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'.
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...
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.
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]...
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...
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.
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]...
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....
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...
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...
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...
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]
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...
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
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...
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...
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...
