The Australian Broadcasting Corporation has officially confirmed that David Speers, the current host of Insiders, will take the helm of a new flagship panel programme titled ABC National Forum. This announcement comes just seven months after the broadcaster axed the long-running Q+A programme, which had been a staple of Australian television for eighteen years.
A New Platform for National Conversation
The ABC has described the new show as a platform designed to explore pressing news topics with a mix of politicians, experts, and a live studio audience. In a statement to staff, ABC news director Justin Stevens revealed that the inaugural episode will focus specifically on "the lives and experiences of Jewish Australians, including issues arising from the Bondi terrorist attack".
Stevens emphasised the programme's role in fostering social cohesion, stating: "Listening to one another is essential to strengthening social harmony and fostering a more cohesive nation. The ABC has always found new ways to engage with the community and facilitate 'town square' conversations, as the national broadcaster is uniquely well placed to do."
Speers' Vision for the Programme
David Speers, who previously served as one of the rotating hosts for Q+A between 2021 and 2023, expressed his enthusiasm for the new venture. In a press release, he stated that ABC National Forum will provide a vital space for Australians to come together, share knowledge and experiences, hear diverse perspectives, and ultimately better understand one another.
"This show is about creating a genuine forum for discussion," Speers said. "It's an opportunity to bring voices from across the country into a constructive dialogue on the issues that matter most."
Reconnecting with a 'Town Hall' Format
The development of this new programme aligns with recent comments from ABC leadership about reviving a more traditional public discussion format. ABC managing director Hugh Marks highlighted the broadcaster's commitment to connecting Australians, calling it a core responsibility of the national public broadcaster.
"We're proud to continue investing in content and services that serve and connect our community," Marks said. He had previously hinted at the show's development during Senate estimates in December, noting that the ABC needed to reclaim a "town hall" format that had been somewhat lost during Q+A's lengthy tenure.
A Legacy of Public Discourse
The concept of the ABC as a public forum has deep roots. Former managing director Mark Scott championed the idea of the broadcaster as a "town hall" back in 2009. More recently, incoming ABC chair Kim Williams has expressed his aspiration for the organisation to function as a "national campfire"—a place for gathering and shared conversation.
The now-concluded Q+A programme, launched in 2007 by executive producer Peter McEvoy and host Tony Jones, was itself highly influential. It pioneered the use of live tweets on television screens and consistently generated significant media coverage throughout its run.
The End of an Era and a New Beginning
Announcing the cancellation of Q+A in June, Justin Stevens acknowledged the "loss of talented colleagues" but stressed that the decision was "no reflection on anyone on the show". The programme had seen several hosting changes in its final years, with Patricia Karvelas taking over in July 2023 after Stan Grant stepped down. Grant had been appointed full-time host in August 2022, following Hamish Macdonald's departure and a period with rotating hosts.
The launch of ABC National Forum with David Speers at the helm marks a significant new chapter for the broadcaster's commitment to live, audience-involved political and social discourse. It aims to fill the void left by Q+A while introducing a refreshed format focused on in-depth exploration of contemporary issues affecting the nation.
