Politics Now

The typical Australian home now costs eight times the median household income and rents have soared to a record high.And while political battlelines are being drawn as we gear up for an election, what can actually be done from a policy perspective?Brendan Coates, Housing and Economic Security Program Directo r at Grattan Institute joins Patricia Karvelas and Tom Crowley 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

As the election year gets underway, questions are being raised about voters' satisfaction with the Albanese Government — and according to an ANU survey, there might be some alarming signs.Indeed dissatisfaction with the direction of the country is at the same level as it was just before the Morrison government lost the election. So, what will this actually mean as Australians cast their ballot?Professor Nicholas Biddle, Head of the School of Politics and International Relations at Australian National University joins Patricia Karvelas  on The Party Room.Got a burning question?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

It seems the election contest has tightened, with a minority government — of either stripe — now seeming increasingly likely.And recent Redbridge Group research has found the Coalition is now the favourite to win the largest share of seats in parliament — and clinch minority government. So, what trends are driving this?Kos Samaras, Director Strategy and Analytics at Redbridge Group and Tony Barry, Director Corporate Affairs and Communications at Redbridge Group join Patricia Karvelas 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

As the dust settles on the parliamentary year, election strategies and catchphrases are already being tested by all sides of politics.Anthony Albanese has promised voters that he's "got your back", while the Greens have put the government on notice for a formal power-sharing agreement if the election results in a minority Labor government.Clare Armstrong, National Political Editor for News Corp joins Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber 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

In a mammoth final sitting day for the year, the Albanese Government managed to rush 31 bills through the Senate — including key policy measures on housing, migration, and social media reform.But how is Australia's "world leading" social media ban for under 16s being received and can it actually be enforced?Patricia Karvelas and Mel Clarke break it down on The Party Room bonus episode.Listen back to the full episode of The Party Room with Sarah Ferguson and Paul Karp.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

As governments grapple with social cohesion, what impact is polarisation and partisanship having on on the community — and what qualities do voters actually want to see in political leaders?Mike Baird, Former Premier of NSW and CEO of the Susan McKinnon Foundation joins Patricia Karvelas 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

As the Albanese Government tries to ram its jam-packed agenda through parliament, speculation is mounting it could be the final sitting fortnight not just of the year — but before the election.It comes as Peter Dutton is squaring up for a fight on migration, refusing to support Labor's proposed international student caps, which he's labelled "a dogs breakfast". Anna Henderson, SBS Chief Political Correspondent joins Patricia Karvelas and Tom Crowley 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

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has congratulated Donald Trump on his victory in the US election.  But where did Kamala Harris' campaign go wrong - and what what will Trump's return to the White House mean for Australia?And under the shadow of the US election, the Prime Minister seemingly soft launched Labor's election campaign. Pledging to wipe 20 per cent off the student debt of 3 million. But will the policy win back young voters?Nick Bryant, former US correspondent for the BBC and author of The Forever War: America’s Unending Conflict With Itself joins Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas on The Party Room.More InformationGot a question on the US election? Or its implication for Australia? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au 

While there's a long way to go, early US election results show Republican Presidential Nominee Donald Trump appears to have the lead over Democrat Presidential candidate Kamala Harris in the Electoral College count.Trump has won the battleground swing state of North Carolina, while other swing states are leaning Republican. So, what emerging trends are we seeing - did the "bros" get off the couch and vote? And what role has the economy played in swaying votes?David Lipson, ABC Political Editor and former US correspondent joins Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas on The Party Room.More InformationGot a question on the US election? Or its implication for Australia? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au 

The US election race is still too close to call, but a shock new poll suggests Democrat candidate Kamala Harris will win Iowa - which was previously considered a safe Republican seat.And as women outpace men in early voting, the Democrats are hoping the voting gender gap could see Kamala Harris get over the line. But will the "bro vote" that Republican candidate Donald Trump has been cultivating come out in force on polling day?Nick Bryant, former US correspondent for the BBC and author of The Forever War: America’s Unending Conflict With Itself joins Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas on The Party Room.More InformationGot a question on the US election? Or its implication for Australia? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au