The Party Room

With the 2025 Federal Election campaign likely to be won - or lost - on hip-pocket issues, what’s in store for the economy in 2024?Will we see an interest rate cut ahead of the next election - and  are the current economic pitches from both sides cutting through to voters?Peter Martin, Host of new ABC Radio National show 'The Economy Stupid' and Shane Wright, Senior Economics Writer at the Sydney Morning Herald and the Age joins Patricia Karvelas 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

It seems the election contest has tightened, with a minority government — of either stripe — now seeming increasingly likely.And recent Redbridge Group research has found the Coalition is now the favourite to win the largest share of seats in parliament — and clinch minority government. So, what trends are driving this?Kos Samaras, Director Strategy and Analytics at Redbridge Group and Tony Barry, Director Corporate Affairs and Communications at Redbridge Group join Patricia Karvelas 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

The Prime Minister has condemned a spate of recent anti-Semitic attacks as "evil" and "abhorrent" — but he's come under fire from the Opposition, with Shadow Minister Jane Hume suggesting the attackers were "emboldened, if not enabled" by the Albanese Government.It comes as Opposition leader Peter Dutton is set to unveil much awaited costings for his nuclear policy — and the Prime Minister unveiled a new pre-election pitch for subsidised childcare.Michelle Grattan, Chief Political Correspondent for The Conversation joins Patricia Karvelas and Sarah Ferguson 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 the dust settles on the parliamentary year, election strategies and catchphrases are already being tested by all sides of politics.Anthony Albanese has promised voters that he's "got your back", while the Greens have put the government on notice for a formal power-sharing agreement if the election results in a minority Labor government.Clare Armstrong, National Political Editor for News Corp joins Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber 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

In a mammoth final sitting day for the year, the Albanese Government managed to rush 31 bills through the Senate — including key policy measures on housing, migration, and social media reform.But how is Australia's "world leading" social media ban for under 16s being received and can it actually be enforced?Patricia Karvelas and Mel Clarke break it down on The Party Room bonus episode.Listen back to the full episode of The Party Room with Sarah Ferguson and Paul Karp.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

Senator Lidia Thorpe has interrupted Senate proceedings, after being suspended for throwing paper at One Nation Senator Pauline Hanson — a move she says she would "do it all over again."It comes as the Albanese Government tries to pass a whopping 36-bills in the final sitting day of the year. But key electoral reform, nature positive and gambling reform legislation have all been put on ice.Paul Karp, Chief Political Correspondent at the Guardian joins Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly 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 governments grapple with social cohesion, what impact is polarisation and partisanship having on on the community — and what qualities do voters actually want to see in political leaders?Mike Baird, Former Premier of NSW and CEO of the Susan McKinnon Foundation joins Patricia Karvelas 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 the Albanese Government tries to ram its jam-packed agenda through parliament, speculation is mounting it could be the final sitting fortnight not just of the year — but before the election.It comes as Peter Dutton is squaring up for a fight on migration, refusing to support Labor's proposed international student caps, which he's labelled "a dogs breakfast". Anna Henderson, SBS Chief Political Correspondent joins Patricia Karvelas and Tom Crowley 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

A week on from Donald Trump's US election victory, remnants of his strategy seem to be trickling into the Opposition Leader's campaign.It comes as questions mount about Kevin Rudd's ambassadorship after a senior Trump aide made headlines with a GIF.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has congratulated Donald Trump on his victory in the US election.  But where did Kamala Harris' campaign go wrong - and what what will Trump's return to the White House mean for Australia?And under the shadow of the US election, the Prime Minister seemingly soft launched Labor's election campaign. Pledging to wipe 20 per cent off the student debt of 3 million. But will the policy win back young voters?Nick Bryant, former US correspondent for the BBC and author of The Forever War: America’s Unending Conflict With Itself joins Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas on The Party Room.More InformationGot a question on the US election? Or its implication for Australia? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au 

While there's a long way to go, early US election results show Republican Presidential Nominee Donald Trump appears to have the lead over Democrat Presidential candidate Kamala Harris in the Electoral College count.Trump has won the battleground swing state of North Carolina, while other swing states are leaning Republican. So, what emerging trends are we seeing - did the "bros" get off the couch and vote? And what role has the economy played in swaying votes?David Lipson, ABC Political Editor and former US correspondent joins Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas on The Party Room.More InformationGot a question on the US election? Or its implication for Australia? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au 

The US election race is still too close to call, but a shock new poll suggests Democrat candidate Kamala Harris will win Iowa - which was previously considered a safe Republican seat.And as women outpace men in early voting, the Democrats are hoping the voting gender gap could see Kamala Harris get over the line. But will the "bro vote" that Republican candidate Donald Trump has been cultivating come out in force on polling day?Nick Bryant, former US correspondent for the BBC and author of The Forever War: America’s Unending Conflict With Itself joins Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas on The Party Room.More InformationGot a question on the US election? Or its implication for Australia? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au 

Amid mounting pressure from the Opposition, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has ruled out directly requesting upgrades for personal flights from then Qantas boss Alan Joyce - or anyone at the airline.But despite the statement, which came a full six days after the allegations, the Prime Minister is still set to face significant scrutiny when Parliament returns.David Crowe, Chief Political Correspondent for the SMH and the Age joins Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas on The Party Room.More InformationGot a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au 

Labor has been swept from power in Queensland, where the LNP's David Crisafulli will become the state's 41st Premier.And while state issues featured strongly in the campaign, the outcome has big federal ramifications for Anthony Albanese, Peter Dutton, and Adam Bandt. Madura McCormack joins Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas on The Party Room.More InformationGot a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au 

After making global headlines for interrupting a reception for King Charles, Independent First Nations Senator Lidia Thorpe has claimed she didn't breach her parliamentary oath of office, because when she was sworn in to the Senate she pledged her allegiance to the Queen’s hairs, rather than heirs.The Opposition is seeking legal advice to determine whether the Senator should be ousted parliament. But publicly there has mixed reaction to the protest itself.Michelle Grattan, Chief Political Correspondent at The Conversation and Professorial fellow at Canberra University joins Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas on The Party Room.More InformationGot a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au 

As housing shapes up as a key election issue, the response to the PM purchasing a $4.3 million Central Coast beach house has been split - with the Opposition labelling it "tone deaf" and others declaring it a personal matter.And this week marked one year since the failed Voice to Parliament referendum. But are we any closer to bipartisanship between the major parties on Indigenous affairs?Katina Curtis, Canberra Bureau Chief of the the West Australian joins Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas on The Party Room.More InformationGot a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au 

Opposition leader Peter Dutton refused to support the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's motion commemorating the Hamas terror attacks on October 7 - which killed 1200 Israelis.Peter Dutton took issue with the motion also recognising the suffering from the ensuing war in Gaza -which has killed approximately 42,000 - and the recent bombardment of Southern Lebanon, accusing the prime minister of "speaking from both sides of his mouth."And while there's long been political division on the matter, did this represent a complete rupture in bipartisanship on the issue?Clare Armstrong, National Political Editor for Newscorp joins Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas on The Party Room.More InformationGot a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au 

As the conflict in the Middle East dramatically escalates, the Albanese Government is trying to manage social cohesion concerns at home. While both sides of politics have condemned some protesters carrying Hezbollah flags over the weekend, Peter Dutton has ramped up the rhetoric.The Opposition leader has suggested current laws don't go far enough and is demanding tougher action to stop pro-Palestinian protests planned in the lead up to the first anniversary of the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel.Karen Middleton, Guardian Australia's political editor joins Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas on The Party Room.More InformationGot a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au 

Speculation over the Albanese Government's position on negative gearing has dominated the political week, after the Nine papers reported the Government had requested expert advice and modelling on possible reforms.The Prime Minister and Treasurer were quick to play down the reports - but is Labor leaving the door open to a policy on negative gearing reform at the next election? And as the Opposition starts labelling negative gearing reform a "housing tax" - are we already seeing the beginnings of a scare campaign?James Massola, National Affairs Editor at The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age joins Fran Kelly and David Lipson on The Party Room.More InformationGot a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au 

The Albanese Government has struggled to pass legislation this week, with It's 'Help-to-Buy' housing bill delayed by the Greens with the support of the Coalition. The Greens say the bill - which would see the Government co-purchase houses with 40,000 first home buyers - would push up house prices, and are demanding negative gearing be phased out for their support. But Labor is refusing to budge - so, what are the risks for both parties?Paul Karp, Chief Political Correspondent at the Guardian joins Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas on The Party Room.More InformationGot a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au