Politics Now

Rohan Pike is a former AFP and ABF Officer, and creator of the Tobacco Strike Team. He told David Speers cutting the tobacco excise would stamp out the illegal trade.

It's time for our Question Time! But first, Fran checks in on where PK is up to on the West Wing and gives a TV show recommendation of her own.
Then they get stuck into your brilliant questions, including:
Will AI deepfakes be a big risk at the next election? It comes as Australia's corporate watchdog ASIC this week confirmed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is the figure most frequently used in deepfake scams and as Independent Zali Stegall proposed a bill to require AI-generated content that could mislead voters to be clearly identified.
And should Prime Ministers and Federal Ministers 'retire' to local politics? And have they ever done so? Fran and PK have big thoughts.
Also, has the link between immigration and housing been overstated in the current political climate?
Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly answer your clever questions on The Party Room: Question Time Edition.Listen to our 'premium' Thursday ep here 🎧: A big week of dealmaking
Got a burning question?
Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

It's been a very successful legislative week for the Albanese Government, with Labor and the Coalition teaming up to pass a suite of bills.
But it seems the big battles are only just beginning, with the implementation of the changes presenting a key challenge for Labor.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Penny Wong has hauled the Israeli Ambassador in for a meeting to express Australia's disappointment after Israel cleared the soldiers who were involved in a strike that killed Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom in April 2024.
Penny Wong has declared a "difficult time" in the relationship between Australia and Israel, saying there are "unanswered questions" about the strikes.
And there's a super scare campaign brewing in the Labor party, after One Nation suggested access to superannuation be lightened up. So, is Treasurer Jim Chalmers onto a winner here?
Tobacco tax is also back in the spotlight, with One Nation suggesting the tobacco excise is cut by 75 per cent to curb a rampant black market.
NSW Labor Premier Chris Minns is also onboard will reducing the price of legal tobacco, so is he "100 per cent wrong" as frontbencher Tanya Plibersek suggested?
Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly are joined by Charles Croucher, Chief Political Editor at 9News 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

It's Labor-Coalition "deal week", with the two major parties passing a series of bills.
David notes that the move allows Angus Taylor and the Opposition to show they aren't just a party that says "no" and can compromise in the national interest.
Meanwhile, for Anthony Albanese the successful passage of key legislation shows his "mastering of the parliamentary arts" and ability to maximise Labor's pathways through parliament.
But PK thinks the big fight on the NDIS is still to come, as Health Minister Mark Butler reads the riot act to the states and tells them their "honour" is at stake if they don't implement Thriving Kids as planned.
And the debate on a tobacco tax has reached its smoke point, after One Nation called for the excise to be slashed by 75 per cent.
Labor has so far stared down calls to reduce the excise, as the tobacco black market grows exponentially — but will something have to shift here?
Also, PK asks why there's been SO MUCH Lycra around Parliament today.
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

Labor will pass its gambling bill with Coalition support, after the amended legislation was signed off by both party rooms.
And while some Opposition members have crossed the floor on the bill, suggesting the tweaks didn't go far enough — PK and Claudia don't think this issue will continue to linger for Labor.
Meanwhile, Opposition leader Angus Taylor has issued the Albanese Government with an ultimatum: fast track a fix to the so-called 'widow's tax' or the Coalition won't back the NDIS overhaul.
PK thinks the move is all about the Opposition leader "trying to make himself more relevant" as a political player.
And the Albanese government has agreed to his demands, so does this effectively put Angus Taylor back in the frame?
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.au