In March 2026 ABC News will launch the ABC National Forum, a new discussion program bringing together ordinary citizens, community leaders, experts and policymakers to discuss topical issues of national significance.
The first forum will focus on the lives and experiences of Jewish Australians, including issues arising from the Bondi terrorist attack, and facilitate a wide-ranging and stimulating conversation among a live studio audience.
The forum will be broadcast live from Sydney and moderated by ABC National Political Lead and Insiders host David Speers.
Says Speers: “The ABC National Forum will provide a space for Australians to come together to share their knowledge and experiences, hear from others and better understand each other.”
ABC Managing Director Hugh Marks : “The ABC National Forum reflects the ABC’s commitment to bringing Australians together. That responsibility is at the core of our role as the national public broadcaster, and we’re proud to continue investing in content and services that serve and connect our community.”
ABC Director, News Justin Stevens : “The ABC has to continually innovate in the space of the town square and this is an important initiative to bring together voices of Australians from all corners of our community in a constructive way. Listening to one another is essential to strengthening social harmony and fostering a more cohesive nation.”
The airdate and viewing details for the first ABC National Forum will be announced in coming weeks.
Feels like it, though I also have a feeling that this will be more of a forum every now and then on a topical issue (such as what ABC did last year with the social media ban special), rather than a weekly program.
ABC National Forum is a new discussion program bringing together ordinary citizens, community leaders, experts and policymakers to discuss topical issues of national significance.
The first National Forum will focus on the lives and experiences of Jewish Australians, including issues arising from the Bondi terrorist attack, and facilitate a wide-ranging and stimulating conversation among a live studio audience.
The forum will be broadcast live from Sydney and moderated by ABC National Political Lead and Insiders host David Speers.
Heard a promo for this program during RN Breakfast this morning where David Speers says that it will also be live simulcasted on Radio National. This would mean that Monday’s Big Ideas is replaced by this show which works as both shows are live talks shows.
