Politics Now

This week, Victoria has had EVERYTHING. 
For Ben Carroll it was a No Good, Very Bad week of dire polls and even direr headlines from a corruption royal commission. 
One Nation had to tell its candidates that praising Hitler is not OK. What is OK? Conspiracy theories about white people being replaced, apparently.  
All of this while Jess Wilson coasts past her opponents with her small target strategy.  
Raf Epstein and Benita Kolovos from The Guardian break it all down on Politics Now.
Got a burning Victorian election question?
Send a short voice recording to Raf for a special Victorian Question Time episode at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

The Prime Minister may be at COP, but the Albanese Government's focus has very intentionally been on domestic issues this week.
Anthony Albanese delayed his trip to chair ERC meetings and unveil a series of mandatory AI Safety rules, including an AI regulator.
But while the AI safety announcement was light on details, Politico's Ryan Heath tells PK and Mel he sees it as "step-one in a two-step dance" by the Albanese Government, with the next step a copyright deal.
And Mel's fallen into a "rabbit hole" about what the announcement means legally and she's got some big thoughts after her deep dive.
It comes as more Australian job losses announced this week and PK thinks we are seeing the "AI white collar wave" in full force. So, how wary is the Albanese Government about the anxiety and pessimism that creates?
Patricia Karvelas and Melissa Clarke are joined by Ryan Heath, Launch Editor at Politico 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

New home loans have plummeted, falling across the board.
A downturn in investor loans drove the decline, plunging a whopping 30 per cent, but investors weren't the only group to fall.
Loans for owner occupiers, including first home buyers, also fell almost 9 per cent, and that's tricky news for the Albanese Government.
Meanwhile, the PM made a brief stopover in Singapore on his way to the COP, to honour Australians held at Changi Prisoner of War Camp during WW2.
David Speers shares with PK that his great uncle — and namesake — was also held at Changi as a POW.
And David also has a thesis about the timing of the Prime Minister's mandatory AI Safety announcement — and what he is trying to signal.
Speaking of AI, PK's "obsessed" with the way it's impacting white collar jobs — with Qantas just the latest example. So, is there more the Government needs to do here?
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

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced an AI safety watchdog will be set up after the Medicare breach.
The Albanese Government will introduce mandatory safety and security standards for AI developers, enforced by a new regulator.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced that an AI safety watchdog will be set up, in the wake of the Medicare OpenAI breach.
The Albanese Government will introduce mandatory safety and security standards for AI developers, enforced by a new regulator.
Meanwhile, Environment minister Murray Watt has urged colleagues to stop undermining treasurer Jim Chalmers, as Labor thrashes out key budget savings.
And the Digital Duty of Care legislation is back in the spotlight, as a Senate Inquiry into the bill continues.
Patricia Karvelas and Claudia Long 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

It's poll Monday — and you know what that means! PK and Jacob dig into new polling showing voter trust in Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has plummeted.

Only 20 per cent of voters say they trust the PM, according to the Resolve Political Monitor, while the Redbridge AFR poll has Labor support at a record low while the Coalition surges.

It's bad news for Anthony Albanese, who has delayed his trip to COP to chair key budget meetings. But as Labor searches for crucial budget savings, they've been forced to abandon the sell-off of some key defence land, as they seek to neutralise political backlash.
Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber break it all down on Politics Now.
Read PK's analysis here - It could be a matter of when, not if, Andrew Hastie becomes opposition leader
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