Politics Now

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  Labor's 'narrow path' and 'stinky sausage' 16.09.2026 24мин

  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 spotlight over a sports grant in Health Minister Mark Butler’s seat. Is this just the "stinky sausage" of Australia’s “Frankenmonster” federation - or a pork-barrelling problem for Labor? And finally - a Labor migration policy is incoming. But after One Nation got in first, can the government land its pitch with the voters it needs most, or will it just keep wedging the Opposition? Patricia Karvelas and Melissa Clarke break it all down on Politics Now. Read Clare Armstrong's reporting on Labor's $5 million pledge here. Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at [email protected]
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  Are Australians 'surrender monkeys' on AI? 15.09.2026 27мин

  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? Meanwhile, hundreds of jobs are going at Whyalla, raising a harder question for government - after all the public money and political effort, what is actually left to save? And Pauline Hanson makes a rare apology. Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber break it all down on Politics Now. Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at [email protected]
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  Should Albanese’s dead mum be off-limits? 14.09.2026 29мин

  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 emotional Anthony Albanese pushes back on Pauline Hanson's remarks about his mother, stating "kindness isn't weakness, nastiness is". The PM has been backed in by politicians of all stripes, as Labor and the Coalition point to a pattern of behaviour from the One Nation leader, as her stoush with the liberals Andrew Hastie continues. So, could the ultra-personal sledges come back to hurt Pauline Hanson? Patricia Karvelas and Clare Armstrong break it all down on Politics Now. Got a burning question? Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at [email protected]
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  Kevin Rudd sounds alarm on Australia becoming 'complacent' | Insiders On Background  12.09.2026 31мин

  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.
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  Is Pauline Hanson losing this culture war? 10.09.2026 41мин

  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" over a One Nation cartoon that called him a "traitor" — over his involvement in the Ben Roberts-Smith defamation trial. Coalition MPs have lined up to back in Andrew Hastie. So, has it given them something to coalesce around? And has it placed Pauline Hanson on the wrong side of a culture war? Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly are joined by Phil Coorey, political editor at the AFR on The Party Room Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at [email protected]
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  The PM's swing at the ABC 09.09.2026 26мин

  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 honorary membership and has taken a swing at the ABC in the process. And an annual report into Australia's progress in ending violence against women and children has been tabled, with Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence commissioner Micaela Cronin warning government policy has not meaningfully reduced rates of sexual violence. Patricia Karvelas and David Speers break it all down on Politics Now. Got a burning question? Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at [email protected]
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  Are Labor's new laws censorship? 08.09.2026 24мин

  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 spokesperson Barnaby Joyce engaging in series of heated exchanges over modelling. And it seems the Coalition might have been gazumped again, with reports they were preparing a similar policy of their own. So, as the super wars continue, is Labor on the safe ground they think they are? Patricia Karvelas and Tom Crowley break it all down on Politics Now. 🎧Listen to ABC Business Daily here — The numbers behind One Nation's super plan Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at [email protected]
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  One Nation goes for super 07.09.2026 25мин

  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 Coalition is again starting the week on the backfoot — "who is in the field? It's Labor and One Nation." So, while One Nation's super plan cuts through, do the economics stack up? Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber break it all down on Politics Now. Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at [email protected]
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  The political fight over the tobacco wars | Insiders On Background 05.09.2026 22мин

  ACOSH Chief Executive Laura Hunter tells David Speers there's no evidence cutting the tobacco excise would work. 
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  Sharks, climate change and George Michael 04.09.2026 27мин

  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 subject would Fran and PK choose? Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly break it all down on The Party Room: Question Time edition. 🎧Listen to Fran's IV with Coogee shark hero Charlie Verco here Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at [email protected]
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  Voters sent Labor a message. Are they listening? 03.09.2026 41мин

  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 populist parties "divisive, dangerous and downright dishonest". There was pushback across the political spectrum, with some including conservative Liberal MP Garth Hamilton calling out the "hypocrisy at play". Meanwhile, online safety was back up in lights as the Albanese Government looks to introduce draft legislation on a digital duty of care in coming weeks. And the Coalition has announced its new tobacco policy, which would slash the tobacco excise by 80 per cent. So, will the policy have cut through, and does it put pressure on the Government? Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly are joined by Jason Koutsoukis, The Saturday Paper's special correspondent on The Party Room. Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at [email protected]
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  Will Albanese fix our feeds? 02.09.2026 23мин

  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 media algorithms. So, is the move to "fix our feeds" something Labor is actively considering as part of the digital duty of care? It comes as political tensions over housing continues to simmer, with Treasurer Jim Chalmers urging a long-view as the market softens. But as industry concerns over housing construction costs and workforce availability grow, does it shift the debate on immigration? Patricia Karvelas and David Speers break it all down on Politics Now. 🎧 Listen to ABC Business Daily's GDP breakdown here  🎧Listen to Chanel Contos on Insiders On Background here  Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at [email protected]
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  Will online safety be Albanese's legacy policy? 01.09.2026 31мин

  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 changes to privacy laws, but ruled out an import ban on smart glasses. Clare says she expects the broader digital sphere will be the legislative focus for the Albanese Government for the rest of the year, as Anthony Albanese starts to view online safety as his legacy policy. Patricia Karvelas and Clare Armstrong break it all down on Politics Now. Read Clare's analysis and reporting here Australia risks missing out on AI economic boom due to 'slow' business uptake, Treasury says Australia in a 'sliding doors' moment to determine who reaps rewards of AI boom Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at [email protected]
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  One Nation comes for Labor seats 31.08.2026 29мин

  One Nation's resounding win at the WA Secret Harbour by-election was watched closely by political insiders in Canberra. The historic state by-election win came with a warning from One Nation that there are "no safe seats". So, is Federal Labor concerned — and what lessons are they taking? It comes as two new polls show Labor and One Nation remain neck-and-neck. Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber break it all down on Politics Now. Got a burning question? Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at [email protected]
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  How can Australia combat the 'explosion of sexual violence' amongst teens? | Insiders On Background 29.08.2026 24мин

  As rates sexual violence amongst teens continues to rise, author and founder of Teach Us Consent, Chanel Contos says part of the problem is the social media algorithms. She's calling on the government to step in and legislate to "fix our feeds".
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  Did Albanese get 'rolled' by the states? 27.08.2026 42мин

  National Cabinet loomed large over the political week, but while it promised to deliver a showdown between Anthony Albanese and the states, was it a bit of a fizzer instead? Fran, PK and Ash Raper certainly think so. As Ash tells PK and Fran, it was a bit like a big family gathering you brace for but that ends up being highly uneventful. Queensland and the Northern Territory secured carve outs on the energy used for AI data centre development, but has Anthony Albanese set them a bit of a challenge when it comes to lowering energy costs? And while the WA GST deal has been up in lights this week, a state by-election in the once safe Labor electorate of Secret Harbour is being watched closely in Canberra, as One Nation looks like they could win. Meanwhile, One Nation has been in clean-up mode, clarifying their immigration policy after Farrer MP David Farley's Insiders interview. But does the mop-up harm them, or are voters more focused on the "vibe"? Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly are joined by Ashleigh Raper, Network 10 Political Editor on The Party Room. Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at [email protected]
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  Fractious federation.. and farewell Dolly 26.08.2026 33мин

  It's National Cabinet time and the stoushes between Anthony Albanese and the states are set to be spicy. So, is this a fractured moment in our federation? Meanwhile, NT Labor MP Luke Gosling has stepped aside from his role as special envoy, as he faces charges of assault and breach of bail — allegations he has denied. But was the Albanese Government slow to move here? And PK and David couldn't help but remember the incomparable Dolly Parton. They both marvel at her ability to bridge political divides and remain a political enigma. And David reminds us of Anthony Albanese's interaction with the country music star — and spoiler it includes an oversized tour bus. Patricia Karvelas and David Speers break it all down on Politics Now. Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at [email protected]
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  Is Albanese WA's 'daddy'? 25.08.2026 23мин

  Anthony Albanese has confirmed there will be no changes to the WA GST deal, in a move warmly welcomed in Western Australia. WA Premier Roger Cook says he's "pleased the PM backed WA" while the local paper has dubbed Anthony Albanese "WA's Daddy". But the move has been received far less warmly across other states and territories, and it's not the only issue where tensions are likely to flare at National Cabinet tomorrow. There's a stoush brewing over national AI data centre energy rules, with Queensland and the Northern Territory Governments pushing back on measures requiring the use of renewable energy for new developments. Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber break it all down on Politics Now. Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at [email protected]
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  One Nation's migration mop-up 24.08.2026 32мин

  One Nation has been in clean-up mode, after Farrer MP David Farley suggested the minor party's immigration plan wasn't "too different" from Labor's on Insiders. One Nation leader Pauline Hanson was quick out of the blocks, stating the party's target was "less than half Labor's current level", while Deputy leader Barnaby Joyce claimed the minor party's immigration policy has been consistent all along. And as the Victorian election gets closer, Labor and the Coalition are unveiling core promises. So, will Victorian Labor's free dental push have federal implications? Patricia Karvelas and Raf Epstein break it all down on Politics Now. Read PK's analysis here — The AI sleeper issue that could sway Australian elections Got a burning question? Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at [email protected]
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  Could slashing the excise end the tobacco wars? | Insiders On Background 22.08.2026 25мин

  Rohan Pike is a former AFP and ABF Officer, and creator of the Tobacco Strike Team. He told David Speers cutting the tobacco excise would stamp out the illegal trade.