The Prime Minister has confirmed Australia will deploy a military surveillance plane and missiles to the middle east, after a request from the UAE. Anthony Albanese has reiterated that Australia's involvement is "purely defensive", noting his first priority is to keep Australians safe, as many remain stranded in the region.

Meanwhile, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has confirmed five Iranian women's football players will remain in Australia after seeking asylum, with the Government leaving the door open for the other players to do the same. It comes after the Prime Minister fielded an early phone call from US President Donald Trump over the fate of the women — but what else did they discuss at 2am?

Patricia Karvelas and Tom Crowley break it all down on Politics Now.

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Foreign Minister Penny Wong has confirmed Australia is considering a request by some Gulf countries to provide military assistance, as they try to defend themselves against missile and drone attacks by Iran.

The Albanese Government has ruled out participating in any offensive action, but appears disposed to supporting Gulf countries, while the Opposition is already signalling its openness to the move, with shadow foreign minister Ted O'Brien suggesting there will be bipartisan support if it's in the "national interest".

And the Farrer by-election has been locked in for May 9th — so what are the big issues for voters — and which candidates are addressing them? Our resident Farrer correspondent Jacob brings us up to date with all the latest.

Melissa Clarke and Jacob Greber break it all down on Politics Now.

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Canada's Prime Minister has wrapped up his friendly three day visit to Australia. 

Melissa Clarke sat down with the Lowy Institute's Sam Roggeveen for this week's Insiders On Background. 

While parliament was back in session, it was global affairs that dominated the week in politics. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was quick to back the US-Israeli joint strikes on Iran, so what does this say about the rewriting of the rules based order — and Labor's strategy with the Trump administration?

And it comes as the Canadian Prime Minister, and fellow middle power ally, Mark Carney visits Australia. The world leader came armed with a warning, urging sovereignty as the global architecture is crumbling.

And how did new Opposition leader Angus Taylor perform for his first week in parliament?

Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly are joined by Cameron Stewart, Chief International Correspondent at the Australian on The Party Room.

Got a burning question?

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

A scathing review of the Liberal party's election performance has been laid bare, despite the Liberal party's federal executive trying to suppress it.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese used Question Time to table all 64-pages of the report, in what Andrew Hastie called a "boss move". The review slams a "notable absence of reflection" from key figures involved in the campaign, but former Opposition leader Peter Dutton has called it a "gratuitously personal hit job."

And Canadian President Mark Carney has kicked off his Australia visit, so as the Middle East conflict continues, will he use two key addresses to push forward his middle power strategy?

Patricia Karvelas and David Speers break it all down on Politics Now.

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As the war in the Middle East expands, the US President Donald Trump has warned a "big wave" of strikes is still yet to come. But back home, both the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister have repeatedly stated that don't expect the US to ask for Australian military support.

The conflict is already sending shock-waves across markets, with RBA governor Michelle Bullock warning inflation expectations could become "unanchored" and refusing to rule out another interest rate hike later this month.

Patricia Karvelas and Raf Epstein break it all down on Politics Now.

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Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at [email protected]

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has endorsed the United States and Israel's joint strikes in Iran, saying Australia stands with the Iranian people.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Penny Wong has side-stepped questions about the legality of the operations, saying it was for the US and Israel to explain and suggesting the Government "wouldn't anticipate [Australia] participating in the future".

But Shadow Defence Minister James Paterson has indicated the Liberals would support Australia assisting if it's "in the national interest"..

So, as parliament returns for another sitting fortnight the conflict in the Middle East is set to dominate the agenda — with things already heating up in the Senate.

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]

The Treasurer has confirmed his department is looking at changes to both the capital gains tax discount and negative gearing rules ahead of the May budget. 

Former Opposition leader Sussan Ley has tendered her immediate resignation from parliament, officially sparking a by-election in her seat of Farrer.  In a statement Sussan Ley said she hoped her election as the first female to lead the Liberal party would "pave the way for the next woman to be elected to, and succeed" in the role. 

Are changes to negative gearing and capital gains actually politically risky for Labor? And as Anthony Albanese tries to 'mop up' after his Grace Tame misstep, are his political instincts as sharp as they once were?

Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly answer your questions on on The Party Room.

Got a burning question?

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As Treasurer Jim Chalmers prepares to hand down his fifth budget, he's promising to focus on "economics over politics" - but what will Labor actually do to address intergenerational inequity? 

The prime minister has attempted to walk back labelling former Australian of The Year Grace Tame "difficult", suggesting he was referring to her difficult life - a move Grace Tame has blasted on social media.

And Jacob Greber has been on the ground in Farrer, checking the electorates pulse ahead of the impending by-election - so what do voters want from their representative and where are they looking to cast their vote?

Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly  are joined by Jacob Greber, 730 Political Editor on The Party Room.

Got a burning question?

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