

ABC News Daily
ABC
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, DOGE, Tesla, insurance costs, recession risks, egg shortages, DeepSeek, neo-Nazis, Putin and Xi, solar batteries, 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.
After Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Labor were returned to office in the 2025 election, with a strong parliamentary majority, we will be following the government’s new agenda and how the diminished Liberal and National Party Coalition responds. 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 actions, including massive tariffs on trade, have big implications for global politics and the economy 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.
Key topics of recent episodes include the Donald Trump administration, DOGE, Tesla, insurance costs, recession risks, egg shortages, DeepSeek, neo-Nazis, Putin and Xi, solar batteries, 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.
After Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Labor were returned to office in the 2025 election, with a strong parliamentary majority, we will be following the government’s new agenda and how the diminished Liberal and National Party Coalition responds. 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 actions, including massive tariffs on trade, have big implications for global politics and the economy 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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 19, 2024 • 34min
Cyclone Tracy: The Legacy
Jane Bardon, an ABC Darwin journalist, passionately interviews Cyclone Tracy survivors and experts in rebuilding efforts. They discuss the catastrophic impacts of the cyclone that destroyed 85% of Darwin’s housing and infrastructure. The conversation reveals how Tracy led to an overhaul of the National Construction Code aimed at improving building resilience. However, they question if current regulations are being followed, especially with climate change intensifying cyclone risks. Personal stories highlight the emotional turmoil of survival and the community's enduring spirit of recovery.

Dec 18, 2024 • 46min
Cyclone Tracy: The Survivors
Join Jane Bardon, an ABC Darwin journalist, and Alan Haines, a former fuel depot worker, as they share gripping tales from the night Cyclone Tracy struck Darwin on Christmas Eve 1974. They delve into personal accounts of terror and survival, revealing how the community confronted devastation. Explore why many chose to return and rebuild their lives in a cyclone-prone area. Together, they reflect on the emotional scars left by this disaster and discuss the vital lessons learned as climate change escalates the risk of similar events.

Dec 17, 2024 • 20min
Alan and Chris Kohler on the year in finance
Alan Kohler, an ABC finance presenter, and his son Chris Kohler, Nine News finance editor, dive into the cost of living crisis affecting Australians of all ages. They discuss the housing market struggles for younger generations amid rising interest rates. Alan highlights how government spending and immigration cloud the true economic picture. Chris points out the lack of competition in supermarkets and its impact on consumer prices. They also offer insights into what 2025 may hold for the economy. Tune in for their witty yet informative take on these pressing issues.

Dec 16, 2024 • 23min
John Lyons on the year in world news
John Lyons, ABC's Global Affairs Editor, shares his firsthand insights from covering pivotal global events. He discusses the ongoing crisis in Gaza and the resilience he witnessed amid conflict. The conversation also touches on the implications of the Ukraine war and the potential political shifts as 2024 unfolds. Additionally, Lyons reflects on cultural phenomena like Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, highlighting the intersection of entertainment and global issues. His anecdotes reveal the universal desire for safety and connection, even in turbulent times.

8 snips
Dec 15, 2024 • 20min
Laura Tingle on the year in politics
Laura Tingle, 7.30's chief political correspondent, dives deep into the challenges facing Anthony Albanese's government as 2024 unfolds. She assesses the ineffectiveness of recent tax cuts and energy subsidies amid rising costs of living. With an eye on the upcoming 2025 election, Tingle discusses the implications of political optics on voter perception and the strategies the government and opposition, particularly Peter Dutton, may employ. The conversation sheds light on the evolving dynamics of Australian politics and the critical decisions ahead.

14 snips
Dec 12, 2024 • 15min
Why Sydney Uni gave up on its AI ban
Danny Liu, a Professor of Educational Technologies at the University of Sydney, dives into the shifting landscape of AI in education. He discusses how the university is transitioning from banning AI tools like ChatGPT to integrating them in academic assessments. Liu explains a dual assessment model to teach students the responsible use of AI. He also highlights innovative approaches, such as interactive oral assessments, to promote critical thinking while ensuring academic integrity in a tech-driven world.

Dec 11, 2024 • 15min
How anti-Semitism became terrorism
Patricia Karvelas, a seasoned journalist and host at ABC Radio National, delves into the troubling rise of anti-Semitic violence in Australia, sparked by recent events including a firebombing of a synagogue in Melbourne. She discusses the implications of political responses, particularly criticisms faced by the Prime Minister. The conversation also covers personal stories from the Jewish community, government actions against hate crimes, and the difficulties of balancing political decisions with community safety amid escalating tensions.

Dec 10, 2024 • 14min
Why the CEO shooting suspect isn’t a 'hero'
Carrington Clarke, ABC's North America correspondent, sheds light on the shocking murder of health insurance executive Brian Thompson in NYC. He discusses the public's disturbing rally behind the suspected gunman, revealing deep frustrations with the healthcare system. The podcast delves into the motives linked to systemic issues in insurance practices and the emotional turmoil shaping public opinion. It also examines the ramifications for healthcare workers and how such incidents reflect broader societal unrest.

Dec 9, 2024 • 15min
Why Putin couldn’t save Syria’s dictator
John Lyons, ABC's Global Affairs Editor, dives into the stunning fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in just eight days, highlighting the chaotic takeover of Damascus and the shift in power dynamics. He discusses how the rise of Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) has transformed from an Al-Qaeda offshoot to an organization with a more moderate image. Lyons also explores the geopolitical distractions affecting support for Assad and what these changes mean for the future stability of Syria and the Middle East.

Dec 8, 2024 • 15min
Why our solar power surge is a problem
Dan Mercer, an ABC energy reporter, sheds light on Australia's solar power surge and its unexpected challenges. With over four million solar panels now installed, he compares managing the grid's stability to riding a bike. Mercer discusses the implications of an overabundance of solar energy, the technological advancements in inverter and battery systems, and the need for effective consumer energy management. He highlights the financial benefits of solar while cautioning about reliance on fossil fuels amidst rising solar adoption.