
ABC News Daily
ABC News Daily is the podcast that helps you understand the issues affecting your world. Every episode, host Samantha Hawley walks through one story with the help of an ABC colleague or expert in under 15 minutes. When you want coverage you can trust, listen to ABC News Daily.
Key topics of recent episodes include the Donald Trump administration, the risk of constitutional crisis, DOGE, Tesla, insurance costs, recession risks, egg shortages, DeepSeek, neo-Nazis, Putin and Xi, the jobs market, anti-Semitism, and the Israel-Hamas war.
From interest rates, real estate and the housing crisis, to scams and US politics, ABC News Daily brings you facts and analysis you need to understand the biggest news stories.
In this election year expect regular updates on Australian politics, with key comments from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton as they compete for votes in the 2025 Australian election. The podcast picks apart major policy areas, including energy policy, finance and the Federal Budget.
The podcast covers news from America, with analysis on the Donald Trump administration in the White House. His return to power has big implications for global politics and security and US journalists and experts will explain what's at stake.
As Australians battle a cost-of-living crisis, ABC News Daily looks at the causes of inflation, rising rental costs, house prices, insurance costs and the price of groceries. Key experts in business and finance join Samantha Hawley, explaining the state of the economy, the unemployment rate and the jobs market.
Whether you rent, own an investment house or apartment, or are repaying a mortgage, ABC News Daily offers unique insights and analysis. When there are big moves from the Reserve Bank (RBA) on interest rates, or remarkable reactions in the ASX or the Australian dollar, guest experts, including economists, explain why.
Look into ABC News Daily's archive to find episodes on electric vehicles (EVs), artificial intelligence (AI), the big banks, supermarkets, TikTok, Ozempic, Tesla, Elon Musk, Twitter, Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, COVID, cyber security, spies, espionage, education, schools, teachers, crime and issues relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (First Nations) Australians.
ABC News Daily follows developments in the Middle East and the war between Israel and Hamas, with insights into the mindset of Benjamin Netanyahu, Palestinians and the role of Iran.
The podcast looks at the latest from Ukraine as Volodymyr Zelensky fights to repel the Russian invaders led by Russia's President Vladimir Putin. As China's Xi Jinping contemplates the future of Taiwan, ABC News Daily will sort fact from fiction. When North Korea's Kim Jong Un fires ballistic missiles, we'll assess the danger his regime poses.
When scammers target superannuation, your tax return and the ATO, you'll hear advice on what you can do to protect yourself.
As climate change fuelled by greenhouse gas emissions increases the risk of natural disasters, including fires and floods, ABC News Daily brings you fact-based analysis.
The future of electricity generation in Australia is being debated, and as claims are made about the merits of nuclear power, come to ABC News Daily for context around its potential role in replacing or augmenting coal and gas power plants and what it could mean for power bills. The podcast covers the future of renewable / green power generation, including the use of wind turbines, solar and hydro electric power.
The podcast looks at key businesses, including Coles and Woolworths, Qantas, the Commonwealth Bank and the construction, resources and manufacturing industries. When they report record profit, battle unions, or raise prices, the podcast pays attention.
ABC experts including Ian Verrender, Alan Kohler, Laura Tingle, Patricia Karvelas, John Lyons, and Annabel Crabb join Samantha Hawley to step through big issues and current affairs.
Latest episodes

Apr 15, 2025 • 17min
How Trump became ‘toxic’ for Dutton
Sarah Ferguson, host of ABC's 7.30 program, delves into the current Australian election campaign and the challenges Peter Dutton faces due to his association with Donald Trump. She analyzes how the Coalition's shift toward 'Trumpism' has backfired politically. Ferguson also discusses the personal narratives of leaders like Anthony Albanese and Dutton, illustrating how their backgrounds influence voter perceptions. The impact of authenticity and emotional trust in campaigns is highlighted as crucial for both parties amidst shifting public sentiments.

Apr 14, 2025 • 14min
How China could win Trump’s trade war
Neil Thomas, a Fellow of Chinese politics at the Asia Society Policy Institute, dives deep into the ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and China. He outlines how China, despite facing economic challenges like a collapsing property market and high youth unemployment, may leverage its position to gain an advantage. Thomas discusses China's strategic responses, including its efforts to influence Australia's stance and the implications of tariffs. His insights reveal why President Xi Jinping might already be ahead in this economic showdown.

Apr 13, 2025 • 15min
How the rental crisis is changing our cities
Inga Ting, a data journalist with the ABC's Digital Story Innovations team, dives into Australia’s escalating rental crisis. She reveals how skyrocketing rents are pushing average-income families out of key urban areas, with Perth unexpectedly becoming the most unaffordable city. The discussion highlights personal stories, emphasizing the struggle of single parents and the wider societal impact. Inga also explores various political responses and innovative strategies to stabilize rental affordability and improve the situation for renters.

Apr 10, 2025 • 14min
How Trump’s tariffs are costing Elon Musk
Join Wired reporter Vittoria Elliot as she dissects Elon Musk's tumultuous relationship with the Trump administration amid economic turmoil. Musk has faced a staggering $130 billion drop in net worth, largely due to Trump's tariffs impacting Tesla and SpaceX. Elliot explores the fallout from Musk's role as a government advisor and his advocacy for free trade. The podcast reveals tensions between tech giants and the political landscape, questioning whether Musk's entanglement in politics has hurt or helped his enterprises.

Apr 9, 2025 • 15min
How much will Trump’s trade war cost you?
Join economist Dr. Susan Stone, Chair of Economics at the University of South Australia, as she dives into the impacts of Trump's 104% tariffs on Chinese goods. She unpacks how these trade policies are shaking the global markets, particularly affecting Australian shares and consumer prices. The conversation highlights the potential strains on the Australian dollar and superannuation funds while also considering the historical context of trade wars. With a focus on recovery, Susan offers insights into navigating these turbulent economic waters.

Apr 8, 2025 • 15min
The AI tech involved in the MCG gun scare
Josh Roberston, an investigative reporter at ABC, dives into a shocking security breach at the Melbourne Cricket Ground during a packed AFL match. He explores how two individuals allegedly smuggled guns past advanced AI screening technology. Roberston critiques the effectiveness of AI in security protocols, pointing out issues in human oversight and potential legal challenges faced by security companies. He also discusses the need for a balance between AI capabilities and human judgment to ensure safety at major events.

7 snips
Apr 7, 2025 • 15min
The ‘sinister’ warning in Trump’s stock market plunge
Ian Verrender, ABC's Chief Business Correspondent, dives into the tumultuous world of stocks and tariffs. He explains how Trump's import tariffs are sending shockwaves through global markets, particularly impacting China and Australia. The discussion reveals a troubling decline in investor confidence and hints at a possible looming recession. Verrender also unpacks the complexities of navigating economic uncertainty amid rising populism and trade tensions, emphasizing the potential long-term consequences on markets and economies worldwide.

Apr 6, 2025 • 15min
Your questions: Defending Australia in Trump’s world
In this engaging discussion, Sam Roggeveen, Director of the Lowy Institute’s International Security Program, analyzes Australia's defense strategy amid rising global uncertainties. He tackles the question of whether Trump’s America remains a reliable ally and stresses the need for Australia to boost self-reliance without excessive spending. The conversation dives into the complexities of defense funding during a cost-of-living crisis, exploring how economic challenges shape national security decisions in an evolving geopolitical landscape.

5 snips
Apr 3, 2025 • 15min
Will Trump’s ‘liberation day’ lead to global recession?
Carrington Clarke, ABC's North America correspondent, sheds light on Trump's new tariffs aimed at revitalizing U.S. manufacturing. He discusses the president's assertion that America has been exploited in global trade, provoking concerns about a looming recession. Clarke explores contrasting economic beliefs, revealing tensions between Trump’s zero-sum view and broader economic consensus. The conversation also highlights strained U.S.-Australia trade relations, particularly over beef imports, and the significant implications these tariffs could have on global trade dynamics.

Apr 2, 2025 • 16min
The secrets of John Howard’s war on the docks
Join Jan Fran, host of 'Conspiracy? War on the Waterfront,' as she unpacks the complex 1998 waterfront dispute that transformed Australia’s labor landscape. Discover how John Howard's government played a controversial role in the dismissal of 1,400 dock workers, and the schemes behind replacing them with non-union labor. Jan reveals hidden insights from Peter Reith's diaries, exposing a government agenda notorious for its disdain for unions. Holistic and riveting, this discussion uncovers forgotten truths about power, politics, and workers' rights.
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