Politics Now

Lots of discussion and debate about net zero commitments and obligations this week. But for this week's Insiders On Background, let's explore what the Australian economy looks like under a net-zero scenario.

Laura Tingle joins Fran and PK for one last party — and more importantly, one last strawberry daiquiri -- before she wraps up her 40-years in the press gallery.And the Coalition is officially back together, and leader Sussan Ley has announced the make-up of her shadow cabinet. But while plenty of fresh faces have been elevated, some key names have been overlooked. So, will Sussan Ley and David Littleproud be able to maintain party unity?And its reconciliation week, so will a second term Albanese Government use its strong majority to push forward on Treaty and Truth like former Labor Senator and father of reconciliation Pat Dodson has called for?Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly are joined by Laura Tingle, ABC's 7.30 Political Editor 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 [email protected]

After officially reuniting as the Coalition, Sussan Ley and David Littleproud unveiled the make-up of the Shadow frontbench — and there were some notable snubs and omissions.In the Liberals, Jane Hume was overlooked for a role, and Jacinta Nampijinpa Price was shifted to a role in the outer ministry. While in the Nationals, former Deputy leaders Barnaby Joyce and Michael McCormack, both find themselves on the backbench.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 [email protected]

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been on the ground in the flood-ravaged NSW Mid North Coast, and as PK and Tom Crowley discuss, that's exactly what the community expects of leaders.And the Prime Minister has also used more forceful language to condemn Israel's blockade of food and supplies to Gaza, but recently dumped Labor frontbencher Ed Husic is doubling down on his calls for the Government to back up its words with action.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 [email protected]

As the Liberals and Nationals look to get the Coalition band back together, the Liberal party remains deeply divided on the factors that led to their crushing election defeat. PK brings us inside the tent, for a sneak peek into her Four Corners report on where it all went wrong — and where to next for the Liberal brand.And while the Liberal and Nationals spat continues to play out in public, the Prime Minister has been focused on the flooding disaster plaguing the NSW mid-north coast — announcing ADF personnel will be deployed to assist with the clean-up efforts and a new support package.Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber break it all down on Politics Now.Read PK's piece here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-25/coalition-drama-littleproud-leadership-nationals-liberals/105309054Read Jacob's piece here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-26/liberal-party-insiders-election-campaign-divided-four-corners/105313660Got a burning question?Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at [email protected]

On Tuesday, the Coalition split. Then an internal war between the Liberals and Nationals broke out. By Thursday, olive branches were offered. The two parties aren’t re-united just yet, but talks are resuming. Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull tells David Speers National Party's approach of "holding a gun to the Liberal Party's head" is politically stupid.

After a public and messy break-up, the Liberal and National parties have agreed to delay announcing their respective frontbench picks "in good faith". So, will the separation be short-lived?And if the parties don't reconcile, how will both Sussan Ley and David Littleproud move next?Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly are joined by Anna Henderson, SBS Chief Political Correspondent on The Party Room.Editor's note: Fran incorrectly stated 2007 was the last time a Government had a majority in both houses - it was 2004 under John Howard.Got a burning question?Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at [email protected]

The Nationals have broken up with the Liberals, ending the Coalition agreement for the first time since 1987. But Nationals leader David Littleproud says he hopes they can get back together — before the next election that is.So, will Liberal leader Sussan Ley have him back? Or does the split also offer opportunities for the Liberal party to rebuild and shift back to the "sensible centre" — or even potentially consider new "rainbow" coalitions.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 [email protected]

This was supposed to be a Question Time episode, but while Fran and PK were answering brilliant questions from listeners — the Nationals announced they would be splitting from the Liberals. So they had to talk about that, of course.But before the shock announcement, they discuss why the AEC doesn't count all votes on election night, give analysis on the social media campaigns of both sides — and analyse the third party vote at this election.Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly break it all down 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 [email protected]

Following the Pope’s inauguration in Rome, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been busy networking with world leaders.Back in Australia, the Greens have a new leader, and the Liberal party’s internal battles over climate and energy policy continues. Will they keep pushing nuclear or ditch it? 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 [email protected] more:Sussan Ley's choice: an electable climate policy or sticking with the Nationalshttps://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-19/liberals-nationals-net-zero-climate-change-policy/105301242

After a bruising election defeat, the Coalition is putting all of its policies up for review - including net zero. One of the biggest supporters of net zero by 2050 is big business. Australian Industry Group's Innes Willox tells David Speers to "reopen the climate wars... is like reopening an old wound."

It’s rare to have three leadership votes in a week but that’s what we’ve seen as the fallout from the Federal Election continues. Sussan Ley has become the first ever female leader of the Liberal Party but she has a huge job ahead of her, unifying the party and trying to win back voters.Meanwhile the new Labor cabinet has been sworn in and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he is getting down to the business of government. With a few seats still in doubt, Labor has the biggest backbench ever and a more progressive Senate, so what can we expect on the policy agenda?

New Liberal leader Sussan Ley has promised to move a divided party room back to the 'sensible centre'. But with huge challenges ahead of her, some commentators are questioning whether Sussan Ley is facing the 'glass cliff'.And while Sussan Ley has rejected the assertion, David Speers notes that "at their lowest ebb" the party has elevated its first female leader.Patricia Karvelas and David Speers break it all down on Politics Now.

Sussan Ley has made history, as the first woman to lead the Liberal party in its 80-year history. Ley fended off Angus Taylor, in an "agonisingly close" leadership contest, but with the significant task of rebuilding the Liberal party and brand, has she been set up to fail? And Ted O'Brien comfortably claimed the role of Deputy leader, beating out Phil Thompson — but why did Jacinta Nampijinpa Price pull out of the contest?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 [email protected]

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has unveiled Labor's new frontbench, including some surprises and sideways moves.Among the key changes Michelle Rowland has moved to the role of Attorney General, while Health Minister Mark Butler has also picked up the NDIS — so, what's the strategy behind the shifts, and are the Ministers happy?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 [email protected]

The Liberals lost their leader, Peter Dutton, and face what some are calling an existential crisis. What direction will it now go in? Fiona Scott is federal vice president of the Liberal Party and a former member for Lindsay in Sydney's outer West, she joins Insiders: On Background.

In a shock move, Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has defected from the Nationals, to sit in the Liberal party room.Speculation is whirring she will run as Deputy Liberal leader, on a ticket with Angus Taylor — it comes as Sussan Ley confirms she'll throw her hat in the leadership ring, while Dan Tehan rules himself out.And even in victory, Labor is experiencing power struggles of its own — with two key frontbenchers, Mark Dreyfus and Ed Husic, spectacularly booted from Cabinet.Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber break it all down on Politics Now. Read Jacob's article here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-09/jacinta-nampijinpa-price-defection-liberals-slammed/105270512Got a burning question?Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at [email protected]

First Peter Dutton, and now Adam Bandt — Labor's redwave has swept away two party leaders. So, how do the Liberals and Greens move forward — and who is in line for the leadership?And Anthony Albanese faces tough choices as he looks to refresh his frontbench. But as the Albanese Government gets to work on its second term agenda, how ambitious can we expect them to be?Fran Kelly and Mel Clarke are joined by Clare Armstrong, National Political Editor for News Corp 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 [email protected]

The Prime Minister is facing his first test after being re-elected, with Labor party factions and states jostling for positions on a renewed frontbench.And the leadership of the Liberals, Nationals — and possibly even the Greens could be up for grabs. So, who are emerging as the key contendersPatricia 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 [email protected]

For the first time young voters bumped out the boomers, to take their place as the largest voting cohort in Saturday’s election. While the Coalition thought they’d covered their bases and reached young voters on platforms like TikTok, their message (or lack of one) might have cost them the election. Meanwhile, the Greens vote seems to have "plateaued" with leader Adam Bandt at risk of losing his set of Melbourne. Patricia Karvelas, Claudia Long 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 [email protected] polls underestimated Labor. How did they get it wrong?https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-06/how-did-most-polls-get-2025-federal-election-wrong/105256346

Calls from world leaders have been flooding in to congratulate Anthony Albanese on his win — including one from US President Donald Trump. He claims not to know who Albanese was up against.But the Liberal Party has bigger problems than the US President's lack of interest; after a crushing defeat, who will they choose as their leader? And what do they need to do to win back voters?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 [email protected] message to the Coalition is clear: This is not John Howard's Australia. But now Labor must deliverhttps://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-05/labor-must-deliver-on-promises-as-coaltion-accepts-failure/105249452

Voters have handed Anthony Albanese and Labor a ringing endorsement. But the Coalition has suffered what Fran Kelly has labelled a "shellacking" - with Peter Dutton even booted from his own seat of Dickson. So, with their numbers decimated, who will put their hand up for Liberal leader? And brought to the brink, could John Howard's "broad-church" be forced to split?Patricia Karvelas, Fran Kelly 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 [email protected]

Anthony Albanese has been returned as Prime Minister, in a Labor landslide. On top of a bruising defeat for his party, Opposition leader Peter Dutton has lost his seat of Dickson.The victory makes Anthony Albanese the first Prime Minister to win back-to-back elections in 20-years. So, where did it go wrong for the Coalition? Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber break it all down on Politics Now.Read more of Jacob's analysis here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-03/voters-reject-peter-dutton-vision-labor-victory/105247610Got a burning question?Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at [email protected]

As Australia goes to the polls, David Speers asks what have we learnt from this election campaign?

Over a quarter of Australians have already cast their ballots, but for the rest of you - while you're lining up for your democracy sausage, what are the key things you should know about what the candidates are offering you?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 [email protected]

As Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton lay out their final pitches to voters before election day – PK, Fran and David Crowe unpack who won the campaign itself, regardless of who clinches victory on election night.Are we putting too much faith in polling -- and what fiscal challenges lie ahead, no matter who forms Government?Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly are joined by David Crowe, Chief Political Correspondent at the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition leader Peter Dutton are jetting across the country in a last-minute campaign blitz to shore up voters — and while Labor has the momentum, PK warns it's "line-ball" in key marginal seats that could decide the election.But despite the last-minute jitters in the Labor camp, the Prime Minister has "sharpened up" his messages on the campaign trail — so what's behind the transformation?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 [email protected]

There are more soft and undecided voters than ever in this election. What are the major parties doing to win them over this late in the game? With four sleeps to go, what will be the key seats to watch — and which way will they swing? Patricia Karvelas and Casey Briggs 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 [email protected]

As we enter the final week of the election campaign both leaders are hoping to win over undecided voters. Will Peter Dutton’s opposition to some Welcome to Country ceremonies help him as people go to the polls? Or will the price of eggs be his Achilles' heel?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 [email protected] and Dutton in a character contest as election day nearshttps://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-28/election-dutton-albanese-weak-tough/105220996Albanese eyes history — unless Dutton pulls off a miraclehttps://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-27/election-albanese-dutton-make-history/105216284

Does Australia need to increase defence spending?

So many of you have questions about next week's federal election, and Fran and PK are here to answer them all. Will Victorian voters punish the Albanese government for the state government's performance, this election?Who becomes Prime Minister if Peter Dutton wins the federal election but loses his own seat?And what stops politicians from taking big, brave ideas to the election in 2025? Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly answer all of your questions 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 [email protected]

As Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton muscle up for the final week of the campaign, the two leaders have laid out distinctly different visions on leadership.And what has been the election story so far — and has there been more unbridled language than ever before this campaign?Sarah Ferguson, ABC 730 Host joins Fran Kelly and 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 [email protected]

With just 10-days until the election, Peter Dutton has unveiled the Coalition's defence policy — pledging to lift spending by $21 billion dollars over the next five years.But as the Opposition tries to muscle up against Labor — suggesting the Government have been weak on national security — have they left it too late?And the Coalition and One Nation have agreed to a preference deal. But what's behind the move?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 [email protected]