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Politics Now

ABC Australia
Politics Now
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395 episodes

  • Politics Now

    AUKUS goes off 'like a frog in a sock'

    01/06/2026 | 26 mins.
    Peter Garrett has been burning the Midnight Oil over AUKUS - and he’s not the only one turning up the heat.
    The former Labor minister is leading an independent inquiry into the $368 billion defence deal, after confirmation Australia will now receive three second-hand Virginia-class submarines from the United States. 
    The Opposition is also taking a swing, warning the revised arrangement could leave Australia with older submarines, shorter operating lives, and a future capability gap. So is this just another round of AUKUS anxiety - or a real problem for the government?
    Plus, a big moment for One Nation as David Farley is sworn in as the new member for Farrer, and early signs he may take a different tone from Pauline Hanson.
    And how will Labor, the Liberals, and One Nation position themselves on a rise to the minimum wage?
    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 [email protected]
  • Politics Now

    Could Pauline Hanson become PM?

    01/06/2026 | 30 mins.
    A new poll has One Nation ahead of Labor as the most popular political party, as the Albanese Government loses some skin in the wake of the budget.
    And One Nation leader Pauline Hanson isn't ruling out becoming prime minister in the future, saying she "has the ability" and is considering a tilt at a lower house seat at the next election.
    Meanwhile, the Coalition has seemingly failed to capitalise on voter discontent with the budget, so will new Liberal Party President Tony Abbott rejuvenate the base?
    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 [email protected]
    Read PK's analysis here
  • Politics Now

    Father of Inland Rail says 'this thing is on and unstoppable' | Insiders on Background

    29/05/2026 | 23 mins.
    The federal government has shelved plans to develop Inland Rail from Melbourne to Brisbane but the man who's known as the project's father says negotiations are underway to resurrect it.
  • Politics Now

    Budget bills, 'wedgies' and a teal party

    28/05/2026 | 40 mins.
    The Albanese Government has introduced its capital gains and negative gearing bill to parliament, hoping to pass the first tranche of legislation before the mid-winter break.
    The Greens have called for a short-burst inquiry into the bill but seem to be signalling a willingness to support the measures. So, after a week of fierce backlash from the small business community, has Labor managed to pull the focus back to housing?
    Meanwhile, another co-hort of IS-linked women and children have returned to Australia from Syria this week, causing some political friction for Labor and possibly feeding into One Nation leader Pauline Hanson's platform.
    And while speculation about a so-called 'teal party' was the talk of the town at the beginning of the week, it seems the idea has run out of steam already.
    Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly are joined by Michelle Grattan, Chief Political Correspondent at The Conversation and professorial fellow and University of Canberra on The Party Room.Hear Michelle Grattan's IV with Keith Wolahan hereHear Fran on Radio National Hour here Watch PK on Afternoon Briefing here
  • Politics Now

    Budget bills, 'wedgies' and a teal party

    28/05/2026 | 40 mins.
    The Albanese Government has introduced its capital gains and negative gearing bill to parliament, hoping to pass the first tranche of legislation before the mid-winter break.
    The Greens have called for a short-burst inquiry into the bill but seem to be signalling a willingness to support the measures. So, after a week of fierce backlash from the small business community, has Labor managed to pull the focus back to housing?
    Meanwhile, another cohort of IS-linked women and children have returned to Australia from Syria this week, causing some political friction for Labor and possibly feeding into One Nation leader Pauline Hanson's platform.
    And while speculation about a so-called 'teal party' was the talk of the town at the beginning of the week, it seems the idea has run out of steam already.
    Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly are joined by Michelle Grattan, Chief Political Correspondent at The Conversation and professorial fellow and University of Canberra on The Party Room.
    Hear Michelle Grattan's IV with Keith Wolahan here.
    Hear Fran on Radio National Hour here.
    Watch PK on Afternoon Briefing here.
    Editor's note: This podcast was recorded prior to the AFP confirming a 34 year-old Melbourne woman, who returned from a Syrian detention camp last year, has been charged with terrorism offences.
    Got a burning question?
    Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at [email protected]
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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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