Politics Now

Dire budget deficits for years to come and stalling productivity growth are painting a bleak economic picture.  Against this backdrop, a new policy idea has emerged: if Australia can't rely on productivity growth and tax reform to fix the budget blackhole, what about means-testing wealth?  Peter Harris is the former chair of the Productivity Commission and now board director at the Policy Institut...

It's been a big week on the international stage for Anthony Albanese, from a Pacific blitz to bilateral talks with the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Melbourne. While a Chinese missile test threatened to overshadow the diplomacy tour, was the destabilising move actually a "cherry-on-top" for Australia — pushing Pacific nations closer to us? Back home, the fallout from the Telstra outage is...

A nationwide Telstra outage has caused chaos for commuters and businesses and prompted Communications Minister Anika Wells to return early from leave. And artificial intelligence is back in the spotlight, with Assistant Minister Andrew Charlton suggesting now is the time to embed safety into AI. It comes ahead of the Labor Conference where an internal debate over AI is set to get "messy". Meanwhil...

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has condemned China's missile test in the Pacific as a "provocative act", suggesting it destablises the region. It comes as the PM holds bilateral talks with his Solomon Islands counterpart and continues his regional diplomacy blitz. And back home, as preparations get underway for the Federal Labor Conference, there are already some clear battlelines taking shape. M...

Australia has a new military alliance, signing a mutual defence pact with Fiji. Australia has long had a defence alliance with the US and New Zealand. Last year, an historic pact with Papua New Guinea forged a new direction for Australia and now a similar pledge has been made with Fiji. The "Ocean of Peace" alliance leaves the door opened to a multilateral pact that could see Australia, PNG, Fiji,...

Today marks 250 years since America's declaration of Independence.  As the United States struggles with domestic divisions and its role as a global superpower, is the Founding Fathers' "Great Democratic Experiment" over?   Former Australian Ambassador to the United States Arthur Sinodinos sat down David Speers to discuss whether the United States can pull back from the brink.  

It's Question Time! And there are no Dorothy Dixers in sight! But before Fran and PK tackle your "top-notch" queries, Fran checks in on PK after TV series Ponies was cancelled after just one season — luckily she still has The West Wing to rewatch. But they both agree the best thing on our screens at the moment is The World Cup, go the Socceroos (otherwise known as the 'Mantildas')! Then it's time...

It's mid-winter break eve and the Albanese Government has been "cleaning off the barnacles" before the recess. They pressed their luck introducing gambling ad restrictions to parliament, but it seems the Greens and Coalition will send the legislation to an inquiry. Meanwhile, the housing debate is still taking up lots of oxygen, as auction clearance rates hit six-year lows. Labor is holding their...

Labor's long awaited legislation to restrict gambling advertising is set to be introduced to parliament tomorrow, but the Coalition could join the Greens in punting it to an inquiry. So, will the Albanese Government have to "give ground" and grant Coalition amendments if they want this to pass? And in the wake of PwC and KPMG scandals, Labor unveiling an option paper to improve regulation of accou...

As volatility in the housing market continues, Labor is defending its budget tax changes and backing Treasury modelling on house price growth. But while Labor is in a "wicked position" on housing, are they simply strapping in for a "white knuckle ride" for the next few months? Meanwhile, Opposition frontbencher Melissa McIntosh has doubled down on calls for the Liberals to "rebrand", suggesting th...

It's a classic "poll Monday" with Jacob and PK! Polling from Newspoll and Redbridge has One Nation's support dipping slightly, with Labor taking back the mantle of most popular political party. It comes after Pauline Hanson's combative National Press Club address — so is Labor's strategy to fight the surging populist party bearing some fruit? Meanwhile, the Coalition's woes have continued, with th...

While Pauline Hanson struggled to define what she meant by a 'monoculture', Angus Taylor hesitated to back in the long held liberal party policy of a multiculturalism.  Former Multicultural Affairs and Immigration Minister, Amanda Vanstone says she is disappointed in the Opposition Leader. 

Once a fringe party, One Nation is now the most popular party in Australia, according to a series of polls… The historic polling highs have come with more scrutiny but also a further platforming of the minor party — and its leader — as Australia assesses whether One Nation could be a legitimate party of government.. Today on Politics Now, ABC Election Analyst Emeritus Antony Green on what the poll...

It's been a massive week in politics both in and outside of parliament. Labor is set to pass its negative gearing and capital gains tax budget changes with the support of the Greens, granting only minor concessions in exchange. Meanwhile, the terms monoculture and multicultural have echoed through the chambers of parliament this week. Opposition leader Angus Taylor found himself in hot water after...

Opposition leader Angus Taylor has tried to mop-up, after avoiding a series of questions about his support for multiculturalism. But has he made things any clearer? And right after the Labor-Greens deal to pass budget tax changes, the Coalition have offered the Albanese Government a pathway to pass its NDIS overhaul this fortnight. As Clare tells PK, the move is "tidy politicking" from Liberal Sen...

The Albanese Government has secured the support of the Greens to pass its capital gains tax and negative gearing changes, but not without some concessions. While it's welcome news for Labor, will the extended NDIS inquiry present a "political headache" in the months ahead? Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced his resignation. So, what lessons are there for the Albanese gover...

Parliament is back for the final sitting fortnight before the mid-winter break. The Albanese Government is eager to pass its key budget measures, but will the Greens waive through tax reforms in exchange for an extended NDIS inquiry? Meanwhile, Anthony Albanese has convened a virtual nation cabinet to discuss fuel security, as the Government winds down its fuel excise cut. But as global turbulence...

The federal government has backed down on its budget tax changes, announcing larger concessions for small business and carve outs for startups.   Chief Executive of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Andrew McKellar told David Speers the reforms resemble a “freak show”.

PK and Melissa Clarke are on a unity ticket that this has been one of the biggest weeks in politics this year. So, before they answer your clever questions they dig into the response to Labor's capital gains tax carve-outs, the latest from the US-Iran ceasefire and of course Gina Rinehart's curious orange bulldozer stunt. And then it's over to the partyroomers! Does Labor need more outspoken backb...

The Prime Minister and Treasurer have announced carve outs to their capital gains tax changes. So, has Anthony Albanese "blinked" under pressure? Meanwhile, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has delivered her first National Press Club address in her 30-years in politics — so why did she take to the podium now? And how are Labor and the Coalition positioning as more scrutiny falls on the surging min...

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has addressed the National Press Club for the first time in her political career. In a wide-ranging speech, the One Nation leader linked housing issues to immigration, railed against multiculturalism, labelled net-zero a "hoax", called for an overhaul of IR laws and rebuked other parties for copying her policies. So, will the address make Pauline Hanson even more e...

The AFP is looking into allegations Israeli forces sexually assaulted Australian activists who were detained after attempting to reach Gaza last month. It comes after a meeting between the Australian activists, federal ministers Penny Wong and Anne Aly and senior members of the AFP. Israel has denied the claims. Meanwhile back home, there's been a heated exchange over the CGT and negative gearing...

Pauline Hanson is now the preferred Prime Minister - ahead of the actual Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Angus Taylor - if the latest Resolve poll is anything to go by. Yes, it’s a big “if”. But it’s also not the sort of number the major parties can laugh off. As One Nation’s rise moves from protest vote to serious political threat, what is Labor’s strategy to stop the bleed...

Executive director of the Tech Policy Design Institute, Johanna Weaver, says Australia is well-placed to navigate the AI transformation while maintaining its national sovereignty. 

The Prime Minister is holding a Medicare card. Tony Abbott is spruiking a national tour. "Ditch the witch" is back in the headlines. Everything old is new again in politics this week. So what should we make of it all? Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly are joined by Katina Curtis, Canberra Bureau Chief at the West Australian to discuss everything from the NDIS inquiry to the continuing attempts to s...