For those not in Australia, it’s a week nightly panel show, moderated by one of a small team of journalists (with a few less “typical” moderators during holiday periods & pandemics). It’s produced & broadcast by the ABC, a government owned & funded but independent (supposedly) media organisation.

The panellists come from a hugely diverse ranged of backgrounds. While there have been disagreements, “civil discourse” is what it’s about, not controversy & conflict.

I’ve seen more female professionals (eg doctors, economists, academics etc) than anywhere else. I’ve heard more from a great number of Indigenous Australians (all articulate, from a range of backgrounds, levels of education, locations etc), disability advocates, advocates for the elderly, non-binary & trans people, & just about every other minority group.

Some of the most interesting discussions have involved intersectionality & personal experience. A family doctor/lawyer etc speaks about their experience as a young woman of colour, or a mother of teenagers. A journalist speaks about their experience of sexual assault. Viewers have had the opportunity to learn what it’s like to be person in their situation.

And the show is being cut. And I’m so angry. #TheDrum