AADA is thrilled to have David Speers, one of Australia’s most recognisable and respected journalists, as host of the AADA2021 Future Focused National Convention & Expo.

A two-time Walkley Award-winner, Mr Speers is the host of ABC TV’s ‘Insiders’ political panel program on Sunday mornings. His move to the ABC in 2020 followed two decades with Sky News as political editor and host of a number of programs, including the station’s flagship ‘PM Agenda’, ‘The Nation with David Speers’, and ‘Speers Tonight’.

Mr Speers won his first Walkley Award in 2014 for his interview with Attorney General George Brandis, in which Mr Brandis struggled to explain what metadata was despite being the minister in charge of proposed new laws surrounding the storage and police access of metadata.

He won the same award at the 2015 event (which he also hosted) for his notable ‘The Fixer’ interview with Christopher Pyne on PM Agenda.
In 2016, Mr Speers was named one of the 50 most powerful people in Australian television by News Corp Australia. He won the Subscription Television Award for Best Male Presenter at the 2017 AACTA Awards.
Mr Speers has moderated televised federal election debates between John Howard and Kevin Rudd in 2007, between Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott in 2010, and between Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott in 2013. His knowledge of the political landscape and experience in dealing with politicians meshes perfectly with AADA’s consistent advocacy efforts and regular engagement with Members of Parliament and government ministers. His interviewing skill and familiarity with our political guests will be a major asset for AADA2021 Future Focused and will make his sessions essential viewing for anyone with a stake in the policies and legislation influencing the future of our industry.

It is a real feather in AADA’s cap to secure Mr Speers’ participation, and we look forward to him bringing his experience and expertise to our Convention in September.