In a landmark move, the ABC has confirmed that its long-running political panel show Q+A will not return following its current hiatus. After 18 years on air, Q&A ABC Cancelled has become official as the public broadcaster undergoes a major restructure — a shift that includes approximately 40 job cuts and the introduction of new initiatives to reshape audience engagement.
The decision to cancel ABC Q+A, once a cornerstone of national discourse, signals a changing tide in how Australian audiences interact with current affairs and political dialogue. The Q&A ABC Cancelled announcement reflects broader transformations in media consumption and public broadcasting priorities.
End of an Era for Q&A ABC
Launched in 2008 under the guidance of executive producer Peter McEvoy and hosted by Tony Jones, Q+A ABC brought a new energy to political programming. The show quickly became known for its unpredictable audience participation, live format, and heated debates between politicians, thought leaders, and citizens.
Over the years, ABC Q and A has featured a rotating lineup of hosts including Hamish Macdonald, Stan Grant, and most recently, Patricia Karvelas. The show carved out a unique space in Australian media — one where ordinary people could challenge the powerful in real time.
Despite its cultural impact, the program’s future had been under question in recent months. It went on hiatus after the May federal election and was due to return in August. Now, the ABC has confirmed that it will not return at all.
Q&A ABC has aired for 17 seasons.
Why Q&A ABC Was Cancelled
ABC News Director Justin Stevens praised the show’s legacy but emphasised the need for innovation in an evolving media landscape.
“We’re very proud of Q&A’s great achievements over the years,” Stevens said. “Discontinuing the program at this point is no reflection on anyone on the show. We always need to keep innovating and renewing, and in the two decades since Q&A began, the world has changed.”
He added that the ABC would explore new ways to engage the public in national conversations, suggesting a pivot towards digital-first content and interactive journalism.
Tributes and Reactions
Patricia Karvelas, who hosted Q&A ABC since 2023, expressed gratitude to audiences. “Spending time with the audience members who came to Q&A late on a Monday night has been the best part of this job,” she said. “They have always been the reason for this show.”
Karvelas will continue with the ABC in other roles, including hosting Afternoon Briefing, contributing to the Politics Now podcast, and reporting for Four Corners.
Tributes also poured in from colleagues and past contributors. “Many extremely talented and dedicated people have worked on Q&A, as presenters and behind the scenes,” Stevens said. “I sincerely thank them all, and everyone who has contributed as audience members and panellists.”
ABC’s New Direction
The cancellation of ABC Q and A comes as the broadcaster announces structural changes designed to bolster its digital presence and documentary output. A new Digital Content department will be created under the ABC Screen banner, aiming to streamline production across platforms like ABC iview and ABC Listen.
The ABC also plans to make the successful Your Say project a permanent feature, after it garnered nearly 30,000 public submissions during the federal election campaign — 36 per cent of which came from outside capital cities.
Additionally, the broadcaster is investing in long-form journalism, with a new executive producer role for documentaries and specials to be filled soon.
Audience-Led Journalism: A Legacy
One of the defining features of Q+A ABC was its audience-led questioning. The public could ask direct questions of politicians and experts live on air — a format inspired by the BBC’s Question Time but uniquely Australian in its execution.
Over the years, this openness led to some of the show’s most iconic and controversial moments. From shoe-throwing incidents involving John Howard to passionate debates on mental health and education, the show’s unpredictability was part of its charm — and challenge.
Stan Grant, who left the show in 2023 after sustained racist abuse, famously said in his final episode: “To those who have abused me and my family… if your aim was to hurt me, well, you’ve succeeded.”
A Broader Media Shift
The end of Q&A ABC mirrors broader changes in the Australian media landscape. Channel 10 recently announced it would be axing The Project after nearly 16 years on air, in a move that underscores shifting audience behaviours and the growing dominance of digital and streaming formats.
In both cases, the message is clear: traditional panel shows are struggling to hold relevance in an era of fragmented audiences, fast content, and evolving platforms.
What Comes Next?
For now, the ABC remains committed to engaging the Australian public through other formats. Stevens has hinted at more interactive and innovative journalism that reaches diverse audiences across the nation — a mission that, while promising, will have to reckon with the legacy and impact of ABC Q and A.
As Patricia Karvelas noted, the courage of everyday Australians who asked tough questions on national TV made Q&A what it was. The challenge for the ABC now is to find new ways to keep that spirit alive in a changing world.
