Politics Now

AUKUS goes off 'like a frog in a sock' 02.06.2026 26分

Peter Garrett has been burning the Midnight Oil over AUKUS - and he’s not the only one turning up the heat. The former Labor minister is leading an independent inquiry into the $368 billion defence deal, after confirmation Australia will now receive three second-hand Virginia-class submarines from the United States. The Opposition is also taking a swing, warning the revised arrangement could leave Australia with older submarines, shorter operating lives, and a future capability gap. So is this just another round of AUKUS anxiety - or a real problem for the government? Plus, a big moment for One Nation as David Farley is sworn in as the new member for Farrer, and early signs he may take a different tone from Pauline Hanson. And how will Labor, the Liberals, and One Nation position themselves on a rise to the minimum wage? Patricia Karvelas and Raf Epstein 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 thepartyroom@abc.net.au

Could Pauline Hanson become PM? 01.06.2026 30分

A new poll has One Nation ahead of Labor as the most popular political party, as the Albanese Government loses some skin in the wake of the budget. And One Nation leader Pauline Hanson isn't ruling out becoming prime minister in the future, saying she "has the ability" and is considering a tilt at a lower house seat at the next election. Meanwhile, the Coalition has seemingly failed to capitalise on voter discontent with the budget, so will new Liberal Party President Tony Abbott rejuvenate the base? 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 thepartyroom@abc.net.au Read PK's analysis here

Father of Inland Rail says 'this thing is on and unstoppable' | Insiders on Background 30.05.2026 23分

The federal government has shelved plans to develop Inland Rail from Melbourne to Brisbane but the man who's known as the project's father says negotiations are underway to resurrect it.

Budget bills, 'wedgies' and a teal party 28.05.2026 40分

The Albanese Government has introduced its capital gains and negative gearing bill to parliament, hoping to pass the first tranche of legislation before the mid-winter break. The Greens have called for a short-burst inquiry into the bill but seem to be signalling a willingness to support the measures. So, after a week of fierce backlash from the small business community, has Labor managed to pull the focus back to housing? Meanwhile, another cohort of IS-linked women and children have returned to Australia from Syria this week, causing some political friction for Labor and possibly feeding into One Nation leader Pauline Hanson's platform. And while speculation about a so-called 'teal party' was the talk of the town at the beginning of the week, it seems the idea has run out of steam already. Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly are joined by Michelle Grattan, Chief Political Correspondent at The Conversation and professorial fellow and University of Canberra on The Party Room. Hear Michelle Grattan's IV with Keith Wolahan here. Hear Fran on Radio National Hour here. Watch PK on Afternoon Briefing here. Editor's note: This podcast was recorded prior to the AFP confirming a 34 year-old Melbourne woman, who returned from a Syrian detention camp last year, has been charged with terrorism offences. Got a burning question? Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

Political wedges and a welfare shake-up 27.05.2026 24分

Labor may be considering expanding exemptions to its capital gains tax changes amid a backlash from small business — but while they are consulting widely looks like they won't cave "quickly". And the Opposition has unveiled a political wedge of its own, threatening to withhold crucial support for Labor's NDIS overhaul without an inquiry into CGT and negative gearing changes in exchange. Meanwhile, the Government has announced a major welfare shake-up, but new inflation figures and the return of more so-called ISIS brides could steal some of the spotlight. 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 thepartyroom@abc.net.au ABC Business Daily dig deeper into the inflation figures here

Albanese stares down tax push back 26.05.2026 29分

Household energy bills are set to drop by up to 10 per cent, with the Albanese government crediting renewables and batteries for the decrease. It's a good news story for Labor, as the fight over capital gains tax changes continues to dominate parliament — and the Prime Minister doubles down. But the Government isn't the only one feeling the heat, with outgoing National Anti-Corruption Commissioner Paul Brereton fronting up for a grilling in Senate estimates. Patricia Karvelas and Tom Crowley 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 thepartyroom@abc.net.au

A new 'teal' party? 25.05.2026 31分

Parliament is back in session and there's speculation a new party could be on the horizon. Independents Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender have confirmed conversations about forming a party with like-minded so-called "teals" are underway. Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has given the idea a tick of approval, but many fellow crossbenchers have already confirmed they won't be joining. So, is this just a "thought experiment" or could a party of independents become a reality? Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has confirmed the first tranche of budget measures will be introduced to parliament on Thursday. So, while Anthony Albanese has "doubled down" on the dissent, can Labor get the legislation through the Senate with support from The Greens? 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 thepartyroom@abc.net.au Read PK's analysis here Read Jacob's analysis here

Tech sector warns tax could "double" under CGT changes | Insiders on Background 23.05.2026 21分

The decision to change capital gains tax rules for all investments, rather than just property, has sparked backlash from young investors, entrepreneurs and small business owners.

We answer your smart budget questions 22.05.2026 34分

Was this a budget in desperate need of more graphs? Labor’s budget pitch is still making headlines - but it may not be happy about all of them. First, PK and Clare Armstrong unpack the breaking news overnight of another possible return of ISIS-linked Australian women and children from Syria, as well as the fallout over Australian activists detained by Israel while aboard a flotilla headed to Gaza. Then, it’s a bonus Question Time: Budget special! Is Labor going big on reform because it expects to negotiate later? How do pre-budget leaks and “speculation” actually make their way into the media? Where could any budget windfall end up? And could blocked legislation ever trigger a double dissolution? Plus - why do politicians still struggle to explain big economic decisions clearly, and is there still a path back for moderate Liberal voters? Patricia Karvelas and Clare Armstong 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 thepartyroom@abc.net.au

Bad budgets 'linger'. Will this one? 21.05.2026 39分

As the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Treasurer Jim Chalmers continue their big budget sell, they've faced fierce backlash from small business owners over changes to the CGT discount. While Labor billed this as a "housing reform budget", did they fail to lay the groundwork for broader taxation changes — and have they lost control of the narrative? And Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson has capitalised on the discontent, laying out vision that backs and rewards "self-starters". So, has he offered up an economic lifeline for Liberals? Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas are joined by Phil Coorey, AFR Political Editor on The Party Room. Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

Tim Wilson's 'call to arms' for Liberals 20.05.2026 22分

Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson has used a National Press Club Address to outline his vision for the Liberals. As PK tells David Speers the speech functioned as a "call to arms for what the Liberal Party's chief mission should be". And what we didn't hear from Tim Wilson was as interesting as what we did in this set-piece speech — with David pointing out that the Shadow Treasurer was squarely focused on "aspiration, small business, start-ups" avoiding immigration and culture war issues. So, is his "classic Liberal" vision something fellow Liberals can coalesce around? 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 thepartyroom@abc.net.au

A 'vibe check' on capital gains tax 19.05.2026 28分

The fight over Labor’s proposed capital gains tax changes isn’t brewing - it’s already here. Small business owners, founders and investors are piling pressure on the government, with backlash erupting across talkback radio and social media. Critics say the changes punish aspiration, investment and growth. As Labor tries to sell the reforms, business groups warn Australia risks becoming a less attractive place to build and scale companies. Meanwhile, viral memes portraying Anthony Albanese as an accidental “co-owner” of small businesses are spreading fast online. So will Labor hold the line, or soften the changes as pressure mounts? And later - why the government is delaying aged care price caps, and what new budget measures could mean for older Australians. Patricia Karvelas and Raf Epstein 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 thepartyroom@abc.net.au

Is the post-budget bounce dead? 18.05.2026 25分

There's a big budget contest of ideas underway, as Labor and the Coalition try to sell their alternate visions for Australia to voters. Or as Jacob puts it to PK, "politics is back!" Treasurer Jim Chalmers has brushed off new polling, suggesting the Government wasn't expecting a post-Budget bounce and doing the right thing is worth "any near term political costs". And the Opposition leader Angus Taylor is also defending his policies, with some pushback coming from within his own party. 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 thepartyroom@abc.net.au Read PK's analysis here Read Jacob's analysis here

How will negative gearing and CGT changes shift the property market? | Insiders 16.05.2026 22分

This week's federal budget included an overhaul of negative gearing and the capital gains tax rules in a bid to move thousands of homes from the hands of investors to first home buyers.

Taylor swings big on tax. Will it pay-off? 15.05.2026 28分

Opposition leader Angus Taylor used his first budget in reply speech to lay out some big bold policy ideas, saying he hopes Australians can "begin to believe again." Income tax would form the centrepiece, with bracket creep returned to workers, at a cost of over $22bn to the budget bottom line. PK and Clare agree this was a "big swing" from Angus Taylor — with PK suggesting it's because the Opposition are "drowning and desperate to get the light on them — it's an attention grabbing response." Clare adds the announcements from Opposition leader had an "inkling of desperation" about them, as Angus Taylor realises he doesn't have the time usually afforded an Opposition leader to build towards a centrepiece. So, while the tax cuts set the Opposition leader up for an interesting couple of years, giving him something substantial to defend and fight Labor on does it "tie his hands behind his back" on what he can do and announce in the next few years? Patricia Karvelas and Clare Armstrong break it all down on Politics Now. Read Clare's reporting here Got a burning question? Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

Battle of the budgets begins 14.05.2026 40分

As Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese continue their big budget sell, Opposition leader Angus Taylor is gearing up to deliver his budget reply -- and big political and ideological battlelines are being drawn. PK tells Fran and David Speers, as the two budgets and two different visions for Australia take shape, there's a sense of real contest and a "battle for who people can win over". David says the Albanese Government's Budget is the "most reforming budget" in decades, with previous governments have been resistant to creating "winners and losers". And in the immediate wash-up of budget night, he says Labor is feeling upbeat that they've "finally got something to fight for". So, will Labor reap the rewards of the political risk? Or will the Coalition's message cut through? Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas are joined by David Speers, ABC's political lead on The Party Room. Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au REFERENCES: Read David's analysis here Catch up on PK's IV with the PM here Catch up on Fran's economic wrap of the budget here

Did Labor's 'reform budget' deliver? 12.05.2026 23分

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has unveiled his highly anticipated fifth budget, claiming it's the "most ambitious and important in decades". Housing tax reform was the centrepiece of the wartime budget, with changes to negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount announced. Labor says the reforms will allow 75,000 new people to afford their first home, but does the move go far enough to address intergenerational inequity? Will voters reward them for taking a risk - or punish them for "breaking a promise"? And as inflation continues to surge, how healthy is the budget bottom line? Patricia Karvelas and Carrington Clarke break it all down from the budget lock-up on this Politics Now x ABC Business Daily special episode. Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

Will Labor's budget 'pull up the ladder'? 12.05.2026 22分

Labor is leaning into housing this budget, with big tax reforms to negative gearing and capital gains tax to form the centrepiece. It's all in a bid to address intergenerational inequity — but as Tom tells PK, grandfathering could "directly undermine" that and feed into accusations the Albanese Government is "pulling the ladder up" on a new generation. As PK says, the way Labor "frames" the reforms is key both to win over voters and ward of future scare campaigns. But while the Albanese Government wants the focus to be housing, Tom is convinced that come end of week we're going to be talking about another element of the budget "whether it's trusts, whether it's capital gains in the share market". And remember there will be another special episode of Politics Now x ABC Business Daily in your feed after the budget lock-up! Patricia Karvelas and Tom Crowley break it all down on Politics Now. Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

Where One Nation will target next 11.05.2026 29分

There's been a seismic shift in the Australian political landscape, with One Nation claiming it's first ever lower-house seat. The minor party's landslide victory in the former Coalition heartland of Farrer came with a warning shot from leader Pauline Hanson — "One Nation is coming for your seat next." So, as the recriminations continue, PK and Jacob discuss if "operation Angus" has failed the Coalition and what base the party has left. PK points out the party have lost their city heartland and now their regional heartland, while Jacob adds that the suburbs in areas like Western Sydney is exactly where One Nation has vowed to target next. Meanwhile, across the pond UK Labour have been delivered a drubbing at local council elections, haemorrhaging seats to Nigel Farage's Reform party on the right and The Greens on the left. The diabolical result sends a warning sign for major parties of all stripes, including the Albanese government. 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 thepartyroom@abc.net.au

Farrer by-election: The issues that will determine who wins | Insiders 09.05.2026 11分

Farrer has been held by the Coalition for nearly 80 years but the seat looks almost certain to be won by One Nation's David Farley or Independent candidate Michelle Milthorpe.