The ABC's politics podcast, Politics Now, dives into the biggest political stories in Australia and around the world, giving you a balanced look inside the strategies and decisions behind the headlines. Whenever major news breaks, we'll be in your feed with coverage you can trust.
From Monday to Wednesday, Patricia Karvelas will chat to a rotating cast of the ABC's biggest political journalists about the latest news.
On Thursdays, 'The Party Room' with Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly will discuss the week's developments in depth with another journalist, and answer your questions.
On Saturdays, David Speers gets into the details of a major trend or issue with the help of an expert on 'Insiders On Background'.
There's a growing sense of frustration and confusion in the Coalition, after Peter Dutton's renewed referendum push. The move follows a series of policy ideas floated by the Opposition leader that haven't been wholly backed in by other party members. So, is there a sense of disunity emerging in Coalition ranks?And the Opposition leader has promised to fast-track a decision on Woodside’s North West Shelf gas extension in WA if he wins the election - accusing Tanya Plibersek of being the "minister...
Opposition leader Peter Dutton has raised proposing a referendum to decide whether government ministers should have the power to deport dual nationals - and strip them of their citizenship if they have committed a serious crime. Treasurer Jim Chalmers has slammed the move as "bizarre" and a distraction tactic, while Peter Dutton claims the proposal is aimed at ensuring the safety of Australians.Patricia Karvelas and Melissa Clarke break it all down on Politics Now. Got a burning question? Got a ...
In the wake of the Trump administration imposing tariffs, the stability of Australia's alliance with the United States has been in the spotlight — with some questioning what that means for the AUKUS agreement. So, as concerns grow over the future of the agreement under Donald Trump — is the Albanese Government taking notice? 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 ...
Around the world the impact of Donald Trump’s tariffs have been hotly debated this week. While the Australian Government has decided not to impose any retaliatory measures, other countries have hit back with reciprocal tariffs - escalating the risk of a trade war and fueling inflation globally. But how is this playing in Donald Trump’s own backyard? David Speers interviews the Director of Economic Policy Studies at the American Enterprise Institute, Michael Strain about what this means for the U...
Opposition leader Peter Dutton has always had strong political instincts — but as the election nears, he's made a series of political miscalculations. So, has Peter Dutton's political instinct been blunted — and is he losing his strategic advantage? Patricia Karvelas and Annabel Crabb break it all down on Politics Now. You can read Annabel's column here. Got a burning question? Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at [email protected]...
Opposition leader Peter Dutton says under his leadership Australia would secure a tariff deal with Donald Trump — suggesting the lack of carve out is a failure of Anthony Albanese's leadership. The Prime Minister has hit back, suggesting Peter Dutton is living in a "fantasy". So, has the Opposition leader come out too hard on this — and will voters buy his sales pitch? Got a burning question? Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at theparty...
The Prime Minister has come out swinging against the Trump administration's decision to slap tariffs on Australian steel and aluminium — labelling it "entirely unjustified." Meanwhile Peter Dutton has been painting the move as a failure of the Albanese Government. But are there risks to both approaches? Patricia Karvelas and David Speers 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 thepa...
As the deadline for US tariffs on steel and aluminium looms, President Donald Trump and former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull have exchanged barbs. Mr Turnbull has suggested the "chaos" of the Trump Administration was a "gift to China" — while the US President has labelled Mr Turnbull a “weak and ineffective leader”. So, will the exchange impact Australia's chances of carving out a tariff exemption? Patricia Karvelas and Tom Crowley break it all down on Politics Now. Got a burning qu...
As the fallout from ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred continues, a political storm is brewing for Peter Dutton. The Opposition leader is under fire for attending a fundraiser at a Sydney harbourside mansion, as his constituents were preparing for the storm to make landfall in Brisbane. It comes as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been attempting to painting himself as singularly focused on the crisis. So, will this become an election defining event - and why will "double haters" be so key to the fin...
New ANU research shows a decline in trust of governments and institutions across Australia — with life satisfaction dropping to its lowest since COVID. In this podcast exclusive, PK speaks with the researcher behind the study about what can be done to correct this — and what it means for the Albanese Government ahead of the election. Patricia Karvelas is joined by Nicholas Biddle, Head of the School of Politics and International Relations at ANU break it all down on Politics Now. Got a burning q...
Insiders host, David Speers in conversation with the ABC's Chief Elections Analyst Antony Green, ahead of the WA election on Saturday March 8th and the much anticipated federal poll which now looks set to be held in May.
This episode of Politics Now features a discussion with pollster David Talbot on the upcoming West Australian election and its implications for federal politics. Talbot explores the key themes driving WA voters, the unique factors contributing to Labor's strength in the state, and the impact of national issues. The conversation also delves into leadership during times of crisis and the challenges of communicating negative perceptions of leaders.
As communities on the east coast brace for the impact of Cyclone Alfred, speculation is rife that the storm will force the Prime Minister to delay calling the election. So, is a May election now likely — and is there a political opportunity amid the crisis? And as Donald Trump rewrites the global world order, where does Australia stand?John Lyons, ABC Global Affairs Editor joins Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly on The Party Room. Got a burning question? Got a burning political query? Send a shor...
As Queensland and NSW brace for the impact of Cyclone Alfred, the natural disaster could also wreak havoc on election timing. Opposition leader Peter Dutton says Anthony Albanese would have "tin in his ear" if he called the election this weekend — and the Prime Minister has cancelled plans to head to WA for their state election this weekend. Patricia Karvelas and David Speers break it all down on Politics Now. Got a burning question? Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to...
This episode of Politics Now analyzes the implications of the US halting aid to Ukraine and Australia's potential response, including sending troops. The discussion covers the stances of key political figures like Albanese and Dutton. The podcast also pivots to domestic policy, examining Peter Dutton's proposal to require public servants to return to full-time office work and the political ramifications.
This episode of Politics Now dissects the fallout from the Donald Trump-Volodymyr Zelenskyy meeting and its implications for Australia's foreign policy and alliance with the US. The hosts discuss the challenges faced by Prime Minister Albanese in balancing domestic priorities with escalating international crises, particularly regarding support for Ukraine and navigating the evolving US stance under Trump. They also explore the potential for a 'khaki election' focused on national security versus voter concerns about cost of living, and the looming question of election timing amidst global uncertainty and domestic events.
This episode of Politics Now analyzes the recent Chinese military exercises off the Australian coast, exploring the motivations behind China's actions and the implications for Australia's defense strategy. The discussion covers China's naval capabilities, potential intelligence gathering, and the messy communication surrounding live-fire exercises. It also addresses the debate on increasing defense spending, the challenges of building public support, and the uncertainty surrounding US alliances under a potential second Trump administration, particularly regarding AUKUS and critical minerals.
Should political parties ditch small target strategies and go for 'high risk, high reward' campaigns? And Peter Dutton's declaration of shares in major banks the day before the Rudd Government announced a bank bailout package in 2009 has been in the spotlight — but what's the political impact been? And why is the Coalition always counted as a single voting bloc in polls — rather than being separated into the Liberals and Nationals? Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly answer all your questions on Th...
Despite a recent spending blitz from the Albanese Government in the lead up to the election, voters aren't yet resonating with the Government's message. So, how does the Prime Minister cut through? And while there's bipartisan agreement between the major increasing Medicare funding by $8.5 billion, there's division between the two major parties on how they'll fund it. Peter Dutton has suggested that if elected, his Government would save $6 billion each year through cuts to the public sector – an...
Labor has raised the alarm about what they say is the “highly unusual” timing of some of Peter Dutton’s share purchases, but the Opposition is crying foul, claiming Labor is running a “grubby” and “desperate” smear campaign. And Treasurer Jim Chalmers has been in Washington DC meeting with his US counterpart Scott Bessent. But has he had any success trying to convince the Trump Administration to exempt Australia from US tariffs?Patricia Karvelas and David Speers break it all down on Politics Now...
Patricia Karvelas peels back the curtain on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's Q+A appearance. Audience members questioned Anthony Albanese on cost-of-living, social cohesion, housing and global relations. So, how well did the Prime Minister respond? And will these be the key issues that frame the election? 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]...
The Prime Minister was hoping to launch a legacy-defining policy on the weekend with his big boost to Medicare funding, targeted to making bulk-billed GP visits available to more Australians. But it only took a few hours for Peter Dutton to adopt the same position, in an attempt to avoid an election fought over Medicare funding. Where does healthcare rate on the list of concerns for voters in 2025, and who are they more likely to believe when it comes to funding GPs? Also on the weekend, two fre...
As tensions between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States intensify, peace talks are underway—but without Ukraine at the table. The US and Ukrainian presidents have exchanged sharp words, with President Trump labelling Volodymyr Zelenskyy "a dictator without elections" and falsely accusing him of starting the war. Zelenskyy has fired back, claiming Trump is trapped in Russian "disinformation space."
As the election campaign looms, the RBA has handed down a highly anticipated rate cut, Clive Palmer has launched a new political party — and now commercial pilots have been warned of a potential hazard in airspace between Australia and New Zealand, where three Chinese warships are conducting military exercises. But on the global stage, Donald Trump has labelled Ukrainian President a "dictator" — and suggested Russia "holds the cards" when it comes to peace talks. So, has Anthony Albanese been st...
ASIO boss Mike Burgess has delivered his annual threat assessment, unveiling that ASIO had foiled plots by foreign nations to assassinate critics — and issuing a warning about interference at the upcoming election. And the Albanese Government has been on a media blitz after the RBA announced the first interest rate cut in four-years. But is it enough to change votes at the ballot box? Alan Kohler , ABC Finance expert joins Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly on The Party Room. Got a burning questio...
Clive Palmer has launched a new Trump-inspired political party, days after United Australia's High Court bid to re-register failed. The PM has labelled it a "distortion of democracy" — but will it have any cut through? And the fallout from the interest rate cut continues, as the Albanese Government and Peter Dutton's Opposition present two very different narratives on the economy. Patricia Karvelas and David Speers break it all down on Politics Now. Got a burning question? Got a burning politica...
The RBA has handed down the first cut to interest rates since 2020, and the Albanese Government is breathing a sigh of relief. So, what does the decision actually mean for the Government and the election?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]...
As the election looms, Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton are sharpening their election slogans — but what are the key seats that could determine the result of the election? Casey Briggs, ABC Elections Analyst joined Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas LIVE at Fair Day Festival
Two new opinion polls show the Albanese government on the back foot as the election inches closer — and for the first time Peter Dutton seems to be openly entertaining the possibility of a minority government. It comes as the Opposition leader floated the idea that if elected, his government would consider divestiture powers to break up Australia's insurance giants. So, what's behind Peter Dutton's strategy? Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber break it all down on Politics Now. Got a burning ques...
From Monday February 17, The Party Room is getting a new look and a whole lot more politics. We're calling it 'Politics Now', the ABC's new home for political podcasts, and we're really excited for all the coverage we have planned of the coming federal election. Politics Now will dive into the biggest political stories in Australia and around the world, giving you a balanced look inside the strategies and decisions behind the headlines. Whenever major news breaks, we’ll be in your feed with cove...
