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'.
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The government has woken to another surprise Trump tariff. Most trading partners, including Australia, could see an almost doubling on the tariffs already expected from the United States. If it proves to be true, can we do anything to weather the economic storm that might come from them? And health and cost of living pressure is back on the agenda - but which framing of the current state of Medicare and bulk billing will win? Patricia Karvelas and Brett Worthingon break it all down on Politics N...
As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens and images of starving children emerge, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has strongly criticised the Israeli government’s actions. Meanwhile, Barnaby Joyce is talking about abandoning Net Zero again… 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.net.au...
The 48th parliament is now officially underway, and while it's full of fresh faces — particularity on the Albanese Government's side — is it still politics as usual, or has the tone changed? And speaking of fresh faces, the first speech from "giant killer" and Dickson MP Ali France nearly brought the whole parliament to tears, but her story also had Sarah Ferguson welling up on live TV. And Sussan Ley's first Question Time as Opposition leader was her moment in the spotlight, but she was undermi...
Sussan Ley has faced off with Anthony Albanese in her first Question Time as Opposition leader. And while she played it safe, attacking Labor on its housing and superannuation tax policies, how did she perform? Tinder and swiping right got a mention, while in the other chamber, Senate leader Penny Wong moved a censure motion against Greens Deputy leader Mehreen Faruqui for holding a poster about Gaza in the Senate during Governor-General's speech, a move which the Greens leader labelled "a disgr...
The 48th Parliament has officially begun, but amid the pomp and ceremony, the Albanese Government has signed a joint statement calling for an immediate end to the war in Gaza. It's the strongest language yet from the Government, but the Opposition has been quick to condemn the move — with frontbenchers labelling it "alarming" and "disappointing" — while the Greens have suggested the statement doesn't go far enough. So, is this a sign of some of the friction to come in this 48th parliament? Patri...
As parliamentarians descend on Canberra for the first sitting week of the 48th parliament, Anthony Albanese is warning Labor to avoid complacency. And while Opposition leader Sussan Ley makes history as the first woman in the role, the "stark" gender split between the Coalition and Labor ranks will be on display across both chambers. So, what can we expect from Australia’s 48th parliament? Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber break it all down on Politics Now. Got a burning question? Got a burning...
There has been plenty of discussion about what Anthony Albanese got out of his six-day visit to China this week. But what did China get out of the trip?
The Prime Minister is wrapping up his six-day visit to China, following what he says was a "constructive" meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. But Donald Trump made his presence felt from afar — so did this intervention hang over the trip? Laura Tingle joined The Party Room from a panda research base in Chengdu for some analysis (and panda chat). And back home, the Albanese Government is signalling legislation to strip funding from childcare centres will be a top priority when parliament r...
President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have officially sat down together in China. It's the crown in the jewel of this week’s diplomatic exercise, with friends (and enemies) across the world eager to hear what’s been said, and what the results might be. Has the PM successfully walked the diplomatic tightrope? And on Australian soil former Treasury head Ken Henry has addressed the National Press Club, in the same week as FOI revelations from a Treasury report to the government o...
Politics Now examines the accidental release of Treasury analysis revealing the government's housing targets won't be met and suggesting potential reforms. The episode also delves into the controversy surrounding Anti-Semitism Envoy Jillian Segal after her husband's trust donated to the right-wing lobby group Advance, discussing the political implications and the Home Affairs Minister's defence.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's visit to China is analyzed, exploring the delicate balance between improving trade ties while navigating tense relations and US demands regarding Taiwan. The discussion delves into US pressure on Australia's defence readiness and AUKUS. Additionally, the episode unpacks a leaked Treasury document revealing skepticism about the government's housing targets and budget sustainability, examining the Treasurer's reaction and the political implications for future policy debates.
Ahead of Prime Minister Albanese's trip to China, former Ambassador Geoff Raby discusses the stakes of balancing Australia's relationship with its largest trading partner (China) and its main security ally (US). He highlights the importance of leader-to-leader relationships, understanding contemporary China beyond stereotypes, and the diplomatic process for handling contentious issues like investment and human rights. The conversation also explores lessons from past diplomatic tensions and future opportunities for cooperation.
On Monday Coroner Elisabeth Armitage delivered her long-awaited findings into the fatal shooting of Kumanjayi Walker. So, as Warlpiri Elders call for a "ceasefire" with NT police, what political action will the NT and Federal Government take in wake of the findings? With this year's NAIDOC Week theme being The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy, does the community want to see a new generation of First Nations leaders? And has the Minister for Indigenous Australians put truth telling ...
Donald Trump's tariffs have re-entered the chat. The US President's latest announcement — primarily the potential for steep tariffs on pharmaceuticals — has renewed uncertainty of an ongoing global trade war. But has the news also helped Labor move the conversation on from yesterday's sting of an RBA rate hold? And the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed he'll be visiting China soon — but does Trump's latest tariff news renew the need for an urgent US visit? Patricia Karvelas and Brett...
Mortgage-borrowers across the country have been left shell-shocked by the RBA's decision to keep the cash rate steady at 3.85 per cent. Treasurer Jim Chalmers says "it's not the result millions of Australians were hoping for." But while the Government has been at pains to stress the RBA makes decisions independently, with global instability continuing, is this a sign there are more rough economic waters ahead of us?Patricia Karvelas and Tom Crowley break it all down on Politics Now. Got a burnin...
The Prime Minister has roundly condemned a series of "shocking" antisemitic incidents, which Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has labelled "an attack on all Australians" — but do the attacks point to a broader fraying of Australia's social cohesion? And as NAIDOC week celebrates its 50th anniversary, the Minister for Indigenous Australians has indicated a willingness to consider truth-telling at a federal level, but is Anthony Albanese on board? Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber break it all do...
The first formal truth-telling commission, the Yoorrook Justice Commission, has found genocide was committed against Aboriginal people in Victoria. So what happens next – and how might the federal government or other states respond?David Lipson is joined by the Former Indigenous Australians Minister, Linda Burney. She says "the meaning of genocide perfectly fits the story of what happened".
Education Minister Jason Clare has admitted that it's taken "too long" to standardise Working with Children Checks across Australia, with the topic on the agenda at the meeting of attorneys-general next week. It comes after a Melbourne childcare worker was charged with over 70 offences — but while the Albanese Government has been "saying all the right things", is more action needed at a national level? And Australia's first truth telling inquiry handed down its final report on Tuesday, the culmi...
State and Federal Governments are facing a "reckoning", after a childcare worker was charged with over 70 offences — and now another man has also been charged with serious offences. The Education Minister Jason Clare is pushing for the power to cut funding to childcare centres failing to meet safety standards, but is this enough? And does the Albanese Government have an important leadership role here? And Foreign Minister Penny Wong has held "positive" bilateral talks with her US counterpart Mar...
Anthony Albanese has been doing the media rounds, spruiking his Government's cost of living measures as the new financial year begins — but can he really take claim for them all? And as the ACCC warns of a gas shortfall, the Government has launched a review into the rules governing the gas industry and there’s increasing speculation a gas reservation scheme could be on the table. So, will that help resolve the "hodge podge" regulation in the gas system? Patricia Karvelas and Mel Clarke break it ...
As the deadline for Donald Trump's so-called reciprocal tariffs looms, Anthony Albanese has reiterated his call that US tariffs on Australia should be "zero." It comes as Penny Wong jets to Washington to meet with her US counterpart, and pressure mounts on the PM to meet with the US President. And 1.5 million Australians are part of the 'sandwich generation', but what does that actually mean? ABC Radio Melbourne mornings host Raf Epstein discusses the impact of the "care squeeze" on Australian f...
Donald Trump has declared victory in brokering a Israel-Iran ceasefire. And while it's on precarious ground, what's the "method behind the madness" in the US President's approach? And the Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been choosing his words carefully, eager to not be seen as a "central player" in the regional conflict — with the Opposition labelling him "flat-footed." But is that a fair call? And as European nations agree to increase defence spending to 5 per cent, largely to a...
As the Donald Trump brokered Israel-Iran ceasefire looks to be on shaky ground, NATO members have rolled out the red carpet for the US President's visit. And Sussan Ley has delivered her first address to the National Press Club as Opposition leader, and as PK and David Speers discuss, it marked a clear departure from her predecessor. But gender quotas and net zero are set to remain sticky issues for the Coalition leader. Patricia Karvelas and David Speers break it all down on Politics Now. Got a...
US President Donald Trump has declared a 'ceasefire' in the Israel-Iran war has commenced, and while it was welcomed by the likes of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, it's not yet clear if Iran and Israel are onboard. The ceasefire deadline came into force just moments after a spate of Iranian missile strike killed four in Israel's south. So, what happens next — and how likely is it that a ceasefire will hold? Patricia Karvelas and Ben Knight break it all down on Politics Now. Got a bu...
Anthony Albanese has thrown his support behind the Trump Administration's strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, suggesting Australia supports actions that prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. But the Prime Minister has also underlined the need for diplomacy, stating that Australia doesn't want to see "escalation and a full-scale war." The Opposition has been critical of what they say is the Albanese Government's slow response on the strikes, as concerns rise the Israel-Iran war could ...
This episode explores how tax reform can be a key lever for the government to boost Australia's economic productivity. Treasurer Jim Chalmers opens the door to potential tax changes, and Productivity Commissioner Danielle Wood explains how different taxes influence investment, work incentives, and mobility. The discussion covers potential corporate tax adjustments, reforming the income tax system, and the debate around relying more on consumption taxes like the GST, alongside challenges related to skills and housing costs.
As the situation between Israel and Iran continues to escalate, speculation is growing the US will get involved — and there's also been a notable change in the language from the Australian Government. Shifting from urging restraint and de-escalation from both parties, Foreign Minister Penny Wong has now called for Iran to return to the negotiating table. So, what's behind the change? And after returning from his whirlwind G7 trip, Anthony Albanese hasn't ruled out a heading to the NATO summit ne...
In the wake of his cancelled meeting with Donald Trump, Anthony Albanese is vowing to meet with the US President "very soon" — leaving the door open to a snap visit to the Hague for the NATO summit. But if the Prime Minister fails to meet with the US President on the sidelines of yet another summit, PK and David Speers warn this could leave him looking desperate. And as the Israel-Iran situation continues to escalate, speculation is whirring about whether or not the US will get involved — it com...
