Politics Now

In 2022, the Albanese Government joined its state and territory counterparts to commit to ending violence against women and children in a generation. But while Labor says they've made ending violence a key priority, with more than $4 billion for women's safety initiatives, where are things four years on? And with a wraparound approach needed to counter the issue, is a national watchdog urgently ne...

With parliament set to return next week, Andrew Hastie and Angus Taylor have met and while the discussions have been described as "constructive" they've failed to agree on who should run for the leadership. So, where to next — and what are the optics of a meeting room full of 'blokes' when the Liberal party has a woman problem? And why do some voters connect with Pauline Hanson? And what the deadl...

It’s a scorching start to the parliamentary year - and not just because of the weather. Sussan Ley is holding on, but pressure is building and Liberal party leadership questions remain unresolved following the Coalition's dramatic split last week. To add to the political drama, Nationals leader David Littleproud has faced his own unexpected leadership challenge, from Queensland backbencher Colin B...

Nationals’ leader David Littleproud is set to face a leadership challenge on Monday, with Queensland MP Colin Boyce announcing a spill motion, stating the National party is committing "political suicide" by splitting from the Coalition. Meanwhile, inflation figures for December landing at a much higher than expected 3.8 per cent. The figure raises the likelihood of a rate hike when the RBA meets n...

The political heat remains on Opposition leader Sussan Ley, and while the jostle to replace her as Liberal leader continues behind the scenes, moderates are talking down the prospect. But could the 'soft middle' and 'freelancers' in the Liberal party actually decide its future direction?  It comes as the Albanese government tries to land a last-minute deal with states and territories over hospital...

The Liberal leadership tensions continue to grow, with Sussan Ley’s role as Opposition leader seen as untenable in the wake of the Coalition split. But while conservatives Andrew Hastie and Angus Taylor are shaping up as the key contenders, Liberals want to sort out which of them will run for the position before triggering a spill, to avoid further messiness. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has anno...

The dust has settled on the Nationals' explosive decision to quit the Coalition, but questions are continuing to swirl about Sussan Ley and David Littleproud's future. So, where to next for the Liberals and the Nationals? Could the Nationals and One Nation form a new Coalition? Could the Liberal party regain votes in the centre? Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly answer your questions on this specia...

In a stunning turn of events, the Nationals have officially split with Liberal party, blowing up the Coalition. Nationals leader David Littleproud accused Opposition leader Sussan Ley forcing his party into an "untenable" position and said they could not sit in Coalition under her leadership.  It comes on the National Day of Mourning for Bondi, which was intended to be a day of unity and healing f...

The Albanese Government has passed its gun reforms and watered down hate laws after a late night sitting of the Senate. But three Nationals frontbenchers crossed floor to vote against the hate laws, which the Liberal party supported, defying conventions. So, will Opposition leader Sussan Ley force them to quit their portfolios — and is this a test of her authority? Patricia Karvelas and David Spee...

The Albanese Government is set to pass its hate speech and gun reform bills through the parliament. It comes after Labor split the omnibus legislation, negotiating with the Coalition and the Greens separately to get the two bills through. But while all signs are pointing to the Liberals supporting the changed hate speech laws, it's less clear if the Nationals are on board and the Senate could be i...

For the first time since the Bondi terror attack, MPs from across the country have returned to Canberra. The first morning saw sombre speeches from a range of voices - but with debate on hate speech and gun laws to continue, is there any sense of bipartisanship in the air? Also casting a shadow over some in the chamber - polling showing One Nation’s primary vote has pulled ahead of the Coalition f...

Why are there more women in the Senate than in the House of Representatives? Is it just convention stopping Senators from being major party leaders?  With a weakened Opposition, are the usual mechanisms to hold government to account working? And is the Albanese Government still "gun shy" when it comes to considering negative gearing or capital gains reform? Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly get stu...

It's been a big week in Australian politics, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recalling parliament early to deal with hate speech and gun buyback legislation in the wake of the Bondi terrorist attack and the surprise announcement that US Ambassador Kevin Rudd is stepping down from the role a year earlier than expected. But while the Opposition has been calling for the parliament to be recalled...

Kerrynne Liddle represents a lot of firsts. The Arrernte woman is the first indigenous Senator for South Australia, the first indigenous woman to win a parliamentary seat in the state, and may be one of the first (or certainly one of only a few) federal parliamentarians to have previously worked as a jillaroo. It’s been a turbulent year for the Liberal party following its punishing election loss i...

In a surprise move,  Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced the US Ambassador Kevin Rudd will step down from the role at the end of March - a year earlier than expected. Anthony Albanese paid tribute to Ambassador Rudd's work helping further the AUKUS pact, securing Julian Assange's release in 2024 and building relationships across both sides of politics in the US. It comes as the governmen...

Politics Now is back after a summer recess and PK and Jacob have lots of thoughts about what happened over the break! Extreme weather continues to lash much of the country, with the prime minister announcing relief packages for some of the impacted communities - but the devastating events haven't distracted from questions about why the Albanese Government took so long to announce a national Royal...

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called a Commonwealth royal commission into antisemitism and social cohesion. The announcement comes in the wake of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack and under mounting pressure from various groups. The PM says the inquiry will address four key areas and Commissioner Virginia Bell will have to report back by December 14, 2026.  Patricia Karvelas and Clare Armstro...

More than two years on from the Murphy review, where is the Albanese government on gambling reform — and is there growing disquiet in the backbench? Is Sussan Ley facing the glass cliff? Why has Peter Dutton disappeared from the media? And would moderate Liberals ever consider becoming independents and joining with the Teals? Production note: This episode was recorded before the Bondi attack on De...

Greens Leader Larissa Waters has described herself as someone who was elected to “get shit done”. But what does that actually mean? As the first Greens Senator for Queensland, and just the second female leader for the party, Larissa Waters has risen to lead after a difficult election where the party was rejected in some of its inner city heartland, losing its long time leader Adam Bandt. So how do...

Pollsters are already preparing for an interesting year ahead. One Nation's support has surged, while Coalition support has slumped. So, are politicians, or policies, driving voter support? And with the Millennial and Gen Z cohort the largest voter bloc and growing, are the major parties switched on to this changing electorate? And what are the trends and issues that could define politics in 2026?...

Josh Burns is a bit of a rising star in the Australian Labor Party.  The Member for Macnamara is an increasing presence in the party - often unafraid to front a microphone or camera.  He’s seen as part of the new generation of Labor, but is he pushing for change in the background - or is he biting his tongue and working within the system?  And while Josh Burns says he never wanted to become known...

It's Politics Now - The Party Room - live!  In this Canberra Theatre live show, recorded at the start of December, Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas were joined on stage by Jacob Greber to wrap up a massive year in politics — and look at where things are headed in 2026. Anthony Albanese started the year staring down the prospect of election defeat but ended it with a thumping majority and Australia...

He’s often described as a Liberal moderate - but that’s a label this MP is uncomfortable with. The member for Goldstein Tim Wilson spent a term in the political wilderness after losing his seat to an independent, narrowly winning it back at the 2025 election. In returning to Canberra, he’s been eager to bring the Liberal party back to its economic roots, and has been openly ambitious about his fut...

Australia is often celebrated for its multiculturalism, and lauded as an immigration success story. But in politics, debates over immigration are complex, and long established through multiple political cycles. And while the Coalition has delayed unveiling its immigration policy in the wake of the tragic Bondi attack, conversations around immigration have permeated through some of the commentary....

Prime Minster Anthony Albanese has acknowledged he could have done more to combat antisemitism, and is "fully supporting and adopting" antisemitism envoy Jillian Segal's plan. Patricia Karvelas, Fran Kelly and Karen Middleton were mid-way through recording The Party Room when the news came through, but we hit pause bring you the latest on the announcement and its implications.  And as the horror o...