Politics Now

Regulating AI is like catching smoke, warns Christopher Pyne | Insiders On Background 18.07.2026 23мин

Artificial intelligence is dominating the political agenda, with the federal government announcing plans to legislate guardrails for data centres and protect artists' copyright. But the strategic and military implications of AI, alongside Australia's multi-billion dollar investment in AUKUS, present much larger and complex questions for national sovereignty. Christopher Pyne is a stalwart of the Liberal Party and a former defence minister. He tells David Lipson that artificial intelligence is the most significant development since the nuclear weapon, and warned that the Liberal Party must distance itself from One Nation if it hopes to return to government.

One Nation leadership rumbles emerge 17.07.2026 35мин

It's Question Time! But before Fran and PK dive into your clever questions, they wrap up the latest political developments. Pauline Hanson's podcast interview with far-right UK agitator Tommy Robinson is making waves — including it seems, within the One Nation itself. The One Nation leader suggested her daughter Lee Hanson had the "potential" to be a future leader of the party, so where does this leave Barnaby Joyce? And what's the history of Royal Commissions in Australia and when do they work best? We asked an expert. And while housing has dominated the political agenda, what impact is our aging population having on demand? Could older people house sharing offer a solution and importantly, what kind of roommates were PK and Fran? (spoiler: one of them was very protective of their butter!) And could an Australian MP pull a "stunt" like Nigel Farage? PK and Fran don't think so — and they also feel VERY differently about Count Binface. Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly answer your clever queries on The Party Room: Question Time edition. Listen here to Royal commissions in Australia — when have they made a difference? Listen here toLabor's AI plan and Hanson's holiday Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

Labor's AI plan and Hanson's holiday 16.07.2026 44мин

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's landmark AI address has dominated the political week. But was the announcement of National AI standards a bit of an "about face" from the PM, after what was previously seen as a hands-off approach to AI regulation from the Government? And One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has been meeting with a series of fringe figures across the UK and has now been spotted in a resort in Sicily with mining magnate Gina Rinehart. So, how are the optics of the Pauline Hanson rubbing shoulders with far-right figures like Tommy Robinson playing with recent One Nation converts back home? Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly are joined by Ronald Mizen, AFR Political Correspondent 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

Albanese's AI roadmap 15.07.2026

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has unveiled "world-leading" AI standards, urging Australians to embrace change and shape AI in the national interest. The PM used a landmark speech to lay out his vision for Australia's AI future, as Australians grapple with concerns over job losses, anxieties over the environmental impacts of AI data centres and copyright protections. Labor is set to legislate standards next year, with Anthony Albanese effectively shaping the debate that's to come — including at the Federal Labor Conference next week. 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

Is uncertainty the new normal? 14.07.2026 34мин

US President Donald Trump has vowed to impose a toll on traffic passing through the Strait of Hormuz, as the US military launches its latest wave of strikes against Iran. The Albanese Government is urging restraint and pointing to Australia's secure fuel supply — but is this the "new normal"? And four women and girls were killed in four days in separate incidents last week, PK and Raf reflect on frustrations around the media coverage of violence against women and the focus from governments to combat the issue. Patricia Karvelas and Raf Epstein 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 1800 Respect national helpline: 1800 737 732 Women's Crisis Line: 1800 811 811 Men's Referral Service: 1300 766 491 Lifeline (24 hour crisis line): 131 114 Relationships Australia: 1300 364 277 NSW Domestic Violence Line: 1800 656 463 Qld DV Connect Womensline: 1800 811 811 Vic Safe Steps crisis response line: 1800 015 188 ACT 24/7 Crisis Line: (02) 6280 0900 Tas Family Violence Counselling and Support Service: 1800 608 122 SA Domestic Violence Crisis Line: 1800 800 098 WA Women's Domestic Violence 24h Helpline: 1800 007 339 NT Domestic violence helpline: 1800 737 732 3

Has One Nation support hit a ceiling? 13.07.2026 31мин

It's another poll Monday, this time with PK and Clare! A new Resolve poll in the SMH and The Age shows support for One Nation has slipped, with leader Pauline Hanson's likeability also taking a tumble. In what will be a major relief for under fire Opposition leader Angus Taylor, the Coalition has benefited — picking up support. It comes as the Opposition leader rebukes One Nation and their economic credentials for the first time, so is the Coalition settling on a new strategy? And Labor is riding high after a successful week of international diplomacy, but there are "spotfires" building for Treasurer Jim Chalmers, ahead of the second tranche of budget tax measures. Meanwhile, as the Royal Commission on Antisemitism is this week shifts its focus to universities, the Government has announced it'll require higher education institutions to adopt definitions of antisemitism. Patricia Karvelas and Clare Armstrong break it all down on Politics Now. Read PK's analysis hereLabor scoring own goals while Coalition distracted by One Nation threat Read Clare's piece hereLabor's trust tax proposal leaves small businesses waiting to see what states will do with stamp duty Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

Australia has a deficit dilemma, could means-testing wealth be the solution? 11.07.2026 27мин

Dire budget deficits for years to come and stalling productivity growth are painting a bleak economic picture. Against this backdrop, a new policy idea has emerged: if Australia can't rely on productivity growth and tax reform to fix the budget blackhole, what about means-testing wealth? Peter Harris is the former chair of the Productivity Commission and now board director at the Policy Institute Australia. He told Jacob Greber, for this week's Insiders On Background, means testing wealth - including the family home - for paid parental leave, aged care, pensions and childcare could fix the budget blackhole.

Modi, the Pacific and THAT podcast 09.07.2026 45мин

It's been a big week on the international stage for Anthony Albanese, from a Pacific blitz to bilateral talks with the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Melbourne. While a Chinese missile test threatened to overshadow the diplomacy tour, was the destabilising move actually a "cherry-on-top" for Australia — pushing Pacific nations closer to us? Back home, the fallout from the Telstra outage is continuing and so are the politics. So, did the Opposition "jump the shark?" And of course there was THAT podcast appearance and subsequent "unequivocal apology" from the PM this week. So, what are the risks for politicians trying to engage in new media to reach voters? Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly are joined by Stephen Dziedzic, ABC Foreign Affairs Asia Pacific Reporter 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

The politics of an outage 08.07.2026 29мин

A nationwide Telstra outage has caused chaos for commuters and businesses and prompted Communications Minister Anika Wells to return early from leave. And artificial intelligence is back in the spotlight, with Assistant Minister Andrew Charlton suggesting now is the time to embed safety into AI. It comes ahead of the Labor Conference where an internal debate over AI is set to get "messy". Meanwhile, a stoush is brewing between drug-makers and the Federal Government. Patricia Karvelas and Clare Armstrong break it all down on Politics Now. Read Clare's piece here — Critical Drugs could be pulled from PBS amid pricing stoush Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

PM rebukes 'provocative' missile test 07.07.2026 24мин

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has condemned China's missile test in the Pacific as a "provocative act", suggesting it destablises the region. It comes as the PM holds bilateral talks with his Solomon Islands counterpart and continues his regional diplomacy blitz. And back home, as preparations get underway for the Federal Labor Conference, there are already some clear battlelines taking shape. Melissa Clarke 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 Pacific push and podcast blunder 06.07.2026 25мин

Australia has a new military alliance, signing a mutual defence pact with Fiji. Australia has long had a defence alliance with the US and New Zealand. Last year, an historic pact with Papua New Guinea forged a new direction for Australia and now a similar pledge has been made with Fiji. The "Ocean of Peace" alliance leaves the door opened to a multilateral pact that could see Australia, PNG, Fiji, New Zealand and Tonga form a military alliance. But while riding high on the success of Pacific diplomacy, the Prime Minister has been forced to apologise "unequivocally" for remarks he made on a podcast. Melissa Clarke 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

After 250 years what is America celebrating this Independence Day? 04.07.2026 19мин

Today marks 250 years since America's declaration of Independence. As the United States struggles with domestic divisions and its role as a global superpower, is the Founding Fathers' "Great Democratic Experiment" over? Former Australian Ambassador to the United States Arthur Sinodinos sat down David Speers to discuss whether the United States can pull back from the brink.

Labor's political pickle on house prices 03.07.2026 32мин

It's Question Time! And there are no Dorothy Dixers in sight! But before Fran and PK tackle your "top-notch" queries, Fran checks in on PK after TV series Ponies was cancelled after just one season — luckily she still has The West Wing to rewatch. But they both agree the best thing on our screens at the moment is The World Cup, go the Socceroos (otherwise known as the 'Mantildas')! Then it's time for Partyroomers questions, including: the politics of house prices, do people follow how-to-vote cards? Have politicians undervalued the arts? And what lower house seat could Pauline Hanson run for? Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly answer your clever questions The Party Room: Question Time edition. Listen to Thursday's episode here 🎧 Labor cleans off the barnacles Listen here to 🎧 Antony Green on the tests ahead for One Nation Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

Labor cleans off the barnacles 02.07.2026 42мин

It's mid-winter break eve and the Albanese Government has been "cleaning off the barnacles" before the recess. They pressed their luck introducing gambling ad restrictions to parliament, but it seems the Greens and Coalition will send the legislation to an inquiry. Meanwhile, the housing debate is still taking up lots of oxygen, as auction clearance rates hit six-year lows. Labor is holding their nerve and betting the house their budget tax changes will pay-off in the long run. And the soul-searching has continued for the Liberals this week, after Newspoll saw the Coalition's primary support slip to a historic low of 17 per cent. So, while parliament goes on break, will all sides of politics be keeping their foot on the accelerator? Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly are joined by Anna Henderson, Chief Political Correspondent at SBS 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 If you or anyone you know needs help, contact: National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858 Lifeline on 13 11 14 Headspace on 1800 650 890

The odds-on Labor's gambling reform 01.07.2026 24мин

Labor's long awaited legislation to restrict gambling advertising is set to be introduced to parliament tomorrow, but the Coalition could join the Greens in punting it to an inquiry. So, will the Albanese Government have to "give ground" and grant Coalition amendments if they want this to pass? And in the wake of PwC and KPMG scandals, Labor unveiling an option paper to improve regulation of accounting and audit firms. So, what's on the table? 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 thepartyroom@abc.net.au

Should the Liberals 'rebrand'? 30.06.2026 30мин

As volatility in the housing market continues, Labor is defending its budget tax changes and backing Treasury modelling on house price growth. But while Labor is in a "wicked position" on housing, are they simply strapping in for a "white knuckle ride" for the next few months? Meanwhile, Opposition frontbencher Melissa McIntosh has doubled down on calls for the Liberals to "rebrand", suggesting the party needs to refresh and cut through. The idea has been widely panned by her party colleagues, but is there merit to it? Patricia Karvelas and David Lipson 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

Crocodile Dundee enters the chat 29.06.2026 30мин

It's a classic "poll Monday" with Jacob and PK! Polling from Newspoll and Redbridge has One Nation's support dipping slightly, with Labor taking back the mantle of most popular political party. It comes after Pauline Hanson's combative National Press Club address — so is Labor's strategy to fight the surging populist party bearing some fruit? Meanwhile, the Coalition's woes have continued, with the Opposition's primary support hitting a historic low of 17 per cent in Newspoll. It comes as disquiet bubbles up inside the partyroom — with Angus Taylor's leadership under pressure as he fails to cut through on One Nation. And Crocodile Dundee star Paul Hogan has entered the political chat. He's told the AFR Pauline Hanson was a "pelican" if she thinks Australia could or should be a monoculture. Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber break it all down on Politics Now. Read PK's piece here As Taylor struggles to handle Hanson, Hastie talks tough on One Nation Listen here to Antony Green on the tests ahead for One Nation Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

'She doesn't give a rats about you': Amanda Vanstone on Pauline Hanson | Insiders On Background 27.06.2026 16мин

While Pauline Hanson struggled to define what she meant by a 'monoculture', Angus Taylor hesitated to back in the long held liberal party policy of a multiculturalism. Former Multicultural Affairs and Immigration Minister, Amanda Vanstone says she is disappointed in the Opposition Leader.

Antony Green on the tests ahead for One Nation 26.06.2026 40мин

Once a fringe party, One Nation is now the most popular party in Australia, according to a series of polls… The historic polling highs have come with more scrutiny but also a further platforming of the minor party — and its leader — as Australia assesses whether One Nation could be a legitimate party of government.. Today on Politics Now, ABC Election Analyst Emeritus Antony Green on what the polling tells us and the tests ahead for One Nation. Listen here to Antony Green on the rise of One Nation Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

Taylor fumbles and Labor locks in 25.06.2026 39мин

It's been a massive week in politics both in and outside of parliament. Labor is set to pass its negative gearing and capital gains tax budget changes with the support of the Greens, granting only minor concessions in exchange. Meanwhile, the terms monoculture and multicultural have echoed through the chambers of parliament this week. Opposition leader Angus Taylor found himself in hot water after side-stepping a series of questions about his support for the ideas. But he's not the only politician having to do some clean up, with One Nation leader Pauline Hanson declaring the Socceroos are actually an example of mono-culturalism, to some raised eyebrows in the Senate. And the idea of a so-called teal party has become a reality, but while Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender have launched Community Strong, how will it actually work? Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly are joined by David Speers 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