Q+A: Aug 4

Q+A, screening for the second time this week, is Live from Melbourne on Thursday night.

This week on Q+A, a glimpse into the future. As the first sitting of the 47th Parliament draws to a close, the priorities and political challenges for the Albanese Government are becoming clearer. Legislating an emissions reduction target is a key focus, but how much ground will Labor have to concede to get the bill through?

The PM has promised a more inclusive and less divisive parliament, but how much will the realities of politics get in the way? Mr Albanese is facing headwinds in a progressive Senate, so what compromises will have to be made to implement his agenda?

And as the cross party negotiations play out, the CSIRO is warning that extreme weather will cost Australia more than $39 billion each year by 2050 – just one of the predictions in the agency’s once-in-a-decade report on the future trends that will shape the next generation. More Australians will forgo insurance as costs spiral, while food security will also be a key challenge, the report warns.

Other megatrends that will define our future include health, artificial intelligence and autonomous systems, the digital world and geopolitical shifts. COVID and the Russian invasion of Ukraine have heralded a seismic shift in our direction – just how can we tackle the complex problems facing society?

And Beyoncé will remove a lyric from a song on her new album Renaissance, following criticism from disability advocates that the track contained an “ableist slur”. The singer faced heavy criticism online, including a viral tweet from Australian disability activist Hannah Diviney who joins our panel this week. Hannah says she was “rendered speechless by ignorance, sadness and a simmering anger”. It comes just weeks after Hannah took on US singer Lizzo over the same slur in a track – and won, with Lizzo also changing the lyric. Hannah is calling for people with disability to be better represented, including in political leadership.

And don’t forget you set the agenda – submit your questions and join us for an important discussion.

Joining Stan Grant on the panel:

Larry Marshall, Chief Executive of CSIRO
Jenny McAllister, Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy
Sarah Hanson-Young, Greens Senator for SA
Warren Mundine, Director, Indigenous Forum, Centre for Independent Studies
Hannah Diviney, Writer and disability advocate

8:30pm Thursday on ABC.