Why timing is everything in politics

Why timing is everything in politics

Author: ABC Australia January 30, 2026 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 next — and what are the optics of a meeting room full of 'blokes' when the Liberal party has a woman problem? And why do some voters connect with Pauline Hanson? And what the deadline for choosing candidates for the election if the Coalition remains split? (ABC Chief Elections Analyst Casey Briggs makes a guest appearance to help us answer that one.) Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly  answer your question on The Party Room. Got a burning question? Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au LISTEN TO THE ANTONY GREEN EP HERE: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/politics-now/antony-green-on-one-nation-s-rise/105947830  READ ABC ANALYSIS HERE: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-29/coalition-pauline-hanson-liberals-nationals-one-nation/106278234 

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

Politics Now
Podcast Episodes
Why is Albanese ruling out a republic referendum? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:00
Anthony Albanese has voluntarily written to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to offer support for removing Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of royal succession. Australia is the first Commonwealth country to back t…
Is Albanese playing 'mind games' in Farrer? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:00
Anthony Albanese has continued his hardline rhetoric on so-called ‘ISIS Brides’, but now Opposition leader Angus Taylor has upped the ante, with a bill that would make it illegal to assist Australians with links to the I…
Why is Albanese taking a hard line on 'ISIS brides'? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:00
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has taken a tough line on the so-called 'ISIS brides' attempting to return to Australia from Syrian camps. So, how much is anti-immigration rhetoric and the rise of One Nation influencing…
Is Taylor's frontbench battle ready? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:00
Liberal leader Angus Taylor has announced his shadow frontbench, promising to blend generational change with proven experience. Angus Taylor's key allies have been rewarded with big portfolios, but some key moderates — l…
By-election booby traps | LIVE SHOW [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:00
It's The Party Room live! Fran and PK were joined on stage by ABC Chief Elections Analyst Casey Briggs at the Mardi Gras Fair Day festival in Sydney on Sunday. There was wonderfully nerdy wordplay ("the member for Hume a…
The radical realignment of the right [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:00
Newly minted Liberal leader Angus Taylor has made it clear a tougher approach to immigration is on the agenda. In his first address as Opposition leader, he declared that “the door must be shut” to people who don’t align…
Taylor triumphs, Ley resigns. What next? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
Angus Taylor has emerged as the new Liberal leader, beating Sussan Ley 34 votes to 17. The new Liberal leader says the party is facing a "change or die moment" and has promised to "protect the Australian way of life." Fo…
It's on! Taylor v Ley spill [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:00
After a drawn out process, Angus Taylor has officially announced he'll challenge Sussan Ley for the Liberal leadership. But while many Liberal frontbenchers have followed Angus Taylor and quit the shadow frontbench, it d…