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Political leaders face a tough test amid concerns about social cohesion following a difficult week for Australians, who’ve been left reeling over two stabbing attacks.

Six people were killed in a knife attack at Bondi Junction shopping centre and just days later authorities declared a “terror incident’ following the stabbing of an Assyrian Orthodox Bishop during a live streamed church service in Western Sydney, which sparked a riot.

And the judgement in the defamation trial Bruce Lehrmann brought against Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson was handed down this week, with Justice Lee finding that on the balance of probabilities, Bruce Lehrmann raped Brittany Higgins in Parliament House.

Kate McClymont, chief investigative reporter at The Sydney Morning Herald joins Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas on The Party Room.

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Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au 

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has suggested the Albanese Government is considering recognising Palestinian statehood, saying a two-state solution is "the only hope" for peace between Israelis and Palestinians. 

Despite bi-partisan support for a two-state solution, the Opposition has slammed Minister Wong's statement. Shadow Deputy leader Sussan Ley has suggested the move was "emboldening terrorists."

Karen Middleton, Political Editor at the Guardian joins Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas on The Party Room.

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Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au 

The Albanese Government has failed to pass its rushed immigration detention bill. The Coalition formed an unusual alliance with Greens and the crossbench to delay a vote on the bill, claiming more scrutiny was needed.

And the issue has raised broader questions about the government's transparency, with other with other key pieces of legislation like the Religious Discrimination bill shrouded in secrecy.

Paul Karp, Chief Political Correspondent at Guardian Australia joins Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas on The Party Room.

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Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au 

Former US President Donald Trump has reprimanded former PM Kevin Rudd in an interview, saying he heard he was "a little bit nasty" and warning if that if Ambassador Rudd is "at all hostile he won't be there for long". So, what could this mean for future US-Australian relations under a Trump Presidency?

Meanwhile the PM has announced he won't proceed with a religious discrimination bill unless it has bipartisan support. And Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has visited Australia, holding diplomatic talks with Foreign Minister Penny Wong. But his meeting with former PM Paul Keating is raising eyebrows.


Phil Coorey, Political Editor of the Australian Financial Review joins Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas on The Party Room.

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Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au 

The Government appears to be on the verge of a major shift in funding Australia's aged care system. It comes after taskforce set up to review funding models suggested moving more to a means tested user pays system. 

And the Coalition is continuing its push for nuclear energy, with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton stating they will name “six” possible locations for nuclear reactors in the coming weeks. So what are the politics behind the Coalition's approach?

Charles Croucher, Chief Political Editor for 9News joins Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas on The Party Room.

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Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au 

Australia hosted ASEAN leaders in a special summit in Melbourne this week as key differences over China were set aside.