Politics Now

"This wasn't an accident. This was a deliberate act.”
Stark words have been shared by the Prime Minister following a devastating alleged attack on Independent MP Helen Haines yesterday afternoon, who remains in a critical condition.
As Australia learns more about what unfolded outside her Wangaratta office, shock now turns to questions about the safety of our elected representatives.
Calls to “turn down the political temperature” are growing louder - but is that the right message?
Patricia Karvelas and Raf Epstein break it all down on Politics Now.
And a reminder - every Friday until the Victorian election, catch Raf Epstein in the Politics Now feed for Politics Now: Victoria.
Got a burning question?
Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

Tensions inside the Greens are boiling over.
WA Senator Jordon Steele-John says rumours about his conduct are being weaponised for political purpose - allegations he strongly denies.
Now he’s taken to social media to insist he’s “not on leave" - and accused his own party leader, David Shoebridge, of pressuring him to step aside.
So with a new leader trying to find his feet, just how damaging is this very public dispute for the Greens?
And PK and Jacob has some free advice for Labor following a tense sitting week - is it time for a reshuffle?
Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber break it all down on Politics Now.
Read Senator Jordon Steele-John's full statement here.
Read Jacob's latest analysis here.
Read PK's column here.
Listen to our Victorian election special Question Time with Raf Epstein here.
Got a burning question?
Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

After prompting an intervention from the Prime Minister over the ATO's controversial credit card ban, ACCI chief executive Andrew McKellar unpacks the fallout and the government's impending trust tax changes.

It’s Question Time - and not just any Question Time - a Victorian state election special!
With one of the most consequential state elections of 2026 fast approaching, Victoria has been on your minds. So PK and Fran enlist friend of the podcast and Victorian political expert Raf Epstein to tackle your questions.
What role will the Victorian Greens play in the election? Are party preferences genuinely hard to find - or being hidden? And what’s with all the weird minor party names popping up?
Then there’s the One Nation factor. How could preferences translate into seats? Will the result fairly reflect the mood of the state? And could One Nation’s performance reshape Victoria’s electoral system in the future?
After a busy sitting week, Patricia Karvelas, Fran Kelly and ABC Radio Melbourne Mornings host Raf Epstein unpack how Australia’s “political epicentre” could unfold on The Party Room: Question Time edition.
Got a burning question?
The Party Room: Question Time is taking a short break from next week, but keep sending your questions through. Send short voice recordings to PK and Fran at thepartyroom@abc.net.au and we’ll answer them when Question Time returns.
And a reminder - every Friday until the Victorian election, catch Raf Epstein in the Politics Now feed for Politics Now: Victoria.

It’s been a strange sitting week in Canberra, with the Albanese government trying to push through a packed legislative agenda - only to find itself repeatedly dragged onto political ground it hadn’t planned for.
Labor was slow out of the blocks in responding to the Trump administration’s proposed livestream of a US execution. Is the government becoming too reluctant to criticise the president?
Back in parliament, the government suffered a significant setback when the Coalition, Greens and Jacqui Lambie teamed up to knock its private health insurance changes off the Senate agenda.
Meanwhile, a fight over ATO credit card payments has fuelled fresh questions about the relationship between Anthony Albanese and Jim Chalmers, as Labor grapples with growing signs of midterm malaise.
The Greens are also testing their new leadership team, with David Shoebridge pushing the party into almost every major debate and trying to squeeze concessions from Labor. 
And then there’s Josh Frydenberg - back on the media circuit, promoting his memoir, floating policy ideas and doing very little to dampen speculation about a political comeback.
Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly are joined by Tom McIlroy, Political Editor for Guardian Australia 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