As the Albanese Government prepares for next week's budget, a steady stream of announcements have been drip fed to the public. But pressure is mounting on the Treasurer to reduce inflation in the budget, after RBA Governor Michele Bullock refused to rule in, or out more rate hikes this year. And as ceasefire negotiations continue between Hamas and Israel, the Albanese government is facing domestic pressure as a vote on full UN membership for Palestine looms. John Lyons, ABC's Global...

Following an emergency National Cabinet meeting, the Government announced nearly $1 billion of additional funding to combat violence against women. The Prime Minister has declared  the issue a "national crisis" and says his government is acting with urgency. But does the funding injection go far enough, or are more wrap around services needed? If you need support, help is available from 1800 Respect (1800 737 732) or Lifeline on 13 11 14 Jacqueline Maley, Columnist and Senior Writer at the...

The legal feud between Elon Musk and the Australian Government is intensifying. The PM has labelled Mr Musk an "egotist", while Elon Musk has lashed out at what he says is the Australian government's "censorship". So just how expansive are the Australian government's powers here? And recent polling shows voters are feeling the cost of living crunch, so can the government offer relief in the upcoming budget without adding to inflation? Michelle Grattan, Chief Political Correspondent at The...

Political leaders face a tough test amid concerns about social cohesion following a difficult week for Australians, who’ve been left reeling over two stabbing attacks. Six people were killed in a knife attack at Bondi Junction shopping centre and just days later authorities declared a “terror incident’ following the stabbing of an Assyrian Orthodox Bishop during a live streamed church service in Western Sydney, which sparked a riot. And the judgement in the defamation trial Bruce Lehrmann...

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has suggested the Albanese Government is considering recognising Palestinian statehood, saying a two-state solution is "the only hope" for peace between Israelis and Palestinians.  Despite bi-partisan support for a two-state solution, the Opposition has slammed Minister Wong's statement. Shadow Deputy leader Sussan Ley has suggested the move was "emboldening terrorists." Karen Middleton, Political Editor at the Guardian joins Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas on...

The Albanese Government has failed to pass its rushed immigration detention bill. The Coalition formed an unusual alliance with Greens and the crossbench to delay a vote on the bill, claiming more scrutiny was needed. And the issue has raised broader questions about the government's transparency, with other with other key pieces of legislation like the Religious Discrimination bill shrouded in secrecy. Paul Karp, Chief Political Correspondent at Guardian Australia joins Fran Kelly and...

Former US President Donald Trump has reprimanded former PM Kevin Rudd in an interview, saying he heard he was "a little bit nasty" and warning if that if Ambassador Rudd is "at all hostile he won't be there for long". So, what could this mean for future US-Australian relations under a Trump Presidency? Meanwhile the PM has announced he won't proceed with a religious discrimination bill unless it has bipartisan support. And Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has visited Australia, holding...

The Government appears to be on the verge of a major shift in funding Australia's aged care system. It comes after taskforce set up to review funding models suggested moving more to a means tested user pays system.  And the Coalition is continuing its push for nuclear energy, with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton stating they will name “six” possible locations for nuclear reactors in the coming weeks. So what are the politics behind the Coalition's approach? Charles Croucher, Chief Political...

Australia hosted ASEAN leaders in a special summit in Melbourne this week as key differences over China were set aside.

In an explosive briefing, ASIO boss Mike Burgess revealed a former Australian politician "sold out their country" after being recruited by a foreign intelligence service. In the wake of the revelations, former Treasurer Joe Hockey has called for the person to be named. And the stakes are high at the Dunkley by-election this weekend. And while the Government managed to pass its contentious changes to stage 3 tax cuts through parliament, recent polls have given the Opposition a confidence...

A political storm has broken out, after a boat with 40 asylum seekers landed in a remote section of the WA Coast. Opposition leader Peter Dutton has criticised the Government for being weak on border security, while the Prime Minster accused the Opposition leader of acting like a "cheer squad for people smugglers." And there's been a push for random drug and alcohol testing in Parliament. It follows the behaviour of two National Party members, but is it realistic? And Australia's surface...

Footage of Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce lying on his back on a Canberra footpath, drunk and swearing into his phone has raised questions about the conduct of Parliamentarians, and his future in the party. And the Albanese Government tabled its Closing the Gap statement this week, with the Prime Minister condemning "inexcusable" findings on Indigenous disadvantage. So, how will the Government try to shift the dial? Narelda Jacobs,10 News First Midday and Afternoons Presenter joins Fran Kelly...

Parliament returned from summer break this week, and the Albanese Government has already managed to secure wins on some key policies. The Opposition conceded it wouldn't "stand in the way" of Labor's changes to stage 3 tax cuts. And after much negotiation, the Greens and Senate crossbencher David Pocock's agreed to support the Government's IR bill.  Cameron Stewart, Chief International Correspondent at The Australian joins Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas on The Party Room. More...

The Albanese Government has returned from the summer break with a bang, announcing changes to the contentious stage 3 tax cuts. And while the redesign means a larger tax cut for over 11 million Australians, will the benefits outweigh a broken promise for voters? And what else can we expect from the political year ahead? David Speers, ABC Political lead and host of Insiders joins Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas on The Party Room. David Speers, ABC Political lead and host of Insiders joins...

The Albanese Government has changed its position on a ceasefire in Gaza this week, signing the U.N. General Assembly resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire.The Opposition has criticised the move, suggesting the Government caved to "domestic pressure".  And the government has ended the year at a low-point, but 2023 was really a year in two halves. So, how will Labor try and rebuild momentum in 2024? Karen Middleton, Chief Political Correspondent for The Saturday Paper joins Fran Kelly...

Parliament is about to wrap for Christmas break, but not before the Albanese Government managed to pass its controversial Preventative Detention legislation. The passage of the bill comes after a messy couple-of-weeks for the Government, but will this be the reset they need? And the long-awaited NDIS Review has finally been released, so how will the Government look to futureproof the scheme? Charles Croucher, Chief Political Editor for Nine News joins Fran Kelly and Afternoon Briefing...

As the end of the parliamentary year draws closer, cost of living pressures and recent political missteps are plaguing the Albanese Government. And Opposition leader Peter Dutton hasn't missed the opportunity to pounce, telling his partyroom he has a 'one-term' election strategy. So, is this just the standard first term slump for the government, or something different? Anna Henderson, Chief Political Correspondent at SBS World News joins Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas on The Party Room.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has faced sustained pressure to disclose whether he confronted Chinese President Xi Jingping over a naval incident that saw Australian divers injured by a Chinese warship’s sonar. And the Government has attempted to seize back the domestic agenda and distract from the fallout, releasing a suite of new policies. But has it worked? Michelle Grattan, Chief Political Correspondent at The Conversation and Professorial fellow at the University of Canberra joined...

As the Israel-Gaza war escalates, tensions are also intensifying in Australia. Opposition leader Peter Dutton has been critical of the Government’s response, while the Prime Minister has accused the Opposition leader of “weaponsing anti-Semitism”. And the Government is pushing through emergency legislation to deal with the fallout of the High Court’s decision that indefinite immigration detention was unlawful, which has already led to the release of 83 former detainees. But will that be...

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's long awaited visit to China was largely overshadowed by domestic issues this week, with Optus experiencing a nationwide outage and the RBA lifting interest rates to a 12-year high.

As the Israel-Gaza war continues to escalate, there's been a subtle change in how the Australian Government is referring to the unfolding crisis.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with US President Joe Biden in Washington, with the two leaders reinforcing bilateral and security ties. But can Australia further strengthen ties with the US, while also rebuilding its economic relationship with China? And the state visit came amidst the backdrop of the escalating Israel-Gaza conflict. So how are global tensions playing out in politics here at home? Peter Hartcher, Political and International Editor at the Sydney Morning Herald and the...

Two Muslim federal Labor Ministers have spoken out against collective punishment of Palestinians while defending the right of Israel to retaliate against Hamas.

After the Indigenous Voice referendum was voted down by the Australian public, the fallout from the majority No vote continues to play out in Canberra and across the country.