Politics Now

As the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Treasurer Jim Chalmers continue their big budget sell, they've faced fierce backlash from small business owners over changes to the CGT discount.
While Labor billed this as a "housing reform budget", did they fail to lay the groundwork for broader taxation changes -- and have they lost control of the narrative?
And Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson has capitalised on the discontent, laying out vision that backs and rewards "self-starters". So, has he offered up an economic lifeline for Liberals?
Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas are joined by Phil Coorey, AFR Political Editor on The Party Room.
Got a burning question?
Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at [email protected]

Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson has used a National Press Club Address to outline his vision for the Liberals.
As PK tells David Speers the speech functioned as a "call to arms for what the Liberal Party's chief mission should be".
And what we didn't hear from Tim Wilson was as interesting as what we did in this set-piece speech — with David pointing out that the Shadow Treasurer was squarely focused on "aspiration, small business, start-ups" avoiding immigration and culture war issues.
So, is his "classic Liberal" vision something fellow Liberals can coalesce around?
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 [email protected]

The fight over Labor’s proposed capital gains tax changes isn’t brewing - it’s already here.
Small business owners, founders and investors are piling pressure on the government, with backlash erupting across talkback radio and social media. Critics say the changes punish aspiration, investment and growth.
As Labor tries to sell the reforms, business groups warn Australia risks becoming a less attractive place to build and scale companies. Meanwhile, viral memes portraying Anthony Albanese as an accidental “co-owner” of small businesses are spreading fast online.
So will Labor hold the line, or soften the changes as pressure mounts?
And later - why the government is delaying aged care price caps, and what new budget measures could mean for older Australians.
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]

There's a big budget contest of ideas underway, as Labor and the Coalition try to sell their alternate visions for Australia to voters.
Or as Jacob puts it to PK, "politics is back!"
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has brushed off new polling, suggesting the Government wasn't expecting a post-Budget bounce and doing the right thing is worth "any near term political costs".
And the Opposition leader Angus Taylor is also defending his policies, with some pushback coming from within his own party.
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]
Read PK's analysis here
Read Jacob's analysis here

This week's federal budget included an overhaul of negative gearing and the capital gains tax rules in a bid to move thousands of homes from the hands of investors to first home buyers.