Politics Now

An extreme threat, a ceasefire, and an awkward roller coaster for US allies Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has welcomed the US-Iran two-week ceasefire, but criticised US President Donald Trump's "inappropriate" threats that a "whole civilisation will die". The condemnation came after Nationals leader Matt Canavan urged the PM to make it clear he didn't support the US President's rhetoric. So, is...

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed his upcoming trip to Singapore, as the government continues to "build resilience" amid global uncertainty. It comes as the US President has again criticised Australia and NATO allies for their lack of help, as his deadline for Iran to agree to a ceasefire or face "complete demolition" looms. Meanwhile, Treasurer Jim Chalmers is trying to put the final...

Over 1000-days since the landmark Murphy report was handed down, Anthony Albanese has announced his government's long awaited gambling advertisement reform. The move came on the Thursday before the Easter long weekend, with critics disappointed the reforms are too timid and don't go far enough. So, has the prime minister landed on a "half pregnant" position on gambling reform? And is there a clear...

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese delivered a rare national address overnight, warning Australians about "uncertain times" ahead — but sending the message the government has their back. But after frenzied speculation, did it fall flat — or did it meet the moment? It comes amid lots of "pump priming" from the government, as Labor tries to "take the sting" out of petrol prices and keep small businesse...

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is set to deliver a rare national address this evening — the first national address since the COVID pandemic. While it's not yet clear what it will detail, PK and Clare discuss how the move allows the Albanese government to control the agenda and how the "man with the plan" positioning gives the government "important political high-ground". But is there also politic...

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the fuel excise cut will "make a difference", but the Treasurer is warning the cut could take weeks to flow through. Opposition leader Angus Taylor has welcomed the move, claiming the government has "finally" acted under pressure and the Coalition will "continue to lead".  And speaking of leadership, it seems Angus Taylor has tried to assert some authority over...

The Prime Minister has announced the fuel excise will be halved and the heavy vehicle road user charge reduced to zero for three months. It comes as National Cabinet also agrees to an energy security plan, with four levels of action. Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the reductions are "temporary, timely and responsible", but they come with a $2.55 billion dollar price-tag. While it's welcome relief for...

The global economic fallout from the Middle East war is still emerging, but things are not looking good.   It's a conundrum for the Federal Government, who is trying to navigate the economic storm ahead of the May budget.  Independent economist Chris Richardson joins Melissa Clarke for this week's On Background.

Australia has been in the firing line of another Donald Trump "spray", with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declaring he "won't comment on commentary." As other Labor frontbenchers strike a similar tone, PK tells Fran Labor Ministers have become "rolled gold experts" at not being drawn into the US President's remarks. And PK and Fran cap off a "binfire week" with their favourite good news stories...

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed National Cabinet will meet again to coordinate a national response to the ongoing fuel crisis. But should the meeting be happening now, rather than next week? And as the reverberations from One Nation's success at the South Australian election continue to ricochet federally, Labor is also feeling the heat. Health Minister Mark Butler used a Dorothy Dix...

After nearly a decade of negotiations, Australia and the European Union have signed a landmark free trade agreement. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hailed it "a defining moment" for the relationship, while EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said it was a "win for both parties." In addition to the trade deal, Australia and the European Union have also inked a defence and security agreeme...

The Labor Malinauskas Government claimed a landslide victory in the South Australian election over the weekend, cementing what PK calls the Premier's "political rockstar" status in the state. But One Nation also managed to convert it's high polling numbers into success at the ballot box, peeling voters off the Liberal party. And it's not just the Liberals rattled by the minor parties success, with...

The Federal government says there's no shortage of fuel supply in Australia, amid the ongoing war in Iran. So why some regional service stations unable to find supply, and why are petrol prices so high?  Malcolm Roberts is the Chief Executive of the Australian Institute of Petroleum, which represents the big refiners and fuel suppliers. He sat down with David Speers for this week's Insiders On Bac...

All eyes are on the South Australian election this week, which promises to be the first real test of One Nation's skyrocketing support in recent polls. And as ABC Chief Elections Analyst Casey Briggs tells Fran and PK,  Queensland based Pauline Hanson really has become the "main character" in the state's election. So, could this election be an "extinction level event" for the SA Liberals? And coul...

Shadow Minister for Industry and Sovereign Capability Andrew Hastie has blasted the US President's social media post criticising Australia and other allies, labelling it a "petulant post from a President under immense pressure." It comes as Treasurer Jim Chalmers says he "wasn't aware" of any formal requests for naval assistance in the Strait of Hormuz, ahead of tomorrow's National Cabinet meeting...

In a decision that was widely anticipated, the RBA hiked the interest rate by 0.25 percentage points, taking the cash rate to 4.1 per cent. It wasn't unanimous — in fact just one vote determined the hike — but it comes as the financial impact of the war in the Middle East hits home. So, what will the double whammy of higher interest rates and global uncertainty mean for Treasurer Jim Chalmer's fif...

The Albanese Government has ruled out sending a navy ship to the strait of Hormuz, as fuel woes continue to bite at home. And while the Energy Minister moved to unlock some of our fuel reserves and ease chokepoints late last week, some regional communities have still been left scrambling. So, if this crisis continues, could fuel rationing be on the table? Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber break i...

Former spy boss Dennis Richardson tells David Speers the antisemitism royal commission needs to release intelligence findings urgently, citing public safety concerns.

Is economic grievance the only reason some voters are flirting One Nation — and if so, why aren't more Millennials and Gen Z also supporting the minor party? It looks unlikely Labor will run a candidate in Farrer — so, why aren't they expending some political capital? And what role are algorithms and echo chambers playing in voter behaviour? Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly answer all of your clev...

PK reckons this is the biggest week of politics (so far) this year. And with the Albanese Government announcing a "purely defensive" deployment to the UAE, Iranian soccer players seeking asylum in Australia, Matt Canavan becoming the new Nationals leader after David Littleproud's shock exit — and now former ASIO boss Dennis Richardson stepping down from his Royal Commission role, there's certainly...

Queensland Senator Matt Canavan has claimed the National Party leadership, with Victorian MP Darren Chester elected as Deputy Nationals leader. The new Nationals leader has promised to "fight back" for Australians and called for a "hyper-Australia" approach. PK and Clare discuss how Matt Canavan's pitch could be the regional party's "best chance" to win back voters on the right from One Nation, bu...

The Prime Minister has confirmed Australia will deploy a military surveillance plane and missiles to the middle east, after a request from the UAE. Anthony Albanese has reiterated that Australia's involvement is "purely defensive", noting his first priority is to keep Australians safe, as many remain stranded in the region. Meanwhile, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has confirmed five Iranian wom...

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has confirmed Australia is considering a request by some Gulf countries to provide military assistance, as they try to defend themselves against missile and drone attacks by Iran. The Albanese Government has ruled out participating in any offensive action, but appears disposed to supporting Gulf countries, while the Opposition is already signalling its openness to the m...

Canada's Prime Minister has wrapped up his friendly three day visit to Australia.  Melissa Clarke sat down with the Lowy Institute's Sam Roggeveen for this week's Insiders On Background. 

While parliament was back in session, it was global affairs that dominated the week in politics. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was quick to back the US-Israeli joint strikes on Iran, so what does this say about the rewriting of the rules based order — and Labor's strategy with the Trump administration? And it comes as the Canadian Prime Minister, and fellow middle power ally, Mark Carney visits...