From the politics of nuclear energy, to the impact of the Teals in Parliament, Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas tackle all of your burning questions on this The Party Room bonus podcast episode. More Information Want to feature on the next episode? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at [email protected] 

Julian Assange is now a free man after agreeing a plea deal in the US. The WikiLeaks founder is now back home in Australia, but shadow foreign affairs minister Simon Birmingham has criticised the PM for calling Mr Assange upon his arrival in Canberra. Meanwhile, Labor senator Fatima Payman faces a ban from one ALP caucus meeting after crossing the floor to support a Greens motion on Palestine. Paul Karp, chief political correspondent for Guardian Australia, joins Fran Kelly and Patricia...

Opposition leader Peter Dutton has set up a referendum on energy policy, unveiling the Coalition's long-awaited nuclear plan.  And while the Opposition has confirmed the location of the seven proposed sites - which will be tax-payer funded - major details like the pricetag still aren't clear. The Albanese Government has been quick to slam the proposal, with the Prime Minister labelling the policy an "economic catastrophe" and a "fantasy". But could the political risk pay off? David Speers,...

The political debate has been plunged back into conflict over climate, with Peter Dutton confirming that the Coalition won't set a target for emissions reduction by 2030 before the next election. The Opposition claims Labor can't meet the 43% emissions reduction target by 2030, which was set as part of the Paris Agreement. But Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has hit back labelling Peter Dutton "worse than Scott Morrison" and claiming the Government is indeed on track.  So, who does this...

In a moment of bi-partisanship, the Prime Minister and the Opposition leader have condemned the Greens for actions they claim have inflamed pro-Palestine protests. Greens leader Adam Bandt rejected the statements, and has threatened legal action against Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus over comments about the Greens' involvement in pro-Palestinian protests made in an ABC interview. Karen Middleton, Political Editor of the Guardian joins Patricia Karvelas and Annabel Crabb on The Party...

Another immigration headache has engulfed the Albanese Government, but the Immigration Minister Andrew Giles has confirmed he won't be stepping down. And while he's got the support of the Prime Minister to remain in the role, there have been murmurs of disquiet amongst some in the Labor party.  Samantha Maiden, Political Editor of news.com.au joins Patricia Karvelas and Annabel Crabb on The Party Room. More Information Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and...

Migration has dominated the political debate, following the Opposition leader's budget-in-reply speech last week. Peter Dutton promised to drastically slash migration numbers and improve housing supply - if elected. The Albanese Government and business groups were quick to criticise the idea, but what political risks does the populist policy pose for both parties? Anna Henderson, Chief Political Correspondent for SBS joins Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas on The Party Room. More...

The Albanese Government handed down its third budget this week, and its flagship policy - Future Made in Australia - is already facing opposition from the Coalition and The Greens.  And just weeks after the PM attended one of the nationwide women's marches, his government is facing criticism for not offering more of a funding boost to the domestic violence sector.  Shane Wright, National Economics Correspondent at the Sydney Morning Herald and the Age joins Fran Kelly and Patricia...

The Treasurer Jim Chalmers has handed down his third budget, promising cost of living relief while fighting inflation.  But has the Albanese Government got the balance right?  Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas provide some quick analysis in this The Party Room bonus episode. More Information Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at [email protected] 

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...