How is it possible to both save the environment, while also speeding up decisions on mining, housing and energy projects? Environment Minister Murray Watt thinks he's found the answer, and is confident he will pass new laws with support from either the Coalition or the Greens. Former Treasury secretary Ken Henry says reforming the laws would provide a big boost to productivity in Australia, and he sat down for a chat with host David Speers.

Environment Minister Murray Watt has introduced environment reform laws into parliament — but it's still not clear if the Greens or the Coalition will support the bill. So, beyond the politics — what's the policy itself? And where has Labor left themselves wriggle room? And Sussan Ley used parliament to call into question the prime minister's fashion choices this week, suggesting the Joy Division T-shirt Anthony Albanese wore had antisemetic connotations. So, was this "shirtgate" another example of overreach by the Opposition leader — and should she have been fully focused on inflation figures and cost of living instead? It comes as conversations on net zero and energy policy positions ramp up in both the Nationals and Liberal party rooms. But there are no signs either side is willing to budge. And are the changes to the BOM website becoming a political issue? Clare Armstrong, ABC Chief Digital Political Reporter joins Patricia Karvelas and Mel Clarke on The Party Room. TICKETS TO THE LIVE SHOW HERE: https://canberratheatrecentre.com.au/show/politics-now-live/ Got a burning question? Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Mel for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

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 first time the minor party has caused issues for the Coalition. Today, ABC election icon Antony Green joins PK for a special look at the history of One Nation. What can the party's enduring battles with the Coalition teach us about today? Patricia Karvelas and Antony Green break it all down on Politics Now. TICKETS TO THE LIVE SHOW HERE: https://canberratheatrecentre.com.au/show/politics-now-live/ 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

The Albanese Government came to power promising to increase transparency and integrity in politics, but a new report card shows Labor is failing on six out of seven fronts. So, will they do anything to "correct course", as the report calls for? And as debate on the Triple Zero custodian legislation continues, the Greens and Coalition are pushing for a Senate inquiry into the Optus network outage. Patricia Karvelas and David Speers break it all down on Politics Now. TICKETS TO THE LIVE SHOW HERE: https://canberratheatrecentre.com.au/show/politics-now-live/ Got a burning question? Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Mel for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

The Albanese Government is muscling up for a fight on its key environmental reform bill, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. Labor says it will work with the Greens or the Coalition to pass the legislation, but both sides have raised concerns. It comes after EPBC report lead author Graeme Samuel accused the Opposition of standing in the way of the reforms. So, is this shaping up to be the biggest parliamentary test the second term Albanese government has faced? Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber break it all down on Politics Now. TICKETS TO THE LIVE SHOW HERE: https://canberratheatrecentre.com.au/show/politics-now-live/  READ PK'S ARTICLE HERE: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-27/environment-laws-coalition-division-joyce/105935474  Got a burning question? Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Mel for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au  

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 comments from the US President dismissing the prospect of China invading Taiwan. And as the alliance with the U.S. is deepening, what does this mean for Australia’s defence spending and military planning? Justin Bassi is the Executive Director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute; he sat down for a chat with host David Speers.

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's own talking points, so does this meeting knock the wind out of the Opposition's attacks on AUKUS, defence spending and even tariffs? And Opposition leader Sussan Ley hasn't reiterated her call for Kevin Rudd to step down as US Ambassador, after Liberal Senator Jane Hume described them as "churlish", so were the remarks overreach? Meanwhile, maverick MP Barnaby Joyce is still yet to confirm if he'll resign from The Nationals and join One Nation — saying he doesn't want to be "salami sliced in or out". So, how will this all play out next week in parliament? Katina Curtis, Canberra Bureau Chief at The West Australian joins PK and Mel Clarke on The Party Room.

Anthony Albanese says Donald Trump's comments about US Ambassador Kevin Rudd were "just banter", while Liberal Senator Jane Hume says calls for the Ambassador to stand down — which came from the Opposition leader — were "churlish". But it was the US President's comments downplaying the likelihood of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan that raised broader strategic questions. So, what is Donald Trump signalling here and what does it mean for Australia? Patricia Karvelas and David Speers break it all down on Politics Now. TICKETS TO THE LIVE SHOW HERE: https://canberratheatrecentre.com.au/show/politics-now-live/ 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

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Donald Trump have finally met. The two world leaders inked a landmark deal on critical minerals, while Donald Trump gave reassurances on the AUKUS deal and heaped praise on Anthony Albanese for "doing a fantastic job". But while the meeting was a resounding success for the PM, it was US Ambassador and former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd who found himself in the hot seat. 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

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 other Nationals MPs opposed to net zero might do the same. And what Anthony Albanese needs to achieve in his meeting with Donald Trump for it to viewed as a success. Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber break it all down on Politics Now. TICKETS TO THE LIVE SHOW HERE: https://canberratheatrecentre.com.au/show/politics-now-live/ 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

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 blow-up over defence spending or AUKUS? What about a deal on critical minerals? What does the future hold for the US-Australia relationship under these two leaders?

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 actually driven by Anthony Albanese? It comes as Senior Liberal James Paterson has laid out his vision for the future of the party and cautioned against splitting. But the Coalition finds itself wedged between Pauline Hanson's One Nation and Nigel Farage's Reform on the right, and the Teals on the left - so can they find a middle path and stay together? And as Anthony Albanese gets ready to head to the US, what's on the agenda for his long-awaited meeting with Donald Trump? Got a burning question? Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Mel  for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au ABC News Daily super explainer episode here: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/abc-news-daily/why-chalmers-caved-on-his-super-tax-for-the-rich/105890916 

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 warned it would be a “disaster” if the Liberal party split along ideological lines. So, was it a rallying cry for party unity? Or a warning shot for those stepping out of line? Brett Worthington 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 Brett and Mel for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

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 — and how much of a threat are grievance politics to the major parties? And Opposition leader Sussan Ley has announced a Shadow Cabinet reshuffle, but Jane Hume remains on the backbench and in the political wilderness. Brett Worthington and Shalailah Medhora break it all down on Politics Now. Got a burning question? Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to Brett and Mel for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has announced a surprise backdown on the Albanese Government's controversial super tax plans. It comes after Labor failed to secure the support needed to pass the changes in their current form earlier in the year - but the announcement also comes as Anthony Albanese is on leave - so has the Prime Minister handed the Treasurer an "excrement sandwich" to deal with in his absence? And while the Treasurer says the move shows Labor is listening to feedback, what does this backdown mean for more ambitious tax changes? It comes as Israeli hostages held by Hamas, and Palestinian prisoners held in Israel are set to be released. What’s been the domestic response to the ceasefire, and hopeful peace deal? And just two-months out from the social media ban for under 16s commencing, Communications Minister Anika Wells is meeting with the social media giants to "lay down the law" - but there are still many questions about how the ban will work in practice. Register to attend the Digital Dilemma here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=mkDBl3hw50e7lNHlNQPgEto6v3O4AAJDpceXcOut_3NUNUZLREsyREswREVPRlE3WFBIVlAxMzU2Ny4u  Send the Digital Dilemma questions about the social media ban here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-23/your-say-social-media-ban/105751900 Brett Worthington 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 Brett and Mel for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

Last month’s fatal Optus outage exposed vulnerabilities in the triple-zero network. As pressure mounts on the telco,  key questions remain unanswered: how could this have happened? And what can be done to prevent future outages?   Luke Coleman from the Australian Telecommunications Alliance joined David Speers for this week's Insiders On Background.

The Albanese Government's agenda was derailed by some spicy scenes in Senate Estimates this week, with revelations an email detailing the Optus outage was sent to the wrong departmental address. In question time, the heat was on Communication Minister Anika Wells over the outage. The Opposition took the opportunity to lob a barrage of pointed question her way, but did they manage to strike a blow? And while the Coalition was eager to make the Government the story, Andrew Hastie's self-demotion to the backbench and a series of leaks that followed hung over the week like a bad smell. So, how long can the public infighting continue? Brett Worthington and Mel Clarke are joined by Charles Croucher, 9News Political Editor on The Party Room. Got a burning question? Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to Brett and Mel  for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au  

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't being monitored, it was still active, with Senators asking how it could have been missed. It's a lot like an episode of Utopia — and comes as the Opposition ramps up pressure on Communications Minister Anika Wells. And the Coalition is also questioning the Albanese Government over the return of of wives and children of Islamic State fighters on Friday, with the Government remaining tight-lipped on details. So, are the Opposition finding their feet in Senate estimates? Brett Worthington 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 Brett and Mel for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

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 introduces legislation to enshrine the powers of a triple zero watchdog — but have they moved "too slow"? What if "red flags" not acted upon lead to failures this bushfire season? And politicians on both sides have marked the two-years on from the October 7 attacks, but social cohesion at home still remains fractured. Brett Worthington 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 Brett and Mel for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au   The Digital Dilemma forum audience registration: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=mkDBl3hw50e7lNHlNQPgEto6v3O4AAJDpceXcOut_3NUNUZLREsyREswREVPRlE3WFBIVlAxMzU2Ny4u   Submit questions for The Digital Dilemma here : https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-23/your-say-social-media-ban/105751900

In a submission to the Liberal's election review, former Opposition leader Peter Dutton has accused Andrew Hastie of costing the Coalition the election, according to reporting in the Nine papers. It comes after Andrew Hastie quit the Coalition frontbench, citing key differences over immigration policy. But the West Australian Liberal MP has made it clear he won't be contesting Sussan Ley's leadership — for now. So, as parliament returns for another sitting week, is this disunity a gift for the Albanese government? Brett Worthington and Jacob Greber break it all down on Politics Now. Editor's note: Andrew Hastie was elected to the House of Representatives for Canning, Western Australia at a by-election in 2015, not during the 2013 election as suggested in the podcast. Read Brett's analysis here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-04/andrew-hastie-resignation-bad-timing-for-sussan-ley/105852022 Read Jacob's analysis here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-04/albanese-global-wins-derangement-sydrome/105830526   Got a burning question? Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to Brett and Mel for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au