Did Albanese get 'rolled' by the states?

Did Albanese get 'rolled' by the states?

Author: ABC Australia August 27, 2026 Duration: 42:00
National Cabinet loomed large over the political week, but while it promised to deliver a showdown between Anthony Albanese and the states, was it a bit of a fizzer instead? Fran, PK and Ash Raper certainly think so. As Ash tells PK and Fran, it was a bit like a big family gathering you brace for but that ends up being highly uneventful. Queensland and the Northern Territory secured carve outs on the energy used for AI data centre development, but has Anthony Albanese set them a bit of a challenge when it comes to lowering energy costs? And while the WA GST deal has been up in lights this week, a state by-election in the once safe Labor electorate of Secret Harbour is being watched closely in Canberra, as One Nation looks like they could win. Meanwhile, One Nation has been in clean-up mode, clarifying their immigration policy after Farrer MP David Farley's Insiders interview. But does the mop-up harm them, or are voters more focused on the "vibe"? Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly are joined by Ashleigh Raper, Network 10 Political Editor on The Party Room. Got a burning question? 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: 50

Politics Now
Podcast Episodes
One Nation comes for Labor seats [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:00
One Nation's resounding win at the WA Secret Harbour by-election was watched closely by political insiders in Canberra. The historic state by-election win came with a warning from One Nation that there are "no safe seats…
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Duration: 33:00
It's National Cabinet time and the stoushes between Anthony Albanese and the states are set to be spicy. So, is this a fractured moment in our federation? Meanwhile, NT Labor MP Luke Gosling has stepped aside from his ro…
Is Albanese WA's 'daddy'? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:00
Anthony Albanese has confirmed there will be no changes to the WA GST deal, in a move warmly welcomed in Western Australia. WA Premier Roger Cook says he's "pleased the PM backed WA" while the local paper has dubbed Anth…
One Nation's migration mop-up [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:00
One Nation has been in clean-up mode, after Farrer MP David Farley suggested the minor party's immigration plan wasn't "too different" from Labor's on Insiders. One Nation leader Pauline Hanson was quick out of the block…
Could deepfakes threaten elections? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:00
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A big week of dealmaking [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:00
It's been a very successful legislative week for the Albanese Government, with Labor and the Coalition teaming up to pass a suite of bills. But it seems the big battles are only just beginning, with the implementation of…
Albanese's art of the deal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:00
It's Labor-Coalition "deal week", with the two major parties passing a series of bills. David notes that the move allows Angus Taylor and the Opposition to show they aren't just a party that says "no" and can compromise…
Angus Taylor's bid for relevance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:00
Labor will pass its gambling bill with Coalition support, after the amended legislation was signed off by both party rooms. And while some Opposition members have crossed the floor on the bill, suggesting the tweaks didn…