The typical Australian home now costs eight times the median household income and rents have soared to a record high.

And while political battlelines are being drawn as we gear up for an election, what can actually be done from a policy perspective?

Brendan Coates, Housing and Economic Security Program Directo r at Grattan Institute joins Patricia Karvelas and Tom Crowley on The Party Room.

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As the election year gets underway, questions are being raised about voters' satisfaction with the Albanese Government — and according to an ANU survey, there might be some alarming signs.

Indeed dissatisfaction with the direction of the country is at the same level as it was just before the Morrison government lost the election. So, what will this actually mean as Australians cast their ballot?

Professor Nicholas Biddle, Head of the School of Politics and International Relations at Australian National University joins Patricia Karvelas  on The Party Room.

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With the 2025 Federal Election campaign likely to be won - or lost - on hip-pocket issues, what’s in store for the economy in 2024?

Will we see an interest rate cut ahead of the next election - and  are the current economic pitches from both sides cutting through to voters?

Peter Martin, Host of new ABC Radio National show 'The Economy Stupid' and Shane Wright, Senior Economics Writer at the Sydney Morning Herald and the Age joins Patricia Karvelas The Party Room.

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It seems the election contest has tightened, with a minority government — of either stripe — now seeming increasingly likely.

And recent Redbridge Group research has found the Coalition is now the favourite to win the largest share of seats in parliament — and clinch minority government. So, what trends are driving this?

Kos Samaras, Director Strategy and Analytics at Redbridge Group and Tony Barry, Director Corporate Affairs and Communications at Redbridge Group join Patricia Karvelas on The Party Room.

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The Prime Minister has condemned a spate of recent anti-Semitic attacks as "evil" and "abhorrent" — but he's come under fire from the Opposition, with Shadow Minister Jane Hume suggesting the attackers were "emboldened, if not enabled" by the Albanese Government.

It comes as Opposition leader Peter Dutton is set to unveil much awaited costings for his nuclear policy — and the Prime Minister unveiled a new pre-election pitch for subsidised childcare.

Michelle Grattan, Chief Political Correspondent for The Conversation joins Patricia Karvelas and Sarah Ferguson on The Party Room.

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As the dust settles on the parliamentary year, election strategies and catchphrases are already being tested by all sides of politics.

Anthony Albanese has promised voters that he's "got your back", while the Greens have put the government on notice for a formal power-sharing agreement if the election results in a minority Labor government.

Clare Armstrong, National Political Editor for News Corp joins Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber on The Party Room.

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In a mammoth final sitting day for the year, the Albanese Government managed to rush 31 bills through the Senate — including key policy measures on housing, migration, and social media reform.

But how is Australia's "world leading" social media ban for under 16s being received and can it actually be enforced?

Patricia Karvelas and Mel Clarke break it down on The Party Room bonus episode.

Listen back to the full episode of The Party Room with Sarah Ferguson and Paul Karp.

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Senator Lidia Thorpe has interrupted Senate proceedings, after being suspended for throwing paper at One Nation Senator Pauline Hanson — a move she says she would "do it all over again."

It comes as the Albanese Government tries to pass a whopping 36-bills in the final sitting day of the year. But key electoral reform, nature positive and gambling reform legislation have all been put on ice.

Paul Karp, Chief Political Correspondent at the Guardian joins Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly on The Party Room.

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As governments grapple with social cohesion, what impact is polarisation and partisanship having on on the community — and what qualities do voters actually want to see in political leaders?

Mike Baird, Former Premier of NSW and CEO of the Susan McKinnon Foundation joins Patricia Karvelas on The Party Room.

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As the Albanese Government tries to ram its jam-packed agenda through parliament, speculation is mounting it could be the final sitting fortnight not just of the year — but before the election.

It comes as Peter Dutton is squaring up for a fight on migration, refusing to support Labor's proposed international student caps, which he's labelled "a dogs breakfast". 

Anna Henderson, SBS Chief Political Correspondent joins Patricia Karvelas and Tom Crowley 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 [email protected]