The death of Pope Francis has geopolitical implications, but domestically, it falls in the final two weeks of the federal election campaign. So, in a period already disrupted by long weekends and Easter holidays — what does the pontiff's passing mean for Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton's messaging? Patricia Karvelas and Andrew West break it all down on Politics Now. Got a burning question? Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyr...
Apr 22, 2025•29 min
As voters get ready to cast pre-poll ballots on Tuesday, the image of Peter Dutton with a petrol hose in his hand will be at the top of their minds — but has he done enough to tell them who is he? And Anthony Albanese "sharpened up" his performance on the campaign trail — so, is a "solid campaign" enough to keep him in the lodge for another term? Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber break it all down on Politics Now. Got a burning question? Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recordi...
Apr 21, 2025•30 min
Housing unaffordability - it’s been one of the biggest voter concerns heading into this election. Both major parties know this is a huge issue – and both began week three of the campaign with major housing promises at their campaign launches.
Apr 18, 2025•21 min
As the election campaign passes the midway point, Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton have tried to sharpen their election pitches — but not without some backtracking from the Opposition leader. But what are voters telling us they care about? ABC Vote Compass Reporter Isabella Higgins joins Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas to drill into the data — and discuss the role progressive young women could play in deciding the election result. Got a burning question? Got a burning political query? Send a s...
Apr 17, 2025•41 min
Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton have faced off in their second leaders' debate of the election campaign, laying out what they claim are two different visions for Australia on the ABC. Housing, energy, national security — and of course Donald Trump — featured in the debate. But, who walked away with the political momentum? Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber break it all down on Politics Now. Got a burning question? Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Q...
Apr 16, 2025•21 min
As the leaders continue to spruik their housing policies, Peter Dutton has confirmed he'll assist his kids with a house deposit "at some stage". It comes as his son Harry joins him for a second day on the campaign trail, and as Peter Dutton suggests young Aussies shouldn't have to rely on the "bank of mum and dad" to buy homes. And new polling shows voters are shifting back towards Anthony Albanese, amid the turbulence of the Trump administration. Patricia Karvelas and David Speers break it all ...
Apr 15, 2025•30 min
Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton both used their respective election campaign launches to unveil new housing policies. But experts have been critical of the offerings, which they say largely fail to address supply issues. So, while both major parties are locked in a bidding war for votes — are Australians buying sell? Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber break it all down on Politics Now. Got a burning question? Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Questi...
Apr 14, 2025•24 min
After visiting electorates across the Sunshine State, Claudia Long joins PK from Brisbane airport — but will she make her flight? And can Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton claw back seats in Queensland this election — or will the 'Greenslide' of 2022 hold? Patricia Karvelas and Claudia Long break it all down on Politics Now. Got a burning question? Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at [email protected]...
Apr 12, 2025•15 min
Peter Dutton is promising cheaper gas as one of his centerpiece promises in this election campaign. The idea is to have an east coast gas reservation. So how would a gas reservation policy work, and how will it reduce your power bills? This week on the man behind the numbers, Frontier Economics' Danny Price joins David Speers to talk about the modelling.
Apr 11, 2025•30 min
Peter Dutton has unveiled he was the subject of an alleged foiled terror plot. Anthony Albanese says he's reached out to Peter Dutton and has warned that security threats to politicians are an "increasing concern". So, as week two of the election campaign comes to a close, what are the key takeaways — and who has the political momentum? Patricia Karvelas breaks it all down on Politics Now. Got a burning question? Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Ques...
Apr 11, 2025•13 min
Week two of the election campaign gas been a frantic one. We've had a leaders debate, we’ve had policy backdowns and a fair bit of new policy. But it has all been conducted in the shadow of a global trade war triggered by Donald Trumps tariffs which has provided the biggest headlines every day on this federal election campaign. Phil Coorey, Political editor at the Australian Financial Review joins Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly on The Party Room....
Apr 10, 2025•39 min
Peter Dutton has now unveiled the details of the Coalition's gas reservation policy. It's aimed at reducing power bills for Australians — but there's been widespread criticism from the industry, with some experts saying it's a far-left policy. And Greens leader Adam Bandt has laid out his election pitch to voters — suggesting the minor party would insist on changes to negative gearing tax breaks if there is a hung parliament. Patricia Karvelas and David Speers break it all down on Politics Now. ...
Apr 09, 2025•28 min
Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton have gone head-to-head in their first leaders' debate of this campaign — so who came out on top? Patricia Karvelas breaks it all down on Politics Now. Got a burning question? Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at [email protected]
Apr 08, 2025•29 min
Western Sydney will be one of the key battlegrounds at the upcoming election — as Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton try to win over disenfranchised voters. So, as the cost of living hits the region particularly hard — what key issues are driving voters? And what impact could the Muslim Votes movement have in haemorrhaging the Labor vote in previously safe seats? Patricia Karvelas and Fiona Willan break it all down on Politics Now. Got a burning question? Got a burning political query? Send a sho...
Apr 08, 2025•29 min
Peter Dutton has abandoned his party's working from home policy, apologising and admitting it was a mistake. The policy backflip comes as the Australian stock market goes into freefall, with the chaos of Donald Trump's tariffs coming to fruition. But even on a busy news day, will voters be willing to overlook the faux pas? Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber break it all down on Politics Now. Got a burning question? Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Qu...
Apr 07, 2025•30 min
Former Prime Minister John Howard says defence should never be used as a bargaining chip in negotiating exemptions from Donald Trump’s tariffs. Speaking to the Insiders on Background podcast, Mr Howard says the "Liberation Day" tariffs are “bad economics”, predicting it will ultimately cost President Trump politically.
Apr 04, 2025•24 min
The fallout from the Trump tariffs decision is continuing to dominate the campaign. Anthony Albanese is talking tough but he also took a tumble quite literally, which is never good with cameras around. Meanwhile Petter Dutton is still talking gas without all the detail. Patricia Karvelas and Annabel Crabb break it all down on Politics Now. Got a burning question? Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at [email protected]...
Apr 04, 2025•32 min
Donald Trump has announced "Liberation Day" with a 10% tariff on Australian imports. So how will it impact on the election? Anthony Albanese says the tariffs don't make logical sense and he will defend Australia's interests. Peter Dutton agrees, but also says the Federal Government should do more. And after one week of the election campaign, how are all sides faring? Karen Middleton, Political journalist and columnist joins Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly on The Party Room. Got a burning questi...
Apr 03, 2025•35 min
As round two of US tariffs loom, the Opposition leader Peter Dutton says he will fight with Donald Trump — or any other world leader to protect the national interest. While Anthony Albanese says Peter Dutton's "aggro" approach lacks diplomacy. So, why are both sides strengthening their language on Donald Trump — and could pushing back on the US President pay a political dividend? Patricia Karvelas and David Speers break it all down on Politics Now....
Apr 02, 2025•18 min
Donald Trump dominated the political day, as Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton were peppered with questions over the looming trade tariffs. And Treasurer Jim Chalmers has labelled the Opposition leader "DOGE-Dutton" — as Labor moves to paint Peter Dutton as Trump-lite. Patricia Karvelas and Tom Crowley break it all down on Politics Now. Got a burning question? Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at [email protected]...
Apr 01, 2025•21 min
As Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton hit campaign trail, setting aside more gas for the domestic market or direct subsidies for power bills are the two pitches for energy bill relief. And according to three major polls, Labor has regained the political momentum — so what's driving the shift? Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber break it all down on Politics Now. Got a burning question? Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc....
Mar 31, 2025•24 min
Well election 2025, is now well and truly underway. The Prime Minister has fired the starters gun. Australians will be off to the polls on May 3rd.
Mar 28, 2025•25 min
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has fired the starters gun on the Federal election — and both leaders have unveiled their opening election pitches to voters. Anthony Albanese has warned voters it's a choice between Labor, who will "keep building or Peter Dutton promise to cut", while Peter Dutton urged Australians to vote for a change in government to "build a better future for your children". Patricia Karvelas and Annabel Crabb break it all down on Politics Now. Got a burning question? Got a bu...
Mar 28, 2025•34 min
A tax cut, or a cut to the fuel excise? A battle over "budget sweeteners" has emerged on the eve of the election. Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor has conceded a Dutton Government would repeal the Albanese Government's tax cut legislation — which swiftly passed the parliament — and now all eyes are on Peter Dutton as he unveils his highly anticipated Budget Reply. Charles Croucher, 9News Chief Political Editor joins Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly on The Party Room Got a burning question? Got a bu...
Mar 27, 2025•42 min
The Albanese Government has used its post-Budget momentum to pile pressure on Peter Dutton ahead of his Budget reply speech on Thursday night — trying to force the Coalition to vote against tax cut legislation. The Opposition has labelled the tax cuts as "reckless spending" — but what major announcements are we likely to see in Peter Dutton's Budget reply? Patricia Karvelas and David Speers break it all down on Politics Now. Got a burning question? Got a burning political query? Send a short voi...
Mar 26, 2025•16 min
Go inside the budget lock-up with Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber as they break down the politics of Treasurer Jim Chalmers' "bold move" in the election-eve Budget. Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber break it all down on Politics Now. Got a burning question? Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at [email protected]
Mar 25, 2025•19 min
As Treasurer Jim Chalmers gets set to hand down his fourth Budget tomorrow, it appears that the Albanese Government is trying to play it safe ahead of the election. But there are risks for both sides, with Labor attempting to paint Peter Dutton's budget reply speech as an election-defining moment.Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber break it all down on Politics Now. Got a burning question? Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom...
Mar 24, 2025•23 min
Ahead of the Federal Budget, David Speers asks the Chair of the Productivity Commission Danielle Wood what needs to change to help improve living standards in Australia. Wood tells the Insiders: On Background podcast that the reforms she’s advocating for could be more difficult if the Coalition's makes good on its promise to cut the public service
Mar 21, 2025•22 min
As Peter Dutton mulls the idea of proposing another referendum, would it be possible to hold a vote on multiple issues at once? And as pushing back on Donald Trump pays political dividends for global leaders — like Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney — could a tougher stance also have a benefit for Australian leaders? What impact could a directive to end working from home have on the workforce? And has the idea of 'woke' and 'wokeness' become devoid of all meaning? Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kel...
Mar 21, 2025•23 min
As the budget looms, Treasurer Jim Chalmers has been softening up voters for some challenging figures — pointing to the economic uncertainty Trump's trade wars have unleashed. But will voters be looking for a cost-of-living sugar hit? Meanwhile, Peter Dutton raised the prospect of another referendum — but it's had a lukewarm reception from his own party. The Prime Minister has also pounced on the dissent and labelled it "a thought bubble without the thought." Lenore Taylor, Guardian Australia Ed...
Mar 20, 2025•32 min
