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 poli...

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 f...

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...

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 g...

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

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese dropped an "AI bomb" in the middle of UN week, announcing that an Open AI agent hacked into a Medicare portal. So, as debate rages at the UN General Assembly over the need for AI safeguards, do the optics of the situation help Anthony Albanese's case? It's been a big week on the global stage for the PM, as he brushes shoulders with leaders of fellow middle powers an...

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has continued his push for global AI safeguards at the UN general assembly, positioning himself as a global leader on tackling online harm. It comes as US President Donald Trump rejects calls for AI regulation, announcing he will now refer to the tech as "super intelligence" across official documents. And in a rare public intervention, the Trump Administration has c...

Liberal frontbencher Andrew Bragg has reignited the super wars, with a pitch he says is about generating a "sophisticated debate" over the policy. As Clare tells Raf, internal divisions remain in the Coalition over superannuation, with some concerned about slaying the "sacred cow" that is superannuation. But Raf thinks this might just be the Opposition "blowing off the cobwebs on the policymaking...

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is continuing his online safety charm offensive at the UN this week, after a quick visit to tour Apple headquarters in Silicon Valley. It follows the PM's calls for international cooperation on AI guardrails, amid global uncertainty over the use and safety of Artificial Intelligence. But back home there are questions about how Australia's own AI national standards w...

As AI bosses warn of the growing threat the technology poses to humanity, the International Committee of the Red Cross is pushing for new global rules to govern AI-powered autonomous weapons in war.

It's Question Time! But first, Fran and PK catch-up on what's been an "intense and wild" week. PK is still mad she didn't get to choose George Michael as her expert subject on Mastermind, but host and friend of the quiz show Marc Fennell dials in to commiserate and offer some advice. And as Fran reveals her special subject, she learns about the 'John Howard bingo' the team has been playing behind...

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has unveiled Labor's long awaited migration plan, including a crackdown on overstayers and a ballot for backpackers. It comes after One Nation kicked off the week with details on their immigration policy and as the Coalition finalises the details of it's own plan. So, while all three-parties are on a unity ticket about reducing temporary immigration, there's key po...

The AI fight keeps getting messier. As all sides weigh in on copyright, creators, investment and whether Australia can afford to miss the next tech wave, Anthony Albanese is trying to walk a very narrow path. Can he have “all of the desserts but none of the calories” - welcoming AI investment while defending creatives from being sold down the river? Meanwhile, the government is back in the spotlig...

The AI debate has moved from science fiction to superpower contest, with tech leaders warning of the risks while Donald Trump insists the US must beat China. So where does that leave Australia?  Can it lead the way in any meaningful sense - on safety, copyright, data centres and investment - or is the Albanese government stuck trying to manage the risks while chasing the productivity upside? Meanw...

One Nation has unveiled a plan to slash migration by 750,000 over three years, sparking swift backlash from industry and both Labor and Coalition. But as Clare and PK discuss, One Nation's political strategy has been effective. The minor party has once again managed to set the agenda and essentially "run the week". But, beyond the clever political management do the figures stack-up? It comes as an...

There's a one-in-three chance that China could invade Taiwan in 2028, that is the dire warning being spelled out by Kevin Rudd.

It was a big week of both policy and politicking in parliament. All sides laid out their pitches to win over voters; Labor's Digital Duty of Care, One Nation's pitch for early super access and the Coalition's proposal to ban burning the flag. Meanwhile, Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie took the fight directly to One Nation this week, labelling Pauline Hanson and Barnaby Joyce "lying cowards" ove...

The Prime Minister has dismissed concerns about censorship in Labor's digital duty of care bill as "disingenuous", as divisions emerge in the Coalition over the policy. It comes as Anthony Albanese faces questions about an undeclared honorary membership at the Marrickville Golf Club, after the club was awarded $6 million via an "invite only" grant scheme. The PM is adamant he wasn't aware of his h...

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has unveiled Labor's draft Digital Duty of Care legislation, vowing to give people "choice and control" over their social media feeds. The Government's policy framing comes as some in the Coalition — including Opposition leader Angus Taylor — have raised concerns over censorship. Meanwhile, One Nation has continued to sell its super policy, with One Nation Treasury...

Parliament is back for another sitting fortnight and "rival ideas" are already dominating the agenda. The Albanese Government is set to unveil draft Digital Duty of Care legislation by the end of the week, while One Nation has unveiled its plan to allow Australians who rent or pay a mortgage to divert a portion of their super payments as salary for up to three years. As PK tells Jacob, the Coaliti...

ACOSH Chief Executive Laura Hunter tells David Speers there's no evidence cutting the tobacco excise would work. 

It's Question Time! But first, Fran tells PK about how it felt to spot herself swimming in footage of the Coogee shark attack and why she's not letting the experience keep her out of the water. And then it's onto your brilliant questions! Will the floods in Nepal renew the focus on climate change? Why are politicians so focused on NOM immigration? And aside from Australian politics, what expert su...

Labor has now come face-to-face with the threat from One Nation. One Nation's decisive victory at the WA state by-election of Secret Harbour came with a message for Anthony Albanese and Federal Labor — so are they listening? And how are they positioning? And a war over words broke out this week, after One Nation leader Pauline Hanson accused the PM of inciting violence by labelling far-right popul...

It's Wednesday, so you know what that means — it's another data day with David and PK! New GDP figures have just landed, rising 0.4 per cent in the June quarter. It's a little stronger than markets were expecting, so what will it mean for interest rates? Meanwhile, Teach Us Consent founder Chanel Contos has taken to the stage at the National Press Club to push for an "opt-in" model for social medi...

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has brushed off questions about tensions between China and Taiwan at the Pacific Islands Forum, saying he's focused on "outcomes and unity". As PK tells Clare, Australia hopes not being viewed as on overbearing bully in the Pacific works in our favour — rather Labor's approach to diplomacy is "carrots not sticks". Back home, Labor has unveiled a raft of proposed cha...