Fresh Newspoll data shows the Coalition has lost electoral ground in WA, Queensland and SA, following fallout from the vaccine rollout and in the aftermath of sexual assault allegations and the treatment of women. 

The Federal Government’s so-called “women’s ministry” meets for the first time this week in an attempt to drive action when it comes to the treatment of women. Will it be enough to turn the Prime Minister’s fortunes around?

The Coalition has been under mounting pressure over allegations of sexual assault and harassment for weeks, since former staffer Brittany Higgins alleged she was raped in a minister’s office, in March 2019.

The Government is also trying to turn around its vaccine rollout, as it fails to reach its targets. Some medical experts are warning further delays to the rollout could increase the likelihood of more lockdowns and further delays to international travel. The number of medical centres delivering the jab will double this week but what else can be done to accelerate and restore confidence in the process?

And this week another Indigenous Australian died in custody, the fifth death since the start of March. Almost thirty years on from the Royal Commission’s Aboriginal Deaths in Custody report, how do we turn the tide against Indigenous disadvantage and stop our First Nations people dying in prison?

Joining me on the panel:

Trent Zimmerman, Liberal Member for North Sydney
Anika Wells, Labor Member for Lilley
Martyn Iles, Managing Director, Australian Christian Lobby
Antoinette Lattouf, Journalist, diversity advocate, and author
Teela Reid, Wiradjuri/Wailwan, Lawyer

With a live performance from singer-songwriter Robbie Miller.

Please submit a question via our website by 9am Thursday for the chance to ask the panel. 

Watch Q+A Thursday at 8.30pm on ABC TV, streamed live 8.30pm AEST on ABC iview or on our website.




Hamish Macdonald