Insiders

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed a phased end to the fuel excise discount, amid confusion over an end to the war in the Middle East.

A shock Coalition resignation exposes deep cracks in the opposition, while Labor repositions itself to halt a surging One Nation.

The Albanese government is paying an economic and political toll for an ongoing and deeply unpopular war. 

It is up to the Greens to decide whether they will pass tax changes or join the Coalition in an unlikely alliance. The minor party is also among those expressing AUKUS concerns. 

Tax changes, interest rate hikes, wars and volatility have created the perfect housing market storm. So will prices tumble and what will happen to supply?

Within the government, there's quiet confidence the battery boom will continue to gather pace and help shield Australia from both global shocks and domestic demand surges, driving prices even lower.

It was a tough week for the government after entrepreneurs and business owners took to social media to vent their outrage over proposed capital gains tax changes.

In an already difficult post-budget week, Labor isn't being helped by some of its "friends". But it has won an important endorsement from one powerful voice.

Labor has gone after negative gearing, capital gains tax and trusts while the Coalition has promised to end bracket creep by indexing tax thresholds. 

After crushing the Coalition in its regional heartland, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson is on a high and dreaming big. 

It's clear that whatever this unpredictable US president says, the Albanese government isn't expecting a return to normal oil flows any time soon.

The death of Kumanjayi Little Baby prompts calls for urgent action to confront systemic failures in remote indigenous communities.Nationals Leader Matt Canavan joins David Speers, with Paul Sakkal, Anna Henderson and Daniel James on the couch. 

The government is spending some political capital. They've announced plans to rein in the NDIS and are inching closer to revealing changes to property tax breaks. But will the opposition get on board? Opposition Leader Angus Taylor joins David Speers, with Lenore Taylor, Tom Crowley and Katina Curtis on the couch. 

As far as tough budget decisions go, we haven't seen anything on this scale since Joe Hockey's ill-fated 2014 effort.

Peace has stalled in the Strait of Hormuz. 

Fuel prices and inflation aren't the only metrics climbing as the Strait of Hormuz remains shut. The Albanese government's level of frustration is rising just as fast.

The US and Iran hold make or break peace talks to end the war. But there's no end to the fuel crisis.

But the big question remains: Does Donald Trump have a strategy to end the Middle East war?

It was a double whammy for Australian households this week: an interest rate rise and climbing fuel prices amid the ongoing war in the Middle East. Energy Minister, Chris Bowen is our guest. Meanwhile in South Australia a Labor landslide has seen Peter Malinauskas returned as Premier. He joins us from Adelaide following his election victory.  Paul Sakkal, Greg Brown and Clare Armstrong join David Speers on the couch. 

Another three members of the Iranian women's football team have decided to return home, days after being granted humanitarian visas to stay in Australia.Meanwhile our guest, former Deputy Prime Minister and One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce says he regrets not doing more to secure Australia's fuel supply when he was in government. David Speers is joined by Matthew Knott, Jane Norman and Jason Koutsoukis. 

Donald Trump is now demanding Iran's unconditional surrender – and a say in who runs the country.

A fresh Middle East conflict is underway, as Donald Trump announces the death of Iran's Supreme Leader.

It's tempting to treat the evacuation of the prime minister from the Lodge this week as a bizarre outlier but that would miss the point.

The Federal Government hardens its stance on 'ISIS families' trying to leave Syria.

Angus Taylor takes over a Liberal Party in crisis – in what he calls a change or die moment.

The Coalition on track to reunite after a messy split.

Parliament returns this week – and while the government is bracing for an interest rate rise – both the Liberal and National Parties are riven by infighting.Shadow Treasurer Ted O'Brien joins David Speers. 

For much of the summer, it was the Prime Minister under intense pressure over his response to the Bondi tragedy.Anthony Albanese said the emergency sitting would be a chance to show political unity.Instead the rush to pass a crackdown on guns and hate groups blew up the Coalition.

Australian kids are bracing for a world-first experiment as they're booted off social media, while the parliament winds up after a huge year. 

The Prime Minister ends the parliamentary year with a win and a wedding.

The level of the prime minister's reform appetite has been discussed and debated since roughly 9pm on election night in May, when Labor's massive win became clear. 

We're heading into the final week of parliament of the year.The government wants to finish with a win – by passing its overhaul of environment laws.Sussan Ley wants to survive what's known as the killing season.

The Liberal Party has just taken a huge gamble.In a weakened political position – and under pressure from the Nationals – the net zero target is now gone.

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.

After 6 months of agonising – it's crunch time for the Liberal Party, with MPs to thrash out a position on the net-zero climate target this week.

If, as expected, the net zero target is abandoned, the long delay in reaching this point will leave the Liberals looking like they've capitulated once again to the Nationals.

The Nationals have walked away from the net zero target dialling up pressure on Liberal leader Sussan Ley.

It was a win in Washington for the Prime Minister, with one of the smoothest meetings any foreign leader has had with Donald Trump.

For all the celebration of Anthony Albanese's friendly visit to the White House and the happy news on AUKUS and critical minerals, there was something Donald Trump said that alarmed strategic analysts. And it had nothing to do with disliking Kevin Rudd.

With rare earths under one arm, and possibly another AUKUS down-payment under the other, the Prime Minister is preparing for his long-awaited Oval Office meeting with Donald Trump.

Trump may have expressed "shock", but his administration is clearly not surprised at China's willingness to flex its dominance on rare earths. 

After two years of war, there is hope of peace in the Middle East.