Politics Now

Housing is firmly back in focus, with Treasurer Jim Chalmers urging a long view as the downturn continues. Shadow Housing Minister Andrew Bragg has unveiled the Opposition's plan to slash Net Overseas Migration to just 180,000 people per year on average and dramatically reduce red tape. Meanwhile, the so-called 'melon-gate' saga continues to linger for the PM, with the Opposition referring an apparent leak of correspondence between Japan and Australia to the Australian Federal Police. But as David says, under the surface things are looking a little friendlier, with Anthony Albanese and Angus Taylor set to hold another round of talks on key legislation. And PK has a breaking yarn about a One Nation WA candidate who has described gay people as having a mental illness, with his profile swiftly scrubbed from the One Nation website. 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

A deal on Labor's gambling bill is getting closer, as Anthony Albanese and Angus Taylor hold talks to thrash out a deal. But it seems there are still internal divisions in both Labor and the Coalition to work through before negotiations can be finalised. Meanwhile, Japan has dismissed the PM's podcast melon gaffe as "sensationalised" in a formal letter, but domestic politicians have been less forgiving. So, does Anthony Albanese have to "suck it up" and apologise? And South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has announced a Royal Commission into AI. So, how will it work — and what are the federal implications? Also, it's Census Day — so whether you're a "filler-inner" like Raf, or an enthusiastic observer like PK, it's a very important day that has big political and policy implications for the future. 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

Parliament is back this week, with politicians descending on the nation's capital for a stacked sitting fortnight. After playing hardball, the Albanese Government is signalling some openness to negotiations on gambling reforms, particularly around inducements. But gambling ad reform isn't the only issue Labor is hoping to tie-up over the next two weeks, as they look to "clean off the barnacles." And Anthony Albanese's appearance on the Bush Deep podcast with comedian Nikki Osborne is continuing to haunt him, but this time for a different reason. Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber break it all down on Politics Now. Read PK's analysis here — Anthony Albanese is a dominant force in cabinet and that comes with risks Listen to our Question Time edition here — A spicy text and an AI stoush Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

Former Director General of the Australian Signals Directorate, Rachel Noble explains how the global AI race could reshape our national security.

It's Question Time! But before they get stuck into your brilliant questions, PK and Mel dig into some political developments. A scandalous text sent by the ACT Opposition leader has raised a whole host of questions, including whether or not politicians are allowed to find their jobs boring. And the brewing fight between the Albanese Government and its NT and QLD counterparts over AI data centres. Then it's time for your questions, including are Labor failing to sell their policies? Will Anthony Albanese shake-up his frontbench before the next election? And how do journalists maintain neutrality? Patricia Karvelas and Melissa Clarke are answer your clever queries on The Party Room: Question Time edition. Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

The Prime Minister and Opposition leader have been on leave this week, but their absence hasn't led to a quieter news cycle. A two-day parliamentary inquiry into gambling dominated the agenda, hardening political opposition to Labor's gambling bill and mounting pressure on Anthony Albanese to go further — so will he? Meanwhile, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke's last minute press club cancellation became a story in and of itself. The Minister was set to unveil sweeping immigration changes, which are reportedly hitting internal roadblocks. It comes as Pauline Hanson once again banned the ABC, The Guardian and the Age from a One Nation event. It's far from the first time, so how should the media respond — and is this just about dominating the attention economy once again? And in developing news, prominent Labor figure and maverick backbencher Ed Husic has announced he'll take leave, after a car accident. Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly are joined by Tom McIlroy, Political Editor at the Guardian on The Party Room.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has postponed a national press club address, a very unusual move, where he was expected to announce sweeping cuts to immigration. The decision not to address the press club this week came less than 48-hours before the speech, with a spokesperson confirming it was "clear that some elements of the speech would not be finalised". Meanwhile, Treasurer Jim Chalmers has moved to quell a brewing fight over the so-called "widow's tax", unveiling a proposal to close the loophole. And Victorian Premier Ben Carroll is facing his first test as leader. The state's anti-corruption watchdog found serious and concerning conduct by senior public officers, including ministers, MPs and public servants, during a bitter pay dispute with the state's firefighters union. 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

Betting giants Tabcorp and Sportsbet have faced a grilling at the parliamentary inquiry on gambling. The short inquiry has only run for two-days, but both Clare and PK agree it's been high impact. PK points to how it could frame the political agenda when parliament returns next week, while Clare says she doesn't see a path through the Senate without Labor's bill "being tougher and more restrictive" on gambling promotions and advertisements. Meanwhile, Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie has stared down a direct threat from One Nation. And as bird flu continues to spread, Clare has an important public service announcement: you can't stockpile eggs! Patricia Karvelas and Clare Armstrong 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

House prices are falling across the country, with the downturn no longer just confined to Sydney and Melbourne according to new Cotality data. Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek says there's never "been a better time to be a first home buyer in Australia", while Treasurer Jim Chalmers has pointed to Treasury modelling that house price growth would slow by about 2 per cent in the short term. It comes as a two-day inquiry into Labor's gambling advertising legislation gets underway, with growing calls for the Albanese Government to ban inducements. So, will Labor be forced to give ground here? Meanwhile, One Nation has unveiled upper house candidates for the upcoming Victorian election, with the ABC and others not given the details for the press conference. 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

If anyone can answer that, it's eminent journalist and political historian Paul Kelly. In his new book The Twilight of Exceptionalism, The Australian's editor-at-large traces the seismic shifts in Australian politics that sent the Liberal Party into a downward spiral. Paul Kelly sat down with David Speers for this week's Insiders: On Background.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is facing a new progressive threat, with 28-year-old Cheek Media Co founder Hannah Ferguson confirming she'll run as an independent in the PM's Grayndler seat. And Victorian politics that stole much of the spotlight this week, but will a leadership change be enough for Victorian Labor to reset ahead of the state election? And how is Federal Labor viewing the chaos? And the Albanese Government has confirmed the fuel excise cut will come to an end this weekend. It comes as inflation comes in cooler for the June quarter, but Treasurer Jim Chalmers has acknowledged there is more to do — so should we expect a bit of a bumpy road ahead? Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly are joined by Tom Crowley, ABC economics 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

Integrity in politics is back in the spotlight, with Anthony Albanese, Angus Taylor and Pauline Hanson all facing their own questions about transparency. And the inflation figures for the June quarter have landed, and its better news than what most economists were expecting. So, what will it mean for the RBA's August cash rate decision? 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

Victorians have a new premier, with Ben Carroll taking on the state's top job, after a chaotic caucus meeting. Jacinta Allan stepped down ahead of the caucus vote, saying she believed it was the best thing for the Labor party and the Victorian people. Ben Carroll has already moved to distinguish his leadership from his predecessor, announcing a royal commission into the construction sector. But there are transactional costs to swapping leaders, so will the move be enough to lift Victorian Labor out of the doldrums ahead of the November election? Patricia Karvelas and Raf Epstein 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

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan is facing a leadership spill, with Deputy Premier Ben Carroll confirming he will run for the Labor leadership. It comes after a delegation of Labor MPs met with the Premier to urge her to resign, but it doesn't seem Jacinta Allan is willing to step aside without a fight. Meanwhile, Anthony Albanese's control of Labor was on full display at the ALP national conference, Labor backbencher Ed Husic has warned the culture of debate isn't valued as it should be. Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber break it all down on Politics Now. Editor's Note: The Fitzgerald Inquiry was instigated by Queensland's police minister and deputy premier, Bill Gunn, in May 1987 — not then Queensland Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen as was incorrectly stated in the podcast. It was established by Order in Council while Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen was absent on a US trade mission. Initially expected to last about six weeks, the inquiry spent almost two years conducting a comprehensive investigation of long-term systemic political corruption and abuse of power in Queensland, changing the policing and political landscape in Queensland and across Australia. Read PK's analysis here — Labor's national conference triumph had an unseen trade-off Read Jacob's analysis here - Labor conference proves a masterclass in political trade-offs Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

The rise of One Nation this year has been crushing for the coalition, but it is also posing a threat to Labor. Outgoing National ALP President and former Treasurer, Wayne Swan sat down with David Speers at Labor's 50th conference.

Labor has adopted new language on gambling regulation and backed telehealth for voluntary assisted dying in its party platform. And while the party has been unwilling to air its dirty laundry publicly, negotiations and debates have still been underway behind the scenes. So, is this a further sign of Anthony Albanese power over the party and his ability to project stability? Meanwhile, The Trump administration has confirmed a 12.5 per cent tariff will be placed on Australian exports to the US immediately. The move has been blasted across the political spectrum, but has some of the domestic heat and pressure come out of the issue? Patricia Karvelas and Clare Armstrong break it all down on Politics Now. Read Clare's piece here — Regional funding a 'sleeper issue' that could end in rare fight on Labor conference floor Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

Day one of the National Labor conference has wrapped up, with Anthony Albanese's political authority on full display. The Prime Minister used his opening address to speak about the rise of One Nation and contrast grievance politics with pragmatic solutions. And while a broken escalator saw Anthony Albanese stumble slightly, there was no sign of that on the conference floor, with backroom factional deals largely sewn up to avoid "barneys". But there are warnings a "politically managed" conference could have risks, with rebel backbencher Ed Husic suggesting 'being allergic to dissent and dispute' won't work in Labor's long term interest. Patricia Karvelas and David Speers break it all down on Politics Now. Listen to The Party Room Question time here Read David's analysis on the Labor conference here Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

It's a bonus Question Time edition! And today, Fran and PK are diving into some of YOUR big questions about the behind the scenes machinations and optics of Australian politics. Including, are the seating arrangements in parliament strategic for the cameras? What do the Presidents of political parties actually do? Why don't political parties in Australia use political manifestos like they do in the UK? And are there tensions between pollies and public servants? And later, PK and David Speers will bring you their hot takes from on the ground at Labor's national conference. Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly answer your queries on The Party Room: Question Time edition. Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

The National Labor Conference is about to get underway, with a gas exports tax, gambling reform and artificial intelligence shaping up as key battlegrounds But while there will be disagreements and policy fights, there's criticism that the event will be highly stage managed. So, is Labor being in power actually putting a "handbrake" on robust debate? And Opposition leader Angus Taylor has unveiled a new booklet spruiking his economic plan, in a move directly out of the Tony Abbott playbook. So, can a glossy new pamphlet help him return the focus to the Coalition's policy? Patricia Karvelas and Melissa Clarke 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

Order and control have been hallmarks of Anthony Albanese's leadership, but they're also at the centre of his approach to cooking. Annabel Crabb joins PK to discuss what's shaped the Prime Minister's desire for order and if he's a bit of a "control freak" when he's in the kitchen — and maybe also the cabinet. Meanwhile, One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce has gone viral for yelling at his dog off screen in the middle of an interview on ABC's 730 and PK and Annabel have some thoughts. Patricia Karvelas and Annabel Crabb break it all down on Politics Now. Watch Kitchen Cabinet on ABC TV at 0830pm, or catch up anytime on ABC iview. Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au