As most of the country marks the King's Birthday, former PM Scott Morrison has received our nation’s highest honour — but should these awards be handed out to former politicians for doing the job?

And with the G7 meeting of world leaders fast approaching, there's speculation about what will be up for negotiation if Prime Minister Anthony Albanese meets with US President Donald Trump. Will the PM broach beef and biosecurity with the President?

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

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What lessons can Australia learn from Ukraine's drone attack on far-flung Russian air bases?

Donald Trump has re-entered the domestic political frame this week, doubling the tariffs on steel and aluminium, while his defence secretary urges Australia to increase its defence spend. So, how is Anthony Albanese positioning?

And then there's shock defection of WA Senator Dorinda Cox from the Greens to Labor — and Teal Independent Nicollete Boele just clinching the seat of Bradfield. But it looks like Liberal candidate Gisele Kapterian could appeal the result.

And speaking of Liberal women, Fran and PK are steel reeling from a Liberal elders' suggestion that women in the party are "sufficiently assertive" and that it might be time to give men in the party a leg up.

Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly are joined by Paul Sakkal, Chief Political Correspondent for the SMH and the Age 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]

As the UK carves out a partial exemption on the Trump administration's tariffs, Opposition leader Sussan Ley is urging the Albanese Government to negotiate the same. 

It comes as the Prime Minister has labelled the US administration's 50 per cent tariff on steel and aluminium imports "economic self-harm" -- and continues to stare down  calls for Australia to increase its defence spending to 3.5 per cent. 

And in the hotly contested seat of Bradfield, Independent Teal candidate Nicolette Boele has clinched a very narrow win. So, what does this mean for the moderate wing of the Liberal party?

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]

In a shock move, WA Senator Dorinda Cox has quit the Greens to join Labor, where she says her priorities are "more aligned". But what actually sparked the defection — and is there a risk here for the Government?

And PK and Brett dive into the latest on the Bradfield recount, and how the Fair Work Commission's decision to increase the minimum wage by 3.5 per cent is another political win for the Albanese Government.

Patricia Karvelas and Brett Worthington 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]

Anthony Albanese says he won't be dictated to on defence spending, after the United States demanded Australia do more to support the US in the Indo-Pacific. The US administration has called on Australia to lift its defence spending to almost $100 billion a year "as soon as possible"

And the PM has been in South Australia touring farms affected by the drought. He says his Government is doing all it can to help farmers deal with the impacts of climate change, but the latest official quarterly data shows Australia's greenhouse gas reduction performance has tanked.

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

Read PK's piece here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-02/lessons-keep-coming-for-liberals/105362148

Read Jacob's piece here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-01/emissions-australia-coalition-climate-energy-woodside/105354838

Read Annabel's piece here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-28/labor-refugees-coalition-climate-splits-structural-issues/105341780

Got a burning question?

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

Lots of discussion and debate about net zero commitments and obligations this week. But for this week's Insiders On Background, let's explore what the Australian economy looks like under a net-zero scenario. 

Laura Tingle joins Fran and PK for one last party — and more importantly, one last strawberry daiquiri -- before she wraps up her 40-years in the press gallery.

And the Coalition is officially back together, and leader Sussan Ley has announced the make-up of her shadow cabinet. But while plenty of fresh faces have been elevated, some key names have been overlooked. So, will Sussan Ley and David Littleproud be able to maintain party unity?

And its reconciliation week, so will a second term Albanese Government use its strong majority to push forward on Treaty and Truth like former Labor Senator and father of reconciliation Pat Dodson has called for?

Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly are joined by Laura Tingle, ABC's 7.30 Political Editor on The Party Room.

Got a burning question?

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

After officially reuniting as the Coalition, Sussan Ley and David Littleproud unveiled the make-up of the Shadow frontbench — and there were some notable snubs and omissions.

In the Liberals, Jane Hume was overlooked for a role, and Jacinta Nampijinpa Price was shifted to a role in the outer ministry. While in the Nationals, former Deputy leaders Barnaby Joyce and Michael McCormack, both find themselves on the backbench.

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]

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been on the ground in the flood-ravaged NSW Mid North Coast, and as PK and Tom Crowley discuss, that's exactly what the community expects of leaders.

And the Prime Minister has also used more forceful language to condemn Israel's blockade of food and supplies to Gaza, but recently dumped Labor frontbencher Ed Husic is doubling down on his calls for the Government to back up its words with action.

Patricia Karvelas and Tom Crowley 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]