Politics Now

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the fuel excise cut will "make a difference", but the Treasurer is warning the cut could take weeks to flow through.
Opposition leader Angus Taylor has welcomed the move, claiming the government has "finally" acted under pressure and the Coalition will "continue to lead". 
And speaking of leadership, it seems Angus Taylor has tried to assert some authority over his main leadership rival Andrew Hastie, but is the Opposition leader being "outplayed"?
As Raf tells PK,we're in a new political paradigm, the political battleground isn't left versus right anymore, but is bottom versus top — "If you're in the top bottom fight on behalf of the voter, you're at least in the conversation. If you're still fighting the left right thing, I think our politicians fear that they're being left behind".
And Labor has backed a Greens motion for a parliamentary inquiry to examine the tax settings for Australia's oil and gas resources, it comes amid a groundswell of support for a gas profits tax from One Nation through to the Greens. So, will we see a gas tax in the upcoming budget?
Patricia Karvelas and Raf Epstein break it all down on Politics Now.
Got a burning question?
Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at [email protected]
Listen to Raf's IV with the PM here: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/melbourne-mornings/-good-pm-s-one-word-response-to-dezi-freeman-s-death/106515564Listen to ABC Business Daily here: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/abc-business-daily/who-pays-for-petrol/106512650

The Prime Minister has announced the fuel excise will be halved and the heavy vehicle road user charge reduced to zero for three months.
It comes as National Cabinet also agrees to an energy security plan, with four levels of action.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the reductions are "temporary, timely and responsible", but they come with a $2.55 billion dollar price-tag. While it's welcome relief for drivers, Jacob tells PK cheaper petrol won't necessarily push down demand — which will be an "interesting test".
And Anthony Albanese has also changed his language on the war in the Middle East, calling for more "certainty" on the US' objectives and urging de-escalation.
Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber break it all down on Politics Now.
Got a burning question?
Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at [email protected] PK's latest piece here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-30/australian-fears-about-iran-war-and-fuel-shortages/106508802

The global economic fallout from the Middle East war is still emerging, but things are not looking good.  
It's a conundrum for the Federal Government, who is trying to navigate the economic storm ahead of the May budget. 
Independent economist Chris Richardson joins Melissa Clarke for this week's On Background.

Australia has been in the firing line of another Donald Trump "spray", with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declaring he "won't comment on commentary."
As other Labor frontbenchers strike a similar tone, PK tells Fran Labor Ministers have become "rolled gold experts" at not being drawn into the US President's remarks.
And PK and Fran cap off a "binfire week" with their favourite good news stories — and get stuck into all your clever questions, including..
Who will be the Opposition in South Australia? When do major parties lose that status? How are the Greens meeting the current political moment? And with the current fuel woes, are renewables the answer?
Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly answer all of your clever questions on The Party Room.
Got a burning question?
Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at [email protected]

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed National Cabinet will meet again to coordinate a national response to the ongoing fuel crisis. But should the meeting be happening now, rather than next week?
And as the reverberations from One Nation's success at the South Australian election continue to ricochet federally, Labor is also feeling the heat. Health Minister Mark Butler used a Dorothy Dixer in Question Time to point to One Nation's lack of Medicare policy, so are they now treating One Nation as part of a quasi-Opposition?
Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas break it down on The Party Room.
Got a burning question?
Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at [email protected] Fran's IV with Allegra Spender here: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/the-radio-national-hour/allegra-spender/106487930