Politics Now

Israel's Ambassador to Australia, Hillel Newman sat down with David Speers for this week's Insiders On Background. 

Fran and PK let you know about all of the news "adjacent" TV they've been watching — and then get stuck into some brilliant listener queries on this Question Time edition of the Party Room.Does the political centre shift over time? Are the 24-hour news cycle and social media diluting the quality of legislation? And is populism the answer, or just a symptom of our fracturing global order?Got a burning question?Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.auPK and Fran's TV watchlist:PK - Ponies, on BingeFran - Tehran, on Apple TV+Landman, on Paramount+

An extreme threat, a ceasefire, and an awkward roller coaster for US alliesPrime Minister Anthony Albanese has welcomed the US-Iran two-week ceasefire, but criticised US President Donald Trump's "inappropriate" threats that a "whole civilisation will die".The condemnation came after Nationals leader Matt Canavan urged the PM to make it clear he didn't support the US President's rhetoric. So, is most of the criticism of Donald Trump actually coming from the right?And as Anthony Albanese prepares to head to Singapore to meet with his counterpart to discuss energy security, he's also spoken with the Chinese Premier overnight. So, as Australia looks to region to shore-up supply chains, is Donald Trump unintentionally uniting other regional allies?Jacob Greber 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

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed his upcoming trip to Singapore, as the government continues to "build resilience" amid global uncertainty.It comes as the US President has again criticised Australia and NATO allies for their lack of help, as his deadline for Iran to agree to a ceasefire or face "complete demolition" looms.Meanwhile, Treasurer Jim Chalmers is trying to put the final touches on his fifth budget, which the PM warns will be finalised later than usual. But as spending pressures compound, can the Albanese Government deliver "ambitious reform" — or will it be back to basics?Jacob Greber and Tom Crowley 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 Clare's piece on Farrer here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-07/farrer-candidate-funded-by-rupert-murdoch-son-in-law/106535826

Over 1000-days since the landmark Murphy report was handed down, Anthony Albanese has announced his government's long awaited gambling advertisement reform.The move came on the Thursday before the Easter long weekend, with critics disappointed the reforms are too timid and don't go far enough. So, has the prime minister landed on a "half pregnant" position on gambling reform? And is there a clear pathway to get the legislation through parliament?And as the Easter long weekend comes to a close, there's some positive news about fuel supply — with Energy and Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen declaring fuel shipments look good for April through to May.Jacob Greber and Clare Armstrong 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 Clare's analysis here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-05/gambling-advertising-labor-anthony-albanese-murphy-report/106510878

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese delivered a rare national address overnight, warning Australians about "uncertain times" ahead — but sending the message the government has their back. But after frenzied speculation, did it fall flat — or did it meet the moment?It comes amid lots of "pump priming" from the government, as Labor tries to "take the sting" out of petrol prices and keep small businesses afloat. The big price tags come ahead of Treasurer Jim Chalmers' fifth budget in May, which the PM has reiterated will be "ambitious".And as the US-Iran conflict continues to rage, Labor seems to have shifted its language towards de-escalation.Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas are joined by Katina Curtis, Canberra Bureau Chief at the West Australian on The Party Room.Got a burning question?Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.auTickets to our live show will be announced SOON! Watch this space!!

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is set to deliver a rare national address this evening — the first national address since the COVID pandemic.While it's not yet clear what it will detail, PK and Clare discuss how the move allows the Albanese government to control the agenda and how the "man with the plan" positioning gives the government "important political high-ground". But is there also political danger if the message doesn't meet the moment?Meanwhile, Shadow Foreign Minister Ted O'Brien says Australia should be "open" to contributing assets and personnel to assist in the Strait of Hormuz — but is this the right move, or an "unnecessary contribution"?Patricia Karvelas and Clare Armstrong 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 Clare's writing on rationing here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-31/modelling-assumes-rationing-if-diesel-stockpile-drops-to-10-days/106513966https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-01/public-should-not-expect-clear-trigger-for-fuel-rationing/106513970Watch PK's IV with Ted O'Brien here:https://iview.abc.net.au/show/afternoon-briefing/series/0/video/NU2622C042S00

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the fuel excise cut will "make a difference", but the Treasurer is warning the cut could take weeks to flow through.Opposition leader Angus Taylor has welcomed the move, claiming the government has "finally" acted under pressure and the Coalition will "continue to lead". And speaking of leadership, it seems Angus Taylor has tried to assert some authority over his main leadership rival Andrew Hastie, but is the Opposition leader being "outplayed"?As Raf tells PK,we're in a new political paradigm, the political battleground isn't left versus right anymore, but is bottom versus top — "If you're in the top bottom fight on behalf of the voter, you're at least in the conversation. If you're still fighting the left right thing, I think our politicians fear that they're being left behind".And Labor has backed a Greens motion for a parliamentary inquiry to examine the tax settings for Australia's oil and gas resources, it comes amid a groundswell of support for a gas profits tax from One Nation through to the Greens. So, will we see a gas tax in the upcoming budget?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.auListen to Raf's IV with the PM here: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/melbourne-mornings/-good-pm-s-one-word-response-to-dezi-freeman-s-death/106515564Listen to ABC Business Daily here: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/abc-business-daily/who-pays-for-petrol/106512650

The Prime Minister has announced the fuel excise will be halved and the heavy vehicle road user charge reduced to zero for three months.It comes as National Cabinet also agrees to an energy security plan, with four levels of action.Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the reductions are "temporary, timely and responsible", but they come with a $2.55 billion dollar price-tag. While it's welcome relief for drivers, Jacob tells PK cheaper petrol won't necessarily push down demand — which will be an "interesting test".And Anthony Albanese has also changed his language on the war in the Middle East, calling for more "certainty" on the US' objectives and urging de-escalation.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 latest piece here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-30/australian-fears-about-iran-war-and-fuel-shortages/106508802

The global economic fallout from the Middle East war is still emerging, but things are not looking good.  It's a conundrum for the Federal Government, who is trying to navigate the economic storm ahead of the May budget. Independent economist Chris Richardson joins Melissa Clarke for this week's On Background.

Australia has been in the firing line of another Donald Trump "spray", with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declaring he "won't comment on commentary."As other Labor frontbenchers strike a similar tone, PK tells Fran Labor Ministers have become "rolled gold experts" at not being drawn into the US President's remarks.And PK and Fran cap off a "binfire week" with their favourite good news stories — and get stuck into all your clever questions, including..Who will be the Opposition in South Australia? When do major parties lose that status? How are the Greens meeting the current political moment? And with the current fuel woes, are renewables the answer?Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly answer all of your clever questions 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

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed National Cabinet will meet again to coordinate a national response to the ongoing fuel crisis. But should the meeting be happening now, rather than next week?And as the reverberations from One Nation's success at the South Australian election continue to ricochet federally, Labor is also feeling the heat. Health Minister Mark Butler used a Dorothy Dixer in Question Time to point to One Nation's lack of Medicare policy, so are they now treating One Nation as part of a quasi-Opposition?Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas break it down on The Party Room.Got a burning question?Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.auHear Fran's IV with Allegra Spender here: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/the-radio-national-hour/allegra-spender/106487930

After nearly a decade of negotiations, Australia and the European Union have signed a landmark free trade agreement. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hailed it "a defining moment" for the relationship, while EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said it was a "win for both parties."In addition to the trade deal, Australia and the European Union have also inked a defence and security agreement, with Ursula von der Leyen addressing parliament to welcome what she calls "a new era of economic and security partnership."Meanwhile, it's been 1000 days since a landmark gambling report led by the late Labor MP Peta Murphy was handed down. Crossbenchers are urging the Albanese Government to act on the report's recommendations, while a new study has found gambling companies are finding "novel" ways to target women.Patricia Karvelas and Raf Epstein 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

The Labor Malinauskas Government claimed a landslide victory in the South Australian election over the weekend, cementing what PK calls the Premier's "political rockstar" status in the state.But One Nation also managed to convert it's high polling numbers into success at the ballot box, peeling voters off the Liberal party. And it's not just the Liberals rattled by the minor parties success, with Labor also put on notice and the SA Premier warning his team against hubris.It comes as federal parliament returns for another sitting week, with fuel supply again set to dominate the agenda.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 latest analysis here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-23/one-nation-sa-election-result-lessons-for-liberals-and-labor/106483754Read Jacob's latest analysis here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-21/albanese-government-fuel-crisis-energy-supplies-gas-subsidies/106474862 Listen to ABC Business Daily here: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/abc-business-daily/an-escalating-war-and-a-falling-asx/106486100 

The Federal government says there's no shortage of fuel supply in Australia, amid the ongoing war in Iran.So why some regional service stations unable to find supply, and why are petrol prices so high? Malcolm Roberts is the Chief Executive of the Australian Institute of Petroleum, which represents the big refiners and fuel suppliers. He sat down with David Speers for this week's Insiders On Background. 

All eyes are on the South Australian election this week, which promises to be the first real test of One Nation's skyrocketing support in recent polls. And as ABC Chief Elections Analyst Casey Briggs tells Fran and PK,  Queensland based Pauline Hanson really has become the "main character" in the state's election.So, could this election be an "extinction level event" for the SA Liberals? And could the minor party also take some shine off the Labor Malinauskus Government?Meanwhile, National Cabinet has met with the Prime Minister announcing a national fuel supply taskforce coordinator. It comes as the RBA hikes rates and the fallout from the war in the Middle East continues to hit home.Got a burning question?Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

Shadow Minister for Industry and Sovereign Capability Andrew Hastie has blasted the US President's social media post criticising Australia and other allies, labelling it a "petulant post from a President under immense pressure."It comes as Treasurer Jim Chalmers says he "wasn't aware" of any formal requests for naval assistance in the Strait of Hormuz, ahead of tomorrow's National Cabinet meeting on fuel security.So, as the fallout from the RBA's rate hike continues, will the May budget be Treasurer Jim Chalmers "hardest" yet?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

In a decision that was widely anticipated, the RBA hiked the interest rate by 0.25 percentage points, taking the cash rate to 4.1 per cent.It wasn't unanimous — in fact just one vote determined the hike — but it comes as the financial impact of the war in the Middle East hits home. So, what will the double whammy of higher interest rates and global uncertainty mean for Treasurer Jim Chalmer's fifth budget?Patricia Karvelas and Carrington 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.auYou can follow the ABC Business Daily podcast here: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/abc-business-daily

The Albanese Government has ruled out sending a navy ship to the strait of Hormuz, as fuel woes continue to bite at home. And while the Energy Minister moved to unlock some of our fuel reserves and ease chokepoints late last week, some regional communities have still been left scrambling.So, if this crisis continues, could fuel rationing be on the table?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

Former spy boss Dennis Richardson tells David Speers the antisemitism royal commission needs to release intelligence findings urgently, citing public safety concerns.