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
Pragmatic politics or dirty deals?
2d ago00:27:25Tap to summarizeParliament is back for the final sitting fortnight before the mid-winter break. The Albanese Government is eager to pass its key budget measures, but will the Greens waive through tax reforms in exchange for an extended NDIS inquiry?Meanwhile, Anthony Albanese has convened a virtual nation cabinet to discuss fuel security, as the Government winds down its fuel excise cut. But as global turbulence continues, the PM hasn't ruled out a further extension if needed.Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber break it all down on Politics Now.Read PK's analysis here - Concerns over AI and data centres a dangerous force Labor must confrontRead Jacob's analysis here - Hanson's bulldozer moment could be a sign of new promiscuity in donor politicsGot a burning question?Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Is the government's tax reform turning into a "freak show"? | Insiders On Background
4d ago00:17:10Tap to summarizeThe federal government has backed down on its budget tax changes, announcing larger concessions for small business and carve outs for startups. Chief Executive of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Andrew McKellar told David Speers the reforms resemble a “freak show”. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Budget backdowns, scrutiny and Gina's bulldozer
5d ago00:41:57Tap to summarizePK and Melissa Clarke are on a unity ticket that this has been one of the biggest weeks in politics this year.So, before they answer your clever questions they dig into the response to Labor's capital gains tax carve-outs, the latest from the US-Iran ceasefire and of course Gina Rinehart's curious orange bulldozer stunt.And then it's over to the partyroomers! Does Labor need more outspoken backbenchers? Will One Nation stand-up to the scrutiny of an election campaign? Are politicians speaking to renters? And why are data centres facing some backlash?Patricia Karvelas and Melissa Clarke answer your queries on The Party Room: Question Time edition.Catch up on Thursday's ep here: Annabel Crabb on a doozy of a weekGot a burning question?Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Annabel Crabb on a doozy of a week
6d ago00:44:44Tap to summarizeThe Prime Minister and Treasurer have announced carve outs to their capital gains tax changes. So, has Anthony Albanese "blinked" under pressure?Meanwhile, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has delivered her first National Press Club address in her 30-years in politics — so why did she take to the podium now?And how are Labor and the Coalition positioning as more scrutiny falls on the surging minor party?Patricia Karvelas and Annabel Crabb break it all downon The Party Room.Read Annabel's column hereGot a burning question?Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Pauline Hanson goes mainstream
1w ago00:26:52Tap to summarizeOne Nation leader Pauline Hanson has addressed the National Press Club for the first time in her political career.In a wide-ranging speech, the One Nation leader linked housing issues to immigration, railed against multiculturalism, labelled net-zero a "hoax", called for an overhaul of IR laws and rebuked other parties for copying her policies.So, will the address make Pauline Hanson even more electable? Or does it open her up to some political risks ahead?Patricia Karvelas and David Speers break it all down on Politics Now.Got a burning question?Send a short voice recording for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Is 'hyperbolic' politics reducing trust?
1w ago00:30:54Tap to summarizeThe AFP is looking into allegations Israeli forces sexually assaulted Australian activists who were detained after attempting to reach Gaza last month.It comes after a meeting between the Australian activists, federal ministers Penny Wong and Anne Aly and senior members of the AFP. Israel has denied the claims.Meanwhile back home, there's been a heated exchange over the CGT and negative gearing inquiry, with the Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson telling Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Amanda Rishworth to "grow up" and "get a breathalyser".So, what does the exchange tell us about the current tone of our political debate? And is heightened rhetoric reducing trust in politics?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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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How Labor fights the polls for Pauline
1w ago00:31:09Tap to summarizePauline Hanson is now the preferred Prime Minister - ahead of the actual Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Angus Taylor - if the latest Resolve poll is anything to go by.Yes, it’s a big “if”. But it’s also not the sort of number the major parties can laugh off. As One Nation’s rise moves from protest vote to serious political threat, what is Labor’s strategy to stop the bleed - and is it working?Meanwhile, another fight is opening over the budget, as a two-day Senate inquiry into the government’s tax measures begins. Labor says it is still consulting, business groups are lining up with their demands. So where does the negotiation land - and how much will the government have to give?Plus - PK and Jacob unpack the breaking news around a US-Iran ceasefire, and whether the hope of a lasting peace deal in the Middle East can hold.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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Is Australia ready for the AI transformation? | Insiders on Background
2w ago00:20:06Tap to summarizeExecutive director of the Tech Policy Design Institute, Johanna Weaver, says Australia is well-placed to navigate the AI transformation while maintaining its national sovereignty. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Labor goes back to basics
2w ago00:35:53Tap to summarizeThe Prime Minister is holding a Medicare card. Tony Abbott is spruiking a national tour. "Ditch the witch" is back in the headlines. Everything old is new again in politics this week.So what should we make of it all? Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly are joined by Katina Curtis, Canberra Bureau Chief at the West Australian to discuss everything from the NDIS inquiry to the continuing attempts to sell the Budget measures and discussion around Coalition preferences to One Nation. Got a burning question?Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Is the Prime Minister ready to 'cop it'?
2w ago00:25:45Tap to summarizeAs the US launches new military strikes on Iran, Anthony Albanese says the uncertainty makes it “very difficult” to deal with the consequences - while trying to read the mood at home.Could some distance between the Prime Minister and Donald Trump be politically useful, as fuel prices, global instability and the Strait of Hormuz dominate the conversation one again?And while Transport Minister Catherine King insists the fuel excise cut will end, is the government ready to cop the political pain - or will it have to bite the bullet and extend it?Meanwhile, Labor is still trying to sell its war-time budget. Capital gains tax carve-outs are starting to take shape, while the Greens are open to backing Labor’s tax changes in exchange for a longer NDIS inquiry.Plus, six months after Australia introduced its social media ban for under-16s, Apple’s CEO is crediting the country for new child safety controls - with the UK and EU watching closely. But are the restrictions actually making a difference?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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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