Nearly two years on from the Voice referendum the latest Closing the Gap update has again revealed disappointing results.

It's the second sitting week of the 48th parliament. While Labor's massive majority grows more comfortable in the chamber, it proved to be a difficult week for political leaders on either side of the aisle thanks to the looming momentum to recognise Palestinian statehood at the UN general assembly in September. How will mounting international pressure influence Australia's position, and is our own announcement on the horizon?

On home soil, political attention has been dominated by the upcoming productivity roundtable in August, with unions focusing their aim on the impact of AI on worker rights; and despite a lobby effort from "Big Wiggle", YouTube has been added to the social media ban mix.

Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly are joined by Phil Coorey, Political Editor with the Australian Financial Review 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]

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has drawn a line in the sand on Gaza. Unless Israel takes “substantive” steps to end the “appalling situation” in the region, the UK will recognise a Palestinian state in September. As international momentum builds, how will the Albanese government respond?

At home, the data drop Reserve Bank board members have been waiting for is out. The Bureau of Statistics quarterly consumer price index (CPI) shows consumer prices rose 0.7 per cent over the June quarter and 2.1 over the past year. Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the latest inflation figures are “very encouraging news”, but won’t predict whether it’ll mean a rate cut.

Patricia Karvelas and David Speers 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]

The government has woken to another surprise Trump tariff. 

Most trading partners, including Australia, could see an almost doubling on the tariffs already expected from the United States. If it proves to be true, can we do anything to weather the economic storm that might come from them?

And health and cost of living pressure is back on the agenda - but which framing of the current state of Medicare and bulk billing will win?

Patricia Karvelas and Brett Worthingon 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]

As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens and images of starving children emerge,  Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has strongly criticised the Israeli government’s actions.

Meanwhile, Barnaby Joyce is talking about abandoning Net Zero again…

Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber 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]

It was one of the first bills introduced in the new parliament – a move to improve standards in childcare.

The 48th parliament is now officially underway, and while it's full of fresh faces — particularity on the Albanese Government's side — is it still politics as usual, or has the tone changed?

And speaking of fresh faces, the first speech from "giant killer" and Dickson MP Ali France nearly brought the whole parliament to tears, but her story also had Sarah Ferguson welling up on live TV.

And Sussan Ley's first Question Time as Opposition leader was her moment in the spotlight, but she was undermined by former Nationals leaders Barnaby Joyce and Michael McCormack, who are calling for the Nationals to ditch net zero.

Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly are joined by Sarah Ferguson, ABC 730 Host 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]Watch Ali France's 730 interview here - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-22/ali-france-reflects-on-the-triumph-and-tragedy/105561104

Sussan Ley has faced off with Anthony Albanese in her first Question Time as Opposition leader. And while she played it safe, attacking Labor on its housing and superannuation tax policies, how did she perform?

Tinder and swiping right got a mention, while in the other chamber, Senate leader Penny Wong moved a censure motion against Greens Deputy leader Mehreen Faruqui for holding a poster about Gaza in the Senate during Governor-General's speech, a move which the Greens leader labelled "a disgrace."

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]

The 48th Parliament has officially begun, but amid the pomp and ceremony, the Albanese Government has signed a joint statement calling for an immediate end to the war in Gaza.

It's the strongest language yet from the Government, but the Opposition has been quick to condemn the move — with frontbenchers labelling it "alarming" and "disappointing" — while the Greens have suggested the statement doesn't go far enough. So, is this a sign of some of the friction to come in this 48th parliament?

Patricia Karvelas and Claudia Long break it all down on Politics Now.

Patricia Karvelas and Claudia Long 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]

As parliamentarians descend on Canberra for the first sitting week of the 48th parliament, Anthony Albanese is warning Labor to avoid complacency. 

And while  Opposition leader Sussan Ley makes history as the first woman in the role, the "stark" gender split between the Coalition and Labor ranks will be on display across both chambers.  So, what can we expect from Australia’s 48th parliament?

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]