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. 3h ago

    Is Labor worried about immigration?

    Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has postponed a national press club address, a very unusual move, where he was expected to announce sweeping cuts to immigration. The decision not to address the press club this week came less than 48-hours before the speech, with a spokesperson confirming it was "clear that some elements of the speech would not be finalised". Meanwhile, Treasurer Jim Chalmers has moved to quell a brewing fight over the so-called "widow's tax", unveiling a proposal to close the loophole. And Victorian Premier Ben Carroll is facing his first test as leader. The state's anti-corruption watchdog found serious and concerning conduct by senior public officers, including ministers, MPs and public servants, during a bitter pay dispute with the state's firefighters union. 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

    Is Labor worried about immigration?

  2. 1d ago

    Will Albanese go further on gambling?

    Betting giants Tabcorp and Sportsbet have faced a grilling at the parliamentary inquiry on gambling. The short inquiry has only run for two-days, but both Clare and PK agree it's been high impact. PK points to how it could frame the political agenda when parliament returns next week, while Clare says she doesn't see a path through the Senate without Labor's bill "being tougher and more restrictive" on gambling promotions and advertisements. Meanwhile, Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie has stared down a direct threat from One Nation. And as bird flu continues to spread, Clare has an important public service announcement: you can't stockpile eggs! Patricia Karvelas and Clare Armstrong 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

    Will Albanese go further on gambling?

  3. 2d ago

    The politics of property prices

    House prices are falling across the country, with the downturn no longer just confined to Sydney and Melbourne according to new Cotality data. Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek says there's never "been a better time to be a first home buyer in Australia", while Treasurer Jim Chalmers has pointed to Treasury modelling that house price growth would slow by about 2 per cent in the short term. It comes as a two-day inquiry into Labor's gambling advertising legislation gets underway, with growing calls for the Albanese Government to ban inducements. So, will Labor be forced to give ground here? Meanwhile, One Nation has unveiled upper house candidates for the upcoming Victorian election, with the ABC and others not given the details for the press conference. 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

    The politics of property prices

  4. 4d ago

    Paul Kelly on the decade that broke the Liberal Party | Insiders On Background

    If anyone can answer that, it's eminent journalist and political historian Paul Kelly. In his new book The Twilight of Exceptionalism, The Australian's editor-at-large traces the seismic shifts in Australian politics that sent the Liberal Party into a downward spiral. Paul Kelly sat down with David Speers for this week's Insiders: On Background.

    Paul Kelly on the decade that broke the Liberal Party | Insiders On Background

  5. 6d ago

    Is Albanese's seat under threat?

    Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is facing a new progressive threat, with 28-year-old Cheek Media Co founder Hannah Ferguson confirming she'll run as an independent in the PM's Grayndler seat. And Victorian politics that stole much of the spotlight this week, but will a leadership change be enough for Victorian Labor to reset ahead of the state election? And how is Federal Labor viewing the chaos? And the Albanese Government has confirmed the fuel excise cut will come to an end this weekend. It comes as inflation comes in cooler for the June quarter, but Treasurer Jim Chalmers has acknowledged there is more to do — so should we expect a bit of a bumpy road ahead? Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly are joined by Tom Crowley, ABC economics reporter 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

    Is Albanese's seat under threat?

  6. Jul 29

    Billionaires, donations and integrity

    Integrity in politics is back in the spotlight, with Anthony Albanese, Angus Taylor and Pauline Hanson all facing their own questions about transparency. And the inflation figures for the June quarter have landed, and its better news than what most economists were expecting. So, what will it mean for the RBA's August cash rate decision? Patricia Karvelas 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

    Billionaires, donations and integrity

  7. Jul 28

    Victoria has a new premier. Can he save Labor?

    Victorians have a new premier, with Ben Carroll taking on the state's top job, after a chaotic caucus meeting. Jacinta Allan stepped down ahead of the caucus vote, saying she believed it was the best thing for the Labor party and the Victorian people. Ben Carroll has already moved to distinguish his leadership from his predecessor, announcing a royal commission into the construction sector. But there are transactional costs to swapping leaders, so will the move be enough to lift Victorian Labor out of the doldrums ahead of the November election? 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.au

    Victoria has a new premier. Can he save Labor?

  8. Jul 27

    Victorian Labor's leadership crisis

    Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan is facing a leadership spill, with Deputy Premier Ben Carroll confirming he will run for the Labor leadership. It comes after a delegation of Labor MPs met with the Premier to urge her to resign, but it doesn't seem Jacinta Allan is willing to step aside without a fight. Meanwhile, Anthony Albanese's control of Labor was on full display at the ALP national conference, Labor backbencher Ed Husic has warned the culture of debate isn't valued as it should be. Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber break it all down on Politics Now. Editor's Note: The Fitzgerald Inquiry was instigated by Queensland's police minister and deputy premier, Bill Gunn, in May 1987 — not then Queensland Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen as was incorrectly stated in the podcast. It was established by Order in Council while Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen was absent on a US trade mission. Initially expected to last about six weeks, the inquiry spent almost two years conducting a comprehensive investigation of long-term systemic political corruption and abuse of power in Queensland, changing the policing and political landscape in Queensland and across Australia. Read PK's analysis here — Labor's national conference triumph had an unseen trade-off Read Jacob's analysis here - Labor conference proves a masterclass in political trade-offs Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

    Victorian Labor's leadership crisis
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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
    473
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026, Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All right reserved.
  • Show Website
    Politics Now

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