The Party Room

The ABC's politics podcast, Politics Now, dives into the biggest political stories in Australia and around the world, giving you a balanced look inside the strategies and decisions behind the headlines. Whenever major news breaks, we'll be in your feed with coverage you can trust.From Monday to Wednesday, Patricia Karvelas will chat to a rotating cast of the ABC's biggest political journalists about the latest news.On Thursdays, 'The Party Room' with Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly will discuss the week's developments in depth with another journalist, and answer your questions.On Saturdays, David Speers gets into the details of a major trend or issue with the help of an expert on 'Insiders On Background'.

Kinder or stronger. What do voters want?
Apr 24, 2025 – 0:37:00
Why Dutton wants an election fight on defence
Apr 23, 2025 – 0:27:00
How will the Pope's death impact the election?
Apr 22, 2025 – 0:29:00
How much do voters know about Dutton?
Apr 21, 2025 – 0:30:00
Betting the house || Insiders On Background
Apr 19, 2025 – 0:21:00
Why young women are key this election
Apr 17, 2025 – 0:41:00
Albo and Dutton muscle up in leaders' debate
Apr 16, 2025 – 0:21:00
The bank of mum, dad and Dutton
Apr 15, 2025 – 0:30:00
Albo and Dutton move on housing. Is it enough?
Apr 14, 2025 – 0:24:00
Will the Qld 'Greenslide' hold this election?
Apr 13, 2025 – 0:15:00
Power Play || Insiders On Background
Apr 12, 2025 – 0:30:21
Dutton the subject of alleged terror plot
Apr 11, 2025 – 0:13:00
Global markets shake the election campaign
Apr 10, 2025 – 0:39:00
Why is Dutton being hailed by the left?
Apr 9, 2025 – 0:28:00
Did Albanese or Dutton win the first leaders' debate?
Apr 8, 2025 – 0:29:00
Why Western Sydney could decide the election
Apr 8, 2025 – 0:29:00
Dutton's 'Olympic-sized backflip' on WFH
Apr 7, 2025 – 0:30:00
Defence not a "bargaining chip" in Trump negotiations || Insiders On Background
Apr 5, 2025 – 0:24:00
Annabel Crabb on talking tough and falling off stage
Apr 4, 2025 – 0:32:00
Will Trump's Liberation Day affect the election?
Apr 3, 2025 – 0:35:00
Why Albo and Dutton are muscling up on Trump
Apr 2, 2025 – 0:18:00
How Trump could hurt 'DOGE Dutton's' chances
Apr 1, 2025 – 0:21:00
Why Albanese has pulled ahead in polls
Mar 31, 2025 – 0:24:00
Election 2025 - it's on! || Insiders
Mar 29, 2025 – 0:25:17
Annabel Crabb and PK on the leaders' election pitches
Mar 28, 2025 – 0:34:00
Battle of the election bribes
Mar 27, 2025 – 0:42:00
Why Albanese is wedging Dutton on tax cuts
Mar 26, 2025 – 0:16:00
A tax cut in Labor's 'battle-ready' budget
Mar 25, 2025 – 0:19:00
Budget week booby traps
Mar 24, 2025 – 0:23:00
Cut the public service? Productivity commission says think again || Insiders: On Background
Mar 22, 2025 – 0:21:31
Question Time: Trump pushback, referendums and wokeness || The Party Room
Mar 21, 2025 – 0:23:00
Brace! brace! brace! for the budget || The Party Room
Mar 20, 2025 – 0:32:00
Dutton’s captain's call and a mining blitz
Mar 19, 2025 – 0:21:00
Why Dutton is floating another referendum
Mar 18, 2025 – 0:18:00
Could Trump sink AUKUS?
Mar 17, 2025 – 0:23:00
‘No Upside’ to Trump tariffs || Insiders On Background
Mar 15, 2025 – 0:18:00
Annabel Crabb wonders...is Peter Dutton OK?
Mar 14, 2025 – 0:33:00
Is Dutton over-egging it on tariffs? || The Party Room
Mar 13, 2025 – 0:30:00
Why Trump's tariffs push the friendship
Mar 12, 2025 – 0:21:00
Why Trump and Turnbull are beefing over tariffs
Mar 11, 2025 – 0:20:00
Why 'double haters' will decide the election
Mar 10, 2025 – 0:20:00
Survey says: the truth about voter vibes in 2025
Mar 10, 2025 – 0:16:00
When will the election be called? || Insiders on Background
Mar 8, 2025 – 0:23:59
Why WA loves Labor, according to pollster
Mar 7, 2025 – 0:16:00
Albo's election plans blown off course || The Party Room
Mar 6, 2025 –
What Cyclone Alfred means for the election
Mar 5, 2025 – 0:18:00
What does Australia do after the US pauses Ukraine aid?
Mar 4, 2025 – 0:17:00
What the Trump-Zelenskyy meeting means for Australia
Mar 3, 2025 – 0:16:00
What is China doing off Australia's coast? || Insiders On Background
Mar 1, 2025 – 0:26:01
Question Time: Election strategies and Dutton's finances || The Party Room
Feb 28, 2025 – 0:13:00

Recent Reviews

CN Oz

The “Fran and Patricia” podcast is great.

This is one of my favourite 30 or so minutes each week. I feel like they cut to the chase on what is really happening inside the Canberra bubble and they always have an interesting guest to add to the conversation. I’ve also hoped for a YouTube version to see what they’re really drinking when the glasses clink. Cheers to that!
Vietnamesenorseman

I grateful for these ladies!

I live in America and these ladies have done so much to help educate me on the finer workings of the Australian government and politics. I feel like I have two close friends whispering in my ears each week about what is driving Australian news, politics and government. Thank you ladies!
TJ in CTown

Love from the States

I’m an American who wishes our political media could do a show like this. Love ya Fran and PK!
Camden Raynor

Absolutely phenomenal!

This has quickly become one of my favorite podcasts! When I started listening, I was just an interested American looking to escape our political problems and learn more about Australia. I honestly feel like I now have a halfway decent understanding of the ALP/Coalition dynamic - I can’t wait to be following along with the election with Fran and PK!
JMcD38

Bring Back Fran

I’ve enjoyed the show a lot previously, and the guest (or new?) co-hosts have been fine, mostly, but Fran Kelly is much missed. At the least it’d be good to have PK explain what’s going on.
The Dodg

Gold

Current With bonus songs, oft of yore
Blumama25

It’s a party

I listen to this podcast every Thursday while I’m feeding my pigs, an appropriate pairing, I think. The podcast is well balanced and informative, rarely snarky, and a pleasure to listen to.
Prowsey99

Excellent review of the week in politics

Fran and PK, provide an interesting and entertaining analysis of the week in politics. Mandatory listening for anyone with even a passing interest in politics
Doyenesque

Informative apolitical election conversations

These two are easy to listen to and go into a little more depth on some of the topical items of the political week. I like that they sound natural as if an informal conversation the listener is a part of, apart from the songs... Worth a listen.