Politics Now

Former spy boss tells David Speers agencies need any Royal Commission's findings and recommendations into potential intelligence failings before the end of the year, saying a second interim report is needed. 

Is economic grievance the only reason some voters are flirting One Nation — and if so, why aren't more Millennials and Gen Z also supporting the minor party? It looks unlikely Labor will run a candidate in Farrer — so, why aren't they expending some political capital?And what role are algorithms and echo chambers playing in voter behaviour?Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly answer all of your clever questions on The Party Room.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 Thursday's episode with Michelle Grattan here: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/politics-now/a-big-week-of-resignations/106372862

PK reckons this is the biggest week of politics (so far) this year.And with the Albanese Government announcing a "purely defensive" deployment to the UAE, Iranian soccer players seeking asylum in Australia, Matt Canavan becoming the new Nationals leader after David Littleproud's shock exit — and now former ASIO boss Dennis Richardson stepping down from his Royal Commission role, there's certainly been lots on the agenda.Michelle Grattan, Chief Political Correspondent at the Conversation and Professorial fellow and University of Canberra joined Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly to wade through it all on The Party Room.Got a burning question?Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.auListen to Michelle's IV with the RBA Deputy Governor here: https://theconversation.com/politics-with-michelle-grattan-middle-east-war-set-to-push-inflation-higher-than-forecast-warns-rba-deputy-governor-277959Watch PK's IV with Matt Canavan here: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/afternoon-briefing/series/0/video/NU2622C028S00

Queensland Senator Matt Canavan has claimed the National Party leadership, with Victorian MP Darren Chester elected as Deputy Nationals leader.The new Nationals leader has promised to "fight back" for Australians and called for a "hyper-Australia" approach. PK and Clare discuss how Matt Canavan's pitch could be the regional party's "best chance" to win back voters on the right from One Nation, but could be bad news for the Liberal party.The Nationals leadership shake-up comes after David Littleproud's shock exit from the role, with the Maranoa MP declaring he was 'buggered' and had run out of steam.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

The Prime Minister has confirmed Australia will deploy a military surveillance plane and missiles to the middle east, after a request from the UAE. Anthony Albanese has reiterated that Australia's involvement is "purely defensive", noting his first priority is to keep Australians safe, as many remain stranded in the region.Meanwhile, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has confirmed five Iranian women's football players will remain in Australia after seeking asylum, with the Government leaving the door open for the other players to do the same. It comes after the Prime Minister fielded an early phone call from US President Donald Trump over the fate of the women — but what else did they discuss at 2am?Patricia Karvelas 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.au

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has confirmed Australia is considering a request by some Gulf countries to provide military assistance, as they try to defend themselves against missile and drone attacks by Iran.The Albanese Government has ruled out participating in any offensive action, but appears disposed to supporting Gulf countries, while the Opposition is already signalling its openness to the move, with shadow foreign minister Ted O'Brien suggesting there will be bipartisan support if it's in the "national interest".And the Farrer by-election has been locked in for May 9th — so what are the big issues for voters — and which candidates are addressing them? Our resident Farrer correspondent Jacob brings us up to date with all the latest.Melissa Clarke and Jacob Greber break it all down on Politics Now.Got a burning question?Go Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

Canada's Prime Minister has wrapped up his friendly three day visit to Australia. Melissa Clarke sat down with the Lowy Institute's Sam Roggeveen for this week's Insiders On Background. 

While parliament was back in session, it was global affairs that dominated the week in politics. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was quick to back the US-Israeli joint strikes on Iran, so what does this say about the rewriting of the rules based order — and Labor's strategy with the Trump administration?And it comes as the Canadian Prime Minister, and fellow middle power ally, Mark Carney visits Australia. The world leader came armed with a warning, urging sovereignty as the global architecture is crumbling.And how did new Opposition leader Angus Taylor perform for his first week in parliament?Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly are joined by Cameron Stewart, Chief International Correspondent at the 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.au

A scathing review of the Liberal party's election performance has been laid bare, despite the Liberal party's federal executive trying to suppress it.Prime Minister Anthony Albanese used Question Time to table all 64-pages of the report, in what Andrew Hastie called a "boss move". The review slams a "notable absence of reflection" from key figures involved in the campaign, but former Opposition leader Peter Dutton has called it a "gratuitously personal hit job."And Canadian President Mark Carney has kicked off his Australia visit, so as the Middle East conflict continues, will he use two key addresses to push forward his middle power strategy?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

As the war in the Middle East expands, the US President Donald Trump has warned a "big wave" of strikes is still yet to come. But back home, both the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister have repeatedly stated that don't expect the US to ask for Australian military support.The conflict is already sending shock-waves across markets, with RBA governor Michelle Bullock warning inflation expectations could become "unanchored" and refusing to rule out another interest rate hike later this month.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

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has endorsed the United States and Israel's joint strikes in Iran, saying Australia stands with the Iranian people.Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Penny Wong has side-stepped questions about the legality of the operations, saying it was for the US and Israel to explain and suggesting the Government "wouldn't anticipate [Australia] participating in the future".But Shadow Defence Minister James Paterson has indicated the Liberals would support Australia assisting if it's "in the national interest"..So, as parliament returns for another sitting fortnight the conflict in the Middle East is set to dominate the agenda — with things already heating up in the Senate.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.au

The Treasurer has confirmed his department is looking at changes to both the capital gains tax discount and negative gearing rules ahead of the May budget. 

Former Opposition leader Sussan Ley has tendered her immediate resignation from parliament, officially sparking a by-election in her seat of Farrer.  In a statement Sussan Ley said she hoped her election as the first female to lead the Liberal party would "pave the way for the next woman to be elected to, and succeed" in the role. Are changes to negative gearing and capital gains actually politically risky for Labor? And as Anthony Albanese tries to 'mop up' after his Grace Tame misstep, are his political instincts as sharp as they once were?Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly answer your questions on on The Party Room.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

As Treasurer Jim Chalmers prepares to hand down his fifth budget, he's promising to focus on "economics over politics" - but what will Labor actually do to address intergenerational inequity? The prime minister has attempted to walk back labelling former Australian of The Year Grace Tame "difficult", suggesting he was referring to her difficult life - a move Grace Tame has blasted on social media.And Jacob Greber has been on the ground in Farrer, checking the electorates pulse ahead of the impending by-election - so what do voters want from their representative and where are they looking to cast their vote?Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly  are joined by Jacob Greber, 730 Political Editor 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 was briefly evacuated from the Lodge overnight, due to a bomb threat linked to performances in Australia by a classical Chinese dance and music group that is banned in China.It comes as threats against parliamentarians are on the rise and just weeks after the AFP Commissioner warned that federal politicians and high office holders were being targeted by violent offenders.So, as the threat is condemned across the political aisle, is the price of public life becoming too high? And will calls for the temperature to be lowered actually cut through?And as inflation comes in hotter expected once again, does it put further pressure on Treasurer Jim Chalmers to find savings in the upcoming budget?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

Anthony Albanese has voluntarily written to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to offer support for removing Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of royal succession.Australia is the first Commonwealth country to back the proposal, but Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has made it clear his government doesn't have any plans to hold a referendum on becoming a republic, instead announcing this morning that high speed rail from Newcastle to Sydney could be "shovel ready" in two-years time. So, is this long promised train any closer to becoming a reality?And the landmark Royal Commission into Anti-Semitism and Social Cohesion has officially begun, with Commissioner Virginia Bell outlining the scope of the inquiry.Patricia Karvelas and Claudia Long 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 Claudia's exclusive here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-23/working-with-children-check-parents-sick/106370632

Anthony Albanese has continued his hardline rhetoric on so-called ‘ISIS Brides’, but now Opposition leader Angus Taylor has upped the ante, with a bill that would make it illegal to assist Australians with links to the Islamic State return home. The Albanese Government has dismissed the idea, what role is One Nation having on the changing tone of the debate? And the PM has been busy hitting the airwaves on commercial radio stations in the electorate of Farrer, but as a by-election looms in Sussan Ley's seat what is Anthony Albanese signalling with his visit?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 PK's analysis here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-23/one-nation-coalition-labor-isis-brides/106369478 Read Clare's analysis here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-22/albanese-government-premiers-peter-malinauskas-david-crisafulli/106349260

The debate over immigration, border control and social cohesion hardened this week, after a group of women and children in northern Syria attempted to return to Australia. 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has taken a tough line on the so-called 'ISIS brides' attempting to return to Australia from Syrian camps. So, how much is anti-immigration rhetoric and the rise of One Nation influencing the 'hard line' team Labor is taking?And Angus Taylor has unveiled his new look shadow frontbench, so what does it signal about the Coalition's agenda? Are are we hearing the same messages, but just new 'stronger messengers'? Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly  are joined by Phil Coorey, Political Editor at The Australian Financial Review  on The Party Room.Got a burning question?Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.auWatch PK's Four Corners 'Realignment' here - https://iview.abc.net.au/show/four-corners/series/2026/video/NC2603H003S00Listen to the Politics Now: The Interview with Tim Wilson here -  https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/politics-now/politics-now-the-interview-tim-wilson/106148248

Liberal leader Angus Taylor has announced his shadow frontbench, promising to blend generational change with proven experience. Angus Taylor's key allies have been rewarded with big portfolios, but some key moderates — like newly minted shadow treasurer Tim Wilson — have also been kept in the tent.So, as the party turns their focus squarely to the economy, will the reshuffle pay dividends? And will it keep the party united?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