A big week of dealmaking episode artwork

EPISODE · Aug 20, 2026 · 42 MIN

A big week of dealmaking

from Politics Now · host Australian Broadcasting Corporation

It's been a very successful legislative week for the Albanese Government, with Labor and the Coalition teaming up to pass a suite of bills.But it seems the big battles are only just beginning, with the implementation of the changes presenting a key challenge for Labor.Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Penny Wong has hauled the Israeli Ambassador in for a meeting to express Australia's disappointment after Israel cleared the soldiers who were involved in a strike that killed Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom in April 2024.Penny Wong has declared a "difficult time" in the relationship between Australia and Israel, saying there are "unanswered questions" about the strikes.And there's a super scare campaign brewing in the Labor party, after One Nation suggested access to superannuation be lightened up. So, is Treasurer Jim Chalmers onto a winner here?Tobacco tax is also back in the spotlight, with One Nation suggesting the tobacco excise is cut by 75 per cent to curb a rampant black market.NSW Labor Premier Chris Minns is also onboard will reducing the price of legal tobacco, so is he "100 per cent wrong" as frontbencher Tanya Plibersek suggested?Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly are joined by Charles Croucher, Chief Political Editor at 9News on The Party Room.Got a burning question?Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at [email protected]

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Aug 20, 2026

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A big week of dealmaking

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