Politics Now

As households brace for possible fifth interest rate rise this year, Labor ministers have been trying to manage expectations. Raf thinks the Albanese Government is struggling to sell its economic narrative, noting people inside Labor as well as punters are asking "where is the vision, where is the hope"? And CHOGM is chugging along - while PK didn't want to deliver a second rendition of the Beach Boys Kokomo on the podcast today, she's got big thoughts on the optics of the Prime Minister near yachts. Meanwhile, Victoria is about to enter caretaker mode and the election campaign is in full swing. Patricia Karvelas and Raf Epstein break it all down on Politics Now.🎧 Hear ABC Business Daily's analysis of the rates decision here Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

Tensions have emerged between the Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, as cost of living pressures continue to bite. The Treasurer has played down the claims, but stability and unity have been hallmarks of the Albanese Government, so is this a narrative Labor can turn around? Meanwhile, the Prime Minister is overseas for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and he's faced some heat at home over his attendance. Jacob and PK agree that while such trips will always come with some domestic blowback, that's not a reason not to attend. It comes as the McKinnon index finds trust in politicians and satisfaction with democracy have fallen. And PK thinks a new AI ad from Victorian Labor might be a good example of how trust can be eroded. Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber break it all down on Politics Now. Read PK's analysis here: Disunity is death, but can the federal government rein in the blame game? Read Jacob's analysis here: Politics is an image game, and the government needs to find better visuals 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

Professor Pat McGorry, Executive Director of Orygen, tells David Speers in this week's Insiders: On Background State and Federal governments share responsibility for the failing system.

South of the Murray, ghosts of premiers past loom over the current leaders. What influence are Dan Andrews and Jeff Kennett still having on the way Victorians vote? And has the media already picked a side to campaign for? Raf Epstein and Herald Sun Associate Editor James Campbell break it all down on Politics Now: Victoria. Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au Editor's note: The Victorian Liberal Party has selected Roshena Campbell as its candidate for the Western Metropolitan Region in the upcoming election. Roshena Campbell is the wife of Herald Sun associate Editor James Campbell.

Is Australia about to enter a period of "long economic pain"? Stubborn inflation and the prospect of another interest rate rise next week is putting fresh pressure on the Albanese government. Treasurer Jim Chalmers is facing calls to rein in government spending, while the Opposition has unveiled $31 billion in proposed cuts. But managing the economy in the current international climate is a difficult task - can either side (or anyone else) stick the economic landing? And is telling Australians the government knows they're "doing it tough" enough anymore? Meanwhile, Senate estimates delivered its usual mix of scrutiny and political theatre, with the ABC drawn into a dispute over One Nation's use of Bluey in its political cartoons, and Senator Fatima Payman apologising for controversial comments following the alleged attack on Helen Haines. And as parliament grapples with calls to lower the political temperature, cost-of-living pressures continue to fuel public frustration. So how will it all play out as the country heads towards a potentially difficult summer, and the Prime Minister embarks on a busy schedule of overseas travel? Patricia Karvelas and Clare Armstrong are joined by Ashleigh Raper, Political Editor at Network 10 on The Party Room. Read Clare's analysis here . Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

Australia's latest inflation figures are in, and it's not good news. Inflation ran hotter than expected in September, raising the prospect of another interest rate rise next week. So can the Albanese government reshape its economic narrative in a way the Australian public will buy? Meanwhile, the Greens have entered the debate with a major new tax plan, promising cost-of-living relief funded by higher taxes on gas and resources. And alongside all that, there's a sewerage problem that just won't go away for the Prime Minister. Patricia Karvelas and David Speers break it all down on Politics Now. Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

The Coalition has finally put some numbers on its plans to cut government spending, identifying more than $30 billion in proposed savings. But every cut comes at a cost. So what is Angus Taylor signalling would get the chop, and who would feel the impact? Meanwhile, with another interest rate rise looming, Treasurer Jim Chalmers is challenging his critics to explain what they would cut instead. And Senate estimates is delivering some uncomfortable moments - parliamentary officials are raising concerns about vicious online abuse, while independent senator Fatima Payman has invoked the alleged attack on Helen Haines in a heated dispute over staffing. Patricia Karvelas and Tom Crowley break it all down on Politics Now. Read Tom's analysis here . Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

"We look forward to the day you return to this place, and I get to say the following nine words: 'I give the call to the member for Indi.'" Parliament is back and tearful tributes to Helen Haines have brought a rare moment of unity across the political divide. But the cracks are showing. From political rhetoric to censorship and increased security, MPs are divided on what needs to change. While some are calling for greater civility, others are warning against restricting robust political debate. And with Question Time returning and a packed legislative agenda ahead, how long can this moment of unity last? Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber break it all down on Politics Now. Read PK's latest column here . ICYMI, listen to our latest episode of Politics Now: Victoria here . Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

Former Finance Minister and now OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann says the cost-of-living crunch is fuelling frustration and pulling voters to populist parties.

Victoria's political leaders are fessing up to drug taking and not paying for petrol. The major parties aren't banning abortion, but instead competing to make abortion free. Politics has changed. The tectonic plates of politics are shifting beneath our feet. Within weeks, Victorians will start voting in the November state election. So, what does all of this tell us about the future of politics in Australia? Raf Epstein and Patricia Karvelas break it all down on Politics Now: Victoria. Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

The devastating alleged attack on independent MP Helen Haines has sent shock waves through Australian politics across the week. Urgent questions about the safety of our elected representatives, and the state of political debate, are being asked. As Haines remains critically ill in hospital, politicians across the political spectrum are sharing their own experiences of threats, harassment and abuse, particularly against women. But how do we keep politicians safe, without shutting them off from the communities they represent? Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called for the political temperature to be turned down, while Australia's security agencies warn of a growing climate of anger, division and intolerance. So, what does turning down the temperature actually look like? And who should take responsibility for the increasingly hostile political environment? Meanwhile, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has apologised over a controversial cartoon mocking Jacqui Lambie's medical condition. But does the backdown signal a change in political discourse, or is there a much bigger conversation to be had about the limits of political satire? Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly are joined by David Speers on The Party Room. Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

How do you keep politicians safe without shutting the public out? Following the alleged attack on Helen Haines, calls for greater protection are growing, as MPs grapple with the threats that come with public life - while the motive behind the attack remains unknown. And as political leaders urge everyone to turn down the temperature, Pauline Hanson has gone from telling Jacqui Lambie to “get over it”, to apologising over a One Nation cartoon. Is this a rare backdown? Or simply damage control? Patricia Karvelas and Clare Armstrong break it all down on Politics Now. And a reminder - every Friday until the Victorian election, catch Raf Epstein in the Politics Now feed for Politics Now: Victoria. Sexual assault support lines: Full Stop Australia : 1800 385 578 Men's Referral Service : 1300 766 491 Lifeline (24-hour crisis line): 131 114 Victims of Crime Helpline : 1800 819 817 Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

"This wasn't an accident. This was a deliberate act.” Stark words have been shared by the Prime Minister following a devastating alleged attack on Independent MP Helen Haines yesterday afternoon, who remains in a critical condition. As Australia learns more about what unfolded outside her Wangaratta office, shock now turns to questions about the safety of our elected representatives. Calls to “turn down the political temperature” are growing louder - but is that the right message? Patricia Karvelas and Raf Epstein break it all down on Politics Now. And a reminder - every Friday until the Victorian election, catch Raf Epstein in the Politics Now feed for Politics Now: Victoria. Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

Tensions inside the Greens are boiling over. WA Senator Jordon Steele-John says rumours about his conduct are being weaponised for political purpose - allegations he strongly denies. Now he’s taken to social media to insist he’s “not on leave" - and accused his own party leader, David Shoebridge, of pressuring him to step aside. So with a new leader trying to find his feet, just how damaging is this very public dispute for the Greens? And PK and Jacob has some free advice for Labor following a tense sitting week - is it time for a reshuffle? Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber break it all down on Politics Now. Read Senator Jordon Steele-John's full statement here . Read Jacob's latest analysis here . Read PK's column here . Listen to our Victorian election special Question Time with Raf Epstein here . Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

After prompting an intervention from the Prime Minister over the ATO's controversial credit card ban, ACCI chief executive Andrew McKellar unpacks the fallout and the government's impending trust tax changes.

It’s Question Time - and not just any Question Time - a Victorian state election special! With one of the most consequential state elections of 2026 fast approaching, Victoria has been on your minds. So PK and Fran enlist friend of the podcast and Victorian political expert Raf Epstein to tackle your questions. What role will the Victorian Greens play in the election? Are party preferences genuinely hard to find - or being hidden? And what’s with all the weird minor party names popping up? Then there’s the One Nation factor. How could preferences translate into seats? Will the result fairly reflect the mood of the state? And could One Nation’s performance reshape Victoria’s electoral system in the future? After a busy sitting week, Patricia Karvelas, Fran Kelly and ABC Radio Melbourne Mornings host Raf Epstein unpack how Australia’s “political epicentre” could unfold on The Party Room: Question Time edition. Got a burning question? The Party Room: Question Time is taking a short break from next week, but keep sending your questions through. Send short voice recordings to PK and Fran at thepartyroom@abc.net.au and we’ll answer them when Question Time returns. And a reminder - every Friday until the Victorian election, catch Raf Epstein in the Politics Now feed for Politics Now: Victoria.

It’s been a strange sitting week in Canberra, with the Albanese government trying to push through a packed legislative agenda - only to find itself repeatedly dragged onto political ground it hadn’t planned for. Labor was slow out of the blocks in responding to the Trump administration’s proposed livestream of a US execution. Is the government becoming too reluctant to criticise the president? Back in parliament, the government suffered a significant setback when the Coalition, Greens and Jacqui Lambie teamed up to knock its private health insurance changes off the Senate agenda. Meanwhile, a fight over ATO credit card payments has fuelled fresh questions about the relationship between Anthony Albanese and Jim Chalmers, as Labor grapples with growing signs of midterm malaise. The Greens are also testing their new leadership team, with David Shoebridge pushing the party into almost every major debate and trying to squeeze concessions from Labor. And then there’s Josh Frydenberg - back on the media circuit, promoting his memoir, floating policy ideas and doing very little to dampen speculation about a political comeback. Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly are joined by Tom McIlroy, Political Editor for Guardian Australia on The Party Room. Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

Are the Prime Minister and his treasurer working together, or are they being played off against one other? Midway through a sitting week, the government has managed to put itself back in the firing line with small business over the ATO’s on-again, off-again credit card ban. That’s led to some performative text messaging, as well as a nasty moment in parliament that’s now taken on a life of its own. If that wasn’t enough, Labor is also staring down another fight over trusts. Patricia Karvelas and David Speers break it all down on Politics Now. Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

The political fight is moving more and more online. AI companies want to build, train and expand in Australia, but the welcome mat now comes with conditions - including from a bipartisan committee sending letters pushing for tougher rules and stronger protections for creators, and a warning from Labor that a handful of AI giants could become the economy’s new “toll collectors”. But back in the real world, revealing comments inside Labor caucus are exposing tensions for the government - and warnings of “the penny dropping” for some MPs if things don’t improve. So who is really setting the rules - governments, platforms, or the companies building the technology? And how much political pressure is building offline while Canberra tries to regulate the online world? Patricia Karvelas and Clare Armstrong break it all down on Politics Now. Read Clare's piece here . Read PK's piece here . Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

Parliament is back for another sitting week and Jacob Greber is back on the podcast! But as Jacob tells PK, it's already looking like a "tricky" week for the Albanese government, with no clear passage for their legislative agenda. And PK thinks new Greens leader David Shoebridge will also be looking to make his mark. So, will he play "hardball" with Labor? Meanwhile, questions are swirling about whether former Treasurer Josh Frydenberg's will return to federal politics. Jacob thinks it's a sure thing, but it's a matter of timing — so with the Victorian election looming, is that time now? Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber break it all down on Politics Now.Read PK's analysis here - One Nation threatens major parties as voters turn to AI for information 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