Politics Now

Matt Kean urging opposition to back govt's 2035 emissions target || Insiders: On Background

19 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Australia will soon submit a 2035 target to cut emissions by 62 to 70 per cent to the United Nations.

Labor unveils 2035 climate targets. What next?

18 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Albanese Government has unveiled its long awaited 2035 emissions reduction target, confirming it will sit in a range of 62 - 70 per cent. But in...

Did Trump just confirm a meeting with Albo?

17 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Donald Trump has rebuked questions from ABC America's Editor John Lyons, suggesting they were “hurting Australia" when speaking to reporters at the...

Will Ley survive the climate wars?

16 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As the Albanese Government prepares to release its 2035 emissions reduction target, the Coalition's deep divisions on climate change have re-emerged....

Will Labor's climate target be ambitious?

15 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As the Albanese Government prepares to unveil its 2035 emissions reduction target, a new climate assessment has painted a dire picture of the future....

What should Australia's 2035 climate target be?

12 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Albanese Government is preparing to set Australia's next climate goal: the 2035 emissions reduction target, as required under the Paris agreement...

Is Sussan Ley's leadership in trouble?

11 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Opposition leader Sussan Ley has demoted prominent Liberal Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price to the backbench, after a turbulent week of factional inf...

PM condemns Israel's Qatar strike

10 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has condemned Israel's strike in Qatar as a "violation" of the country's sovereignty, while US President Donald Trump...

Battle of the bribes in the Pacific

09 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Prime Minister has now added his voice to growing calls for Liberal Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price to apologise for her remarks about Indian mi...

Are the Liberals in a civil war?

08 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tensions are threatening to boil over in the Liberal party in the wake of Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price’s comments about Indian migration.The NT...

Bob Carr on China’s military might || Insiders: On Background

05 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dan Andrews had a front row seat to China flexing its military might this week.

Quiet Nauru deals, loud immigration protests

04 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The government has quietly signed a $408 million (and then some) deal with Nauru to house members of the so-called NZYQ cohort.The deal was only made...

Is the government taxing information?

03 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The government is under increasing pressure to explain changes to Freedom of information laws, which could make it harder for journalists and members...

Can Labor fix home support for older Australians?

02 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The government is facing increased criticism over the delays to the introduction of its new aged care reforms. It comes as Department of Health data ...

The government condemns anti-immigration rallies

01 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Anti-immigration rallies took place over the weekend with known neo-Nazis speaking at events in Melbourne and Sydney. The Albanese government issued ...

How should governments respond to the 'sovereign citizen' movement? || Insiders: On Background

29 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

For years, experts have warned of the dangers of the so-called sovereign citizen movement. 

Canberra, Iran and a curious photo op

28 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Parliament is back in full swing, and it's been a blockbuster sitting week in Canberra - with plenty on the agenda for both major parties, and even m...

Is the government doing enough on sovereign citizens?

27 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A developing story out of Victoria - a police double fatality and an active manhunt - has drawn federal attention to the rise of sovereign citizen id...

Iran 'orchestrated' attacks on Australian soil

26 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Iran has “crossed a line” and “put Australian lives in danger".Flanked by Foreign Minister Penny Wong, ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess and H...

A housing pitch and a net zero brawl

25 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Parliament is back - and the government has come out swinging on housing, fast-tracking its First Homebuyer Guarantee and pausing energy efficiency r...

Are working-age Australians being ripped off by the tax system? || Insiders: On Background

22 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Economic Reform Roundtable has concluded, and Treasurer Jim Chalmers has vowed to tackle “intergenerational equity” in the tax system.

Sizzle or fizzle? The verdict on the Roundtable

21 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It’s been a big week in Canberra, with unions, business leaders, and politicians of all stripes descending on Parliament House for the Economic Ref...

Netanyahu lashes out and Tony Burke fires back

20 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

“Strength is not measured by how many people you can blow up or how many children you can leave hungry.”That’s the sharp response from Home Aff...

Tension in a tit-for-tat visa cancellation

19 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Australia has cancelled the visa of a Netanyahu government MP.Israel has swiftly retaliated, revoking visas for Australia's representatives to the Pa...

Putting productivity on the Reform Roundtable

18 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Australia’s productivity chief, Danielle Wood, has delivered a pointed reminder that growth hasn’t been a policy priority for far too long.With t...

Let AI boost productivity and growth, business leaders urge against 'over-regulation' || Insiders: On Background

15 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Reform Roundtable is getting underway from Tuesday, meaning we're about to find out exactly what the government plans to do with its super-sized ...

Whose economic summit is it anyway?

14 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Productivity is the word of the week, dominating the lead-up to Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ Economic Reform Roundtable. Even the RBA’s rate cut - wh...

What the PM thinks about a four day work week

13 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Are you keen for a four-day work week to become the new normal?That’s the pitch from the Australian Council of Trade Unions, who want it firmly on ...

A win for Labor as the RBA cuts rates

12 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What a difference a month makes.Those with mortgages around the country got the change they were hoping for this afternoon, with the RBA board "unani...

Australia will recognise Palestine

11 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he is “delivering a lifeline to the people of Gaza". Australia will join allies the United Kingdom, Canad...

How do we keep big tech in line? || Insiders: On Background

08 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

They’re some of the biggest, best-resourced, and tech savvy companies in the world. But apparently Google and Apple can’t say how many complaints...

A reform roundtable looms as a bridge march reverberates

07 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A massive crowd braved Sydney’s pouring rain to cross the Harbour Bridge on Sunday. The message was clear, loud, and politically unmissable. By Mon...

Jim Chalmers' newest economic friend is AI

06 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has a message for working Australians: “treat AI as an enabler, not an enemy”.His comments come following a Productivity C...

We might be watching Albanese's 'big moment'

05 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Foreign Minister Penny Wong says the government understands the "urgency" behind the global push to recognise a Palestinian state, with there being "...

Younger voters put negative gearing back on the agenda

04 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Productivity is shaping up to be the word of the month for the federal government. With the big economic reform roundtable fast approaching, is it ti...

'Solutions are known, but rarely acted upon': Why are governments failing to Close the Gap? || Insiders: On Background

01 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Nearly two years on from the Voice referendum the latest Closing the Gap update has again revealed disappointing results.

'Not if, but when' we recognise Palestine

31 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's the second sitting week of the 48th parliament. While Labor's massive majority grows more comfortable in the chamber, it proved to be a difficul...

The UK draws a line on Palestine

30 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has drawn a line in the sand on Gaza. Unless Israel takes “substantive” steps to end the “appalling situati...

How do we react to another Trump tariff bombshell?

29 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The government has woken to another surprise Trump tariff. Most trading partners, including Australia, could see an almost doubling on the tariffs a...

Albanese sharpens criticism of the Israeli government

28 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens and images of starving children emerge,  Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has strongly criticised the Isra...

How do we fix the childcare sector? || Insiders: On Background

25 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It was one of the first bills introduced in the new parliament – a move to improve standards in childcare.

Why this speech made the PM tear up

24 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The 48th parliament is now officially underway, and while it's full of fresh faces — particularity on the Albanese Government's side — is it stil...

How did Sussan Ley perform in her first Question Time?

23 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sussan Ley has faced off with Anthony Albanese in her first Question Time as Opposition leader. And while she played it safe, attacking Labor on its ...

Pomp, ceremony and political division

22 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The 48th Parliament has officially begun, but amid the pomp and ceremony, the Albanese Government has signed a joint statement calling for an immedia...

The 'stark' gender split in parliament

21 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As parliamentarians descend on Canberra for the first sitting week of the 48th parliament, Anthony Albanese is warning Labor to avoid complacency. A...

What does the PM's trip to China mean for Taiwan? | Insiders On Background

18 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

There has been plenty of discussion about what Anthony Albanese got out of his six-day visit to China this week. But what did China get out of the tr...

Laura Tingle on the PM, Trump and Xi

17 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Prime Minister is wrapping up his six-day visit to China, following what he says was a "constructive" meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. ...

What the PM did and didn't say to President Xi Jinping

16 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have officially sat down together in China.It's the crown in the jewel of this week’s dipl...

Does Labor have a chance to be ambitious about housing?

15 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A spotlight is once again on the government’s ambitious signature housing targets, following unexpected revelations from an ABC Freedom of Informat...

Will the PM find a friend in China?

14 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

China has rolled out the red carpet for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.While our biggest trading partner is lobbing love bombs, our most powerful al...

Charm Offensive: China and US relations | Insiders On Background

11 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As the Prime Minister prepares for his first visit to China since his re-election, trade talks with Beijing – and with Washington -  are on his mi...

'Racism' in the NT police. Will the government push for change?

10 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On Monday Coroner Elisabeth Armitage delivered her long-awaited findings into the fatal shooting of Kumanjayi Walker. So, as Warlpiri Elders call for...

Will Trump's tariffs make medicine more expensive?

09 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Donald Trump's tariffs have re-entered the chat. The US President's latest announcement — primarily the potential for steep tariffs on pharmaceutic...

Why the RBA held rates

08 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Mortgage-borrowers across the country have been left shell-shocked by the RBA's decision to keep the cash rate steady at 3.85 per cent. Treasurer Jim...

Is Australia's multicultural project in trouble?

07 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Prime Minister has roundly condemned a series of "shocking" antisemitic incidents, which Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has labelled "an attack...

Linda Burney: Yoorrook Commission lays "very fine blueprint for the way forward"

04 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The first formal truth-telling commission, the Yoorrook Justice Commission, has found genocide was committed against Aboriginal people in Victoria. ...

Our childcare system is facing a 'reckoning'

03 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Education Minister Jason Clare has admitted that it's taken "too long" to standardise Working with Children Checks across Australia, with the topic o...

What Labor needs to do about child safety

02 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

State and Federal Governments are facing a "reckoning", after a childcare worker was charged with over 70 offences — and now another man has also b...

Can Albo fix our 'messy' gas market?

01 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Anthony Albanese has been doing the media rounds, spruiking his Government's cost of living measures as the new financial year begins — but can he ...

Why Albo is under pressure to meet Trump

30 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As the deadline for Donald Trump's so-called reciprocal tariffs looms, Anthony Albanese has reiterated his call that US tariffs on Australia should b...

Kylie Moore-Gilbert on the situation in the Middle East | Insiders On Background

27 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Melissa Clarke is joined by Middle East expert and former political prisoner in Iran’s notorious Evin jail Kylie Moore-Gilbert. 

Inside the psyche of 'daddy' Trump

26 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Donald Trump has declared victory in brokering a Israel-Iran ceasefire. And while it's on precarious ground, what's the "method behind the madness" i...

Sussan Ley's 'I'm not Dutton' speech

25 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As the Donald Trump brokered Israel-Iran ceasefire looks to be on shaky ground, NATO members have rolled out the red carpet for the US President's vi...

Has Trump stopped Iran developing a nuclear weapon?

24 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

US President Donald Trump has declared a 'ceasefire' in the Israel-Iran war has commenced, and while it was welcomed by the likes of Australian Prime...

Australia backs Trump in Israel-Iran war

23 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Anthony Albanese has thrown his support behind the Trump Administration's strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, suggesting Australia supports action...

 What's tax reform got to do with productivity? | Insiders on Background

20 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tax reform is back on the political agenda!

Why Australia is shifting its language on Israel-Iran

19 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As the situation between Israel and Iran continues to escalate, speculation is growing the US will get involved — and there's also been a notable c...

Why the PM chasing Trump could look 'desperate'

18 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In the wake of his cancelled meeting with Donald Trump, Anthony Albanese is vowing to meet with the US President "very soon" — leaving the door ope...

Did Trump 'snub' Albanese?

17 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Anthony Albanese's long-awaited meeting with Donald Trump has been called off, with the US President exiting the G7 Summit early to attend "important...

Will Albo get a Trump deal at any cost?

16 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Prime Minister has met with Canadian Prime Minister on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada — but all eyes are on his scheduled meeting wit...

What Israel's strike on Iran means for Australia

13 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Israel has confirmed it has launched strikes on "dozens" nuclear and military targets in Iran — reportedly killing the Head of Iran's Revolutionary...

Tariff triumph or trouble? | Insiders On Background

12 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Anthony Albanese wants the tariffs dropped, but he's not about to bow to the President Trump's demands. 

Is Trump using AUKUS as a 'Trojan horse'?

12 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Albanese Government is playing down the Trump Administration's review of the AUKUS agreement, with Deputy leader Richard Marles suggesting the mo...

Why Australia sanctioned Israeli Ministers

11 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

With Q+A wrapping up after an 18-year stint on our screens, PK and David Speers share their reflections and honour the crew behind the program.And Au...

Why AI means reform in Albo's second term

10 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Anthony Albanese has used his first National Press Club address since Labor's thumping election win to lay out his second term vision.And with a rene...

Will beef be on the menu when Albanese meets Trump?

09 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As most of the country marks the King's Birthday, former PM Scott Morrison has received our nation’s highest honour — but should these awards be ...

Is Australia drone-ready? | Insiders on Background

06 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What lessons can Australia learn from Ukraine's drone attack on far-flung Russian air bases?

Albo's Trump-sized headache

05 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Donald Trump has re-entered the domestic political frame this week, doubling the tariffs on steel and aluminium, while his defence secretary urges Au...

Can Albo get a tariff deal with Trump?

04 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As the UK carves out a partial exemption on the Trump administration's tariffs, Opposition leader Sussan Ley is urging the Albanese Government to neg...

Why Dorinda Cox left the Greens for Labor

03 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In a shock move, WA Senator Dorinda Cox has quit the Greens to join Labor, where she says her priorities are "more aligned". But what actually sparke...

PM stares down US defence spending demand

02 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Anthony Albanese says he won't be dictated to on defence spending, after the United States demanded Australia do more to support the US in the Indo-P...

Quantum Leap | Insiders On Background

30 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Lots of discussion and debate about net zero commitments and obligations this week. But for this week's Insiders On Background, let's explore what th...

Laura Tingle on when politics is at its best

29 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Laura Tingle joins Fran and PK for one last party — and more importantly, one last strawberry daiquiri -- before she wraps up her 40-years in the p...

Coalition's shadow cabinet shakeup

28 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After officially reuniting as the Coalition, Sussan Ley and David Littleproud unveiled the make-up of the Shadow frontbench — and there were some n...

What Albo learnt from Scomo's Hawaii moment

27 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been on the ground in the flood-ravaged NSW Mid North Coast, and as PK and Tom Crowley discuss, that's exactly wh...

How do the Liberals rebuild?

26 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As the Liberals and Nationals look to get the Coalition band back together, the Liberal party remains deeply divided on the factors that led to their...

The Nationals are 'holding a gun to the Liberal Party’s head', says Malcolm Turnbull | Insiders: On Background

22 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On Tuesday, the Coalition split. Then an internal war between the Liberals and Nationals broke out. By Thursday, olive branches were offered. The two...

Are the Coalition getting back together?

22 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After a public and messy break-up, the Liberal and National parties have agreed to delay announcing their respective frontbench picks "in good faith"...

Why the Coalition breakup is 'weird'

21 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Nationals have broken up with the Liberals, ending the Coalition agreement for the first time since 1987. But Nationals leader David Littleproud ...

Why the Nats broke up with the Libs

20 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This was supposed to be a Question Time episode, but while Fran and PK were answering brilliant questions from listeners — the Nationals announced ...

The PM heads to Rome

19 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Following the Pope’s inauguration in Rome, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been busy networking with world leaders.Back in Australia, the Green...

Another round of climate wars? "Oh God no!" | Insiders On Background

16 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After a bruising election defeat, the Coalition is putting all of its policies up for review - including net zero. One of the biggest supporters of n...

Three leadership contests in one week

15 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It’s rare to have three leadership votes in a week but that’s what we’ve seen as the fallout from the Federal Election continues. Sussan Ley ha...

Is Sussan Ley facing a glass cliff?

14 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

New Liberal leader Sussan Ley has promised to move a divided party room back to the 'sensible centre'. But with huge challenges ahead of her, some co...

What Sussan Ley's leadership means for the Liberals

13 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sussan Ley has made history, as the first woman to lead the Liberal party in its 80-year history. Ley fended off Angus Taylor, in an "agonisingly cl...

Surprises and snubs in Labor reshuffle

12 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has unveiled Labor's new frontbench, including some surprises and sideways moves.Among the key changes Michelle Rowla...

On Background || Liberal Party: What's next?

09 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Liberals lost their leader, Peter Dutton, and face what some are calling an existential crisis. What direction will it now go in? Fiona Scott is ...

Why the Liberals could shift to MAGA

09 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In a shock move, Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has defected from the Nationals, to sit in the Liberal party room.Speculation is whirring she will ...

Why Bandt and Dutton's losses share 'parallels'

08 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

First Peter Dutton, and now Adam Bandt — Labor's redwave has swept away two party leaders. So, how do the Liberals and Greens move forward — and ...

Factional fights left, right and centre

07 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Prime Minister is facing his first test after being re-elected, with Labor party factions and states jostling for positions on a renewed frontben...