The ABC has officially revealed plans to end Q+A after an impressive 18-year run.
Justin Stevens, ABC’s Director of News, expressed that this decision was challenging.
“We have great pride in the accomplishments of Q+ A over the years. The team has excelled, particularly during the recent federal election campaign,” he stated. “The choice to end the program is not a reflection on anyone involved in the show.”
“We must continuously innovate and adapt, and the landscape has evolved significantly in the two decades since Q+A began. It’s time to reassess how audiences prefer to engage and enhance our approach to involving a broader audience of Australians in national discussions. We will focus on how to maintain such engagement in a more inventive manner.”
New initiatives from ABC NEWS will include making Your Say a permanent program aimed at boosting audience involvement across Australia.
During the federal election campaign, Your Say garnered nearly 30,000 online contributions, with 36 percent coming from areas beyond the capital cities, along with thousands of talkback calls on local and regional stations. The insights from Your Say were utilized by news teams, shaping the questions directed at politicians and the topics debated by the ABC’s leaders.
“Your Say guarantees that public opinions, worries, and inquiries are central to our journalism, complementing our daily commissioning and reporting efforts,” Stevens remarked. “We are eager to explore additional possibilities with this initiative.”
ABC NEWS is also committed to increasing its production of news documentaries. Building on the achievements of high-caliber programs like Killing Season and Nemesis, the network will soon seek a new Executive Producer for Documentaries & Specials.
“We’re thrilled about the opportunity to develop more impactful, premium news documentary series to bolster the ABC’s robust factual programming,” Stevens noted.
Currently off the air, Q+A was launched in 2008 under the direction of Executive Producer Peter McEvoy and host Tony Jones.
“Numerous exceptionally skilled and dedicated individuals have contributed to Q+A, both on-camera and behind the scenes,” Stevens expressed. “I extend my heartfelt thanks to them and to all who participated as audience members and panellists.”
“I particularly want to acknowledge current Executive Producer Eliza Harvey and presenter Patricia Karvelas. Their exceptional talent has greatly benefited Q+A in recent years.”
In addition to presenting Afternoon Briefing and the popular Politics Now podcast, along with writing analysis for the ABC NEWS website, Karvelas has also recently reported for Four Corners—where we’ve now requested her to take on even more for the program as her schedule allows.
Karvelas shared that she has thoroughly enjoyed her time with the program.
“Engaging with the audience members who attended Q+A on late Monday nights has been the highlight of my role,” she stated. “They have always been the reason for this show, and I am eternally grateful to them for having the courage to ask powerful individuals the tough questions on national television.”
Q+A entered its yearly hiatus in May following the federal election, with plans to return to its 9.35pm Monday slot in August.
The show made its debut on ABC in May 2008, modeled after the BBC’s Question Time format.
Tony Jones hosted Q+A for more than a decade until 2022 when Stan Grant took over. Grant left his role a year later, citing “grotesque racist abuse” during his coverage of King Charles III’s coronation.
Currently, Patricia Karvelas serves as the host after taking over in 2023.
Since its inception 17 years ago, Q+A has seen its share of controversies and heated exchanges involving the audience, guests, and hosts.
In October 2010, shortly after the program launched, audience member Peter Gray confronted former Prime Minister John Howard regarding Iraq, famously removing his shoes and throwing them at Mr. Howard.
In 2014, a group of student protesters disrupted the show by unfurling a banner and chanting at then-Minister for Education Christopher Pyne to oppose proposed higher education cuts.
Another notable incident occurred in 2015 when comedian Josh Thomas clashed with Queensland politician Bob Katter over the mental health issues faced by gay individuals in rural areas.
Prominent figures like Malcolm Turnbull, a regular on the panel, made a memorable solo appearance in a leather jacket. He later auctioned off the leather jacket he wore two days post-2010 federal election on eBay for $1,800, donating the proceeds to charity.
This news follows Channel 10’s announcement that it would be canceling The Project after nearly 16 years on air.
“As a consequence of these changes, The Project will air its final episode on Friday, June 27, concluding an extraordinary run of almost 16 years and over 4,500 episodes,” Ten remarked in a statement.
“The influence that The Project has had on the media and entertainment landscape, numerous careers, and on Australian society and culture is immeasurable.”
