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'.
122episodes
Episodes
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Did Albo's address meet the moment?
Apr 200:42:16Tap to summarizePrime Minister Anthony Albanese delivered a rare national address overnight, warning Australians about "uncertain times" ahead — but sending the message the government has their back. But after frenzied speculation, did it fall flat — or did it meet the moment?It comes amid lots of "pump priming" from the government, as Labor tries to "take the sting" out of petrol prices and keep small businesses afloat. The big price tags come ahead of Treasurer Jim Chalmers' fifth budget in May, which the PM has reiterated will be "ambitious".And as the US-Iran conflict continues to rage, Labor seems to have shifted its language towards de-escalation.Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas are joined by Katina Curtis, Canberra Bureau Chief at the West Australian on The Party Room.Got a burning question?Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.auTickets to our live show will be announced SOON! Watch this space!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Is Albanese the 'man with a plan'?
Apr 100:25:21Tap to summarizePrime Minister Anthony Albanese is set to deliver a rare national address this evening — the first national address since the COVID pandemic.While it's not yet clear what it will detail, PK and Clare discuss how the move allows the Albanese government to control the agenda and how the "man with the plan" positioning gives the government "important political high-ground". But is there also political danger if the message doesn't meet the moment?Meanwhile, Shadow Foreign Minister Ted O'Brien says Australia should be "open" to contributing assets and personnel to assist in the Strait of Hormuz — but is this the right move, or an "unnecessary contribution"?Patricia Karvelas and Clare Armstrong 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.auRead Clare's writing on rationing here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-31/modelling-assumes-rationing-if-diesel-stockpile-drops-to-10-days/106513966https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-01/public-should-not-expect-clear-trigger-for-fuel-rationing/106513970Watch PK's IV with Ted O'Brien here:https://iview.abc.net.au/show/afternoon-briefing/series/0/video/NU2622C042S00 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Carrots, sticks and a gas profits tax
Mar 3100:34:47Tap to summarizePrime Minister Anthony Albanese says the fuel excise cut will "make a difference", but the Treasurer is warning the cut could take weeks to flow through.Opposition leader Angus Taylor has welcomed the move, claiming the government has "finally" acted under pressure and the Coalition will "continue to lead". And speaking of leadership, it seems Angus Taylor has tried to assert some authority over his main leadership rival Andrew Hastie, but is the Opposition leader being "outplayed"?As Raf tells PK,we're in a new political paradigm, the political battleground isn't left versus right anymore, but is bottom versus top — "If you're in the top bottom fight on behalf of the voter, you're at least in the conversation. If you're still fighting the left right thing, I think our politicians fear that they're being left behind".And Labor has backed a Greens motion for a parliamentary inquiry to examine the tax settings for Australia's oil and gas resources, it comes amid a groundswell of support for a gas profits tax from One Nation through to the Greens. So, will we see a gas tax in the upcoming budget?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.auListen to Raf's IV with the PM here: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/melbourne-mornings/-good-pm-s-one-word-response-to-dezi-freeman-s-death/106515564Listen to ABC Business Daily here: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/abc-business-daily/who-pays-for-petrol/106512650 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Albanese reads the room with cheaper fuel
Mar 3000:31:15Tap to summarizeThe Prime Minister has announced the fuel excise will be halved and the heavy vehicle road user charge reduced to zero for three months.It comes as National Cabinet also agrees to an energy security plan, with four levels of action.Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the reductions are "temporary, timely and responsible", but they come with a $2.55 billion dollar price-tag. While it's welcome relief for drivers, Jacob tells PK cheaper petrol won't necessarily push down demand — which will be an "interesting test".And Anthony Albanese has also changed his language on the war in the Middle East, calling for more "certainty" on the US' objectives and urging de-escalation.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.auRead PK's latest piece here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-30/australian-fears-about-iran-war-and-fuel-shortages/106508802 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Reform or handout? That is the question for the Government ahead of the budget
Mar 2700:21:06Tap to summarizeThe global economic fallout from the Middle East war is still emerging, but things are not looking good. It's a conundrum for the Federal Government, who is trying to navigate the economic storm ahead of the May budget. Independent economist Chris Richardson joins Melissa Clarke for this week's On Background. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Capping off a 'binfire' political week
Mar 2700:29:18Tap to summarizeAustralia has been in the firing line of another Donald Trump "spray", with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declaring he "won't comment on commentary."As other Labor frontbenchers strike a similar tone, PK tells Fran Labor Ministers have become "rolled gold experts" at not being drawn into the US President's remarks.And PK and Fran cap off a "binfire week" with their favourite good news stories — and get stuck into all your clever questions, including..Who will be the Opposition in South Australia? When do major parties lose that status? How are the Greens meeting the current political moment? And with the current fuel woes, are renewables the answer?Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly answer all of your clever questions 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Progressive patriotism v sovereignty
Mar 2600:28:45Tap to summarizePrime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed National Cabinet will meet again to coordinate a national response to the ongoing fuel crisis. But should the meeting be happening now, rather than next week?And as the reverberations from One Nation's success at the South Australian election continue to ricochet federally, Labor is also feeling the heat. Health Minister Mark Butler used a Dorothy Dixer in Question Time to point to One Nation's lack of Medicare policy, so are they now treating One Nation as part of a quasi-Opposition?Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas break it down on The Party Room.Got a burning question?Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.auHear Fran's IV with Allegra Spender here: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/the-radio-national-hour/allegra-spender/106487930 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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All fetta! Australia-EU trade deal inked
Mar 2400:27:48Tap to summarizeAfter nearly a decade of negotiations, Australia and the European Union have signed a landmark free trade agreement. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hailed it "a defining moment" for the relationship, while EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said it was a "win for both parties."In addition to the trade deal, Australia and the European Union have also inked a defence and security agreement, with Ursula von der Leyen addressing parliament to welcome what she calls "a new era of economic and security partnership."Meanwhile, it's been 1000 days since a landmark gambling report led by the late Labor MP Peta Murphy was handed down. Crossbenchers are urging the Albanese Government to act on the report's recommendations, while a new study has found gambling companies are finding "novel" ways to target women.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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Which political party is listening to Australians?
Mar 2300:30:53Tap to summarizeThe Labor Malinauskas Government claimed a landslide victory in the South Australian election over the weekend, cementing what PK calls the Premier's "political rockstar" status in the state.But One Nation also managed to convert it's high polling numbers into success at the ballot box, peeling voters off the Liberal party. And it's not just the Liberals rattled by the minor parties success, with Labor also put on notice and the SA Premier warning his team against hubris.It comes as federal parliament returns for another sitting week, with fuel supply again set to dominate the agenda.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 latest analysis here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-23/one-nation-sa-election-result-lessons-for-liberals-and-labor/106483754Read Jacob's latest analysis here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-21/albanese-government-fuel-crisis-energy-supplies-gas-subsidies/106474862 Listen to ABC Business Daily here: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/abc-business-daily/an-escalating-war-and-a-falling-asx/106486100 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Demand for fuel has gone up, but when will petrol prices come back down?
Mar 2000:26:27Tap to summarizeThe Federal government says there's no shortage of fuel supply in Australia, amid the ongoing war in Iran.So why some regional service stations unable to find supply, and why are petrol prices so high? Malcolm Roberts is the Chief Executive of the Australian Institute of Petroleum, which represents the big refiners and fuel suppliers. He sat down with David Speers for this week's Insiders On Background. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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