Well, they fight, they break up, they kiss, they make up.

Never before have the lyrics of a Katy Perry song been more relevant to federal politics.

After last week’s shock split, this week the Coalition got back together again. But at what cost? What compromises have been made on both sides? And will the Nats and the Libs be able to work constructively together after all the drama?

Meanwhile, Labor is moving ahead with plans to hike taxes on super accounts of more than $3 million, and Anthony Albanese hardens his rhetoric on Israel and its killing of civilians in Gaza.

Here to discuss all this with host Jacqueline Maley is new chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal, and foreign affairs and national security correspondent Matthew Knott.

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It was high drama this week with the Nationals telling the Liberals they wanted a political divorce.

But by Thursday, the separation – like a marriage on the rocks – was placed on hold while further conversations took place.

So what happened? And what’s going to be better for both parties, and the political health of the nation?

Here to discuss the drama, we have our freshly minted Chief Political Commentator James Massola, and freshly minted Political Correspondent Natassia Chrysanthos. Welcome to you both.

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Newly elected Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joins chief political correspondent David Crowe and federal political reporter Paul Sakkal for an exclusive interview on Inside Politics. They chat about the new Labor cabinet, Albanese's thumping mandate, plans for the term ahead and a new phrase the prime minister is trying out - progressive patriotism.

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It will go down as one of the most resounding victories in Australian political history. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese out-performed the expectations of just about everyone last weekend, decimating the Liberal party to the extent where even its leader lost his own seat. So, what next for Labor? As the caucus gathers in Canberra on Friday, we look at the new faces in the team and discuss which are the ones to watch. Also, we try to decide whether the teals have gone backwards or consolidated power with their results. Chief Political Correspondent David Crowe, and Political Correspondent Paul Sakkal join Jacqueline Maley to discuss.

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Well, that was quick, about two and a half hours after the polls had closed, the election had already been called for the incumbent Labor government. But as the night went on, Anthony Albanese’s win was looking like a landslide, and Labor increased its majority in parliament. For the opposition, it was disastrous, its leader Peter Dutton has lost his seat in parliament and recriminations will surely be savage.

To talk us through the results and what it all means, we speak to chief political correspondent David Crowe and federal political correspondent Paul Sakkal.

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Today we bring you a special episode recorded in the south-west Victorian electorate of Wannon. The seat encompasses tourist towns from Lorne along the Great Ocean Road, to Warrnambool.

And who better to tell the evolving story of Wannon than our associate editor and special writer Tony Wright. He was born in Heywood, grew up on sheep and cattle properties in the Western District, went to school in Hamilton, started his career in small newspapers in Portland, Warrnambool and Camperdown, and still has a house near Portland.

Our audio producer Julia Carr-Catzel joins Tony Wright on the road.

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Well, it’s finally here. Saturday is election day, and by Saturday night we will have some idea of who is going to govern Australia for the next three years, during this volatile and pivotal moment in global history.

Today, we talk about the seats to watch on election night, the ones that will determine the outcome of the poll.

And we will also zoom out to the bigger picture.

Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton have depicted duelling visions of the Australia they want to build. They also have sharply different leadership styles.

Which one is the more appealing to voters in the current moment?

Joining Jacqueline Maley to discuss all this we have chief political correspondent David Crowe, and senior economics correspondent Shane Wright.

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Salmon farming is not something most voters consider when they go to the polls on election day. But for Tasmanian voters, it is a huge and often divisive issue. This debate about the environmental effects of salmon farming is playing out in an election where any other discussion of the environment is pretty much non-existent.

Which is curious because energy policy goes hand-in-hand with the environment and that is a decisive topic of this election. It’s also curious that the federal environment minister, Tanya Plibersek, has been very quiet during the campaign.

National environment and climate reporter Bianca Hall and energy correspondent Mike Foley join Jacqueline Maley to discuss.

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