The Victorian bushfires took centre stage when Q&A returned for its first program of 2009 with a panel of five Australians of the Year. Former defence chief, General Peter Cosgrove, burns specialist Professor Fiona Wood, Cape York indigenous leader Tania Major, scientist and author Tim Flannery, and 2009 Young Australian of the Year Jonty Bush faced questions from the audience about dealing with such a national crisis.

Panellists: Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children's Services, Bill Shorten; shadow education minister Christopher Pyne; ethicist and writer Leslie Cannold; satirist Jonathan Biggins; and Miss World Australia Sabrina Houssami.