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'.
116episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Farrer by-election: The issues that will determine who wins | Insiders
May 800:12:13Tap to summarizeFarrer has been held by the Coalition for nearly 80 years but the seat looks almost certain to be won by One Nation's David Farley or Independent candidate Michelle Milthorpe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Will the budget annoy 'rich boomers'?
May 800:34:59Tap to summarizeIt's been a budget focused week in politics, but the arrival of a cohort of so-called ISIS brides has stolen some of that pre-budget spotlight.And speaking of budgets, is Treasurer Jim Chalmer's fifth set to be more exciting than the others? Well, PK admits she's excited at the "opening of a can" but both her and Fran agree that with promise of this being a big reforming budget, it's more closely watched than usual.And when should politicians change their mind — and when is it just 'dishonest'? Why has the PM linked a gas profits tax to shoring up fuel supply overseas? And what's the Coalition's 'strategy' on One Nation?Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly answer your clever queries on this special Question Time edition of The Party Room.Catch-up on the LIVE SHOW on ABC Listen or on Apple here or on Spotify here.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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Did we invent podcasting?
May 701:03:19Tap to summarizeIt turns out Fran and PK may have invented podcasting? Well, maybe not quite .. but they have been getting behind the microphone to bring you The Party Room for a whopping 10 years!To celebrate a whole decade of the podcast, they were joined on stage by special guests Lenore Taylor and Casey Briggs to reflect on how Australian politics has shifted over the last 10 years , and where things are headed next.So, with the Farrer by-election looming, is the Coalition legitimising One Nation by preferencing them? And as voter demographics in Australia shift, with Millennials and Gen Z now the largest voting bloc, is the time right for the slow and steady Albanese Government to be brave on budget night?And PK lets us in on a little secret … because it turns out "everybody is going politics hot" — so what does that mean?Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas are joined by Lenore Taylor, Journalist and Author and Casey Briggs, ABC Chief Elections Analyst for The Party Room LIVE!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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It's all about 'sovereign capability'
May 500:29:00Tap to summarizeAnthony Albanese has unveiled a $10 billion energy security package, including a permanent government-owned fuel reserve, in what the government is calling a major step towards energy sovereignty.The announcement lands just days out from the budget, and in the mix of RBA governor Michelle Bullock warning the government to be careful spending doesn't add to inflation, following yesterday's rate rise.And as a group of so-called “ISIS brides” and their children prepare to return to Australia, the political pressure is shifting again - from budget discipline to national security and the government’s capacity to hold the line on both.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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Should politicians be 'radically honest'?
May 500:34:14Tap to summarizeThe Albanese Government is locking in a trio of tax reforms, with capital gains tax, negative gearing and the taxation of trust funds all set to feature in the budget.PK and Raf Epstein are aligned on the need for the Government to deliver "big reform". PK says she's "troubled" by the way Labor is avoiding making the case for changes they believe in during the "bear-pit of an election" and using the changes to Stage 3 Tax Cuts as the "template" rather than an exception. Raf has other thoughts.So, is what we want from politicians actually "radical honesty", or can they keep some ambitions in the bottom drawer?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 ABC Business Daily here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Australia-Japan: friends with benefits?
May 400:30:22Tap to summarizeJapanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have held bi-lateral talks, lauding the "quasi-alliance" and friendship between the two-nations.As Jacob tells PK, Anthony Albanese has been engaging in extensive "alliance-work" over the last few months, with the subtext of those bilateral talks becoming overt — "we are worried about the US and what Donald Trump is doing to alliances."Meanwhile, the reverberations are continuing after the death of Kumanjayi Little Baby, the Opposition has called for an inquiry, but as Sorry Business commences, the family calls for unity and for time to grieve.And with the budget just over a week away, speculation has reached "fever-pitch", so is the Treasurer preparing us for a tough budget?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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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How productivity can save the Australian economy | Insiders
May 100:24:00Tap to summarizeWith just 10 days to go, Treasurer Jim Chalmers is putting the final touches the budget. Dr Chalmers has made clear productivity is a priority for this term of parliament. So who better to ask about the upcoming budget than the Productivity Commission. David Speers sat down with Commission Chair Danielle Wood for this week's Insiders On Background. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Jim Chalmers is running up that inflation hill
Apr 3000:34:20Tap to summarizeIt's been a busy but "bitsy" week in politics, and while Pauline Hanson's "sexy" plane and the announcement of a new US Ambassador to Australia briefly took the spotlight, the economy has been the key focus.Inflation has dramatically spiked, the Prime Minister has effectively ruled out a gas profits tax and housing reforms are starting to take shape. But as Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson continue their battle of the barbs, Shane Wright has a few Kate Bush inspired suggestions for the budget playlist.Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas are joined by Shane Wright, senior economics correspondent for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald on The Party Room.Read Shane's piece on the capital gains tax hereGot 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Pauline's 'sexy' plane and big money politics
Apr 2900:23:08Tap to summarizeInflation has surged to a whopping 4.6 per cent, the highest level since 2023, as fuel shocks caused by the US-Iran war continue to bite.But the cost of living hasn't stopped One Nation leader Pauline Hanson from taking to social media to celebrate her "sexy" new private plane. Treasurer Jim Chalmers has hit out at the announcement, labelling the Senator a "wholly owned subsidiary" of billionaire Gina Rinehart — so could the optics hurt the minor party?It comes as Anthony Albanese delivered his "largest" pre-budget speech. Speaking at a Chamber of Minerals and Energy event in WA, the PM effectively ruled out a gas profits tax in the budget — saying it wasn't the time to jeopardise regional partnerships.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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Did Sylvester Stallone snub Canberra?
Apr 2800:25:49Tap to summarizeThe Prime Minister has committed to "fixing" the News Bargaining Code to ensure platforms contribute their "fair share", unveiling an exposure draft of the legislation.Meanwhile, the Trump Administration has nominated former Republican Congressman David Brat for the role of US ambassador to Australia. And Mel and PK are in fierce agreement about the glory of Canberra in autumn, but reporting suggests the likes of Sylvester Stallone and Mel Gibson — who were previously touted for the posting — weren't so keen on a move to the bush capital.And the Opposition has unveiled a plan to double Australia's fuel reserves, as energy security remains a key focus for the Government.Patricia Karvelas and Mel Clarke 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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