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Politics Now

ABC Australia
Politics Now
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404 episodes

  • Politics Now

    Labor goes back to basics

    11/06/2026 | 35 mins.
    The Prime Minister is holding a Medicare card. Tony Abbott is spruiking a national tour. "Ditch the witch" is back in the headlines. Everything old is new again in politics this week.
    So what should we make of it all? Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly are joined by Katina Curtis, Canberra Bureau Chief at the West Australian to discuss everything from the NDIS inquiry to the continuing attempts to sell the Budget measures and discussion around Coalition preferences to One Nation. 
    Got a burning question?
    Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au
  • Politics Now

    Is the Prime Minister ready to 'cop it'?

    10/06/2026 | 25 mins.
    As the US launches new military strikes on Iran, Anthony Albanese says the uncertainty makes it “very difficult” to deal with the consequences - while trying to read the mood at home.
    Could some distance between the Prime Minister and Donald Trump be politically useful, as fuel prices, global instability and the Strait of Hormuz dominate the conversation one again?
    And while Transport Minister Catherine King insists the fuel excise cut will end, is the government ready to cop the political pain - or will it have to bite the bullet and extend it?
    Meanwhile, Labor is still trying to sell its war-time budget. Capital gains tax carve-outs are starting to take shape, while the Greens are open to backing Labor’s tax changes in exchange for a longer NDIS inquiry.
    Plus, six months after Australia introduced its social media ban for under-16s, Apple’s CEO is crediting the country for new child safety controls - with the UK and EU watching closely. But are the restrictions actually making a difference?
    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
  • Politics Now

    Pocock sparks data centre debate

    09/06/2026 | 23 mins.
    As the three-day inquiry into the Albanese Government's proposed NDIS overhaul gets underway, the Opposition hasn't ruled out doing a deal with the Greens to extend the hearings.
    And the great data centre debate is back in the spotlight, with Independent Senator David Pocock calling Australians to get a fair return as the industry continues to boom.
    Patricia Karvelas and Melissa Clarke 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
  • Politics Now

    Labor's populism pushback

    08/06/2026 | 29 mins.
    Anthony Albanese says voter frustration with the system formed the backdrop for Labor's budget — saying if governments don't respond to the circumstances there will be "a continued rise of populism."
    But as another poll shows One Nation ahead of Labor as the most popular political party, are the Albanese Government acting too slowly?
    And as scrutiny increases on One Nation, there have been a series of gaffes over the details of their housing policy. So, do rusted on voters care about the messiness, or are they just looking to shake-up the system?
    Patricia Karvelas and Tom Crowley 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
  • Politics Now

    Lachlan Harris warns Labor's budget isolates voters amid One Nation rise | Insiders on Background

    05/06/2026 | 27 mins.
    The Albanese government passed the first tranche of its tax legislation through the lower house this week but is still facing backlash from investors and businesses.
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About Politics Now
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'.
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