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'.

What Israel's strike on Iran means for Australia
Jun 13, 2025 – 0:11:00
Is Trump using AUKUS as a 'Trojan horse'?
Jun 12, 2025 – 0:38:00
Why Australia sanctioned Israeli Ministers
Jun 11, 2025 – 0:23:00
Why AI means reform in Albo's second term
Jun 10, 2025 – 0:26:00
Will beef be on the menu when Albanese meets Trump?
Jun 9, 2025 – 0:25:00
Is Australia drone-ready? | Insiders on Background
Jun 7, 2025 – 0:22:14
Albo's Trump-sized headache
Jun 5, 2025 – 0:40:00
Can Albo get a tariff deal with Trump?
Jun 4, 2025 – 0:23:00
Why Dorinda Cox left the Greens for Labor
Jun 3, 2025 – 0:25:00
PM stares down US defence spending demand
Jun 2, 2025 – 0:33:00
Quantum Leap | Insiders On Background
May 31, 2025 – 0:30:00
Laura Tingle on when politics is at its best
May 29, 2025 – 0:44:00
Coalition's shadow cabinet shakeup
May 28, 2025 – 0:21:00
What Albo learnt from Scomo's Hawaii moment
May 27, 2025 – 0:21:00
How do the Liberals rebuild?
May 26, 2025 – 0:34:00
The Nationals are 'holding a gun to the Liberal Party’s head', says Malcolm Turnbull | Insiders: On Background
May 23, 2025 –
Are the Coalition getting back together?
May 22, 2025 – 0:38:00
Why the Coalition breakup is 'weird'
May 21, 2025 – 0:19:00
Why the Nats broke up with the Libs
May 20, 2025 – 0:30:00
The PM heads to Rome
May 19, 2025 – 0:28:00
Another round of climate wars? "Oh God no!" | Insiders On Background
May 17, 2025 – 0:21:00
Three leadership contests in one week
May 15, 2025 – 0:37:00
Is Sussan Ley facing a glass cliff?
May 14, 2025 –
What Sussan Ley's leadership means for the Liberals
May 13, 2025 – 0:21:00
Surprises and snubs in Labor reshuffle
May 12, 2025 – 0:22:00
On Background || Liberal Party: What's next?
May 10, 2025 – 0:25:13
Why the Liberals could shift to MAGA
May 9, 2025 – 0:23:00
Why Bandt and Dutton's losses share 'parallels'
May 8, 2025 – 0:37:00
Factional fights left, right and centre
May 7, 2025 – 0:27:00
How the Coalition 'failed' young voters
May 6, 2025 – 0:38:00
Trump praises Albo and has ‘no idea’ who Dutton is
May 5, 2025 – 0:31:00
Peter Dutton's post-mortem
May 4, 2025 – 0:37:00
Labor wins the election and Dutton loses his seat
May 4, 2025 – 0:20:00
Australia votes || Insiders On Background
May 3, 2025 – 0:26:00
Send this to your mate before they vote
May 2, 2025 – 0:24:00
Who won the election campaign?
May 1, 2025 – 0:46:00
How Albanese has 'transformed' this campaign
Apr 30, 2025 – 0:24:00
Casey Briggs on why Australia is a nation of swingers
Apr 29, 2025 – 0:27:00
Can culture wars win elections?
Apr 28, 2025 – 0:34:00
On Background || Defending Australia
Apr 26, 2025 – 0:30:36
Question Time: Why politicians don't back 'brave' ideas
Apr 25, 2025 – 0:21:23
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

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.