

Politics Now
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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. Whenever major news breaks, we'll be in your feed with coverage you can trust.
From Monday to Wednesday, Patricia Karvelas will chat to a rotating cast of the ABC's biggest political journalists about the latest news.
On Thursdays, 'The Party Room' with Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly will discuss the week's developments in depth with another journalist, and answer your questions.
On Saturdays, David Speers gets into the details of a major trend or issue with the help of an expert on 'Insiders On Background'.
From Monday to Wednesday, Patricia Karvelas will chat to a rotating cast of the ABC's biggest political journalists about the latest news.
On Thursdays, 'The Party Room' with Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly will discuss the week's developments in depth with another journalist, and answer your questions.
On Saturdays, David Speers gets into the details of a major trend or issue with the help of an expert on 'Insiders On Background'.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 12, 2025 • 21min
Why Trump's tariffs push the friendship
The Prime Minister has come out swinging against the Trump administration's decision to slap tariffs on Australian steel and aluminium — labelling it "entirely unjustified."Meanwhile Peter Dutton has been painting the move as a failure of the Albanese Government. But are there risks to both approaches?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

Mar 11, 2025 • 20min
Why Trump and Turnbull are beefing over tariffs
Tension escalates as President Trump and former PM Turnbull clash over steel and aluminum tariffs. Turnbull labels the chaos of the Trump administration a 'gift to China', while Trump attacks Turnbull's leadership. The podcast dives into how this feud could affect Australia's chances of a tariff exemption. It also discusses implications for national security in the wake of a media leak about a potential terrorist threat, examining the political fallout and the need for more responsible rhetoric in these volatile times.

Mar 10, 2025 • 20min
Why 'double haters' will decide the election
As the fallout from ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred continues, a political storm is brewing for Peter Dutton. The Opposition leader is under fire for attending a fundraiser at a Sydney harbourside mansion, as his constituents were preparing for the storm to make landfall in Brisbane. It comes as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been attempting to painting himself as singularly focused on the crisis. So, will this become an election defining event - and why will "double haters" be so key to the final result?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

Mar 9, 2025 • 16min
Survey says: the truth about voter vibes in 2025
New ANU research shows a decline in trust of governments and institutions across Australia — with life satisfaction dropping to its lowest since COVID.In this podcast exclusive, PK speaks with the researcher behind the study about what can be done to correct this — and what it means for the Albanese Government ahead of the election.Patricia Karvelas is joined by Nicholas Biddle, Head of the School of Politics and International Relations at ANU 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

Mar 7, 2025 • 24min
When will the election be called? || Insiders on Background
Insiders host, David Speers in conversation with the ABC's Chief Elections Analyst Antony Green, ahead of the WA election on Saturday March 8th and the much anticipated federal poll which now looks set to be held in May.

Mar 7, 2025 • 16min
Why WA loves Labor, according to pollster
As Western Australians get ready to head to the polls this weekend, PK chats with with a pollster instrumental to WA Labor's campaign in this podcast exclusive.So, what are the key themes driving voters at this election — and what takeaways are there for Anthony Albanese ahead of the impending federal election?Patricia Karvelas is joined by David Talbot, pollster and strategist with Talbot-Mills 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

Mar 6, 2025 • 0sec
Albo's election plans blown off course || The Party Room
As communities on the east coast brace for the impact of Cyclone Alfred, speculation is rife that the storm will force the Prime Minister to delay calling the election. So, is a May election now likely — and is there a political opportunity amid the crisis?And as Donald Trump rewrites the global world order, where does Australia stand?John Lyons, ABC Global Affairs Editor joins Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly on The Party Room.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

Mar 5, 2025 • 18min
What Cyclone Alfred means for the election
As Queensland and NSW brace for the impact of Cyclone Alfred, the natural disaster could also wreak havoc on election timing.Opposition leader Peter Dutton says Anthony Albanese would have "tin in his ear" if he called the election this weekend — and the Prime Minister has cancelled plans to head to WA for their state election this weekend.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

Mar 4, 2025 • 17min
What does Australia do after the US pauses Ukraine aid?
US President Donald Trump has reportedly hit "pause" on U.S. assistance to Ukraine, while Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has flagged he would "give consideration" to any request for Australian troops to be sent to UkraineSo, what does the US administration's move mean for global world order?And Peter Dutton has flagged that public servants' working from home arrangements would be scrapped if he's elected. Labor is trying to paint the move as anti-women, but the Coalition argues it'll boost productivity.Patricia Karvelas and Claudia Long 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

Mar 3, 2025 • 16min
What the Trump-Zelenskyy meeting means for Australia
The podcast dives into the chaotic Trump-Zelenskyy meeting and its ripple effects on Australian politics. Prime Minister Albanese emphasizes the moral imperative of supporting Ukraine, while questioning the stability of Australia's alliance with the US. The discussion highlights Australia's need to rethink defense strategies amid rising geopolitical tensions, especially with China. Additionally, the timing of elections amid natural disasters unveils the complicated interplay of politics and public perception in times of crisis.