Diplomacy, party splits & glass ceiling cracks | Q+A

The election aftershocks are still rocking Canberra. New ministers, a new opposition leader and promises of a new political mission.

Victoria was supposed to swing the election in the Coalition's favour. Instead, voters booted senior Liberals from Melbourne, re-elected (almost all) independents and shored up Labor’s state stronghold.

On Q+A, we discussed it all and also heard from the campaign strategist behind Labor’s winning message, an International security expert, and a former state opposition leader with a plan to fight back.

This episode was broadcast on May 19, 2025.

Panellists: Minister for Industry, Innovation & Science Tim Ayres, Liberal Senator for NSW Dave Sharma, State Liberal MP for Hawthorn John Pesutto, Director of the Australia Institute International & Security Affairs Program Emma Shortis and Creative director & Labor campaign strategist Dee Madigan

For more from Q+A, click here: http://www.abc.net.au/qanda

Follow us on Twitter:   / qanda  
Like us on Facebook:   / abcqanda  

Q+A is a television discussion program that focuses mostly on politics but ranges across all of the big issues that set Australians thinking, talking and debating.

It is driven by interaction: Q+A provides a rare opportunity for Australian citizens to directly question and hold to account politicians and key opinion leaders in a national public forum and Q+A is broadcast live so that not only the studio audience but also the wider audience can get involved.

We aim to create a discussion that is constructive, that reflects a diverse range of views and that provides a safe environment where people can respectfully discuss their differences.

It’s impossible to represent every view on a single panel or in one audience but we’re committed to giving participants a fair go.

In order to be as inclusive and diverse as possible, the program is presented from a range of locations around the country and all Australians are encouraged to get involved through social media as well as by joining the audience.

This is an official Australian Broadcasting Corporation YouTube channel.