As the Albanese Government prepares for next week's budget, a steady stream of announcements have been drip fed to the public. But pressure is mounting on the Treasurer to reduce inflation in the budget, after RBA Governor Michele Bullock refused to rule in, or out more rate hikes this year. And as ceasefire negotiations continue between Hamas and Israel, the Albanese government is facing domestic pressure as a vote on full UN membership for Palestine looms.John Lyons, ABC's Global Affairs Editor joins Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas on The Party Room. More Information Got a burning political ..read more

Following an emergency National Cabinet meeting, the Government announced nearly $1 billion of additional funding to combat violence against women. The Prime Minister has declared  the issue a "national crisis" and says his government is acting with urgency. But does the funding injection go far enough, or are more wrap around services needed?If you need support, help is available from 1800 Respect (1800 737 732) or Lifeline on 13 11 14 Jacqueline Maley, Columnist and Senior Writer at the SMH and The Age joins Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas on The Party Room. More Information Got a ..read more

The legal feud between Elon Musk and the Australian Government is intensifying. The PM has labelled Mr Musk an "egotist", while Elon Musk has lashed out at what he says is the Australian government's "censorship". So just how expansive are the Australian government's powers here? And recent polling shows voters are feeling the cost of living crunch, so can the government offer relief in the upcoming budget without adding to inflation? Michelle Grattan, Chief Political Correspondent at The Conversation joins Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas on The Party Room.EDITORS NOTE: PK and Fran ..read more

Political leaders face a tough test amid concerns about social cohesion following a difficult week for Australians, who’ve been left reeling over two stabbing attacks. Six people were killed in a knife attack at Bondi Junction shopping centre and just days later authorities declared a “terror incident’ following the stabbing of an Assyrian Orthodox Bishop during a live streamed church service in Western Sydney, which sparked a riot. And the judgement in the defamation trial Bruce Lehrmann brought against Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson was handed down this week, with Justice Lee finding that on ..read more

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has suggested the Albanese Government is considering recognising Palestinian statehood, saying a two-state solution is "the only hope" for peace between Israelis and Palestinians.  Despite bi-partisan support for a two-state solution, the Opposition has slammed Minister Wong's statement. Shadow Deputy leader Sussan Ley has suggested the move was "emboldening terrorists." Karen Middleton, Political Editor at the Guardian joins Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas on The Party Room. More Information Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recordin ..read more

Former US President Donald Trump has reprimanded former PM Kevin Rudd in an interview, saying he heard he was "a little bit nasty" and warning if that if Ambassador Rudd is "at all hostile he won't be there for long". So, what could this mean for future US-Australian relations under a Trump Presidency? Meanwhile the PM has announced he won't proceed with a religious discrimination bill unless it has bipartisan support. And Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has visited Australia, holding diplomatic talks with Foreign Minister Penny Wong. But his meeting with former PM Paul Keating is raising eye ..read more

Australia hosted ASEAN leaders in a special summit in Melbourne this week as key differences over China were set aside ..read more

In an explosive briefing, ASIO boss Mike Burgess revealed a former Australian politician "sold out their country" after being recruited by a foreign intelligence service. In the wake of the revelations, former Treasurer Joe Hockey has called for the person to be named. And the stakes are high at the Dunkley by-election this weekend. And while the Government managed to pass its contentious changes to stage 3 tax cuts through parliament, recent polls have given the Opposition a confidence boost. It comes as new gender-pay-gap data reveals disparities across certain industries, and as former ..read more

Footage of Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce lying on his back on a Canberra footpath, drunk and swearing into his phone has raised questions about the conduct of Parliamentarians, and his future in the party. And the Albanese Government tabled its Closing the Gap statement this week, with the Prime Minister condemning "inexcusable" findings on Indigenous disadvantage. So, how will the Government try to shift the dial? Narelda Jacobs,10 News First Midday and Afternoons Presenter joins Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas on The Party Room. More Information Got a burning political query? Send a short voic ..read more

Parliament returned from summer break this week, and the Albanese Government has already managed to secure wins on some key policies. The Opposition conceded it wouldn't "stand in the way" of Labor's changes to stage 3 tax cuts. And after much negotiation, the Greens and Senate crossbencher David Pocock's agreed to support the Government's IR bill.  Cameron Stewart, Chief International Correspondent at The Australian joins Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas on The Party Room. More Information Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at&nbs ..read more