neil | title=Suppression, or sensitivity? Neil Mitchell raises questions over Q&A audience member being booted for pro-Russian views | website=3AW | date=3 March 2022 | url=https://www.3aw.com.au/suppression-or-sensitivity-neil-mitchell-raises-questions-over-qa-audience-member-being-booted-for-pro-russian-views/ | access-date=5 March 2022}}

File:Hamish McDonald Vicky Xu Senator James Paterson ABC Q+A Melbourne 15.04.2021.jpg, featuring Vicky Xu (centre) and Senator James Paterson (right)]]

Journalist David Marr said in 2015 "The ABC has only created a handful of great shows in recent years and Q+A is one of them".{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/meet-peter-mcevoy-the-faceless-man-behind-the-qa-scandal-20150702-gi3ovu.html|title=Meet Peter McEvoy, the faceless man behind the Q&A scandal|author=Matthew Knott|date=2 July 2015|work=Sydney Morning Herald}}

Former Liberal leader John Hewson said of the show in 2015: "I think you get few opportunities in politics to get your message across, and Q+A is one of them".[https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/jul/12/coalition-desire-impose-guidelines-qanda-censorship-says-labor-mp Abbott's desire to impose guidelines on Q&A is censorship, says Labor MP]; The Guardian, 12 July 2015

Journalist Paul Barry noted on the ABC Media Watch program in July 2015 that Q+A had been criticised for "being biased to the left".{{cite web | title=Front benched from Q&A | website=Media Watch | date=6 Jul 2015| first=Paul| last=Barry| url=https://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/episodes/front-benched-from-q38a/9973212 | access-date=6 March 2022}} Various high-profile Liberal-National politicians, conservative journalists and political commentators have complained of bias.{{cite web| url= https://www.afr.com/life-and-luxury/arts-and-culture/q-and-a-boycott-the-stuff-of-classic-stockholm-syndrome-20141129-11wjtz |first=Mark| last= Latham| author-link= Mark Latham| title=Q&A boycott the stuff of classic Stockholm Syndrome| work=Australian Financial ReviewWeekend|date= 29 November 2014|access-date= 6 March 2022}}[http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/columnists/janet-albrechtsen/arrogant-abcs-left-bias-lets-down-taxpayers-and-qa-is-proof/news-story/b68a7774269945102a36197635e81b17 Arrogant ABC's left bias lets down taxpayers, and Q&A is proof]; theaustralian.com.au; 30 June 2015

After Tony Jones joked in 2014 that a new conservative party led by then-Liberal Cory Bernardi could be called "Cory Bernardi's Golden Dawn", right-wing columnist Andrew Bolt described Jones as a "Leftist" who has had to make repeated apologies for the treatment of conservatives on the show.[http://www.heraldsun.com.au/blogs/andrew-bolt/tony-jones-clarifies-again-the-abcs-left-is-out-of-control/news-story/18c087b92449822bb7cd9e4de6907f10 Tony Jones "clarifies" again. The ABC's Left is out of control]; heraldsun.com.au; 6 October 2016{{cite web|title=Q&A Transcript, Monday 17 March, 2014|url=http://www.abc.net.au/tv/qanda/txt/s3951334.htm|publisher=Q&A, ABC|access-date=13 May 2014|date=17 March 2014}}{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/the-abcs-qa-apologises-to-andrew-bolt-for-racist-slur/news-story/dd8b790aa7dd0187667408bed34e41b8|title=The ABC's Q&A apologises to Andrew Bolt for 'racist' slur|newspaper=Herald Sun|date=17 March 2014}} In March 2015, during a debate on feminism, Liberal Deputy Leader Julie Bishop told the audience that she did not believe Tony Jones interrupted her because of gender, but because of her politics.[http://www.abc.net.au/tv/qanda/txt/s4177814.htm Q&A Transcript: Bad Feminism: Contradictions and Careers]; abc.net.au; 9 March 2015 In May 2015, Senator James McGrath (Liberal National Party of Queensland) raised the issue with ABC Managing Director Mark Scott in Senate Estimates, complaining of consistent bias against "those on the right or centre-right of politics".[http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/everyone-from-coalition-thinks-abcs-qa-is-biased-to-the-left-says-lnp-senator-james-mcgrath-20150527-ghatyw.html Everyone from Coalition thinks ABC's Q&A is biased to the left, says LNP senator James McGrath]; smh.com.au; 28 May 2015

After the Mallah incident, former Liberal Prime Minister Tony Abbott reportedly told his party room that the program is a "lefty lynch mob". In his first appearance on the show as Prime Minister in June 2016, Malcolm Turnbull described Tony Jones as "a very good spokesman for the ALP".[http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/federal-election-2016/qa-malcolm-turnbull-accuses-tony-jones-of-being-a-very-good-spokesman-for-labor-20160620-gpnqep.html Q&A: Malcolm Turnbull accuses Tony Jones of being 'a very good spokesman' for Labor]; 21 June 2016 The Australian journalist Janet Albrechtsen wrote that she was boycotting the program because "Free speech on Q+A means stacking the panel, the audience and the questions to skew left." Albrechtsen was one of the programme's most frequent guests. Piers Akerman wrote in The Daily Telegraph that the show was scripted and directed by Jones.[http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/opinion/new-low-is-just-common-ground-for-abc-anarchists/news-story/d797224d171844916440d9beb1dca209 New low is just common ground for ABC anarchists]; dailytelegraph.com.au; 26 June 2015 Liberal power broker Michael Kroger and conservative journalists Miranda Devine and Tom Switzer also boycott the show.

Broadcaster Steve Price described a July 2016 question put to him about violence against women and the ensuing verbal altercation he had with journalist Van Badham as an "ambush". Price's comment was made in the wake of widespread public condemnation for his repeatedly interrupting Badham and insisting she was "hysterical" as she responded to a questioner who had described the violent murder of his sister.[http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/news-and-current-affairs/steve-price-claims-he-was-ambushed-in-controversial-qa-comments-20160712-gq4byp.html Steve Price claims on The Project that he was 'ambushed' in controversial Q&A comments]; smh.com.au; 12 July 2016

An internal review commissioned by the ABC in the wake of the Mallah incident, conducted by television journalist Ray Martin and former SBS managing director Shaun Brown, noted that "The most commonly expressed criticism was that the program lacks impartiality and maintains a left wing anti-Coalition bias"; however, this criticism was found to be "not substantiated".{{cite web | last=Doran | first=Matthew | title=Q&A review: ABC program not a 'lefty lynch mob', but Tony Jones should be careful in questioning, review finds | website=ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) | date=17 December 2015 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-17/qanda-review-finds-show-not-a-lefty-lynch-mob/7038088 | access-date=6 March 2022}}

After participating in the audit of the program, which entailed watching 23 programs of Q+A repeatedly and examining the transcripts, Martin wrote: "Q+A is a top-rating, professional but tightly-controlled, live television discussion, in which the only thing that's unpredictable are the panellists' answers... like it or loathe it, Q+A discusses serious politics and important social issues at a more intelligent level than anywhere else on Australian television". He noted however that the only "chronic imbalance" within the show was of an under-representation of women on the panel and that it was "Sydney-centric", mainly because it operates on a tight budget.{{cite web | last=Martin | first=Ray | title=Ray Martin delivers his verdict on the real problems with Q&A | website=news | date=20 December 2015 | url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/tv-shows/ray-martin-delivers-his-verdict-on-qa/news-story/1f2231b6c273b0fe026f6e5472888801 | access-date=6 March 2022}} He also told Sunrise that the Abbott government's boycott of the program was "silly" and that he suspected "Tony Jones was just as tough on the Labor government as he is on the Coalition".[http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/ray-martin-urged-to-step-down-from-qa-review-after-calling-boycott-silly-20150707-gi75x0.html Ray Martin urged to step down from Q&A review after calling boycott silly]; smh.com.au; 8 July 2015

Following the review, Gerard Henderson wrote that the ABC had engaged "leftists" who cleared the program of "being accused of leftism".[http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/columnists/gerard-henderson/media-watch-dog-abc-engages-leftists-who-clear-qa-of-leftism/news-story/ae6a4c9c26a5d81bf23c2646ca459d51 Media Watch Dog: ABC engages leftists who clear Q&A of leftism]; theaustralian.com.au; 18 December 2015{{cite news |last= Henderson|first= Gerard|date= 5 April 2014|title= Taxpayers funding Left ABC agenda|url= http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/opinion/taxpayers-funding-left-abc-agenda/story-e6frgd0x-1226875038538|newspaper= The Australian|access-date= 27 March 2015}}

{{for|a full list of panellists who have appeared since 2008|List of Q&A panellists}}

{{Update section|date=February 2025}}

The most frequently-appearing panellists on Q+A as of 29 September 2020 were:[http://www.abc.net.au/tv/qanda/past-programs-by-date.htm All programs], Q&A, ABC TV

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