50 episodes

Want to know what's really going on in Parliament House? Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas give you the political analysis that matters and explain what it means for you.

The Party Room ABC News

    • News
    • 4.8 • 25 Ratings

Want to know what's really going on in Parliament House? Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas give you the political analysis that matters and explain what it means for you.

    Social cohesion concerns follow stabbing attacks

    Social cohesion concerns follow stabbing attacks

    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.

    More Information

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

    • 34 min
    Has the government shifted on Palestinian statehood?

    Has the government shifted on Palestinian statehood?

    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.

    More Information

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

    • 33 min
    Questions over transparency as Labor 'takes out the trash'

    Questions over transparency as Labor 'takes out the trash'

    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.

    More Information

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

    • 32 min
    Trump slams Rudd and Chinese foreign minister visits

    Trump slams Rudd and Chinese foreign minister visits

    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.

    More Information

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

    • 32 min
    Push to make aged care sustainable and nuclear debate drags

    Push to make aged care sustainable and nuclear debate drags

    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.

    More Information

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

    • 32 min
    Energy debate goes nuclear as PM looks to Asia

    Energy debate goes nuclear as PM looks to Asia

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

    • 26 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
25 Ratings

25 Ratings

MrsLauren ,

So grateful this podcast exists

I’ve recently left Australia and moved to London and I hang out every week for this podcast. As someone who worked in and followed Australian politics, I find this the best way to keep up to date with the happenings and excellent analysis. Well done Fran and PK, huge fan here.

Jabatson ,

A M E N ! ! 🙏

I’m SO grateful this show exists.
Being such a Fran Kelly fanboy, this show is like date night every week!
Being stuck in London, I no longer have the privilege of waking up with Fran each morning. But The Party Room gives me the illusion of a long distant relationship and satisfies my #auspol lust.

SophChesterton ,

Fran and PK on the pulse!

I love this podcast. As a recent Aussie expat, it keeps me up to date with the goings-on in Canberra and around the country and the guests are always high quality. Just the right length and insightful. Thank you for your work!

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