Politics Now

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 [email protected] 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 [email protected]

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 [email protected] 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 [email protected]