Jon Faine AM is one of Australia’s most respected broadcasters and facilitators, recognised for over two decades as the agenda-setting host of ABC Radio Melbourne’s morning program. Appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2019, Jon has been honoured with awards including Monash University Distinguished Alumni, ABC Broadcaster of the Year, multiple Melbourne Press Club Quills, and repeated nominations for the Walkley Awards.
With a background in commercial litigation and human rights advocacy, Jon joined the ABC in 1989 to present The Law Report before moving into his long-running Melbourne morning broadcast. His expertise spans law, politics, social policy, media, ethics, and cultural change, making him one of the most versatile commentators and moderators in Australia.
Jon has delivered keynote speeches, conference presentations, and panel moderations across topics including law reform, infrastructure, technological disruption, health, disability, civil liberties, free speech, media diversity, gambling reform, and the National Disability Insurance Scheme. His ability to distil complex issues into engaging, accessible conversations makes him highly sought after by corporate, government, and community audiences.
Beyond broadcasting, Jon has written two acclaimed books: the best-selling travel memoir From Here to There, and Apollo & Thelma: A True Tall Tale, released in 2022. He has also published oral histories, contributed commentary to major newspapers, appeared regularly on television, and advised on film scripts. He is a Vice Chancellor’s Fellow at the University of Melbourne, where he contributes across disciplines on law, ethics, climate change, social cohesion, Indigenous rights, and the impact of AI. In 2023, he was appointed to the Board of Museums Victoria and now chairs the Museum Foundation.
Talking Points
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?
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
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!
