Politics Now

Taylor set to strike... but how?

11 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Pressure is mounting on Liberal leadership hopeful Angus Taylor to declare his hand and mount a challenge against Sussan Ley for the Liberal leadersh...

Big personalities, protests and polling

10 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Around 6000 people gathered at Town Hall to rally against the Israeli President's visit overnight, 27 people were arrested during clashes with office...

Coalition frenemies promise to unite

09 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Coalition members say they are united ahead of the Parliamentary sitting week...but are they? It’s only been three weeks since David Littleproud sa...

What is Thriving Kids? | Insiders On Background

06 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Insiders On Background is back for 2026! This week we are diving into the federal government's model for its Thriving Kids program. The program is ...

A week of parliamentary drama

05 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

It's been a week of high drama in parliament, from Shakespeare novels to soap opera references, but while the Liberal-Nationals chaos continued to ta...

Should we expect bold budget ideas?

04 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Albanese Government is selling off an estimated $3-billion-dollars’ worth of defence sites, so what does the "significant" overhaul of Australi...

Is a rate rise the government's fault?

03 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The RBA board has held its first monetary policy meeting for 2026 - and a cash rate lift is the result.After the Coalition split dominated the start ...

Has Albanese got his mojo back?

02 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Albanese Government should have been starting the week on the backfoot, but the infighting of the Liberal and Nationals' has kept the focus squar...

Is Labor tackling gendered violence?

30 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In 2022, the Albanese Government joined its state and territory counterparts to commit to ending violence against women and children in a generation....

Why timing is everything in politics

30 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

With parliament set to return next week, Andrew Hastie and Angus Taylor have met and while the discussions have been described as "constructive" they...

Spills, inflation and One Nation - oh my!

29 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

It’s a scorching start to the parliamentary year - and not just because of the weather.Sussan Ley is holding on, but pressure is building and Liber...

Is a rate hike now imminent?

28 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Nationals leader David Littleproud is set to face a leadership challenge on Monday, with Queensland MP Colin Boyce announcing a spill motion, stating...

Could 'freelancers' decide the Liberals' future?

27 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The political heat remains on Opposition leader Sussan Ley, and while the jostle to replace her as Liberal leader continues behind the scenes, modera...

Is Sussan Ley's leadership 'toast'?

26 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Liberal leadership tensions continue to grow, with Sussan Ley’s role as Opposition leader seen as untenable in the wake of the Coalition split....

Libs, Nats, One Nation and the fight for the right

23 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The dust has settled on the Nationals' explosive decision to quit the Coalition, but questions are continuing to swirl about Sussan Ley and David Lit...

The Coalition is 'done'. Are Ley and Littleproud too?

22 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In a stunning turn of events, the Nationals have officially split with Liberal party, blowing up the Coalition. Nationals leader David Littleproud ac...

The Coalition is 'done'. Are Ley and Littleproud too?

22 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In a stunning turn of events, the Nationals have officially split with Liberal party, blowing up the Coalition. Nationals leader David Littleproud ac...

Are the Nationals testing Sussan Ley?

21 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Albanese Government has passed its gun reforms and watered down hate laws after a late night sitting of the Senate.But three Nationals frontbench...

Are the Nationals testing Sussan Ley?

21 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Albanese Government has passed its gun reforms and watered down hate laws after a late night sitting of the Senate.But three Nationals frontbench...

Will hate speech laws split the Coalition?

20 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Albanese Government is set to pass its hate speech and gun reform bills through the parliament. It comes after Labor split the omnibus legislatio...

Parliament returns - but it's not 'politics as usual'

19 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

For the first time since the Bondi terror attack, MPs from across the country have returned to Canberra.The first morning saw sombre speeches from a ...

Labor accountability and negative gearing caution

16 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Why are there more women in the Senate than in the House of Representatives? Is it just convention stopping Senators from being major party leaders? ...

Will Ley rejecting hate speech laws backfire?

15 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

It's been a big week in Australian politics, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recalling parliament early to deal with hate speech and gun buyback...

Kerrynne Liddle doesn't believe in one-size-fits-all

14 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Kerrynne Liddle represents a lot of firsts.The Arrernte woman is the first indigenous Senator for South Australia, the first indigenous woman to win ...

Why Kevin Rudd resigned as US Ambassador

12 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In a surprise move,  Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced the US Ambassador Kevin Rudd will step down from the role at the end of March - a...

Is Albanese's year off to a bumpy start?

12 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Politics Now is back after a summer recess and PK and Jacob have lots of thoughts about what happened over the break!And as extreme weather continues...

Why the PM announced a royal commission

08 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called a Commonwealth royal commission into antisemitism and social cohesion.The announcement comes in the wake o...

Gambling ban, the glass cliff and Dutton’s ‘disappearance'

08 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

More than two years on from the Murphy review, where is the Albanese government on gambling reform — and is there growing disquiet in the backbench...

Larissa Waters is a shameless optimist

06 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Greens Leader Larissa Waters has described herself as someone who was elected to “get shit done”. But what does that actually mean?As the first G...

Why 2026 will be a 'pollster's picnic'

01 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Pollsters are already preparing for an interesting year ahead.One Nation's support has surged, while Coalition support has slumped. So, are politicia...

Josh Burns on how you create change

30 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Josh Burns is a bit of a rising star in the Australian Labor Party. The Member for Macnamara is an increasing presence in the party - often unafraid...

A political year in review

26 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's Politics Now - The Party Room - live! In this Canberra Theatre live show, recorded at the start of December, Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas w...

Tim Wilson on what makes a good society

23 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

He’s often described as a Liberal moderate - but that’s a label this MP is uncomfortable with.The member for Goldstein Tim Wilson spent a term in...

Why immigration is back on the agenda

19 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Australia is often celebrated for its multiculturalism, and lauded as an immigration success story.But in politics, debates over immigration are comp...

A 'not perfect' PM acts on Bondi

18 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Prime Minster Anthony Albanese has acknowledged he could have done more to combat antisemitism, and is "fully supporting and adopting" antisemitism e...

The hard questions about Bondi begin

17 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Three days after the horrific attack on Jewish people at Bondi Beach, political lines are being drawn.The Prime Minister Anthony Albanese this mornin...

John Howard's warning to Anthony Albanese

16 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The fallout from the Bondi Beach terrorist attack is continuing to ricochet across Australia and around the globe. Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier ...

Will the Bondi shooting lead to gun reform?

15 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In the wake of the Bondi Beach mass shooting, the Prime Minister has vowed to "dedicate every single resource required" to the response. Anthony Alba...

Are politician perks a 'pisstake'?

11 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Albanese Government's agenda has been overshadowed by scrutiny on political entitlements and expenses. And while Communications and Sport Ministe...

Is this the new Australian dream?

10 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Housing remains the key issue for governments of all stripes, and was the cornerstone of both major parties' election campaigns.But since the electio...

Why the housing crisis is such a 'wicked problem'

10 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Housing remains the key issue for governments of all stripes, and was the cornerstone of both major parties' election campaigns.But since the electio...

Will Anika Wells keep her job?

09 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

AUKUS is going "full steam ahead" — that's the message from the Trump administration. But is it all smooth sailing ahead for the security partnersh...

Barnaby makes One Nation flirtation official

08 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After months of speculation, former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce has officially joined One Nation. So, will the New England MP be able to furt...

Tackling racism 'not a priority' for Govt, says Race Discrimination Commissioner

05 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A year ago Australia’s Race Discrimination Commissioner delivered the National Anti-Racism Framework. 

Will Labor muscle-up on gambling reforms?

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Albanese Government is spruiking its social media ban and urging social media companies to comply as the deadline looms. And while Opposition lea...

Social media ban looms. Are we ready?

03 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Communications Minister Anika Wells has used a National Press club address to talk-up the impending social media ban, and put platforms on notice.But...

Is the 'jobs for mates' era over?

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The scathing and long-awaited 'jobs for mates' report has been handed down. It's found government appointments too often look like 'forms of patronag...

Albanese and the low-key 'royal wedding'

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has capped off the political year by tying the knot with his partner Jodie Haydon at the Lodge. Patricia Karvelas and...

What must the government prioritise in the new year? | Insiders On Background

28 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Labor is feeling pretty good about life heading into the summer.But not everything is going swimmingly. Inflation edged higher during the week, and ...

Barnaby to defect and enviro laws to pass

27 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A Labor-Greens deal on the EPBC has been announced, after lengthy negotiations. It comes after Environment Minister Murray Watt said he was open to a...

Is Labor the better economic manager?

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Australian election study has found Coalition has lost its perceived advantage on economic management, with Labor taking the crown. It comes as t...

High steaks for Pauline and Barnaby

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has made Barnaby Joyce dinner in her parliamentary office — using the humble sandwich press to grill some steaks.I...

Net zero gains for Sussan Ley

24 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As parliament springs back to life for the final sitting week of the year, the Albanese Government is looking to pass a key flank of its legislative ...

Why miners want a deal done on new environment laws | Insiders On Background

21 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

With the final parliamentary sitting of the year fast approaching, the Federal Government is eager to pass its environmental law reforms. There's t...

Did the PM get his ideal COP outcome?

20 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Breaking news on Australia’s COP bid — Adelaide won’t host COP31. Instead, a deal is being finalised with Türkiye that would see Climate Chan...

Labor’s COP out on science

19 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Are we on the cusp of a science brain drain in Australia?Major job cuts are coming to the CSIRO — adding to the hundreds of positions already lost ...

Another leader bites the dust

18 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is there anywhere safe in Australia right now to be a major party leader?It’s starting to feel like decapitation season. The latest head to roll? V...

Sussan Ley is 'fighting for her political life'

17 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The race for leadership - and perhaps the very soul of the Liberal Party - is on.Opposition Leader Sussan Ley spent last week negotiating with critic...

The long road to treaty | Insiders On Background

14 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It’s been a very long road – but Australia’s first treaty with Aboriginal people in Victoria has now been signed and formalised as law.

Sussan Ley killed net zero. Will it save her?

14 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Opposition leader Sussan Ley has been on a media blitz, defending her party's position of ditching net zero targets. So, how effective has her sales ...

Why the Libs ditched net zero

13 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Opposition leader Sussan Ley has announced the Liberal party will ditch net zero and repeal Labor's 2030 emissions reduction target - all in a bid fo...

Liberals face net zero D-Day

12 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After months of division and public front-running — and even some added excitement of diverted planes — it's D-Day for the Liberals to decide the...

Annabel Crabb on our 'unusual' democracy

11 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

With an impartial and beloved electoral body, preferential and compulsory voting — and of course election day sausage sizzles — Australia's democ...

Do leaders need political conviction?

10 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After months of division, the Liberal party room is finally set to meet and thrash out their future direction on net zero this week. But it's also sh...

The Whitlam dismissal | Insiders On Background

07 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's been 50 years since arguably the most dramatic moment in Australia’s political history – the dismissal of the Whitlam Government.It came a...

Does the Coalition respect Sussan Ley?

06 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's been another turbulent week for the Coalition, with the Nationals ditching net zero — and leaving the Liberal party divided on whether to do t...

Can Sussan Ley survive the summer?

05 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As the turmoil continues over net zero, Opposition leader Sussan Ley has defended her approach — and her hold on the leadership — in a series of ...

A rate 'bump in the road' for Labor

04 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In a widely expected decision, RBA Governor Michele Bullock has confirmed interest rates will be held at 3.6 per cent. So, is this just a "bump in th...

Are the Coalition about to split (again)?

03 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Nationals have officially ditched net zero by 2050, issuing a test for Sussan Ley and the Liberal party.  So, can the Coalition find a path thro...

Can Labor reform Australia's environment laws? | Insiders On Background

31 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How is it possible to both save the environment, while also speeding up decisions on mining, housing and energy projects? Environment Minister Murray...

Did Sussan Ley overreach on 'shirtgate'?

30 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Environment Minister Murray Watt has introduced environment reform laws into parliament — but it's still not clear if the Greens or the Coalition w...

Antony Green on the rise of One Nation

29 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Support for One Nation has surged in recent polls and now Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce is eyeing off a tilt to Pauline Hanson's party. But it's not the...

Is Labor ‘taking the piss’ on integrity?

28 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Albanese Government came to power promising to increase transparency and integrity in politics, but a new report card shows Labor is failing on s...

Is this Labor's biggest test yet?

27 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Albanese Government is muscling up for a fight on its key environmental reform bill, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EP...

What does Trump really think about China? | Insiders On Background

24 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Anthony Albanese’s meeting with Donald Trump this week was widely hailed as a triumph.There was an awkward exchange with Kevin Rudd but also commen...

How Albanese won Trump over

23 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Anthony Albanese has received high marks across the board for his White House meeting with Donald Trump. The US President even parroted many of Labor...

What Trump's China message means for Australia

22 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Anthony Albanese says Donald Trump's comments about US Ambassador Kevin Rudd were "just banter", while Liberal Senator Jane Hume says calls for the A...

Albanese heads home with a Trump card

21 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Donald Trump have finally met.The two world leaders inked a landmark deal on critical minerals, whil...

Is Barnaby the new Pauline Hanson?

20 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

PK is back in the podcast chair — and she has LOTS of thoughts to share with Jacob.Like, why Barnaby Joyce is flirting with One Nation, and if othe...

What will happen when Albanese meets Trump? | Insiders On Background

17 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The long-awaited sit-down meeting between Anthony Albanese and Donald Trump is about to take place. So – what should we expect? Will there be a bl...

Is 'fear' behind Labor's super-sized backdown?

16 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Treasurer capitulated on Labor's proposed super tax changes this week, but while Jim Chalmers fronted the media for the fallout, was the backdown...

Channelling Farage or chasing Teals?

15 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What do Nigel Farage and the Teals have in common? James Paterson thinks they’re both dead ends.In a keynote speech, the conservative senator warne...

Why support for One Nation is rising

14 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As Liberal infighting continues to play out publicly, support for One Nation has skyrocketed in a series of recent polls. So, what's behind the shift...

Did Albo hand Chalmers an 'excrement sandwich'?

13 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has announced a surprise backdown on the Albanese Government's controversial super tax plans.It comes after Labor failed to se...

Optus' communication breakdown | Insiders On Background

10 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Last month’s fatal Optus outage exposed vulnerabilities in the triple-zero network.As pressure mounts on the telco,  key questions remain unanswer...

Leaky Liberals and Optus email blunders

09 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Albanese Government's agenda was derailed by some spicy scenes in Senate Estimates this week, with revelations an email detailing the Optus outag...

Is this an episode of Utopia?

08 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

An email detailing the Optus outage was sent to the wrong government address, a spicy Senate estimates hearing has revealed. But while the inbox wasn...

Did Labor ignore triple zero 'red flags'?

07 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The CEOs of Australia's big telcos have met with Communications Minister Anika Wells after major triple zero outages last month.It comes as Labor int...

Peter Dutton enters the chat

06 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In a submission to the Liberal's election review, former Opposition leader Peter Dutton has accused Andrew Hastie of costing the Coalition the electi...

🚨What Hastie quitting means for Sussan Ley

04 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Senior Liberal Andrew Hastie has spectacularly quit the Coalition frontbench, saying he could not maintain cabinet solidarity due to disagreements ov...

Will Palestinians support Trump's peace plan? | Insiders on Background

03 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Standing shoulder to shoulder with the Israeli Prime Minister, U.S. President Donald Trump told the world that his peace plan will end the war in Gaz...

Is Australia more than a middle power?

02 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has just returned home from a whirlwind international trip, immediately turning his attention to domestic matters lik...

Is Labor putting out the housing fire or fanning the flames?

01 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Prime Minister is back on home soil - and back to hitting the pavement in the electorate.After a week on the world  stage, the government is eag...

Trump has a plan for peace. Will it work?

30 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Donald Trump once promised he’d bring peace to the Middle East the moment he returned to the White House.Now, he’s backing a new 20-point plan wi...

Albanese and Starmer stare down populism

29 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Anthony Albanese has wrapped up a quick UK visit, where he and British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer have reiterated the close partnership between ...

Alastair Campbell on Trump: "What the f is he talking about?" | Insiders On Background

26 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How do progressive leaders navigate turbulence of the Trump era? 

Albanese and the brave new world order

25 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Anthony Albanese has been flexing Australia's middle-power muscle at the 80th anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly this week.But while ...

Albanese and Trump lock in a date

24 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A date has officially been set for a meeting between Donald Trump and Anthony Albanese. The White House has confirmed the one-on-one will take place...

Has Sussan Ley gone 'rogue' on Palestine?

23 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has vowed to revoke Australia's recognition of Palestinian statehood, taking the unusual step of writing to US Republica...

Australia splits with US to recognise Palestine

22 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Australia has formally recognised Palestine as a sovereign state, with the prime minister suggesting the move was "the world saying that the cycle of...