As the Labor government "hits the ground running", they're faced with several economic and geopolitical challenges. In the Parliament, they're also forced to consider their attitude to the large Greens and independent contingent. Plus, PM Albanese announces his new Cabinet, with some surprises.



ABC Radio Melbourne's Raf Epstein joins Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas.

Difficult choices loom for the Albanese Government

Want to know what's really going on in Parliament House? Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas give you the political analysis that matters and explain what it means for you.

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The Albanese Government handed down its third budget this week, and its flagship policy - Future Made in Australia - is already facing opposition from the Coalition and The Greens. 

And just weeks after the PM attended one of the nationwide women's marches, his government is facing criticism for not offering more of a funding boost to the domestic violence sector. 

Shane Wright, National Economics Correspondent at the Sydney Morning Herald and the Age joins Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas.

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Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

Budget battlegrounds begin to take shape

The Treasurer Jim Chalmers has handed down his third budget, promising cost of living relief while fighting inflation. 

But has the Albanese Government got the balance right?  Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas provide some quick analysis in this The Party Room bonus episode.

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Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

Budget bonus: The politics and key takeaways

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.

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Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

Budget drops and Gaza ceasefire negotiations

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?

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Jacqueline Maley, Columnist and Senior Writer at the SMH and The Age joins Fran Kelly and Patricia Karvelas on The Party Room.

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Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

Governments 'flailing' in DV crisis response

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 mention the statistic of 30 women killed by violence in Australia so far this year - this statistic comes from The Australian Femicide Watch.

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Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

Difficult choices loom for the Albanese Government

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