Politics Now

It's been a week of high drama in parliament, from Shakespeare novels to soap opera references, but while the Liberal-Nationals chaos continued to take centre stage the RBA interest rate hike put the spotlight back on the Albanese Government. 
It comes as the May budget draws nearer and it seems the Treasurer Jim Chalmers is unwilling to rule out changes to the capital gains tax. So, could big bold reform be on the agenda? Meanwhile, the deadline Sussan Ley imposed the Liberal and Nationals to negotiate a path back to Coalition is looming, so are either side willing to make concessions?
Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly break it all down with David Speers, ABC Political lead and host of Insiders on The Party Room
Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at [email protected]

The Albanese Government is selling off an estimated $3-billion-dollars’ worth of defence sites, so what does the "significant" overhaul of Australia’s defence property portfolio mean for housing supply?And as the Treasurer Jim Chalmers continues to defend the Government's fiscal management in the wake of the RBA's latest interest rate hike, what does this all mean for the May budget? In the second year of a second term Labor government, can we expect "big bold ideas"?
Patricia Karvelas and Raf Epstein break it all down on Politics Now.
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]

The RBA board has held its first monetary policy meeting for 2026 - and a cash rate lift is the result.
After the Coalition split dominated the start of the year, will this bring the focus back onto the government — and whether the Treasurer is doing enough to ease the cost of living pressures facing Australians?
Meanwhile, parliament is back, but things look different — with the Liberals now sitting alone and the Nationals on the crossbench. How long will this new arrangement last?
Patricia Karvelas and Tom Crowley 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]

The Albanese Government should have been starting the week on the backfoot, but the infighting of the Liberal and Nationals' has kept the focus squarely on them.
And amid the Opposition chaos, the Prime Minister appears to have his mojo back, labelling the infighting "bizarre" and comparing it to "Married At First Sight". But with last week's hotter than expected inflation data and a possible rate hike tomorrow, is the PM in for tricky economic times ahead?
Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber break it all down on Politics Now.Read PK's column here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-02/parliament-sitting-week-opposition-leadership-albanese/106292656
Read Jacob's column here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-31/andrew-hastie-sussan-ley-angus-taylor-leadership/106288160
Got a burning question?
Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at [email protected]

In 2022, the Albanese Government joined its state and territory counterparts to commit to ending violence against women and children in a generation.
But while Labor says they've made ending violence a key priority, with more than $4 billion for women's safety initiatives, where are things four years on?
And with a wraparound approach needed to counter the issue, is a national watchdog urgently needed to ensure recommendations are actually implemented?
Claudia Long joins Patricia Karvelas for this special edition of 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]
Family and domestic violence support:
1800 Respect national helpline:1800 737 732
Women's Crisis Line:1800 811 811
Men's Referral Service:1300 766 491
Lifeline (24 hour crisis line):131 114
Relationships Australia:1300 364 277
NSW Domestic Violence Line:1800 656 463
Qld DV Connect Womensline:1800 811 811
Vic Safe Steps crisis response line:1800 015 188
ACT 24/7 Crisis Line:(02) 6280 0900
Tas Family Violence Counselling and Support Service:1800 608 122
SA Domestic Violence Crisis Line:1800 800 098
WA Women's Domestic Violence 24h Helpline:1800 007 339
NT Domestic violence helpline:1800 737 732