Politics Now

ABC News
ABC News
  • 4.7 (42)
  • Politics
  • Updated Daily

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'.

  1. 17h ago

    A big week for existential dread

    Prime Minister Anthony Albanese dropped an "AI bomb" in the middle of UN week, announcing that an Open AI agent hacked into a Medicare portal. So, as debate rages at the UN General Assembly over the need for AI safeguards, do the optics of the situation help Anthony Albanese's case? It's been a big week on the global stage for the PM, as he brushes shoulders with leaders of fellow middle powers and even managed to snap a selfie with US President Donald Trump. But back home, are voters taking notice? Meanwhile, Treasurer Jim Chalmers whipped out his crystal ball and delivered a forecast on what Australia will look like in 40-years and it's not a rosy picture for younger generations.(Clare and Ryan have some serious existential dread to share) It comes as the Opposition has vowed to "take a chainsaw" to Labor's climate and energy agenda, promising to repeal a swag of climate and energy policies within 30 days if elected. So, is this just a response to One Nation? And speaking of One Nation, Barnaby Joyce suggested partnership talks between the minor party and Coalition were back in frame. Coalition MPs quickly lined up to shoot that idea down, but, could it become a political and mathematical reality for the parties of the right? Fran Kelly and Clare Armstrong are joined by Ryan Heath, Launch Editor of Politico Australia on The Party Room.Read PK's analysis here The economy needs migration and data centres. Voters hate both Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

    A big week for existential dread

  2. 1d ago

    Albanese’s UN super intelligence

    Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has continued his push for global AI safeguards at the UN general assembly, positioning himself as a global leader on tackling online harm. It comes as US President Donald Trump rejects calls for AI regulation, announcing he will now refer to the tech as "super intelligence" across official documents. And in a rare public intervention, the Trump Administration has criticised the Albanese Government's "digital duty of care" proposal. But despite their different approaches, Anthony Albanese and Donald Trump managed to snap a selfie after quick meeting on the sidelines of summit. Clare Armstrong and David Speers 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

    Albanese’s UN super intelligence

  3. 2d ago

    Is the Coalition joining the super wars?

    Liberal frontbencher Andrew Bragg has reignited the super wars, with a pitch he says is about generating a "sophisticated debate" over the policy. As Clare tells Raf, internal divisions remain in the Coalition over superannuation, with some concerned about slaying the "sacred cow" that is superannuation. But Raf thinks this might just be the Opposition "blowing off the cobwebs on the policymaking machine" and starting to rebuild their policy ammunition for the election battle ahead. And calls for a Royal Commission into domestic violence have re-emerged after a spate of alleged domestic violence deaths over the weekend. So, how are governments responding? Clare Armstrong and Raf Epstein break it all down on Politics Now. Read Clare's piece here Dating app harms fuel calls to extend digital duty of care to platforms Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

    Is the Coalition joining the super wars?

  4. 3d ago

    Albanese's AI era

    Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is continuing his online safety charm offensive at the UN this week, after a quick visit to tour Apple headquarters in Silicon Valley. It follows the PM's calls for international cooperation on AI guardrails, amid global uncertainty over the use and safety of Artificial Intelligence. But back home there are questions about how Australia's own AI national standards will be implemented. It comes as Treasurer Jim Chalmers unveils the latest intergenerational report, with artificial intelligence set to have the "defining influence" on the economy. Clare Armstrong and Cam Wilson break it all down on Politics Now. Read Clare's latest piece here Intergenerational Report charts falling fertility, aging population and housing divide Read Cam's latest piece here AI companies would need to report 'rogue' incidents under proposed national standards Read PK's analysis here The economy needs migration and data centres. Voters hate both Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

    Albanese's AI era

  5. 6d ago

    The AI arms race: ICRC pushes for new rules for autonomous weapons in war | Insiders On Background

    As AI bosses warn of the growing threat the technology poses to humanity, the International Committee of the Red Cross is pushing for new global rules to govern AI-powered autonomous weapons in war.

    The AI arms race: ICRC pushes for new rules for autonomous weapons in war | Insiders On Background

  6. 6d ago

    Howard bingo and pollies on pods

    It's Question Time! But first, Fran and PK catch-up on what's been an "intense and wild" week. PK is still mad she didn't get to choose George Michael as her expert subject on Mastermind, but host and friend of the quiz show Marc Fennell dials in to commiserate and offer some advice. And as Fran reveals her special subject, she learns about the 'John Howard bingo' the team has been playing behind the scenes. Then it's onto your brilliant questions, including; Do politicians leave the talking points behind on podcasts? Will Pauline Hanson be included in the next leaders' debate? And should politicians avoid attacking the One Nation leader personally? Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly are answer your questions on The Party Room: Question Time edition. Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

    Howard bingo and pollies on pods

  7. Sep 17

    Labor's immigration crackdown

    Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has unveiled Labor's long awaited migration plan, including a crackdown on overstayers and a ballot for backpackers. It comes after One Nation kicked off the week with details on their immigration policy and as the Coalition finalises the details of it's own plan. So, while all three-parties are on a unity ticket about reducing temporary immigration, there's key political distinctions in who they are each targeting, and how. And Pauline Hanson has given a very qualified apology after telling a podcast Aboriginal Australians were the “most primitive race on earth", declaring she's sorry if anyone was offended.  It comes amid a string of other remarks which have been widely condemned and it seems the scrutiny has the One Nation leader feeling the heat. Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly are joined by Karen Middleton, political journalist and columnist for The Monthly 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

    Labor's immigration crackdown

  8. Sep 16

    Labor's 'narrow path' and 'stinky sausage'

    The AI fight keeps getting messier. As all sides weigh in on copyright, creators, investment and whether Australia can afford to miss the next tech wave, Anthony Albanese is trying to walk a very narrow path. Can he have “all of the desserts but none of the calories” - welcoming AI investment while defending creatives from being sold down the river? Meanwhile, the government is back in the spotlight over a sports grant in Health Minister Mark Butler’s seat. Is this just the "stinky sausage" of Australia’s “Frankenmonster” federation - or a pork-barrelling problem for Labor? And finally - a Labor migration policy is incoming. But after One Nation got in first, can the government land its pitch with the voters it needs most, or will it just keep wedging the Opposition? Patricia Karvelas and Melissa Clarke break it all down on Politics Now. Read Clare Armstrong's reporting on Labor's $5 million pledge here. Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

    Labor's 'narrow path' and 'stinky sausage'
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Hosts & Guests

4.7
out of 5
42 Ratings

About

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'.

Information

  • Channel
    ABC News
  • Creator
    ABC Australia
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    462
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026, Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All right reserved.
  • Show Website
    Politics Now

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