Dou you watch Australia's Q&A?

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Q&A puts punters, pollies and pundits together in the studio to thrash out the hot issues of the week.

It's about democracy in action - on Q&A the audience gets to ask the questions.

It doesn't matter who you are, or where you're from - everyone can have a go and take it up to our politicians and opinion makers.

Energetic and opinionated - Q&A brings Australia's egalitarian and larrikin spirit into the studio.

Q&A is about encouraging people to engage with politics and society.

Q&A is hosted by one of the ABC's most respected journalists - Tony Jones.

Q&A is live to air - it's happening as viewers watch.

If you want a chance to ask the questions, register online now.

Q A ABC TV

 

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THE ABC is standing by its decision to publish “transphobic” tweets live on air on its Q & A program last night that outraged viewers and prompted demands for a public apology.

Up until the offending tweets were published, Twitter streams were filled with praise for the panel for airing a balanced and insightful discussion of Australia’s involvement in Iraq, and for opening up on the issue of transgender youth.

The hero of both topics was Group Captain Cate McGregor.

McGregor, who started her military career as Malcolm, is the highest ranking trans woman military official in the world.

ABC stands by Q A tweets about Group Captain Cate McGregor that outraged viewers

 

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Group Captain Catherine McGregor is currently serving as the speechwriter and strategic adviser to the Chief of the Air Force. She entered the Royal Military College Duntroon in 1974 and graduated to the Royal Australian Infantry.

Over a career in the Australian Regular Army spanning 40 years, she held a wide variety of regimental and staff appointments. She deployed on operations on three occasions including as the Commanding Officer of the Australian Army Training Team in Timor Leste. She is a Tetum linguist. In 2008, she was a Visiting Fellow to The Leverhulme Changing Character of War Programme at All Souls Oxford University in 2008 and holds a Master of Arts in War Studies from UNSW.

She was awarded the Order of Australia on 26 January 2012 for her exceptional service to The Australian Army. She served continuously as speechwriter to every Chief of the Army since 2000. She has held various appointments in Strategic Policy Branch at Army Headquarters. She transferred to the Royal Australian Air Force Reserve in June of this year on promotion to Group Captain

She is a published author and has written on politics and cricket for The Australian, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian Financial Review, The Age She is the Prime Minister’s delegate to the National Selection Panel for selection of The Prime Minister’s XI and is also the Head of Australian Services Women’s cricket. She is still active as a player and coach and will be part of the ABC Grandstand team for the forthcoming summer.

She was recently named as one of Australia’s 50 most powerful women by the Australian Women’s Weekly.

In her earlier life, Cate was well-known as a political commentator whose name was Malcolm. She commenced living as a woman on July 30, 2012 and her story was documented on Australian Story in February 2014. She is now the highest-ranking trans-woman military official in the world.


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