PlatPhorm Podcasts
The ABC's politics podcast, Politics Now, dives into the biggest political stories in Australia and around the world, giving you a balanced look inside the strategies and decisions behind the headlines. Whenever major news breaks, we'll be in your feed with coverage you can trust. From Monday to Wednesday, Patricia Karvelas will chat to a rotating cast of the ABC's biggest political journalists about the latest news. On Thursdays, 'The Party Room' with Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly will discuss the week's developments in depth with another journalist, and answer your questions. On Saturdays, David Speers gets into the details of a major trend or issue with the help of an expert on 'Insiders On Background'.
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5/22/2026
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Politics Now
The decision to change capital gains tax rules for all investments, rather than just property, has sparked backlash from young investors, entrepreneurs and small business owners.
View original5/22/2026
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Politics Now
Was this a budget in desperate need of more graphs? Labor’s budget pitch is still making headlines - but it may not be happy about all of them. First, PK and Clare Armstrong unpack the breaking news overnight of another possible return of ISIS-linked Australian women and children from Syria, as well as the fallout over Australian activists detained by Israel while aboard a flotilla headed to Gaza. Then, it’s a bonus Question Time: Budget special! Is Labor going big on reform because it expects to negotiate later? How do pre-budget leaks and “speculation” actually make their way into the media? Where could any budget windfall end up? And could blocked legislation ever trigger a double dissolution? Plus - why do politicians still struggle to explain big economic decisions clearly, and is there still a path back for moderate Liberal voters? Patricia Karvelas and Clare Armstong 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
View original5/21/2026
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Politics Now
As the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Treasurer Jim Chalmers continue their big budget sell, they've faced fierce backlash from small business owners over changes to the CGT discount. While Labor billed this as a "housing reform budget", did they fail to lay the groundwork for broader taxation changes — and have they lost control of the narrative? And Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson has capitalised on the discontent, laying out vision that backs and rewards "self-starters". So, has he offered up an economic lifeline for Liberals? Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas are joined by Phil Coorey , AFR Political Editor 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
View original5/20/2026
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Politics Now
Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson has used a National Press Club Address to outline his vision for the Liberals. As PK tells David Speers the speech functioned as a "call to arms for what the Liberal Party's chief mission should be". And what we didn't hear from Tim Wilson was as interesting as what we did in this set-piece speech — with David pointing out that the Shadow Treasurer was squarely focused on "aspiration, small business, start-ups" avoiding immigration and culture war issues. So, is his "classic Liberal" vision something fellow Liberals can coalesce around? 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
View original5/19/2026
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Politics Now
The fight over Labor’s proposed capital gains tax changes isn’t brewing - it’s already here. Small business owners, founders and investors are piling pressure on the government, with backlash erupting across talkback radio and social media. Critics say the changes punish aspiration, investment and growth. As Labor tries to sell the reforms, business groups warn Australia risks becoming a less attractive place to build and scale companies. Meanwhile, viral memes portraying Anthony Albanese as an accidental “co-owner” of small businesses are spreading fast online. So will Labor hold the line, or soften the changes as pressure mounts? And later - why the government is delaying aged care price caps, and what new budget measures could mean for older Australians. 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
View original5/18/2026
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Politics Now
There's a big budget contest of ideas underway, as Labor and the Coalition try to sell their alternate visions for Australia to voters. Or as Jacob puts it to PK, "politics is back!" Treasurer Jim Chalmers has brushed off new polling, suggesting the Government wasn't expecting a post-Budget bounce and doing the right thing is worth "any near term political costs". And the Opposition leader Angus Taylor is also defending his policies, with some pushback coming from within his own party. Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber 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 Read PK's analysis here Read Jacob's analysis here
View original5/15/2026
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Politics Now
This week's federal budget included an overhaul of negative gearing and the capital gains tax rules in a bid to move thousands of homes from the hands of investors to first home buyers.
View original5/15/2026
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Politics Now
Opposition leader Angus Taylor used his first budget in reply speech to lay out some big bold policy ideas, saying he hopes Australians can "begin to believe again." Income tax would form the centrepiece, with bracket creep returned to workers, at a cost of over $22bn to the budget bottom line. PK and Clare agree this was a "big swing" from Angus Taylor — with PK suggesting it's because the Opposition are "drowning and desperate to get the light on them — it's an attention grabbing response." Clare adds the announcements from Opposition leader had an "inkling of desperation" about them, as Angus Taylor realises he doesn't have the time usually afforded an Opposition leader to build towards a centrepiece. So, while the tax cuts set the Opposition leader up for an interesting couple of years, giving him something substantial to defend and fight Labor on does it "tie his hands behind his back" on what he can do and announce in the next few years? Patricia Karvelas and Clare Armstrong break it all down on Politics Now. Read Clare's reporting here 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
View original5/14/2026
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Politics Now
As Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese continue their big budget sell, Opposition leader Angus Taylor is gearing up to deliver his budget reply -- and big political and ideological battlelines are being drawn. PK tells Fran and David Speers, as the two budgets and two different visions for Australia take shape, there's a sense of real contest and a "battle for who people can win over". David says the Albanese Government's Budget is the "most reforming budget" in decades, with previous governments have been resistant to creating "winners and losers". And in the immediate wash-up of budget night, he says Labor is feeling upbeat that they've "finally got something to fight for".So, will Labor reap the rewards of the political risk? Or will the Coalition's message cut through? Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas are joined by David Speers, ABC's political lead 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 REFERENCES: Read David's analysis here Catch up on PK's IV with the PM here Catch up on Fran's economic wrap of the budget here
View original5/12/2026
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Politics Now
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has unveiled his highly anticipated fifth budget, claiming it's the "most ambitious and important in decades". Housing tax reform was the centrepiece of the wartime budget, with changes to negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount announced. Labor says the reforms will allow 75,000 new people to afford their first home, but does the move go far enough to address intergenerational inequity? Will voters reward them for taking a risk - or punish them for "breaking a promise"? And as inflation continues to surge, how healthy is the budget bottom line? Patricia Karvelas and Carrington Clarke break it all down from the budget lock-up on this Politics Now x ABC Business Daily special episode. Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au
View original5/12/2026
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Politics Now
Labor is leaning into housing this budget, with big tax reforms to negative gearing and capital gains tax to form the centrepiece. It's all in a bid to address intergenerational inequity — but as Tom tells PK, grandfathering could "directly undermine" that and feed into accusations the Albanese Government is "pulling the ladder up" on a new generation. As PK says, the way Labor "frames" the reforms is key both to win over voters and ward of future scare campaigns. But while the Albanese Government wants the focus to be housing, Tom is convinced that come end of week we're going to be talking about another element of the budget "whether it's trusts, whether it's capital gains in the share market". And remember there will be another special episode of Politics Now x ABC Business Daily in your feed after the budget lock-up! Patricia Karvelas and Tom Crowley 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
View original5/11/2026
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Politics Now
There's been a seismic shift in the Australian political landscape, with One Nation claiming it's first ever lower-house seat. The minor party's landslide victory in the former Coalition heartland of Farrer came with a warning shot from leader Pauline Hanson — "One Nation is coming for your seat next." So, as the recriminations continue, PK and Jacob discuss if "operation Angus" has failed the Coalition and what base the party has left. PK points out the party have lost their city heartland and now their regional heartland, while Jacob adds that the suburbs in areas like Western Sydney is exactly where One Nation has vowed to target next. Meanwhile, across the pond UK Labour have been delivered a drubbing at local council elections, haemorrhaging seats to Nigel Farage's Reform party on the right and The Greens on the left. The diabolical result sends a warning sign for major parties of all stripes, including the Albanese government. 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
View original5/8/2026
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Politics Now
Farrer has been held by the Coalition for nearly 80 years but the seat looks almost certain to be won by One Nation's David Farley or Independent candidate Michelle Milthorpe.
View original5/8/2026
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Politics Now
It's been a budget focused week in politics, but the arrival of a cohort of so-called ISIS brides has stolen some of that pre-budget spotlight. And speaking of budgets, is Treasurer Jim Chalmer's fifth set to be more exciting than the others? Well, PK admits she's excited at the "opening of a can" but both her and Fran agree that with promise of this being a big reforming budget, it's more closely watched than usual. And when should politicians change their mind — and when is it just 'dishonest'? Why has the PM linked a gas profits tax to shoring up fuel supply overseas? And what's the Coalition's 'strategy' on One Nation? Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly answer your clever queries on this special Question Time edition of The Party Room.Catch-up on the LIVE SHOW on ABC Listen or on Apple here or on Spotify here . 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
View original5/7/2026
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Politics Now
It turns out Fran and PK may have invented podcasting? Well, maybe not quite .. but they have been getting behind the microphone to bring you The Party Room for a whopping 10 years! To celebrate a whole decade of the podcast, they were joined on stage by special guests Lenore Taylor and Casey Briggs to reflect on how Australian politics has shifted over the last 10 years , and where things are headed next. So, with the Farrer by-election looming, is the Coalition legitimising One Nation by preferencing them? And as voter demographics in Australia shift, with Millennials and Gen Z now the largest voting bloc, is the time right for the slow and steady Albanese Government to be brave on budget night? And PK lets us in on a little secret … because it turns out "everybody is going politics hot" — so what does that mean? Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas are joined by Lenore Taylor, Journalist and Author and Casey Briggs, ABC Chief Elections Analyst for The Party Room LIVE! Got a burning question? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au
View original5/5/2026
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Politics Now
Anthony Albanese has unveiled a $10 billion energy security package, including a permanent government-owned fuel reserve, in what the government is calling a major step towards energy sovereignty. The announcement lands just days out from the budget, and in the mix of RBA governor Michelle Bullock warning the government to be careful spending doesn't add to inflation, following yesterday's rate rise. And as a group of so-called “ISIS brides” and their children prepare to return to Australia, the political pressure is shifting again - from budget discipline to national security and the government’s capacity to hold the line on both. 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
View original5/5/2026
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Politics Now
The Albanese Government is locking in a trio of tax reforms, with capital gains tax, negative gearing and the taxation of trust funds all set to feature in the budget. PK and Raf Epstein are aligned on the need for the Government to deliver "big reform". PK says she's "troubled" by the way Labor is avoiding making the case for changes they believe in during the "bear-pit of an election" and using the changes to Stage 3 Tax Cuts as the "template" rather than an exception. Raf has other thoughts. So, is what we want from politicians actually "radical honesty", or can they keep some ambitions in the bottom drawer? 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 Listen to ABC Business Daily here
View original5/4/2026
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Politics Now
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have held bi-lateral talks, lauding the "quasi-alliance" and friendship between the two-nations. As Jacob tells PK, Anthony Albanese has been engaging in extensive "alliance-work" over the last few months, with the subtext of those bilateral talks becoming overt — "we are worried about the US and what Donald Trump is doing to alliances." Meanwhile, the reverberations are continuing after the death of Kumanjayi Little Baby, the Opposition has called for an inquiry, but as Sorry Business commences, the family calls for unity and for time to grieve. And with the budget just over a week away, speculation has reached "fever-pitch", so is the Treasurer preparing us for a tough budget? 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
View original5/1/2026
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Politics Now
With just 10 days to go, Treasurer Jim Chalmers is putting the final touches the budget. Dr Chalmers has made clear productivity is a priority for this term of parliament. So who better to ask about the upcoming budget than the Productivity Commission. David Speers sat down with Commission Chair Danielle Wood for this week's Insiders On Background.
View original4/30/2026
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Politics Now
It's been a busy but "bitsy" week in politics, and while Pauline Hanson's "sexy" plane and the announcement of a new US Ambassador to Australia briefly took the spotlight, the economy has been the key focus. Inflation has dramatically spiked, the Prime Minister has effectively ruled out a gas profits tax and housing reforms are starting to take shape. But as Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson continue their battle of the barbs, Shane Wright has a few Kate Bush inspired suggestions for the budget playlist. Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas are joined by Shane Wright, senior economics correspondent for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald on The Party Room. Read Shane's piece on the capital gains tax here 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
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