A week of parliamentary drama

A week of parliamentary drama

Author: ABC Australia February 5, 2026 Duration: 34:00
Politics Now
News
It's been a week of high drama in parliament, from Shakespeare novels to soap opera references, but while the Liberal-Nationals chaos continued to take centre stage the RBA interest rate hike put the spotlight back on the Albanese Government.  It comes as the May budget draws nearer and it seems the Treasurer Jim Chalmers is unwilling to rule out changes to the capital gains tax. So, could big bold reform be on the agenda?  Meanwhile, the deadline Sussan Ley imposed the Liberal and Nationals to negotiate a path back to Coalition is looming, so are either side willing to make concessions? Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly break it all down with David Speers, ABC Political lead and host of Insiders on The Party Room Got a burning political query?  Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

Keeping up with the political landscape requires more than just reading headlines; it demands understanding the motivations and maneuvers that shape them. That’s the space occupied by Politics Now, the ABC News production hosted by Patricia Karvelas. This podcast goes beyond the initial news alerts to unpack the significant stories from Australia and across the globe, offering a balanced perspective on the strategies driving the day’s events. Each week from Monday to Wednesday, Karvelas is joined by a rotating panel of the ABC’s own seasoned political journalists, dissecting the latest developments with insight and context. The conversation continues on Thursdays with 'The Party Room,' providing further depth. The aim is to deliver reliable, timely analysis whenever major news breaks, placing trusted coverage directly in your feed. For anyone looking to comprehend the real forces behind the news cycle, this podcast serves as an essential, clarifying resource.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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Has Albanese got his mojo back? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:00
The Albanese Government should have been starting the week on the backfoot, but the infighting of the Liberal and Nationals' has kept the focus squarely on them. And amid the Opposition chaos, the Prime Minister appears…
Is Labor tackling gendered violence? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:00
In 2022, the Albanese Government joined its state and territory counterparts to commit to ending violence against women and children in a generation. But while Labor says they've made ending violence a key priority, with…
Why timing is everything in politics [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:00
With parliament set to return next week, Andrew Hastie and Angus Taylor have met and while the discussions have been described as "constructive" they've failed to agree on who should run for the leadership. So, where to…
Spills, inflation and One Nation - oh my! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:00
It’s a scorching start to the parliamentary year - and not just because of the weather. Sussan Ley is holding on, but pressure is building and Liberal party leadership questions remain unresolved following the Coalition'…
Is a rate hike now imminent? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
Nationals’ leader David Littleproud is set to face a leadership challenge on Monday, with Queensland MP Colin Boyce announcing a spill motion, stating the National party is committing "political suicide" by splitting fro…
Could 'freelancers' decide the Liberals' future? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:00
The political heat remains on Opposition leader Sussan Ley, and while the jostle to replace her as Liberal leader continues behind the scenes, moderates are talking down the prospect. But could the 'soft middle' and 'fre…
Is Sussan Ley's leadership 'toast'? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:00
The Liberal leadership tensions continue to grow, with Sussan Ley’s role as Opposition leader seen as untenable in the wake of the Coalition split. But while conservatives Andrew Hastie and Angus Taylor are shaping up as…
Libs, Nats, One Nation and the fight for the right [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:00
The dust has settled on the Nationals' explosive decision to quit the Coalition, but questions are continuing to swirl about Sussan Ley and David Littleproud's future. So, where to next for the Liberals and the Nationals…
The Coalition is 'done'. Are Ley and Littleproud too? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:00
In a stunning turn of events, the Nationals have officially split with Liberal party, blowing up the Coalition. Nationals leader David Littleproud accused Opposition leader Sussan Ley forcing his party into an "untenable…
Are the Nationals testing Sussan Ley? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:00
The Albanese Government has passed its gun reforms and watered down hate laws after a late night sitting of the Senate. But three Nationals frontbenchers crossed floor to vote against the hate laws, which the Liberal par…

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