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As the US and China compete for AI dominance, where does Australia fit in? | Insiders On Background

Former Director General of the Australian Signals Directorate, Rachel Noble explains how the global AI race could reshape our national security.

A spicy text and an AI stoush

It's Question Time! But before they get stuck into your brilliant questions, PK and Mel dig into some political developments.A scandalous text sent by the ACT Opposition leader has raised a whole host of questions, including whether or not politicians are allowed to find their jobs boring.And the brewing fight between the Albanese Government and its NT and QLD counterparts over AI data centres.Then it's time for your questions, including are Labor failing to sell their policies? Will Anthony Albanese shake-up his frontbench before the next election? And how do journalists maintain neutrality?Patricia Karvelas and Melissa Clarke are answer your clever queries on The Party Room: Question Time edition.Got a burning question?Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@abc.net.au

While the PM's away, the mice will play

The Prime Minister and Opposition leader have been on leave this week, but their absence hasn't led to a quieter news cycle.A two-day parliamentary inquiry into gambling dominated the agenda, hardening political opposition to Labor's gambling bill and mounting pressure on Anthony Albanese to go further — so will he?Meanwhile, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke's last minute press club cancellation became a story in and of itself. The Minister was set to unveil sweeping immigration changes, which are reportedly hitting internal roadblocks.It comes as Pauline Hanson once again banned the ABC, The Guardian and the Age from a One Nation event. It's far from the first time, so how should the media respond — and is this just about dominating the attention economy once again?And in developing news, prominent Labor figure and maverick backbencher Ed Husic has announced he'll take leave, after a car accident.Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly are joined by Tom McIlroy, Political Editor at the Guardian on The Party Room.

Is Labor worried about immigration?

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has postponed a national press club address, a very unusual move, where he was expected to announce sweeping cuts to immigration.The decision not to address the press club this week came less than 48-hours before the speech, with a spokesperson confirming it was "clear that some elements of the speech would not be finalised".Meanwhile, Treasurer Jim Chalmers has moved to quell a brewing fight over the so-called "widow's tax", unveiling a proposal to close the loophole.And Victorian Premier Ben Carroll is facing his first test as leader. The state's anti-corruption watchdog found serious and concerning conduct by senior public officers, including ministers, MPs and public servants, during a bitter pay dispute with the state's firefighters union.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 thepartyroom@abc.net.au

Will Albanese go further on gambling?

Betting giants Tabcorp and Sportsbet have faced a grilling at the parliamentary inquiry on gambling.The short inquiry has only run for two-days, but both Clare and PK agree it's been high impact. PK points to how it could frame the political agenda when parliament returns next week.And as pressure mounts on Labor to go further, Clare says she doesn't see a path through the Senate without Labor's bill "being tougher and more restrictive" on gambling promotions and advertisements.Meanwhile, Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie has stared down a direct threat from One Nation.And as bird flu continues to spread, Clare has an important public service announcement: you can't stockpile eggs!Patricia Karvelas and Clare Armstrong 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 thepartyroom@abc.net.au