Parliament returned this week but while Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Angus Taylor edged closer to key deals on legislation behind the scenes, other stories stole the spotlight.

Shadow Housing Minister Andrew Bragg delivered a "loosey-goosey" and far-ranging speech ostensibly focused on housing reform.

But the Senator's signature blunt style may have seen him step on some of his colleagues' toes along the way.

Meanwhile, the PM was dogged by the so called "melon-gate" saga and calls for him to issue an apology to the Japanese Prime Minister — calls he appears to be staring down.

And One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce made a bold call, telling PK that One Nation is the "gayest" party in Australian politics.

Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly are joined by Katina Curtis, Senior Political Correspondent with Capital Brief on The Party Room.

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Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at [email protected]

Housing is firmly back in focus, with Treasurer Jim Chalmers urging a long view as the downturn continues.

 Shadow Housing Minister Andrew Bragg has unveiled the Opposition's plan to slash Net Overseas Migration to just 180,000 people per year on average and dramatically reduce red tape.

Meanwhile, the so-called 'melon-gate' saga continues to linger for the PM, with the Opposition referring an apparent leak of correspondence between Japan and Australia to the Australian Federal Police.

But as David says, under the surface things are looking a little friendlier, with Anthony Albanese and Angus Taylor set to hold another round of talks on key legislation.

And PK has a breaking yarn about a One Nation WA candidate who has described gay people as having a mental illness, with his profile swiftly scrubbed from the One Nation website.

Patricia Karvelas and David Speers 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]

A deal on Labor's gambling bill is getting closer, as Anthony Albanese and Angus Taylor hold talks to thrash out a deal.

But it seems there are still internal divisions in both Labor and the Coalition to work through before negotiations can be finalised.

Meanwhile, Japan has dismissed the PM's podcast melon gaffe as "sensationalised" in a formal letter, but domestic politicians have been less forgiving. So, does Anthony Albanese have to "suck it up" and apologise?

And South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has announced a Royal Commission into AI. So, how will it work — and what are the federal implications?

Also, it's Census Day — so whether you're a "filler-inner" like Raf, or an enthusiastic observer like PK, it's a very important day that has big political and policy implications for the future.

Patricia Karvelas and Raf Epstein 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]

Parliament is back this week, with politicians descending on the nation's capital for a stacked sitting fortnight.

After playing hardball, the Albanese Government is signalling some openness to negotiations on gambling reforms, particularly around inducements.

But gambling ad reform isn't the only issue Labor is hoping to tie-up over the next two weeks, as they look to "clean off the barnacles."

And Anthony Albanese's appearance on the Bush Deep podcast with comedian Nikki Osborne is continuing to haunt him, but this time for a different reason.

Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber break it all down on Politics Now.

Read PK's analysis here — Anthony Albanese is a dominant force in cabinet and that comes with risks

Listen to our Question Time edition here — A spicy text and an AI stoush

Got a burning question?

Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at [email protected]

Former Director General of the Australian Signals Directorate, Rachel Noble explains how the global AI race could reshape our national security.

It's Question Time! But before they get stuck into your brilliant questions, PK and Mel dig into some political developments.

A scandalous text sent by the ACT Opposition leader has raised a whole host of questions, including whether or not politicians are allowed to find their jobs boring.

And the brewing fight between the Albanese Government and its NT and QLD counterparts over AI data centres.

Then it's time for your questions, including are Labor failing to sell their policies? Will Anthony Albanese shake-up his frontbench before the next election? And how do journalists maintain neutrality?

Patricia Karvelas and Melissa Clarke are answer your clever queries on The Party Room: Question Time edition.

Got a burning question?

Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at [email protected]

The Prime Minister and Opposition leader have been on leave this week, but their absence hasn't led to a quieter news cycle.

A two-day parliamentary inquiry into gambling dominated the agenda, hardening political opposition to Labor's gambling bill and mounting pressure on Anthony Albanese to go further — so will he?

Meanwhile, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke's last minute press club cancellation became a story in and of itself. The Minister was set to unveil sweeping immigration changes, which are reportedly hitting internal roadblocks.

It comes as Pauline Hanson once again banned the ABC, The Guardian and the Age from a One Nation event. It's far from the first time, so how should the media respond — and is this just about dominating the attention economy once again?

And in developing news, prominent Labor figure and maverick backbencher Ed Husic has announced he'll take leave, after a car accident.

Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly are joined by Tom McIlroy, Political Editor at the Guardian on The Party Room.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has postponed a national press club address, a very unusual move, where he was expected to announce sweeping cuts to immigration.

The decision not to address the press club this week came less than 48-hours before the speech, with a spokesperson confirming it was "clear that some elements of the speech would not be finalised".

Meanwhile, Treasurer Jim Chalmers has moved to quell a brewing fight over the so-called "widow's tax", unveiling a proposal to close the loophole.

And Victorian Premier Ben Carroll is facing his first test as leader. The state's anti-corruption watchdog found serious and concerning conduct by senior public officers, including ministers, MPs and public servants, during a bitter pay dispute with the state's firefighters union.

Patricia Karvelas and David Speers 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]

Betting giants Tabcorp and Sportsbet have faced a grilling at the parliamentary inquiry on gambling.

The short inquiry has only run for two-days, but both Clare and PK agree it's been high impact. PK points to how it could frame the political agenda when parliament returns next week, while Clare says she doesn't see a path through the Senate without Labor's bill "being tougher and more restrictive" on gambling promotions and advertisements.

Meanwhile, Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie has stared down a direct threat from One Nation.

And as bird flu continues to spread, Clare has an important public service announcement: you can't stockpile eggs!

Patricia Karvelas and Clare Armstrong 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]

House prices are falling across the country, with the downturn no longer just confined to Sydney and Melbourne according to new Cotality data.

Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek says there's never "been a better time to be a first home buyer in Australia", while Treasurer Jim Chalmers has pointed to Treasury modelling that house price growth would slow by about 2 per cent in the short term.

It comes as a two-day inquiry into Labor's gambling advertising legislation gets underway, with growing calls for the Albanese Government to ban inducements. So, will Labor be forced to give ground here?

Meanwhile, One Nation has unveiled upper house candidates for the upcoming Victorian election, with the ABC and others not given the details for the press conference.

Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber 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]