The Party Room

While NSW is hit with yet another natural disaster, the Coalition accuses the PM of taking his eye off the ball – but is their criticism unfair? Outgoing RN Breakfast Political Editor Alison Carabine pulls no punches at Fran Kelly's party this week.

Australia's 2021 Census data shows we're a very different country from five years ago. To demystify the Census, Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly are joined by Shane Wright, senior economics correspondent for SMH and The Age. Plus, is the Albanese Government's stoush with Independents over staffer funding a smart move?

The energy crisis is still looming for the Albanese government, but now they'll work with state leaders on policy. Will the same sense of collaboration be fostered within Federal Parliament, even extended to members of the Opposition? And what can the government do about inflationary pressures, while avoiding a wage price spiral? Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly are joined by Karen Middleton,  Chief Political Correspondent at The Saturday Paper.

The energy crisis is still looming for the Albanese government, but now they'll work with state leaders on policy. Will the same sense of collaboration be fostered within Federal Parliament, even extended to members of the Opposition? And what can the government do about inflationary pressures, while avoiding a wage price spiral? Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly are joined by Karen Middleton,  Chief Political Correspondent at The Saturday Paper.

Labor claims the east coast energy troubles are the result of the former Coalition government's mismanagement, but will this wash with the electorate? Meanwhile, PM Albanese also has a win on the minimum wage, as big business groups raise inflation fears. Plus, the Party Room explores whether federal political terms should be longer than three years.   Patricia Karvelas and Raf Epstein are joined by David Crowe, Chief Political Correspondent for SMH and The Age.

As the Labor government "hits the ground running", they're faced with several economic and geopolitical challenges. In the Parliament, they're also forced to consider their attitude to the large Greens and independent contingent. Plus, PM Albanese announces his new Cabinet, with some surprises. ABC Radio Melbourne's Raf Epstein joins Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas.

The Coalition is regrouping after a drubbing at the 2022 federal election. 7.30 chief political correspondent Laura Tingle joins Fran Kelly to analyse the way forward for both major parties in the face of a record vote for The Greens and independent candidates. Plus, how will new PM Anthony Albanese govern differently to Scott Morrison?

Saturday's election has reshaped the political landscape - so why were there significant swings away from the major parties? And what will the approach of the Albanese Government be? In this special episode Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas unpack the results of the 2022 election.

In this special election eve episode, Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas are joined by SMH's Jacqueline Maley and news.com.au's Samantha Maiden at Sydney Writers Festival. It's been six-weeks of non-stop campaigning from Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese,so what verdict will Australians hand down when they cast their votes? And how much of a role will the Independents and minor parties play in the outcome?

With election day looming, Fran Kelly, Patricia Karvelas and Annabel Crabb assess the state of play, as polling tightens between the Coalition and Labor. Scott Morrison has conceded he's a bit of bulldozer, while Anthony Albanese's team have spread across the country in a last-ditch effort to win undecided votes. But will the debate over wages, or even the ‘Jenny factor' be enough to sway swinging voters?

In the final days of the federal election campaign, ABC chief elections analyst Antony Green tells Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas whether Labor can win without picking up any seats in Queensland, while Sabra Lane weighs in on whether Anthony Albanese's wages pledge is helping or hurting his campaign. PK and Fran have views to share on that too! Also on the party agenda, how long will we be waiting on election night?

In week four of this election campaign, there's been a bombshell interest rate hike, and it's getting more and more heated in the marginal seat battlegrounds. The polls say Labor is the favourite, but there's still a vital two weeks to go. Guardian Australia's Editor, Lenore Taylor, joins the party.

In this special live recording of The Party Room, Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas are joined by the Guardian's Amy Remeikis and the Saturday Paper's Karen Middleton to make sense of the election campaign so far. Will cost of living continue to dominate the campaigning? Are the scare campaigns working?  And will independents grab some prize seats in the next term of parliament?

Australia records the sharpest rise in cost of living pressures in more than two decades, while the Government launches a new "sneaky" carbon tax scare. Plus, is Labor's small-target strategy going to cost Anthony Albanese the election? Sean Kelly, former Labor advisor and columnist for the SMH and The Age joins Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas on the podcast.

Who won the first leaders' debate? Niki Savva, columnist for the SMH and The Age, joins Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly for an analysis of the early weeks of the federal election campaign. Plus, Fran and PK analyse the possibility of a hung parliament, election scare campaigns, China's new deal with the Solomon Islands and whether Katherine Deves will hurt the Liberal vote in socially progressive seats.

Can Labor turn around the momentum in the election campaign? Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas analyse the impact of Anthony Albanese's day one gaffe, as well as the PM's declaration that Alan Tudge will be back in Cabinet, his backflip on transgender issues, Labor's decision to ditch a JobSeeker increase and why George Christensen defected to One Nation. National Affairs Editor for the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age James Massola joins the party.

With Australia about to go into a federal election campaign, what will be the impact of the chorus of voices questioning Scott Morrison's character? And while Labor goes into the campaign ahead in the polls, how will Anthony Albanese fare in the full glare of an election campaign and what happens if he gets COVID? SMH and The Age columnist Jacqueline Maley joins Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas to set the scene for the election campaign.

Will cheaper petrol do the trick for Scott Morrison on polling day? Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly analyse federal budget week including arts funding cuts, whether the PM is doing enough for renters and that scathing character assessment of the PM by Liberal senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells. Australian Financial Review Political Editor Phillip Coorey drops in as the party gets going.

What's in the 2022 federal budget? Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly explain the government's big pre-election handouts and discuss whether they'll win over voters.

Why are the major parties still squabbling over the preselection of some candidates, with an election due to be called within weeks? The Party Room's Fran Kelly, Patricia Karvelas and their guest — 7.30 chief political correspondent Laura Tingle — also ponder spending pressures ahead of the budget, Labor tensions in the wake of the sudden death of Senator Kimberley Kitching and Coalition nerves over the ALP's big victory in the SA state election.

The federal budget is less than two weeks away. Can Australians expect a cash splash? ABC Business Editor Ian Verrender joins Fran and PK.

This week the PM called the flood disaster a national emergency, and there was new confusion over the federal government's nuclear submarines decision.  Fran and PK are joined by ABC News NSW state political reporter Ashleigh Raper and Guardian Australia political reporter Josh Butler for their analysis.

Queensland and NSW have been drenched with rain and floods and Russia's invasion of Ukraine has become even more brutal. Oh, and Scott Morrison has COVID-19. The ABC's David Lipson has been in Ukraine for the past few weeks, and joins PK and David Speers for his analysis of the conflict.

Could Australia be heading towards a khaki election? Plus, the government's response to the attempted takeover of AGL, and the PM's comments on the Sydney train dispute. ABC Foreign Affairs reporter Stephen Dziedzic joins PK and David Speers to give his analysis.

In this special episode, Patricia Karvelas is joined by Jeremy Fernandez from ABC News, Liberal MP Trent Zimmerman and Labor Senator Jenny McAllister to talk all things politics at Sydney's Mardi Gras Fair Day.

The government goes for broke on national security, throwing everything it can at Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese. Meanwhile, the issue of political integrity returns as donations to Zali Steggall come under the microscope, and the Liberals have a state by-election scare. SMH/The Age Chief Political Correspondent David Crowe joins PK and Fran this week.

As Parliament remains divided over the contentious Religious Discrimination Bill, Grace Tame and Brittany Higgins have called out the government's handling of social issues. Plus, how have a series of leaked texts affected the PM's standing? Guardian Australia's Political Editor Katharine Murphy joins Fran and PK.

There's serious division in the Coalition ranks over a push to end vaccine mandates and a controversial Religious Discrimination Bill. Plus, the issue of truthfulness has burned Scott Morrison again. Chief political correspondent for ABC's 7.30 Laura Tingle joins PK and Fran this week.

As the Morrison Government turns its back on key elements of the climate agreement it signed in Glasgow, a shift in the US-China relationship could create new challenges for Australia on the global stage. Plus, protests on the streets of Melbourne have turned unexpectedly vicious in response to a proposed pandemic bill. ABC international affairs analyst Stan Grant joins PK and Fran this week.

The Morrison Government has started to fill in some of the blanks in its plan to reach net zero emissions by 2050 by announcing an electric vehicle policy, but is it enough to neutralise the issue of climate? Plus, as election campaigning begins in earnest, trustworthiness is at the centre of the debate. National Affairs columnist for Australian Financial Review Jennifer Hewett joins PK and Fran this week.

Scott Morrison's trip to Glasgow for the COP26 climate summit has been overshadowed by a furious row with French President Emmanuel Macron, further escalating international tensions. Plus, has pork barrelling become normalised in Australian politics? ABC Insiders host David Speers joins PK and Fran this week.

The Coalition has finally committed to a net zero emissions by 2050 target, but Labor has condemned the lack of substance and detail in the announcement. Plus, while countries around the world struggle to vaccinate their populations, Australians over 18 will soon be able to receive a booster dose. Political and international editor of The SMH/The Age Peter Hartcher joins PK and Fran this week.

The Federal Coalition remains embroiled in net zero shenanigans, opening up Scott Morrison to criticism over his ability to wrangle the Nationals. Plus, an unprecedented move to block an investigation into Christian Porter's 'blind trust' renews the debate about integrity in politics. Guardian Australia Editor Lenore Taylor joins PK and Fran this week.

As pressure mounts on the Federal Government to deliver a net zero by 2050 target, the Nationals are not being quiet about their resistance to stronger climate action. Plus, will the government's COVID missteps be forgiven and forgotten by the time the federal election rolls around? SMH/The Age Chief Political Correspondent David Crowe joins PK and Fran this week.

A landmark new security alliance with the UK and the US could escalate Australia's role in the Asia-Pacific, but will this increase tensions with China? Plus, Christian Porter's in hot water over an anonymous donation and Labor tackles diversity in its ranks.

With women's safety back in the spotlight, there's growing pressure on the Federal Government to do more to protect women and girls. Plus, as the states stoush over vaccine allocation, Scott Morrison's secretive trip to Sydney to visit for Father's Day has drawn ire.

As state and federal leaders continue to clash over the National COVID Plan, the vaccine rollout in Indigenous communities has come under the microscope. Plus, how should the Morrison Government deal with the companies who received JobKeeper while reporting soaring profits? ABC international affairs analyst Stan Grant joins Fran and PK this week.

The Morrison Government is reclaiming the COVID narrative, but Labor's got a bone to pick about the national plan to reopen the country. Plus, in the wake of the crisis in Afghanistan, is it time to revisit Australia's tough border policy? SMH/The Age Columnist and Senior Writer Jacqueline Maley joins Fran and PK this week.

The fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban has created a new humanitarian crisis and Scott Morrison's response is drawing scathing criticism. Plus, could more have been done to prevent the spread of COVID into vulnerable communities?

Scott Morrison is feeling the heat over Australia's climate policy following the IPCC's latest report, which warns we're running out of time to prevent catastrophic global warming. Plus, what are the ramifications of NSW's controversial new COVID strategy?

We go behind the potential incentives for vaccine uptake and modelling that underpins Australia's pathway to living with COVID-19. Plus, the contention over the Morrison Government's temporary promotion of Christian Porter.

As NSW's prolonged lockdown sparks fears of a recession, the Federal Government has boosted its COVID support payment, which now looks a lot like JobKeeper. Plus, why has Labor done an about-face on some of their key economic policies? The Age and Sydney Morning Herald's senior economics correspondent Shane Wright joins Fran and PK.

The Morrison Government is feeling the heat, with three states in lockdown, low vaccination rates and sinking approval ratings. Plus, whatever happened to the Gaetjens report into an alleged rape in Parliament House? Guardian Australia's Political Editor Katharine Murphy joins Fran and PK.

The Federal Government is dealing with COVID-related fires on many fronts, as the Victorian Government accuses them of favouritism, Kevin Rudd involves himself in the rollout and a "graphic" ad campaign draws criticism. And when it comes to COVID-19, it's all about the messaging. The ABC's Political Editor Andrew Probyn joins Fran and PK.

Parliament's workplace culture is back in the spotlight after former Liberal MP Julia Banks reveals she experienced months of gaslighting, bullying and an unwanted sexual advance in Canberra. Plus, Australia's vaccination rollout — what does war have to do with it? 7:30's chief political correspondent Laura Tingle joins Fran and PK.

As COVID-19 variants take over Australia, the pace of our vaccination rollout and health advice in relation to the AstraZeneca dose have come under fire. Meanwhile, is another rorts inquiry on the cards for the Coalition government?  The Australian Financial Review's National Affairs columnist Jennifer Hewett joins Fran and PK.

The Nats have re-Joyced, but what does the resurrection of Barnaby Joyce as Deputy Prime Minister mean for the Coalition's policies on climate change and agriculture? Plus, the 'deviant' Delta variant that's taking over New South Wales.  Kath Sullivan, the ABC's National Rural reporter, joins Fran and PK to discuss.

The Biloela family has received some temporary reprieve as they are reunited in Perth, but questions remain about their future. And, what Prime Minister Morrison's trip to Cornwall means for Australia's climate ambitions. David Crowe, chief political correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, joins Fran and PK.

The Morrison government has announced temporary support payments for Australians living in lockdown, as Victoria's latest COVID outbreak raises tough questions about the management of the crisis. Patricia Karvelas and Insiders Host David Speers discuss this weeks' headlines with Guardian Australia's Political Editor Katharine Murphy.

Three months since allegations surfaced about Parliament House's working culture, questions still remain about what's being done to fix it. Plus, the latest on Victoria's COVID-19 outbreak and our vaccination rollout. The Australian Financial Review's Political Editor, Phil Coorey joins Fran and PK to uncover what's happening in the corridors of Parliament House.

A year on since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Prime Minister Scott Morrison's approach to re-opening international borders has taken a big shift. Plus, the government's new 600-million-dollar plan to 'cook with gas'. Peter Van Onselen, Political Editor for Network Ten and columnist for The Australian joins Fran and PK.