

ABC News Daily
ABC News
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.
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 and crime.
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 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.
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 and crime.
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 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

Oct 16, 2025 • 16min
The trouble with Elon Musk’s trillion dollar pay deal
Elon Musk's ascent to over $500 billion raises questions about extreme wealth and its societal impact. Professor Carl Rhodes discusses the ethical dilemmas of billionaire concentration and the role of technology in driving this phenomenon. He critiques billionaire philanthropy, warning of its influence over democracy and accountability. Rhodes also explores potential solutions like wealth taxes to address rising inequality, emphasizing the risks of leaving wealth disparity unchecked on social stability.

Oct 15, 2025 • 15min
How Hamas 'outfoxed' Netanyahu to keep power
Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, a Palestinian-American senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, dives into the intricacies of Hamas's grip on power. He discusses how Hamas is navigating hostage returns and using public executions to instill fear in Gaza. Alkhatib critiques Trump's aggressive stance on disarming Hamas, pondering the implications of such military actions. He warns that the U.S. focus might diminish, creating risks for Palestinian statehood, while assessing the precarious security landscape for both Israelis and Palestinians.

Oct 14, 2025 • 16min
Why Chalmers caved on his super tax for the rich
Why did the government cave to pressure over its superannuation tax changes for the richest Australians? The Treasurer Jim Chalmers has revealed two major changes in response to critics, introducing indexing on the $3 million threshold and dropping a plan to tax unrealised gains. He says the government’s new plan achieves the same objective in making the system more equitable, but how will it work? Today, political correspondent Melissa Clarke on what the backdown means for the future of tax reform under Labor. Featured: Melissa Clarke, ABC political correspondent

6 snips
Oct 13, 2025 • 16min
Can Trump’s peace hold now the hostages are free?
Jonathan Panikoff, Director of the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council, dives into the complexities of recent peace efforts. He discusses Trump’s declaration that the war is over and how the recent hostage deal influences this claim. Panikoff analyzes the mixed reactions in Israel and the diplomatic maneuvers that enabled the hostage release. He also explores the sustainability of the ceasefire and outlines what international leaders must prioritize moving forward, including humanitarian aid and security in Gaza.

18 snips
Oct 12, 2025 • 16min
How much is Trump profiting from the presidency?
John Lyons, ABC's Americas Editor and investigative journalist, dives deep into Donald Trump’s financial gains since his return to the White House. He recounts a tense exchange with Trump over his wealth and explores how the lack of formal conflict rules affects presidential finances. Lyons reveals Trump’s pivot to cryptocurrency through the Trump family platform and discusses the implications of meme coins and investor dissatisfaction. The conversation raises crucial questions about how Trump's business interests might influence US foreign policy.

Oct 9, 2025 • 17min
Will Trump’s hostage deal end the war in Gaza?
Rajan Menon, an expert in international relations and professor emeritus at the City College of New York, dives into the recent breakthrough in Gaza. He explores the intricate negotiations involving various stakeholders like the US, Israel, and Hamas. Menon discusses the controversial terms, including how 48 Israeli hostages will be exchanged for 1,950 Palestinians and the emotional impact of these releases. He questions whether this deal can truly end the hostilities and what it means for the future governance of Gaza, highlighting Trump's complex role in the mediation.

Oct 8, 2025 • 14min
How Dezi Freeman sparked a sovereign citizen gun ban
Kaz Ross, an independent researcher specializing in far-right extremism, delves into the complexities of the sovereign citizen movement following the shocking events involving Dezi Freeman. He discusses the ongoing manhunt and examines Freeman’s radical background and anti-authority beliefs. Ross highlights Western Australia's proactive police measures, including gun seizures and the new 'fit and proper' laws. The conversation navigates the delicate balance between civil liberties and public safety, questioning whether other states should adopt similar actions.

Oct 7, 2025 • 14min
Why Trump keeps blowing up Venezuelan boats
Rachel Van Landingham, a former active-duty judge advocate and current law professor, dives into the controversial U.S. military strikes against alleged Venezuelan drug boats. She highlights the troubling implications of defining drug cartels as 'narco-terrorists' and explains why lethal military action is legally questionable. Rachel argues that interdiction and prosecution should be the norm instead. She links U.S. drug demand to systemic healthcare issues and warns that this policy could lead to dangerous precedents and extrajudicial actions on U.S. soil.

17 snips
Oct 6, 2025 • 15min
Could Andrew Hastie be Australia’s Nigel Farage?
Tony Barry, a former Liberal Party strategist and director at RedBridge Group, dives deep into Andrew Hastie's political future and right-wing dynamics in Australia. They discuss Hastie's rich military background and rapid ascent in politics, questioning whether his controversial, Farage-like views can resonate with Australian voters. Barry highlights the challenges of appealing to the electorate in a landscape dominated by cost of living issues over cultural distractions. The conversation also explores the implications of Hastie's resignation from the Coalition front bench.

8 snips
Oct 5, 2025 • 16min
The betting firms profiting from crime
Steve Cannane, an investigative reporter from Four Corners, dives deep into the alarming world of online betting firms. He unveils shocking statistics about Australia's $31 billion gambling losses and the exploitative practices of bookmakers. Cannane highlights a case where a financial advisor gambled away clients' funds and critiques how bookmakers keep profits from criminal activities. Despite recommendations for reform, he explores the government's slow response and questions the industry's ethical responsibilities.


