Podcasts by The Party Room
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Morrison and Albanese face off in first election debate from 2022-04-21T14:00
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...
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Election campaign week one — Is Morrison winning the campaign so far? from 2022-04-14T14:00
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...
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Polls, preselections and the PM's character from 2022-04-07T14:00
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 ...
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Cheaper petrol, arts cuts, housing affordability and the PM slammed in the Senate from 2022-03-31T14:00
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 rent...
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Budget 2022 special from 2022-03-30T14:00
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.
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Preselection dramas and factional tensions on show in the shadow of an election from 2022-03-24T14:00
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 gues...
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What can the government do about petrol prices and the cost of living? from 2022-03-17T14:00
The federal budget is less than two weeks away. Can Australians expect a cash splash? ABC Business Editor Ian Verrender joins Fran and PK.
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Floods and subs from 2022-03-10T14:00
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 stat...
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Australia's response to the flood crisis and the world's response to war from 2022-03-03T14:00
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 Ukr...
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How war in Ukraine could affect the federal election from 2022-02-24T14:00
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 report...
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LIVE SPECIAL: Talking politics at Sydney's Mardi Gras Fair Day from 2022-02-20T14:00
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 G...
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Cranking it up to 11 on national security from 2022-02-17T14:00
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 Stegga...
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An atmosphere of consequences from 2022-02-10T14:00
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...
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Almost incomprehensibly bad politics from 2021-11-25T14:00
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 agai...
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Is Australian politics getting uglier? from 2021-11-18T14:00
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...
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Electric cars, election campaigning and the beauty of a backflip from 2021-11-11T14:00
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 ...
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A terribly messy week: Glasgow, leaked texts and French fury from 2021-11-04T14:00
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...
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What is Australia's commitment to net zero by 2050 really worth? from 2021-10-28T14:00
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 stru...
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The time has come for politicians to have the courage of their convictions from 2021-10-21T14:00
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 investigat...
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Putting on a show over climate policy from 2021-10-14T14:00
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 C...
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Going nuclear: Australia's new position in the Asia-Pacific from 2021-09-16T14:00
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 a...
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Politics or action: women's safety back in the spotlight from 2021-09-09T14:00
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 Morris...
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You can't have a National Plan when it's not a national story from 2021-09-02T14:00
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 de...
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Political conflict and theatre around COVID from 2021-08-26T14:00
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 t...
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Delay, prevaricate, misjudge until the absolute last moment from 2021-08-19T14:00
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 CO...
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The clock's ticking on Australia's climate change plan from 2021-08-12T14:00
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 t...
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A gold medal week for vaccine backflips from 2021-08-05T14:00
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 prom...
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Throwing money out the door from 2021-07-29T14:00
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 o...
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You had one job from 2021-07-22T14:00
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 i...
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Complacency is the word from 2021-07-15T14:00
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 cam...
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In the conundrum from 2021-07-08T14:00
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,...
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Blame at 50 paces from 2021-07-01T14:00
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 ...
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All hat, no cattle from 2021-06-24T14:00
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 vari...
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'Cruel and unusual': Biloela family's future remains uncertain from 2021-06-17T14:00
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 Austra...
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The system is broken from 2021-06-03T14:00
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. ...
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Victoria's lockdown and Brittany Higgins'challenge for Parliament House from 2021-05-27T14:00
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 ...
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From under the doona from 2021-05-20T14:00
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 t...
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I see red, I see red, I see red from 2021-05-13T13:45
As the federal government begins selling the budget, senior ministers walk back assumptions that every Australian who wants to be vaccinated will be by the end of the year. Shane Wright, Senior E...
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Budget 2021: Hot chocolate and would you like ideology with that? from 2021-05-12T12:40
It's been called the 'Hot Chocolate' budget after their hit single 'Every 1's a Winner'. In his second pandemic budget, Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg clears off the barnacles, neutralises some ...
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Backlash over"racist"India travel ban and preparing for the budget from 2021-05-06T14:00
Controversy over the federal government's temporary travel ban from India has left the Prime Minister feeling the heat from all sides this week, but what does it have to do with Johnny Depp's dogs?...
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Beating of drums and laying of hands from 2021-04-29T14:00
Home Affairs secretary Michael Pezzullo warns the 'drums of war' are beating louder, after Defence Minister Peter Dutton says Australia should not rule out the prospect of a conflict with China ove...
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Turning on a dime: Climate and the vaccine rollout from 2021-04-22T14:00
This week sees the government hastily pivoting on climate before the Biden Administration's climate summit. Plus, why a milkshake video drew the ire of the internet. Guardian Australia's chief po...
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Calling time on Watchgate from 2021-04-15T14:00
Former Australia Post CEO Christine Holgate breaks her silence over the Cartier watches controversy, but what does gender have to do with it? 7:30's chief political correspondent Laura Tingle is wi...
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Cabinet taskforce: Agenda-setting or window dressing? from 2021-04-01T13:00
The latest Cabinet reshuffle sees several women elevated to the highest ranks in government and the establishment of a women's taskforce. But will it leave women doing the heavy lifting? David Cro...
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Doing the Morrison shuffle from 2021-03-25T13:30
We go behind the Prime Minister's backflip on gender quotas and his attempt at a reset on Tuesday. Plus, what could a reshuffle mean for Attorney-General Christian Porter and Defence Minister Linda...
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Women March 4 Justice, but where are the blokes? from 2021-03-18T14:00
Thousands of people marched around the country this week to call for an end to sexism and sexual harassment. What will the rallies mean for Parliament House? Plus, what are the practical implicatio...
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Three ministers on sick leave as parliament set to resume from 2021-03-11T14:00
With the Defence Minister, Health Minister and Attorney General on sick leave, how will the government manage the next crucial sitting fortnight? And Australia watches as the Prime Minister grapple...
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Christian Porter stands his ground, denies historic rape allegations from 2021-03-04T14:00
Attorney-General Christian Porter has identified himself as the Cabinet Minister accused of raping a teenage girl in 1988. He strenuously denies the claim. Guardian Australia's Political Editor K...
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Who knew what when about an alleged rape; plus Craig Kelly resigns from the Libs from 2021-02-25T14:00
Pressure remains on the Morrison government over who knew what and when about former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins' rape allegations. Plus, JobSeeker's rate rise and what's behind Craig Kelly's ...
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Furore over the government's handling of rape allegations; plus Facebook's news ban from 2021-02-18T14:00
Rape allegations have highlighted the issue of the safety of women in Parliament House. And Facebook has banned Australian users from accessing news in their feeds in response to the federal govern...
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Pressure building over climate change action and IR reform from 2021-02-11T14:00
The Prime Minister's "preference" to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 has been complicated by Nationals backbenchers threatening to cross the floor. Will internal resistance spell the end ...
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Leadership, climate and Craig Kelly from 2021-02-04T14:00
The first sitting week of 2021 begins with Prime Minister Scott Morrison under pressure to do more on climate change. And what will division over climate change targets mean for Anthony Albanese's ...
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Nationals tears over climate fears from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
The year's first week of Parliament has not been as expected. With Tuesday set aside for tributes and condolence motions for those who have lost their liv...
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Pacifically speaking from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
The Government is promoting itself as the go-to partner in the Pacific, to try appease regional leaders unhappy with Australia. But it hasn't gone entirel...
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Elephants in the room from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
It's the Pacific Islands Forum in Tuvalu and climate change is the number one issue. Regional leaders have let Australia know they're not happy with our p...
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Where to stick your bills from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
It's the last week before politicians depart for a winter break. The Government wanted to concentrate on its so-called union-busting bill, but pressure ov...
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A week of wedge politics from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Politicians are back in the nation's capital this week, and the Government has had a win on its drought fund and is expecting a win on its national securit...
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Welcome to the merry-go-round of blame games from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
The economy doesn't seem to be doing too well at the moment and there are all sorts of ideas to get it growing faster - but is the Federal Government reluc...
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A deal for dealing with tax cuts from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
The Government will pass its full $158 billion tax cut package. It's secured enough crossbench support, with Centre Alliance and Jacqui Lambie on board. ...
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A rare show of unity from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
The bosses of the nation's three biggest media organisations came together this week to call for better press freedom protections. National Politics Edito...
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An almighty blue in the union movement from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Pressure is building on union leader John Setka to resign from his role at the CFMMEU. Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese has promised to boot Setka from...
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It was the day the AFP came knocking from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
The Australian Federal Police conducted two raids on the ABC and News Corp journalist Annika Smethurst this week, starting a huge debate about the public's...
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Factions and frontbenchers from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
The week began with a reshuffle for the incoming Morrison Government frontbench. There was plenty to talk about with Ken Wyatt becoming Australia's first ...
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An unprecedented year ends with a bang from 2020-12-10T14:00
The final sitting week of 2020 is ending with the unveiling of a long-awaited IR bill that’s already causing fireworks. On our last episode of The Party Room for 2020 Sydney Morning Herald column...
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The tweet that roared from 2020-12-03T15:53:52
An offensive, fabricated tweet sent by the Chinese Foreign Ministry has taken relations with our biggest trading partner to an all-time low. Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s demands for an apology ...
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More Australian borders come down from 2020-11-26T14:00
As Queensland relaxes its borders and South Australia returns to some normality, The Party Room talks about the politics of COVID-19. And The Guardian's political reporter Amy Remeikis joins Fran ...
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Australia's alleged war crimes from 2020-11-19T14:35:37
PK and David Speers talk about the landmark report outlining Australia's alleged war crimes in Afghanistan.
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Does Canberra have a culture problem? from 2020-11-12T16:36:43
A Four Corners investigation has raised concerns about the conduct of two senior Cabinet ministers and their dealings with female staffers. It’s also raised questions about the workplace culture i...
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What just happened in the United States? from 2020-11-05T16:39:44
What will the outcome of the US election mean for Australia? Prime Minister Scott Morrison says he’s confident in American democracy and that the historic turnout is “actually a demonstration of d...
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Lockdown ends, but not lockdown politics from 2020-10-29T17:00
Melburnians are rejoicing over the long awaited easing of COVID-19 restrictions.
And with the Reserve Bank now suggesting Australia may ha...
Dodgy deals and political vitriol from 2020-10-22T18:14:36
The gulf between Victoria and the Federal Government is widening as bickering over the pace and priorities of the state’s reopening gets personal.<...
Too good to lose? from 2020-10-15T15:34:37
The Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian are both under incredible pressure.
The COVID-19 pandemic has lift...
Are women and older workers the losers in Budget 2020? from 2020-10-08T16:30
The big sell is on, with the PM and his ministers hitting the airwaves to promote the government’s big-spending budget.
But while business...
Bonus Episode: The Budget has landed from 2020-10-07T15:25:03
Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has handed down a budget clearly aimed at getting us all spending.
The Government’s economic blueprint i...
What to expect from the biggest budget of our lifetime from 2020-09-24T14:00
The Federal Government is laying the groundwork for a budget aimed at rebooting an economy, badly bruised by the coronavirus shutdown.
An ...
Divisions deepen in National Cabinet from 2020-09-17T15:01:52
The Federal Government has pre-empted its meeting with the states by unilaterally raising the international arrivals cap, letting an additional 200...
How Victorians really feel about the lockdown from 2020-09-10T15:30
If you thought tensions between the Victorian and Federal Government couldn't get any bigger, think again.
It was a week where the Prime M...
A recession is here. How will the Government respond? from 2020-09-03T13:15
Australia is officially in recession and it's set to be the deepest one since the Great Depression.
While the government contends with a 7...
Could we be at the polls again within the next 12 months? from 2020-08-27T14:00
As Parliament returns it's been a historic week in Canberra, with MPs joining via video link for the first time.
In the halls of power, ou...
Wine joins barley in the beef with China from 2020-08-20T13:45
Barley was first. Then it was beef. Now, it's wine.
Lots of COVID. Lots more blame. from 2020-08-13T14:00
Relations between the Federal Government and Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews are getting worse by the day.
This week has seen a very publ...
Melbourne's shutdown and the huge economic cost from 2020-08-06T15:45
The Federal Government has released figures from Treasury indicating additional restrictions in Victoria will have a huge cost to the national GDP....
An unfolding disaster in aged care from 2020-07-30T14:00
With dire numbers coming out of Victoria and a devastating death toll mounting in aged care centres, governments are scrambling to contain COVID-19...
An eye-watering hit to the budget from 2020-07-23T15:15
As budgetary holes go, this is a big one.
Australia's budget deficit has hit almost $86 billion last financial year, with the Treasurer Jo...
Confusion and coronavirus. It's been a complex week from 2020-03-26T16:00:36
As coronavirus restrictions continue to leave thousands of Australians out of work, the Federal Government is racing to keep up with the virus and ...
Politics in the age of coronavirus has changed from 2020-03-19T15:00
Panic buying, event cancellations and looking down the barrel of recession.
With the coronavirus putting strain on the community, this hea...
A stimulus injection against coronavirus from 2020-03-12T16:30
How does the Morrison Government's $17.6 billion stimulus package affect you?
Is it the shot in the arm our economy needs to survive coro...
LIVE SPECIAL: Talking domestic violence and sports rorts at WOMAdelaide from 2020-03-09T16:00
A lot has happened since The Party Room was at WOMAdelaide last year.
Remember those predictions that Labor would win Government? As it tu...
Where the spotlight falls from 2020-03-05T16:50
While Australians have been busy buying up toilet paper, our leaders have been battling it out for control of the political message.
Antho...
Surplus to climate requirements from 2020-02-27T15:00
Is Coronavirus about to put an end to the Government promised Budget surplus?
Has Labor scored an own goal by announcing its climate polic...
BONUS EPISODE: Why was Whitlam really sacked? from 2020-02-25T04:00
How much do you really know about the sacking of Gough Whitlam on November 11, 1975?
You've probably heard his famous "well may we say" sp...
That's a really good question! from 2020-02-20T15:30
On The Party Room this week, Fran and PK wonder what the Government is up to on climate change.
A possible new climate policy has been rep...
Guerrilla warfare in the midst from 2020-02-13T14:00
Guerrilla warfare has broken out in the Nationals' party room.
On Monday, Llew O'Brien quit the LNP and defected to the Liberals.
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Wild weather, wilder politics from 2020-01-30T15:30
The country has not had a good start to 2020 and neither has the Federal Government.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison felt the community ange...
Secret deal or no secret deal? from 2019-12-04T16:30
Ending the parliamentary year on a high note, the Government successfully repealed medevac legislation.
Senator Jacqui Lambie controversi...
Copping it over #AngusGate from 2019-11-28T16:00
With the Parliamentary year fast running out, the Government wants to get its Medevac Bill and ensuring integrity legislation passed.
But ...
Government backdown over robodebt — was it legal? from 2019-11-21T16:00
The government overhauled its controversial robodebt scheme, was it because they didn't ask whether the process was legal?
And Attorney G...
Bushfires ignite a political row from 2019-11-14T18:40
It didn't take long for politicians to weigh in on the unprecedented bushfire situation taking place in NSW and Queensland this week.
Ther...
Did Bill Shorten cost Labor the election? from 2019-11-08T17:00
This week a warts and all post-election autopsy was released by the Labor Party into their shock election loss.
Fran and PK analyse the f...
Designing a voice from 2019-10-31T17:18:01
Academic Marcia Langton and former race discrimination commissioner Tom Calma will lead a consultation process to formulate design options for an I...
A sigh of drought relief from 2019-10-24T19:00
Grumbling and politicking dominated the Canberra bubble this week.
The Nationals pitched for more glory over drought relief, and Anthony ...
Behold, a climate emergency! from 2019-10-17T18:00
Parliament is sitting this week, and the agenda is all about drought, the climate and Australia's foreign relations.
An attempt by the Gre...
Pollie waffle and climate quarrel from 2019-10-10T18:30
The White House announced the withdrawal of troops from northern Syria on Sunday, prompting a range of responses from Australian leaders.
...
Bells, whistles and a whistleblower from 2019-09-26T18:15
The Prime Minister has spent the last week in the United States, meeting and greeting with President Donald Trump.
It's quite an interest...
Rolling out the red carpet from 2019-09-19T19:00
This week, parliamentarians and journalists alike attended a Midwinter Ball in Spring. And this time, speeches were on the record.
Also o...
It's the Jacqui Lambie, Gladys Liu show from 2019-09-12T18:30
One thing that’s gotten in the way of the government’s message this week is Senator Jacquie Lambie, she’s made it clear that she has concerns about...
Any way the wind grows from 2019-09-05T17:20
Australia's economy has slowed to a decade low, with the worst annual growth recorded since the global financial crisis.
One Tamil family ...
An Aldi bag of cash from 2019-08-29T17:50
Australian writer and political commentator Yang Hengjun was formally arrested this week on suspicion of committing crimes of espionage.
T...