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'.
120episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
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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The Trump 'ick factor' in Australia
Apr 2700:27:42Tap to summarizeAnthony Albanese has joined with other world leaders to express gratitude that the US President was unharmed after a a shooter crashed the venue of the White House Correspondents' dinner.But back home, support for Donald Trump and the US alliance is under strain, could that also spell trouble for One Nation? And as the Farrer by-election gets closer, could the Coalition preferencing the minor party get them their first lower house seat in 30-years?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 Listen to QT with Casey Briggs on ABC Listen or Apple Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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John Bolton: One of Trump's 'problems is he doesn't know what he wants' | Insiders
Apr 2400:16:57Tap to summarizeDonald Trump has extended the ceasefire with Iran, but what happens now? Ambassador John Bolton was the President's national security adviser during his first term of office.He joined David Speers for this week's Insiders: On Background. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Casey Briggs answers your election questions
Apr 2300:33:49Tap to summarizeIn a very special Question Time edition of The Party Room, Chief Elections and Data Analyst Casey Briggs joins PK to get stuck into all of your wonderfully nerdy questions.Including, what does the preparation for election night look like behind the scenes? Why is Queensland the only state without an Upper House/Senate? Are Gen Z men still leaning left? And is expanding the size of parliament a good idea?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 Trump taking the shine off One Nation?
Apr 2000:33:03Tap to summarizeTreasurer Jim Chalmers says reining in NDIS spending will “easily be the most important” source of budget savings as the Albanese Government looks to make the scheme "sustainable".And while the Treasurer confirmed a "whole range" of tax reforms remain on the table, is consensus growing across political aisles and the community for changes like a gas profits tax?Meanwhile, One Nations' primary vote has slumped across two key polls today, so is Donald Trump's erratic behaviour causing some blow-back against the minor party?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 analysis here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-20/australias-lucky-country-mantle-has-slipped/106581228 Read Jacob's analysis here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-18/inflation-war-making-may-budget-harder/106577912 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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‘We can't do without them’: Kim Beazley on support for the US alliance slipping | Insiders On Background
Apr 1700:27:50Tap to summarizeAustralia’s National Defence Strategy was unveiled this week, with more money for drones and missiles and an unapologetic commitment to the US-alliance.Kim Beazley is a former Defence Minister during the Hawke Government, a long-serving Labor Leader in opposition, a former Ambassador to the United States and now Chair of the Australian War Memorial. 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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A world full of predators
Apr 1600:43:25Tap to summarizeA National Defence Strategy, an oil refinery fire, a regional charm offensive by the PM, a bleak global outlook from the IMF and a new Opposition immigration policy — it's been another big week in politics.So, is the Albanese Government's boost to defence spending the right move — or at least a sign they're "on the right track"? And as Anthony Albanese continues his regional "petro-diplomacy" with visits to Brunei and Malaysia — is securing supply now even more important due to the Corio refinery fire?Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber are joined by Peter Hartcher, Chief Political and International Editor at the SMH and the Age The Party Room.Got a burning question?Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.auGet free tickets to THE PARTY ROOM LIVE SHOW here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/10-years-of-the-party-room-tickets-1987025124637?aff=oddtdtcreator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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