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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Anthony Albanese has voluntarily written to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to offer support for removing Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of royal succession. Australia is the first Commonwealth country to back the proposal, but Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has made it clear his government doesn't have any plans to hold a referendum on becoming a republic, instead announcing this morning that high speed rail from Newcastle to Sydney could be "shovel ready" in two-years time. So, is th...
Anthony Albanese has continued his hardline rhetoric on so-called ‘ISIS Brides’, but now Opposition leader Angus Taylor has upped the ante, with a bill that would make it illegal to assist Australians with links to the Islamic State return home. The Albanese Government has dismissed the idea, what role is One Nation having on the changing tone of the debate? And the PM has been busy hitting the airwaves on commercial radio stations in the electorate of Farrer, but as a by-election looms in Sussa...
The debate over immigration, border control and social cohesion hardened this week, after a group of women and children in northern Syria attempted to return to Australia.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has taken a tough line on the so-called 'ISIS brides' attempting to return to Australia from Syrian camps. So, how much is anti-immigration rhetoric and the rise of One Nation influencing the 'hard line' team Labor is taking? And Angus Taylor has unveiled his new look shadow frontbench, so what does it signal about the Coalition's agenda? Are are we hearing the same messages, but just new 'stronger messengers'? Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly are joined by Phil C...
Liberal leader Angus Taylor has announced his shadow frontbench, promising to blend generational change with proven experience. Angus Taylor's key allies have been rewarded with big portfolios, but some key moderates — like newly minted shadow treasurer Tim Wilson — have also been kept in the tent. So, as the party turns their focus squarely to the economy, will the reshuffle pay dividends? And will it keep the party united? Patricia Karvelas and Raf Epstein break it all down on Politics Now. Go...
It's The Party Room live! Fran and PK were joined on stage by ABC Chief Elections Analyst Casey Briggs at the Mardi Gras Fair Day festival in Sydney on Sunday. There was wonderfully nerdy wordplay ("the member for Hume and the member named Hume"), Farrer by-election analysis and a look at what parties are offering Gen Z and Millennial voters — who are the largest voting bloc. Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au Watch PK...
Newly minted Liberal leader Angus Taylor has made it clear a tougher approach to immigration is on the agenda. In his first address as Opposition leader, he declared that “the door must be shut” to people who don’t align with “Australian values.” So, if the party shifts further to the right, to chase voters back from One Nation, what does that mean for voters in the centre? Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber break it all down on Politics Now. You can watch PK's Four Corners at 0830pm Monday on A...
Angus Taylor has emerged as the new Liberal leader, beating Sussan Ley 34 votes to 17. The new Liberal leader says the party is facing a "change or die moment" and has promised to "protect the Australian way of life." Following the defeat, Sussan Ley has confirmed she'll resign from her seat of Farrer, sparking a by-election. It'll be the first big test for Angus Taylor's leadership. So, what does the election of Angus Taylor signal for the future direction of the Liberal party? Patricia Karvela...
After a drawn out process, Angus Taylor has officially announced he'll challenge Sussan Ley for the Liberal leadership. But while many Liberal frontbenchers have followed Angus Taylor and quit the shadow frontbench, it doesn't look like the Opposition leader will go down without a fight. And while the Albanese Government has been throwing barbs from the sidelines in Question Time, do they need to watch out for hubris? Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly are joined by Anna Henderson, SBS Chief Polit...
Pressure is mounting on Liberal leadership hopeful Angus Taylor to declare his hand and mount a challenge against Sussan Ley for the Liberal leadership. The Shadow Defence Minister is expected to quit the Shadow frontbench, with other Liberals expected to follow, paving the way for a leadership spill. But some moderates are calling on Angus Taylor to launch a petition and prove he has the numbers first. Melissa Clarke and David Speers break it all down on Politics Now. Got a burning question? Go...
Around 6000 people gathered at Town Hall to rally against the Israeli President's visit overnight, 27 people were arrested during clashes with officers, with some footage appearing to show police throwing punches at demonstrators. NSW Police have defended their response, while Premier Chris Minns says their actions were "proportionate." Meanwhile, Liberal leader Sussan Ley has survived today's party room meeting, but Fran and PK say there's now an "unstoppable push" for change — so when will lea...
Coalition members say they are united ahead of the Parliamentary sitting week...but are they? It’s only been three weeks since David Littleproud said a Coalition was “untenable” under Sussan Ley. So is it going to be different this time? Meanwhile, Israeli President Isaac Herzog has arrived in Sydney for a four day visit following the Bondi Beach terror attack. Anthony Albanese says he hopes the visit will foster “a greater sense of unity” but tensions are growing. Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Gr...
Insiders On Background is back for 2026! This week we are diving into the federal government's model for its Thriving Kids program. The program is aimed at setting up services and supports run by states and territories outside the NDIS.
It's been a week of high drama in parliament, from Shakespeare novels to soap opera references, but while the Liberal-Nationals chaos continued to take centre stage the RBA interest rate hike put the spotlight back on the Albanese Government. It comes as the May budget draws nearer and it seems the Treasurer Jim Chalmers is unwilling to rule out changes to the capital gains tax. So, could big bold reform be on the agenda? Meanwhile, the deadline Sussan Ley imposed the Liberal and Nationals to ne...
The Albanese Government is selling off an estimated $3-billion-dollars’ worth of defence sites, so what does the "significant" overhaul of Australia’s defence property portfolio mean for housing supply?And as the Treasurer Jim Chalmers continues to defend the Government's fiscal management in the wake of the RBA's latest interest rate hike, what does this all mean for the May budget? In the second year of a second term Labor government, can we expect "big bold ideas"? Patricia Karvelas and Raf E...
The RBA board has held its first monetary policy meeting for 2026 - and a cash rate lift is the result. After the Coalition split dominated the start of the year, will this bring the focus back onto the government — and whether the Treasurer is doing enough to ease the cost of living pressures facing Australians? Meanwhile, parliament is back, but things look different — with the Liberals now sitting alone and the Nationals on the crossbench. How long will this new arrangement last? Patricia Kar...
The Albanese Government should have been starting the week on the backfoot, but the infighting of the Liberal and Nationals' has kept the focus squarely on them. And amid the Opposition chaos, the Prime Minister appears to have his mojo back, labelling the infighting "bizarre" and comparing it to "Married At First Sight". But with last week's hotter than expected inflation data and a possible rate hike tomorrow, is the PM in for tricky economic times ahead? Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber bre...
In 2022, the Albanese Government joined its state and territory counterparts to commit to ending violence against women and children in a generation. But while Labor says they've made ending violence a key priority, with more than $4 billion for women's safety initiatives, where are things four years on? And with a wraparound approach needed to counter the issue, is a national watchdog urgently needed to ensure recommendations are actually implemented? Claudia Long joins Patricia Karvelas for th...
Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly discuss the Liberal Party's internal leadership struggle, examining the "blokes meeting" between Andrew Hasty and Angus Taylor, the optics of a party with a "woman problem," and the strategic timing involved in challenging for leadership. They also explore the ongoing National Cabinet negotiations for hospital funding, highlighting the PM's "not an ATM" stance. Finally, the hosts, joined by Casey Briggs, address listener questions on the implications of a Coalition split for candidate selection and Pauline Hanson's enduring appeal to disenchanted voters.
It’s a scorching start to the parliamentary year - and not just because of the weather. Sussan Ley is holding on, but pressure is building and Liberal party leadership questions remain unresolved following the Coalition's dramatic split last week. To add to the political drama, Nationals leader David Littleproud has faced his own unexpected leadership challenge, from Queensland backbencher Colin Boyce. At the same time, One Nation is gaining traction - not just in the polls but in public life, a...
Nationals’ leader David Littleproud is set to face a leadership challenge on Monday, with Queensland MP Colin Boyce announcing a spill motion, stating the National party is committing "political suicide" by splitting from the Coalition. Meanwhile, inflation figures for December landing at a much higher than expected 3.8 per cent. The figure raises the likelihood of a rate hike when the RBA meets next week and adds to the cost-of-living challenge facing the Albanese government. Patricia Karvelas ...
The political heat remains on Opposition leader Sussan Ley, and while the jostle to replace her as Liberal leader continues behind the scenes, moderates are talking down the prospect. But could the 'soft middle' and 'freelancers' in the Liberal party actually decide its future direction? It comes as the Albanese government tries to land a last-minute deal with states and territories over hospital funding but are they ready to come to the table? Patricia Karvelas and Tom Crowley break it all down...
The Liberal leadership tensions continue to grow, with Sussan Ley’s role as Opposition leader seen as untenable in the wake of the Coalition split. But while conservatives Andrew Hastie and Angus Taylor are shaping up as the key contenders, Liberals want to sort out which of them will run for the position before triggering a spill, to avoid further messiness. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has announced Defence Department boss Greg Moriarty as the new US Ambassador, after Kevin Rudd announced his...
The dust has settled on the Nationals' explosive decision to quit the Coalition, but questions are continuing to swirl about Sussan Ley and David Littleproud's future. So, where to next for the Liberals and the Nationals? Could the Nationals and One Nation form a new Coalition? Could the Liberal party regain votes in the centre? Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly answer your questions on this special edition of The Party Room. Got a burning question? Got a burning political query? Send a short voi...
In a stunning turn of events, the Nationals have officially split with Liberal party, blowing up the Coalition. Nationals leader David Littleproud accused Opposition leader Sussan Ley forcing his party into an "untenable" position and said they could not sit in Coalition under her leadership. It comes on the National Day of Mourning for Bondi, which was intended to be a day of unity and healing for the country. So, is this the end of the Coalition for good? And while questions are swirling about...
In a stunning turn of events, the Nationals have officially split with Liberal party, blowing up the Coalition. Nationals leader David Littleproud accused Opposition leader Sussan Ley forcing his party into an "untenable" position and said they could not sit in Coalition under her leadership. It comes on the National Day of Mourning for Bondi, which was intended to be a day of unity and healing for the country. So, is this the end of the Coalition for good? And while questions are swirling about...
The Albanese Government has passed its gun reforms and watered down hate laws after a late night sitting of the Senate. But three Nationals frontbenchers crossed floor to vote against the hate laws, which the Liberal party supported, defying conventions. So, will Opposition leader Sussan Ley force them to quit their portfolios — and is this a test of her authority? Patricia Karvelas and David Speers break it all down on Politics Now. Got a burning question? Got a burning political query? Send a ...
The Albanese Government is set to pass its hate speech and gun reform bills through the parliament. It comes after Labor split the omnibus legislation, negotiating with the Coalition and the Greens separately to get the two bills through. But while all signs are pointing to the Liberals supporting the changed hate speech laws, it's less clear if the Nationals are on board and the Senate could be in for a long night ahead. Patricia Karvelas and Raf Epstein break it all down on Politics Now.Produc...
For the first time since the Bondi terror attack, MPs from across the country have returned to Canberra. The first morning saw sombre speeches from a range of voices - but with debate on hate speech and gun laws to continue, is there any sense of bipartisanship in the air? Also casting a shadow over some in the chamber - polling showing One Nation’s primary vote has pulled ahead of the Coalition for the first time. Patricia Karvelas and Clare Armstrong break it all down on Politics Now. Got a bu...
