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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Tensions are threatening to boil over in the Liberal party in the wake of Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price’s comments about Indian migration. The NT Senator has now accused her colleague and factional powerbroker Alex Hawke of “cowardly and inappropriate” behaviour and threatening remarks over the matter. While Alex Hawke has taken to the media to hit back, calling on the Senator to apologise for her damaging remarks. So, as the civil war inside the Liberal party continues to rage, what does it ...
The government has quietly signed a $408 million (and then some) deal with Nauru to house members of the so-called NZYQ cohort. The deal was only made public via an end-of-week departmental upload, and the full cost could reach $2.5 billion. Why the silence, and what does it say about the politics of migration and dissent inside Labor right now? Meanwhile, immigration has dominated the national conversation this week, with protests on the streets and language from the government and Opposition u...
The government is under increasing pressure to explain changes to Freedom of information laws, which could make it harder for journalists and members of the public to gain access to documents. Labor says the current system is outdated and clogged with trivial requests, but critics warn the changes will come at the cost of transparency. And the issue of migration is still dominating discussion in Canberra as fallout from the weekend's protests continue. Patricia Karvelas and DAVID SPEERS break it...
The government is facing increased criticism over the delays to the introduction of its new aged care reforms. It comes as Department of Health data reveals that 5000 Australians died in the last financial year while waiting for a home care package. There are also questions being raised about Labor's plans to change Freedom of Information laws to make it harder to access government data. And the fall out from the weekend's anti-immigration protests continue. Patricia Karvelas and RAFAEL EPSTEIN ...
Anti-immigration rallies took place over the weekend with known neo-Nazis speaking at events in Melbourne and Sydney. The Albanese government issued a statement saying that “All Australians, no matter their heritage, have the right to feel safe and welcome in our community” and condemned the march as “hateful”. But is this enough? The government also made a $400 million deal to deport 280 non citizens to Nauru whose visas to Australia were refused on character grounds....and there wasn't a peep ...
Parliament is back in full swing, and it's been a blockbuster sitting week in Canberra - with plenty on the agenda for both major parties, and even more happening off it. The biggest story by far? The government’s dramatic decision to downgrade ties with Iran after ASIO revealed credible evidence the regime orchestrated antisemitic attacks on Australian soil. The Prime Minister’s message was clear - aggression and interference won’t be tolerated. But the Opposition says it all came too late. As ...
A developing story out of Victoria - a police double fatality and an active manhunt - has drawn federal attention to the rise of sovereign citizen ideology in Australia. Are our national security agencies watching closely enough? Meanwhile, the government has doubled down on its decision to significantly downgrade diplomatic ties with Iran, after ASIO confirmed it had credible evidence the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) orchestrated at least two anti-Semitic attacks in Australia. Patri...
Iran has “crossed a line” and “put Australian lives in danger". Flanked by Foreign Minister Penny Wong, ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, the Prime Minister confirmed Australia will list Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organisation, following ASIO's “credible intelligence” to determine the Iranian government was behind attacks against the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne and Lewis’ Continental Kitchen in Bondi in Sydney. Meanwhile, Sussan Ley f...
Parliament is back - and the government has come out swinging on housing, fast-tracking its First Homebuyer Guarantee and pausing energy efficiency requirements. But is it bold enough to meet the moment? Meanwhile, the Coalition’s internal split on net zero takes centre stage, with backbencher Barnaby Joyce reigniting debate on Australia’s climate commitments - and the government is more than happy to let it play out. Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber break it all down on Politics Now. Got a bu...
It’s been a big week in Canberra, with unions, business leaders, and politicians of all stripes descending on Parliament House for the Economic Reform Roundtable. The vibe? 'Optimistic' and 'open' - no one wanted to be the spoiler, and everyone wanted to avoid “regulatory hairballs,” to quote Productivity Commissioner Danielle Wood. But as the meetings wrap up, the real test begins: which ideas will turn into actual policy? Also this week, Australia’s decision to recognise Palestinian statehood ...
“Strength is not measured by how many people you can blow up or how many children you can leave hungry.” That’s the sharp response from Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu labelled Anthony Albanese a “weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia’s Jews". As the war of words escalates, what are the implications of the deteriorating relationship? Meanwhile, day two of the Economic Reform Roundtable is underway in Canberra - but the Prime...
Australia has cancelled the visa of a Netanyahu government MP. Israel has swiftly retaliated, revoking visas for Australia's representatives to the Palestinian Authority. What does this latest tit-for-tat mean for the already strained relationship? Meanwhile, Canberra is buzzing as the guest list for the Economic Reform Roundtable arrives. The government’s word of the day is “optimistic” - but what message are they really trying to send as day one kicks off? Patricia Karvelas and Raf Epstein bre...
This episode of Politics Now discusses Australia's economic reform agenda, focusing on the upcoming Economic Reform Roundtable and the Productivity Commission's call for a growth mindset. It delves into the complexities of regulation, particularly regarding childcare safety and systemic issues within the sector. The conversation also touches on recent corporate penalties and significant developments in international relations, including the Ukraine war and the role of global leaders.
This episode delves into the expectations for the government's Reform Roundtable, featuring insights from Andrew McKellar of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Key business priorities discussed include streamlining regulatory red tape in housing and environmental approvals, implementing tax reforms to boost investment, and carefully integrating artificial intelligence into the economy for productivity gains. The discussion also touches on contentious issues like government expenditure and the NDIS.
Productivity is the word of the week, dominating the lead-up to Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ Economic Reform Roundtable. Even the RBA’s rate cut - which had the Treasurer metaphorically dancing in the aisles - was quickly overshadowed by a warning from the RBA Governor: Australia’s productivity is falling faster than forecast. It’s shaping up as a summit with big stakes - and behind the scenes, there’s been a quiet tug of war over who owns it. Is this Anthony Albanese's policy agenda, or Jim Chalmers...
Hosts Patricia Karvelas and Brett Worthington delve into the RBA's recent interest rate cut, its impact on Australian households, and the Labor government's strategic use of this economic news. They also explore Australia's momentous decision to recognize Palestinian statehood, examining the strong domestic political divergence with the Coalition and the complex international dynamics, including evolving US perspectives and Prime Minister Albanese's direct diplomatic approach. The episode concludes with a lighthearted look at Taylor Swift's global economic influence.
What a difference a month makes. Those with mortgages around the country got the change they were hoping for this afternoon, with the RBA board "unanimously" voting to cut the cash rate target by 25 basis points to 3.60 per cent. It’s an independent decision - but will Labor be counting it as a political win? Meanwhile, reaction continues to roll in from across the globe and here at home after Australia’s historic move to recognise Palestinian statehood. Patricia Karvelas and Brett Worthington b...
Australia's historic decision to recognize Palestinian statehood is explored, framed by PM Albanese as a lifeline for Gaza and a move coordinated with allies like the UK, Canada, and France. The discussion delves into the symbolic yet significant nature of the recognition, the internal Labor Party shift, and the conditions attached to support a future Palestinian state, all while acknowledging the ongoing conflict, the hostage crisis, and global diplomatic pressures on Israel. The episode also examines the critical role of the U.S. and the internal challenges facing Netanyahu's government.
The Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he is “delivering a lifeline to the people of Gaza". Australia will join allies the United Kingdom, Canada and France in recognising the state of Palestine. The announcement comes following mounting public pressure for the government to take action on the conflict in the region. But in answering a question of recognition, new ones are formed. What tangible impact will recognising statehood have - and what more can, and should, Australia do? Patricia Karve...
They’re some of the biggest, best-resourced, and tech savvy companies in the world. But apparently Google and Apple can’t say how many complaints they receive about child sexual abuse on their platforms.
A massive crowd braved Sydney’s pouring rain to cross the Harbour Bridge on Sunday. The message was clear, loud, and politically unmissable. By Monday morning, MPs from both major parties were forced to respond - but will increased public pressure lead to action? Meanwhile, the jostling has begun ahead of Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ Economic Reform Roundtable, now less than two weeks away. What started as a narrow productivity summit has grown… or has it narrowed into something else entirely? Patric...
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has a message for working Australians: “treat AI as an enabler, not an enemy”.His comments come following a Productivity Commission report cautioning against heavy-handedness on regulating AI in the workplace - but will lay-off fears from unions win public sentiment on the right way forward?It all comes as submissions continue to roll in for what the focus should be for the Treasurer's National Economic Reform Roundtable, now just a fortnight away. Patricia Karvelas and Da...
Foreign Minister Penny Wong says the government understands the "urgency" behind the global push to recognise a Palestinian state, with there being "a risk there will be no Palestine left to recognise" due to the conflict in the region. Meanwhile, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke says he's “in the business of stopping hatred from being imported to Australia," blocking dozens of visas from entering the country to "protect social cohesion". Are we watching an organised effort from Labor to gain pe...
Productivity is shaping up to be the word of the month for the federal government. With the big economic reform roundtable fast approaching, is it time for Labor to show some progress and make a move on changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax reform? And two years after the failure of the Voice referendum, the Prime Minister has a new plan for First Nations Australians. But what was left off the agenda at Garma? Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber break it all down on Politics Now. Got ...
It's the second sitting week of the 48th parliament. While Labor's massive majority grows more comfortable in the chamber, it proved to be a difficult week for political leaders on either side of the aisle thanks to the looming momentum to recognise Palestinian statehood at the UN general assembly in September. How will mounting international pressure influence Australia's position, and is our own announcement on the horizon? On home soil, political attention has been dominated by the upcoming p...
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has drawn a line in the sand on Gaza. Unless Israel takes “substantive” steps to end the “appalling situation” in the region, the UK will recognise a Palestinian state in September. As international momentum builds, how will the Albanese government respond? At home, the data drop Reserve Bank board members have been waiting for is out. The Bureau of Statistics quarterly consumer price index (CPI) shows consumer prices rose 0.7 per cent over the June quarter an...
