Politics Now

Three days after the horrific attack on Jewish people at Bondi Beach, political lines are being drawn. The Prime Minister Anthony Albanese this morning reiterated his horror at the attack, with both federal and state governments moving to speed up gun reform. But the Coalition has focused in on those in the Australian Jewish community who feel the government didn’t hear their warnings about safety...

The fallout from the Bondi Beach terrorist attack is continuing to ricochet across Australia and around the globe.  Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns have reaffirmed their commitments to bring in stronger gun laws, but the architect of Australia’s gun laws, John Howard, has warned he doesn’t want gun control to become a diversion from combating antisemitism. Patricia Karvelas and Laura...

In the wake of the Bondi Beach mass shooting, the Prime Minister has vowed to "dedicate every single resource required" to the response. Anthony Albanese has labelled the terrorist attack an act of "pure evil antisemitism" and promised that Australians will eradicate the "scourge" together. As National Cabinet gets set for an emergency meeting this afternoon, the Prime Minister says he's putting g...

The Albanese Government's agenda has been overshadowed by scrutiny on political entitlements and expenses. And while Communications and Sport Minister Anika Wells is in the firing line, she's far from the only politician to access the scheme. So, how is the saga going to end — and do the perks pass the 'group chat' test? It comes as the Opposition prepares to unveil its immigration strategy, in a...

Housing remains the key issue for governments of all stripes, and was the cornerstone of both major parties' election campaigns. But since the election, the housing market has only become increasingly unaffordable. And while Labor’s 5 per cent first homebuyer deposit scheme has had major uptake, experts are warning it could drive up prices at the entry level end of the market. So, what policies an...

AUKUS is going "full steam ahead" — that's the message from the Trump administration. But is it all smooth sailing ahead for the security partnership? Meanwhile, Communications Minister Anika Wells is facing choppy waters, as further developments in the entitlement saga continue to emerge. So, can she survive the political turbulence? And could this lead to an overhaul of politicians' entitlements...

After months of speculation, former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce has officially joined One Nation. So, will the New England MP be able to further bolster support for the minor party in the regions? And does a taxpayer funded family trip to the snow pass the pub test? That’s the question dogging Communication Minister Anika Wells this week. Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber break it all dow...

A year ago Australia’s Race Discrimination Commissioner delivered the National Anti-Racism Framework. 

The Albanese Government is spruiking its social media ban and urging social media companies to comply as the deadline looms. And while Opposition leader Sussan Ley is now raising doubts over the policy — is the Prime Minister on a political winner with the policy? Meanwhile, two and half years after the bi-partisan Murphy review recommended a total ban on online gambling advertising, pressure is m...

Communications Minister Anika Wells has used a National Press club address to talk-up the impending social media ban, and put platforms on notice. But the Minister was less forthcoming when asked about next steps on an online gambling ad ban, which was recommended by the Murphy review two-and-a-half years ago. So, will the Labor rank and file muscle-up on this issue and force the prime minister to...

The scathing and long-awaited 'jobs for mates' report has been handed down. It's found government appointments too often look like 'forms of patronage and nepotism' and warned the system had eroded public trust. So, will anything change? It comes as a landmark inquiry into sexual violence in the defence force is unveiled and as the Albanese Government announces the biggest overhaul to defence in d...

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has capped off the political year by tying the knot with his partner Jodie Haydon at the Lodge. Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber have some big thoughts about the strategic timing of the event (and Toto's tutu). But things aren't looking quite so bright in the future, so what big political challenges is Labor facing in the year ahead? And you can hear PK, Jacob and...

Labor is feeling pretty good about life heading into the summer. But not everything is going swimmingly.  Inflation edged higher during the week, and some economists are warning the next move in interest rates will be up. 

A Labor-Greens deal on the EPBC has been announced, after lengthy negotiations. It comes after Environment Minister Murray Watt said he was open to a deal with the Coalition or the Greens to pass the legislation. So why did the Opposition rule themselves out? And is this a sign of a more pragmatic approach from the Greens under leader Larissa Waters? And New England MP Barnaby Joyce is expected to...

The Australian election study has found Coalition has lost its perceived advantage on economic management, with Labor taking the crown. It comes as the Treasurer defends public service "re-prioritisations" and fresh inflation figure he's admitted are "higher than he would like". Meanwhile, the Shadow Treasurer Ted O'Brien has used his Press Club speech to issue a pitch to young voters — warning th...

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has made Barnaby Joyce dinner in her parliamentary office — using the humble sandwich press to grill some steaks. It comes as the New England MP says he'll confirm his future direction by the end of the week and as Pauline Hanson is censured and faces a seven day suspension from the Senate. Meanwhile, internal tensions over banning gambling advertising are heating...

As parliament springs back to life for the final sitting week of the year, the Albanese Government is looking to pass a key flank of its legislative agenda - the EPBC act. But with sticking points for both the Greens and the Coalition, where will the legislation ultimately land? And as talk of killing season shows no sign of abating, the latest Newspoll paints a dire picture for the Coalition - wh...

With the final parliamentary sitting of the year fast approaching, the Federal Government is eager to pass its environmental law reforms.  There's two options: strike a deal with the Coalition or the Greens. So, who will the government choose?

Breaking news on Australia’s COP bid — Adelaide won’t host COP31.  Instead, a deal is being finalised with Türkiye that would see Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen take the presidency while Türkiye hosts the summit. It’s a major shift in a bid the government once sold as a big diplomatic win — so what happened? Meanwhile, it’s that time of year again — what they call the 'killing season' in poli...

Are we on the cusp of a science brain drain in Australia? Major job cuts are coming to the CSIRO — adding to the hundreds of positions already lost over the past 18 months. The Science Minister Tim Ayres insists the government “believes in science”... but do these cuts tell a different story? And Australia is still jostling with Türkiye for the rights to host the next UN climate conference — but n...

Is there anywhere safe in Australia right now to be a major party leader? It’s starting to feel like decapitation season. The latest head to roll? Victoria’s Liberal leader, just one year out from a state election. With leadership changes sweeping across the country, there’s plenty driving the disruption - and no sign that politics is slowing down as the year wraps up. Patricia Karvelas and Raf Ep...

The race for leadership - and perhaps the very soul of the Liberal Party - is on. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley spent last week negotiating with critics both inside and outside the party in a bid to hold onto her position. But after conceding ground, the conservative faction now smells blood in the water. Is it all over for Sussan Ley? Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber break it all down on Politic...

It’s been a very long road – but Australia’s first treaty with Aboriginal people in Victoria has now been signed and formalised as law.

Opposition leader Sussan Ley has been on a media blitz, defending her party's position of ditching net zero targets. So, how effective has her sales job been? Will her message about affordability before emissions reduction cut through to 'middle Australia'? And is this debate about policy or just about power? Patricia Karvelas and Mel Clarke get stuck into all of your curly questions on this The P...

Opposition leader Sussan Ley has announced the Liberal party will ditch net zero and repeal Labor's 2030 emissions reduction target - all in a bid for the Opposition to "put affordable energy first".  Shadow Energy Minister Dan Tehan says the policy is about affordability, growing our economy and doing our 'fair share' — and while there are no targets reaching net zero would be "welcome". But does...