Politics Now

The economy has been the key story of the political week, with an interest rate rise and some less than rosy inflation figures compounding Labor's economic woes.
A war over words emerged over a discrepancy in the "emphasis" RBA Governor and Treasurer Jim Chalmers placed on the war in the Middle East.
Labor struggled to land a message that connected with voters and they also lost some of their political mojo along the way. So, is this just a run of the mill midterm slump?
And it's not just the Opposition holding the Albanese Government's feet to the fire over cost-of-living, with new Greens leader David Shoebridge focusing his stump speech on the economy and vowing to replace Labor.
But not everyone in the Greens is fully behind the new leadership, with NSW Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi making her disappointment known.
Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly are joined by Charles Croucher, Chief Political Editor for 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

NSW David Shoebridge has emerged as the new Greens leader, using his first pitch to hammer economic messages and vow to "replace Labor".
And while he signalled the Greens would fill the policy vacuum left by Labor, are the minor party united around his leadership?
Meanwhile, the economic blows keep rolling in for Labor, with the latest CPI figures handed down today painting another bleak picture for inflation.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers and RBA Governor Michele Bullock aren't necessarily saying different things about what's fuelling inflation, but PK and David agree there's a big difference in "emphasis".
So, as the Government struggles to find a path through the economic malaise, is Opposition leader Angus Taylor capitalising?
Patricia Karvelas and David Speers break it all down on Politics Now.
Got a burning question?
Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

The Greens are looking for a new leader, after Larissa Waters stepped down from the top job for health reasons.
It comes as the Greens languish in the polls, while One Nation capitalises on the anti-establishment vote.So, as populism surges, will the minor party's next leader be able to seize the momentum?
And the RBA is widely expected by economists and financial markets to raise interest rates today.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has undertaken a media blitz to try and manage expectations ahead of the decision. But is acknowledging persistent inflation enough for voters?
Patricia Karvelas and Clare Armstrong break it all down on Politics Now.🎧Listen to PK's podcast chat with Larissa Waters here: Larissa Waters is a shameless optimist
Got a burning question?
Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

PK is back from her break! And she's got some big thoughts about how the political "argy bargy" around the OpenAI Medicare data breach is playing out.
The Coalition is pushing back on consequences for OpenAI over the breach, while the Greens have called for OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to appear before a Senate inquiry over the matter.
It comes as Finance Minister Katy Gallagher flags legislation on AI guardrails could be introduced to parliament before the end of the year. But as Raf tells PK "it's just gesture politics but voters want the gesture".
Meanwhile, as voters brace for another interest rate rise tomorrow, Treasurer Jim Chalmers has been talking up a $6billion improvement to budget bottom-line. But are they paying attention, or is this about Labor trying to gain some traction in the "attention economy"?
And PK tells Raf she thinks the Albanese Government is experiencing the "mid-term blues" as they struggle with a difficult series of challenges.
Patricia Karvelas and Raf Epstein break it all down on Politics Now.
Got a burning question?
Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

Fortescue founder Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest warns uncontrollable AI could decide the best way to stop climate change is to get rid of humanity.