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Politics Now

Politics Now

ABC Australia 250 Episodes Oct 15, 2026

The ABC's politics podcast, Politics Now, dives into the biggest political stories in Australia and around the world, giving you a balanced look inside the strategies and decisions behind the headlines. From Monday to Wednesday, Patricia Karvelas chats with a rotating cast of the ABC's top political journalists. On Thursdays, 'The Party Room' with Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly discusses the week's developments in depth. On Saturdays, David Speers explores a major trend or issue with an expert on 'Insiders On Background'.

Episodes

A sitting week with spooks and ghosts
A sitting week with spooks and ghosts Oct 15, 2026 0:42:00 It’s been a strange sitting week in Canberra, with the Albanese government trying to push through a packed legislative agenda - only to find itself repeatedly dragged onto political ground it hadn’t planned for.Labor was slow out of the blocks in responding to the Trump administration’s proposed livestream of a US execution. Is the government becoming too reluctant to criticise t
Got a problem? Just text the PM
Got a problem? Just text the PM Oct 14, 2026 0:24:00 Are the Prime Minister and his treasurer working together, or are they being played off against one other?Midway through a sitting week, the government has managed to put itself back in the firing line with small business over the ATO’s on-again, off-again credit card ban.That’s led to some performative text messaging, as well as a nasty moment in parliament that’s now taken on a
'Spicy' late night letters about an AI world
'Spicy' late night letters about an AI world Oct 13, 2026 0:32:00 The political fight is moving more and more online.AI companies want to build, train and expand in Australia, but the welcome mat now comes with conditions - including from a bipartisan committee sending letters pushing for tougher rules and stronger protections for creators, and a warning from Labor that a handful of AI giants could become the economy’s new “toll collectors”.But
Is Josh Frydenberg back?
Is Josh Frydenberg back? Oct 12, 2026 0:29:00 Parliament is back for another sitting week and Jacob Greber is back on the podcast!But as Jacob tells PK, it's already looking like a "tricky" week for the Albanese government, with no clear passage for their legislative agenda.And PK thinks new Greens leader David Shoebridge will also be looking to make his mark. So, will he play "hardball" with Labor?Meanwhile, questions are s
Migration cuts: what's at stake for Australia's universities? 
Migration cuts: what's at stake for Australia's universities?  Oct 10, 2026 0:28:12 Professor Carolyn Evans is the Chair of Universities Australia and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne. 
The 'raw politics' of immigration
The 'raw politics' of immigration Oct 8, 2026 0:45:00 While the government faces criticism from all sides over its economic management after the latest RBA cash rate hike, the Coalition is pitching dramatic cuts to immigration as a way to ease voters' economic pain. But can either major party meet the expectations of a frustrated electorate?Plus, Anthony Albanese navigates the tricky optics of another international diplomacy event a
Labor doesn't want a fight on immigration
Labor doesn't want a fight on immigration Oct 7, 2026 0:25:00 Opposition leader Angus Taylor has undertaken a media blitz, as he tries to sell the Coalition's immigration policy.But he's already facing significant backlash from the business sector, who are warning of the implications for economic growth.Labor on the other hand have been giving the Coalition some "clear air" to sell the policy, which David Speers thinks is because the Govern
Angus Taylor tries to 'outbid' Pauline Hanson
Angus Taylor tries to 'outbid' Pauline Hanson Oct 6, 2026 0:31:00 Opposition leader Angus Taylor has unveiled the Coalition's immigration policy, promising the "biggest cut to immigration in the history of this country".PK tells Raf she sees this as the Coalition attempting to "outbid" One Nation on immigration — but she's not convinced the Opposition (or anyone else for that matter) can.Raf sees the pitch as a response to the "existential thre
Is the 'sensible centre' dead?
Is the 'sensible centre' dead? Oct 5, 2026 0:31:00 Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen are in Fiji for pre-COP talks.But back home the Opposition has labelled the high-level climate talks a "farce" and criticised Labor's investment during a cost of living crisis. So, could this critique backfire for the Coalition in the future?Meanwhile, Queensland's crackdown on the tobacco black market is sho
Should the Greens work with Labor or try to replace it? | Insiders On Background
Should the Greens work with Labor or try to replace it? | Insiders On Background Oct 3, 2026 0:28:06 Former Greens leader, Adam Bandt, now chief executive of the Australian Conservation Foundation, says working with the government is key to delivering reform. 
Albanese's selfie diplomacy
Albanese's selfie diplomacy Oct 2, 2026 It's Question Time! But first, Fran does a West Wing welfare check on PK (she's in the slump part of the series).And then it's over to your brilliant questions, including: Is it bad for brand for Anthony Albanese to snap selfies with Donald Trump?Are Community Strong a new threat on Labor's right? Why isn't the Coalition's policy return bracket creep cutting through — and what do
Inflation is up. Labor's mojo is down
Inflation is up. Labor's mojo is down Oct 1, 2026 0:37:00 The economy has been the key story of the political week, with an interest rate rise and some less than rosy inflation figures compounding Labor's economic woes.A war over words emerged over a discrepancy in the "emphasis" RBA Governor and Treasurer Jim Chalmers placed on the war in the Middle East.Labor struggled to land a message that connected with voters and they also lost so

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