Politics Now

Recent episodes

1. Will Albanese go further on gambling? from Politics Now

   Aug 4, 202627 min

   Betting giants Tabcorp and Sportsbet have faced a grilling at the parliamentary inquiry on gambling. The short inquiry has only run for two-days, but both Clare and PK agree it's been high impact. PK points to how it could frame the political agenda when parliament returns next week, while Clare says she doesn't see a path through the Senate without Labor's bill "being tougher and more restrictive" on gambling promotions and advertisements. Meanwhile, Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie has stared down a direct threat from One Nation. And as bird flu continues to spread, Clare has an important public service announcement: you can't stockpile eggs! Patricia Karvelas and Clare Armstrong 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

2. Labor feels the heat on gambling from Politics Now

   Aug 3, 202633 min

   House prices are falling across the country, with the downturn no longer just confined to Sydney and Melbourne according to new Cotality data. Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek says there's never "been a better time to be a first home buyer in Australia", while Treasurer Jim Chalmers has pointed to Treasury modelling that house price growth would slow by about 2 per cent in the short term. It comes as a two-day inquiry into Labor's gambling advertising legislation gets underway, with growing calls for the Albanese Government to ban inducements. So, will Labor be forced to give ground here? Meanwhile, One Nation has unveiled upper house candidates for the upcoming Victorian election, with the ABC and others not given the details for the press conference. 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

3. Paul Kelly on the decade that broke the Liberal Party | Insiders On Background from Politics Now

   Jul 31, 202628 min

   If anyone can answer that, it's eminent journalist and political historian Paul Kelly. In his new book The Twilight of Exceptionalism, The Australian's editor-at-large traces the seismic shifts in Australian politics that sent the Liberal Party into a downward spiral. Paul Kelly sat down with David Speers for this week's Insiders: On Background.

4. Is Albanese's seat under threat? from Politics Now

   Jul 30, 202644 min

   Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is facing a new progressive threat, with 28-year-old Cheek Media Co founder Hannah Ferguson confirming she'll run as an independent in the PM's Grayndler seat. And Victorian politics that stole much of the spotlight this week, but will a leadership change be enough for Victorian Labor to reset ahead of the state election? And how is Federal Labor viewing the chaos? And the Albanese Government has confirmed the fuel excise cut will come to an end this weekend. It comes as inflation comes in cooler for the June quarter, but Treasurer Jim Chalmers has acknowledged there is more to do — so should we expect a bit of a bumpy road ahead? Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly are joined by Tom Crowley, ABC economics reporter 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

5. Billionaires, donations and integrity from Politics Now

   Jul 29, 202629 min

   Integrity in politics is back in the spotlight, with Anthony Albanese, Angus Taylor and Pauline Hanson all facing their own questions about transparency. And the inflation figures for the June quarter have landed, and its better news than what most economists were expecting. So, what will it mean for the RBA's August cash rate decision? 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

6. Victoria has a new premier. Can he save Labor? from Politics Now

   Jul 28, 202628 min

   Victorians have a new premier, with Ben Carroll taking on the state's top job, after a chaotic caucus meeting. Jacinta Allan stepped down ahead of the caucus vote, saying she believed it was the best thing for the Labor party and the Victorian people. Ben Carroll has already moved to distinguish his leadership from his predecessor, announcing a royal commission into the construction sector. But there are transactional costs to swapping leaders, so will the move be enough to lift Victorian Labor out of the doldrums ahead of the November election? Patricia Karvelas and Raf Epstein 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

7. Victorian Labor's leadership crisis from Politics Now

   Jul 27, 202633 min

   Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan is facing a leadership spill, with Deputy Premier Ben Carroll confirming he will run for the Labor leadership. It comes after a delegation of Labor MPs met with the Premier to urge her to resign, but it doesn't seem Jacinta Allan is willing to step aside without a fight. Meanwhile, Anthony Albanese's control of Labor was on full display at the ALP national conference, Labor backbencher Ed Husic has warned the culture of debate isn't valued as it should be. Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber break it all down on Politics Now. Editor's Note: The Fitzgerald Inquiry was instigated by Queensland's police minister and deputy premier, Bill Gunn, in May 1987 — not then Queensland Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen as was incorrectly stated in the podcast. It was established by Order in Council while Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen was absent on a US trade mission. Initially expected to last about six weeks, the inquiry spent almost two years conducting a comprehensive investigation of long-term systemic political corruption and abuse of power in Queensland, changing the policing and political landscape in Queensland and across Australia. Read PK's analysis here — Labor's national conference triumph had an unseen trade-off Read Jacob's analysis here - Labor conference proves a masterclass in political trade-offs Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

8. Is One Nation a bigger threat to Labor than the Coalition? | Insiders On Background from Politics Now

   Jul 24, 202621 min

   The rise of One Nation this year has been crushing for the coalition, but it is also posing a threat to Labor. Outgoing National ALP President and former Treasurer, Wayne Swan sat down with David Speers at Labor's 50th conference.

9. Tariffs, bingo cards and Albo's iron grip from Politics Now

   Jul 24, 202623 min

   Labor has adopted new language on gambling regulation and backed telehealth for voluntary assisted dying in its party platform. And while the party has been unwilling to air its dirty laundry publicly, negotiations and debates have still been underway behind the scenes. So, is this a further sign of Anthony Albanese power over the party and his ability to project stability? Meanwhile, The Trump administration has confirmed a 12.5 per cent tariff will be placed on Australian exports to the US immediately. The move has been blasted across the political spectrum, but has some of the domestic heat and pressure come out of the issue? Patricia Karvelas and Clare Armstrong break it all down on Politics Now. Read Clare's piece here — Regional funding a 'sleeper issue' that could end in rare fight on Labor conference floor Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

10. Albanese's 'antidote' to One Nation from Politics Now

    Jul 23, 202627 min

    Day one of the National Labor conference has wrapped up, with Anthony Albanese's political authority on full display. The Prime Minister used his opening address to speak about the rise of One Nation and contrast grievance politics with pragmatic solutions. And while a broken escalator saw Anthony Albanese stumble slightly, there was no sign of that on the conference floor, with backroom factional deals largely sewn up to avoid "barneys". But there are warnings a "politically managed" conference could have risks, with rebel backbencher Ed Husic suggesting 'being allergic to dissent and dispute' won't work in Labor's long term interest. Patricia Karvelas and David Speers break it all down on Politics Now.Listen to The Party Room Question time here Read David's analysis on the Labor conference here Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

11. Should Labor adopt a 'manifesto'? from Politics Now

    Jul 22, 2026

    It's a bonus Question Time edition! And today, Fran and PK are diving into some of YOUR big questions about the behind the scenes machinations and optics of Australian politics. Including, are the seating arrangements in parliament strategic for the cameras? What do the Presidents of political parties actually do? Why don't political parties in Australia use political manifestos like they do in the UK? And are there tensions between pollies and public servants? And later, PK and David Speers will bring you their hot takes from on the ground at Labor's national conference. Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly answer your queries on The Party Room: Question Time edition. Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

12. Taylor takes from Abbott playbook(let) from Politics Now

    Jul 22, 202627 min

    The National Labor Conference is about to get underway, with a gas exports tax, gambling reform and artificial intelligence shaping up as key battlegrounds But while there will be disagreements and policy fights, there's criticism that the event will be highly stage managed. So, is Labor being in power actually putting a "handbrake" on robust debate? And Opposition leader Angus Taylor has unveiled a new booklet spruiking his economic plan, in a move directly out of the Tony Abbott playbook. So, can a glossy new pamphlet help him return the focus to the Coalition's policy? Patricia Karvelas and Melissa Clarke 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

13. Annabel Crabb on Albanese's control from Politics Now

    Jul 21, 202623 min

    Order and control have been hallmarks of Anthony Albanese's leadership, but they're also at the centre of his approach to cooking. Annabel Crabb joins PK to discuss what's shaped the Prime Minister's desire for order and if he's a bit of a "control freak" when he's in the kitchen — and maybe also the cabinet. Meanwhile, One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce has gone viral for yelling at his dog off screen in the middle of an interview on ABC's 730 and PK and Annabel have some thoughts. Patricia Karvelas and Annabel Crabb break it all down on Politics Now.Watch Kitchen Cabinet on ABC TV at 0830pm, or catch up anytime on ABC iview. Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

14. Pauline Hanson dominates attention economy from Politics Now

    Jul 20, 202624 min

    One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has robustly defended her appearance on controversial far-right agitator Tommy Robinson's podcast amid backlash. But while the minor party has issued some clarifications, does the controversy feed into Pauline Hanson's playbook and has she succeed in "consuming the attention economy"? Meanwhile, the Albanese Government has responded to its special envoy's report on Islamophobia 10-months after it was released. So, what message is Labor trying to send at a time of fraying social cohesion? Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber break it all down on Politics Now. Read PK's analysis here - Tony Abbott isn't helping the Liberals with their Pauline Hanson problem Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

15. Regulating AI is like catching smoke, warns Christopher Pyne | Insiders On Background from Politics Now

    Jul 17, 202623 min

    Artificial intelligence is dominating the political agenda, with the federal government announcing plans to legislate guardrails for data centres and protect artists' copyright. But the strategic and military implications of AI, alongside Australia's multi-billion dollar investment in AUKUS, present much larger and complex questions for national sovereignty. Christopher Pyne is a stalwart of the Liberal Party and a former defence minister. He tells David Lipson that artificial intelligence is the most significant development since the nuclear weapon, and warned that the Liberal Party must distance itself from One Nation if it hopes to return to government.

16. One Nation leadership rumbles emerge from Politics Now

    Jul 17, 202635 min

    It's Question Time! But before Fran and PK dive into your clever questions, they wrap up the latest political developments. Pauline Hanson's podcast interview with far-right UK agitator Tommy Robinson is making waves — including it seems, within the One Nation itself. The One Nation leader suggested her daughter Lee Hanson had the "potential" to be a future leader of the party, so where does this leave Barnaby Joyce? And what's the history of Royal Commissions in Australia and when do they work best? We asked an expert. And while housing has dominated the political agenda, what impact is our aging population having on demand? Could older people house sharing offer a solution and importantly, what kind of roommates were PK and Fran? (spoiler: one of them was very protective of their butter!) And could an Australian MP pull a "stunt" like Nigel Farage? PK and Fran don't think so — and they also feel VERY differently about Count Binface. Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly answer your clever queries on The Party Room: Question Time edition. Listen here to Royal commissions in Australia — when have they made a difference? Listen here to Labor's AI plan and Hanson's holiday Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

17. Labor's AI plan and Hanson's holiday from Politics Now

    Jul 16, 202644 min

    Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's landmark AI address has dominated the political week. But was the announcement of National AI standards a bit of an "about face" from the PM, after what was previously seen as a hands-off approach to AI regulation from the Government? And One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has been meeting with a series of fringe figures across the UK and has now been spotted in a resort in Sicily with mining magnate Gina Rinehart. So, how are the optics of the Pauline Hanson rubbing shoulders with far-right figures like Tommy Robinson playing with recent One Nation converts back home? Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly are joined by Ronald Mizen, AFR Political Correspondent 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

18. Albanese's AI roadmap from Politics Now

    Jul 15, 2026

    Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has unveiled "world-leading" AI standards, urging Australians to embrace change and shape AI in the national interest. The PM used a landmark speech to lay out his vision for Australia's AI future, as Australians grapple with concerns over job losses, anxieties over the environmental impacts of AI data centres and copyright protections. Labor is set to legislate standards next year, with Anthony Albanese effectively shaping the debate that's to come — including at the Federal Labor Conference next week. Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber 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

19. Is uncertainty the new normal? from Politics Now

    Jul 14, 202634 min

    US President Donald Trump has vowed to impose a toll on traffic passing through the Strait of Hormuz, as the US military launches its latest wave of strikes against Iran. The Albanese Government is urging restraint and pointing to Australia's secure fuel supply — but is this the "new normal"? And four women and girls were killed in four days in separate incidents last week, PK and Raf reflect on frustrations around the media coverage of violence against women and the focus from governments to combat the issue. Patricia Karvelas and Raf Epstein 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 1800 Respect national helpline :1800 737 732 Women's Crisis Line :1800 811 811 Men's Referral Service :1300 766 491 Lifeline (24 hour crisis line):131 114 Relationships Australia :1300 364 277 NSW Domestic Violence Line: 1800 656 463 Qld DV Connect Womensline: 1800 811 811 Vic Safe Steps crisis response line: 1800 015 188 ACT 24/7 Crisis Line: (02) 6280 0900 Tas Family Violence Counselling and Support Service: 1800 608 122 SA Domestic Violence Crisis Line: 1800 800 098 WA Women's Domestic Violence 24h Helpline: 1800 007 339 NT Domestic violence helpline: 1800 737 732 3

20. Has One Nation support hit a ceiling? from Politics Now

    Jul 13, 202631 min

    It's another poll Monday, this time with PK and Clare! A new Resolve poll in the SMH and The Age shows support for One Nation has slipped, with leader Pauline Hanson's likeability also taking a tumble. In what will be a major relief for under fire Opposition leader Angus Taylor, the Coalition has benefited — picking up support. It comes as the Opposition leader rebukes One Nation and their economic credentials for the first time, so is the Coalition settling on a new strategy? And Labor is riding high after a successful week of international diplomacy, but there are "spotfires" building for Treasurer Jim Chalmers, ahead of the second tranche of budget tax measures. Meanwhile, as the Royal Commission on Antisemitism is this week shifts its focus to universities, the Government has announced it'll require higher education institutions to adopt definitions of antisemitism. Patricia Karvelas and Clare Armstrong break it all down on Politics Now. Read PK's analysis here Labor scoring own goals while Coalition distracted by One Nation threat Read Clare's piece here Labor's trust tax proposal leaves small businesses waiting to see what states will do with stamp duty Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au