Until October 2019, Jon hosted the agenda-setting morning broadcast for ABC Radio in Melbourne for over twenty years. Before joining the ABC in 1989 to host ‘The Law Report’ on Radio National, Jon had practised for seven years in both commercial litigation and as a legal aid/human rights advocate. Countless conference presentations, panel moderations, MC duties, guest lectures and public events complement his legal and media career. Add to that a best-selling travel book, several oral history publications, multiple opinion and commentary pieces for major newspapers, regular TV appearances and guest radio spots, as well as being script advisor for several films completes his diverse career.
Previous Experience
Speaking: For over thirty years, Jon has been in demand for conference keynote speeches, presentations, facilitation, and panel moderation. Specialising in complex matters of public policy, strategy, legal issues, technological challenge or cultural clashes, his work has covered every imaginable field, from health, disability, science and medicine, politics, foreign affairs, civil liberties and human rights. Conference presentations in recent years have included the future of manufacturing, engineering and infrastructure issues, law reform, the NDIS, media diversity, free speech, equal opportunity and discrimination, regional development, gambling reform, the commerce of sport, drugs and addiction and parenting!
Awards and Accolades:
- Awards Member, Order of Australia [AM] [2019]
- Monash University Distinguished Alumni
- ABC Broadcaster of the Year
- Nominated Walkley Award, three times
- Victoria Law Foundation, Legal Reporting Award, multiple
- Melbourne Press Club, Quill Awards, several
- NSW Law Foundation, Golden Gavel, several
Talking Points
A Look into the National Soul - Whatever Happened to Ethics?
Australia is undergoing an ethical crisis. Why? How to fix it? Banks, insurers, clergy, Aged Care, politicians, lawyers… all under unprecedented scrutiny and not emerging in a good light. What do we do to restore the publics faith?
A Look into the National Soul - Whatever Happened to Ethics?
Who Can You Trust? Fake News and the Legacy Media
The 21st Century is becoming a real time experiment. Social patterns and human interaction will never be the same again. And why is Facebook just like the motor car?
Who Can You Trust? Fake News and the Legacy Media
When the Whole Town Burned … Who Stepped Forward?
Drawing on his extensive exposure to the Black Saturday fires, Jon asks “is leadership instinctive or learned?” Who stepped up in the crisis? And what happens when a capital city has collective PTSD?
When the Whole Town Burned … Who Stepped Forward?
Cheaper Than a Shrink
Mid career, Jon Faine took long service leave - a massive gamble and disappeared from the microphone for 6 months. He drove with his 18 year old son from Melbourne to London, along the Silk Road. What do you learn from over 30 countries as you drive some of the most rugged inaccessible and remote roads on the globe?
Cheaper Than a Shrink
War Stories - Thirty Years behind an ABC Microphone
Why did Tony Abbott wink at me? And which politician finished an interview saying “I hope I never have to talk to you again…” Who stormed out? Who sued and why? And which Hollywood star dropped the ‘c bomb’ live to air? Stories from celebrities, sports stars and the occasional outraged politician.
War Stories - Thirty Years behind an ABC Microphone
Peak Lawyer?
Have we reached legal saturation? More law schools are churning out more lawyers, and court cases dominate the news, day after day. Why has the law become such a dominant factor in the life of the nation? And what comes next? Do we go down the US path? Or is there any alternative? Drawing on his extensive experience as both a practitioner and a commentator, Jon guides you through the legal minefield.
Peak Lawyer?
Jon Faine was recently a moderator at our annual Neuroethics free public event, held at the State Library Victoria with an audience of around 270 people. Jon facilitated a rich discussion th ... keep reading Monash University
Jon was terrific to work with, he followed our brief exactly and was an excellent MC for our staff conference.
Jon was highly professional in his role as MC and moderator at our research forum on the Signposts program. Jon handled the proceedings with great ease ensuring we were running on schedule, he lightened the mood with jokes and asked our panellists many thought-provoking questions about their experiences in the Signposts program. We thank Jon for his time and contribution to making the event such a success.
Excellent. John fulfilled the brief perfectly. The presentation was warm, insightful and set a lovely tone for the rest of the evening.
Jon was personable engaging professional and had the audience captivated. He made time prior to our event to call each panel member (5 in total) to personally connect and spoke to every attendee that approached him at the event. Thank you, Jon!
