Podcast
Politics Now
Hosted by ABC Australia · EN
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'.
81episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Trump's tariffs and AUKUS awkwardness
1w ago00:40:00Tap to summarizePrime Minister Anthony Albanese has acknowledged there's an "ideological disagreement" with the US, after the Trump Administration confirmed they'll slap a 12.5 per cent tariff on Australian goods.It comes as AUKUS "awkwardness" is continuing for Labor, so will the issue continue to kick off at the Labor conference next month — or will the Government nip it in the bud before then?And One Nation's mainstreaming is continuing, with Pauline Hanson locking in a leaders address at the National Press Club after an explosive new Redbridge poll in the AFR showed One Nation was the most popular party in Australia.And back in the parliament, the Albanese Government has passed their first tranche of budget tax reforms through the house, but the Greens and Coalition have raised concerns about what they say are "god-like" discretionary tax changes after they become law. Treasurer Jim Chalmers has dismissed the criticism as a "beat-up" but are they in for a battle ahead in the Senate?Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly are joined by Charles Croucher, Chief Political Editor at Nine News on The Party Room.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
Transcribe →Why Labor won't sink AUKUS
1w ago00:24:00Tap to summarizeThere are choppy waters ahead for AUKUS, as a push for a "rethink" gains some traction within Labor ranks.Albanese Government frontbenchers have come out in force to defend the policy, but PK and David Speers agree despite the backlash there's "no chance" Labor will walk away from AUKUS.It comes as Australia and the Solomon Islands agree to begin negotiations on a comprehensive strategic agreement. It's a coup for the Albanese Government as they look to counter the rising presence of China in the region.Meanwhile, new GDP figures have landed with Treasurer Jim Chalmers labelling them "solid in the circumstances", but is it just the AI data centre boom keeping us afloat?Patricia Karvelas and David Speers 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
Transcribe →AUKUS goes off 'like a frog in a sock'
2w ago00:26:00Tap to summarizePeter Garrett has been burning the Midnight Oil over AUKUS - and he’s not the only one turning up the heat.The former Labor minister is leading an independent inquiry into the $368 billion defence deal, after confirmation Australia will now receive three second-hand Virginia-class submarines from the United States. The Opposition is also taking a swing, warning the revised arrangement could leave Australia with older submarines, shorter operating lives, and a future capability gap. So is this just another round of AUKUS anxiety - or a real problem for the government?Plus, a big moment for One Nation as David Farley is sworn in as the new member for Farrer, and early signs he may take a different tone from Pauline Hanson.And how will Labor, the Liberals, and One Nation position themselves on a rise to the minimum wage?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
Transcribe →Could Pauline Hanson become PM?
2w ago00:30:00Tap to summarizeA new poll has One Nation ahead of Labor as the most popular political party, as the Albanese Government loses some skin in the wake of the budget.And One Nation leader Pauline Hanson isn't ruling out becoming prime minister in the future, saying she "has the ability" and is considering a tilt at a lower house seat at the next election.Meanwhile, the Coalition has seemingly failed to capitalise on voter discontent with the budget, so will new Liberal Party President Tony Abbott rejuvenate the base?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.auRead PK's analysis here
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Father of Inland Rail says 'this thing is on and unstoppable' | Insiders on Background
2w ago00:23:13Tap to summarizeThe federal government has shelved plans to develop Inland Rail from Melbourne to Brisbane but the man who's known as the project's father says negotiations are underway to resurrect it.
Transcribe →Budget bills, 'wedgies' and a teal party
2w ago00:40:00Tap to summarizeThe Albanese Government has introduced its capital gains and negative gearing bill to parliament, hoping to pass the first tranche of legislation before the mid-winter break.The Greens have called for a short-burst inquiry into the bill but seem to be signalling a willingness to support the measures. So, after a week of fierce backlash from the small business community, has Labor managed to pull the focus back to housing?Meanwhile, another cohort of IS-linked women and children have returned to Australia from Syria this week, causing some political friction for Labor and possibly feeding into One Nation leader Pauline Hanson's platform.And while speculation about a so-called 'teal party' was the talk of the town at the beginning of the week, it seems the idea has run out of steam already.Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly are joined by Michelle Grattan, Chief Political Correspondent at The Conversation and professorial fellow and University of Canberra on The Party Room.Hear Michelle Grattan's IV with Keith Wolahan here.Hear Fran on Radio National Hour here.Watch PK on Afternoon Briefing here.Editor's note: This podcast was recorded prior to the AFP confirming a 34 year-old Melbourne woman, who returned from a Syrian detention camp last year, has been charged with terrorism offences.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
Transcribe →Political wedges and a welfare shake-up
2w ago00:24:00Tap to summarizeLabor may be considering expanding exemptions to its capital gains tax changes amid a backlash from small business — but while they are consulting widely looks like they won't cave "quickly".And the Opposition has unveiled a political wedge of its own, threatening to withhold crucial support for Labor's NDIS overhaul without an inquiry into CGT and negative gearing changes in exchange.Meanwhile, the Government has announced a major welfare shake-up, but new inflation figures and the return of more so-called ISIS brides could steal some of the spotlight.Patricia Karvelas and David Speers 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.auABC Business Daily dig deeper into the inflation figures here
Transcribe →Albanese stares down tax push back
3w ago00:29:00Tap to summarizeHousehold energy bills are set to drop by up to 10 per cent, with the Albanese government crediting renewables and batteries for the decrease.It's a good news story for Labor, as the fight over capital gains tax changes continues to dominate parliament — and the Prime Minister doubles down.But the Government isn't the only one feeling the heat, with outgoing National Anti-Corruption Commissioner Paul Brereton fronting up for a grilling in Senate estimates.Patricia Karvelas and Tom Crowley 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
Transcribe →A new 'teal' party?
3w ago00:31:00Tap to summarizeParliament is back in session and there's speculation a new party could be on the horizon.Independents Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender have confirmed conversations about forming a party with like-minded so-called "teals" are underway. Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has given the idea a tick of approval, but many fellow crossbenchers have already confirmed they won't be joining. So, is this just a "thought experiment" or could a party of independents become a reality?Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has confirmed the first tranche of budget measures will be introduced to parliament on Thursday. So, while Anthony Albanese has "doubled down" on the dissent, can Labor get the legislation through the Senate with support from The Greens?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.auRead PK's analysis hereRead Jacob's analysis here
Transcribe →Tech sector warns tax could "double" under CGT changes | Insiders on Background
3w ago00:21:38Tap to summarizeThe decision to change capital gains tax rules for all investments, rather than just property, has sparked backlash from young investors, entrepreneurs and small business owners.
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