

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

May 18, 2025 • 15min
The growing push for ‘Adult Crime, Adult Time’ laws
Jessica van Vonderen, an ABC News Queensland presenter, discusses the tragic case of Emma Lovell, whose murder by a teenager reignited calls for stricter youth crime laws. She explains how Queensland became the first state to adopt 'Adult Crime, Adult Time' legislation, allowing juveniles charged with serious crimes to face adult penalties. The conversation highlights the rising youth crime crisis, public outcry for accountability, and the potential for other states to follow Queensland’s lead in enacting similar laws.

6 snips
May 15, 2025 • 15min
What Trump’s China tariffs did to businesses
Cassie Abel, Founder and CEO of Wild Rye, shares her firsthand experiences navigating the turbulence of Trump's tariffs on Chinese goods. She discusses the emotional and financial challenges faced by her women's outdoor apparel brand amidst shifting trade relations. Cassie highlights the costs of U.S. manufacturing and her shift to Chinese factories, emphasizing the need for strong partnerships. The conversation also critiques current tariff policies and the unpredictability they create for businesses, suggesting collaboration over competition for better outcomes.

6 snips
May 14, 2025 • 15min
Why Trump’s Middle East tour is about money, not peace
Hussein Ibish, a senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute, analyzes Donald Trump's recent Middle East tour, revealing its true focus on economic interests rather than peace. He discusses Trump’s acquisition of a luxury 747 from Qatar and substantial investment deals with Saudi Arabia. The conversation highlights the lack of dialogue about Gaza and the strains in U.S.-Israel relations amid escalating conflicts. Ibish further critiques the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, emphasizing the dire shortages exacerbated by ongoing tensions.

14 snips
May 13, 2025 • 15min
The nuclear problem facing Sussan Ley
Sarah Ferguson, host of ABC TV's 7.30, dives into the challenges facing the newly appointed Liberal leader, Sussan Ley, as she seeks to revive the party after a significant election loss. They discuss the historical significance of having a female leader in the Coalition and the pressing need for policy renewal. The conversation also touches on the controversial future of nuclear energy in Australia's political landscape and Labor's internal power struggles following their recent victory.

May 12, 2025 • 15min
The nuclear risk in the India-Pakistan conflict
Aparna Pande, a leading expert on India-Pakistan relations at the Hudson Institute, dives into the fraught dynamics between the two nuclear powers. She discusses the recent flare-ups in Kashmir, the historical roots of their enduring conflict, and highlights significant events, like the Pahlagam terror attack. Pande also sheds light on their contrasting nuclear policies, particularly India's no first use stance, and emphasizes the critical need for renewed diplomacy to ensure long-term peace in the region.

May 11, 2025 • 15min
How Bunnings crushed its competitors
Angus Grigg, a Four Corners reporter, dives deep into Bunnings' market dominance. He reveals how Bunnings skillfully blends community ties with aggressive pricing strategies, making it a beloved choice among DIYers. The discussion highlights how smaller competitors struggle under Bunnings' shadow while showcasing the emotional journey of a worm farming couple betrayed by lost contracts. Grigg questions the supermarket-level scrutiny of Bunnings, pointing to potential gaps in oversight and the implications for suppliers and consumers alike.

9 snips
May 9, 2025 • 18min
The surprise pick of an American pope
Andrew West, host of the ABC's Religion and Ethics Report, breaks down the election of the first American pope, Leo XIV, and what it means for the Catholic Church. He discusses his Peruvian heritage and the unexpected nature of his selection. The conversation touches on the political implications amidst American conservatism, the complexities of church representation, and the ongoing challenges regarding clergy abuse. West also speculates on the new pope’s leadership journey and his potential bond with American Catholics.

May 8, 2025 • 0sec
Why Trump’s at war with Harvard University
Geoff Kabaservice, vice president for political studies at the Niskanen Center, discusses the fierce showdown between Donald Trump and Harvard University. Trump’s targeting of Harvard over alleged anti-Semitism leads to a heated debate on academic freedom and government pressure. The conversation dives into the historical role of Harvard in American education, the ideological rifts on campus, and the political calculations behind Trump’s executive actions. Kabaservice examines the implications for free speech and the American public's response to elite institutions.

May 7, 2025 • 15min
Why there’s no motive in the mushroom murder trial
Rachael Brown, an investigative and true crime reporter at ABC, joins to share gripping insights from the mushroom murder trial involving Erin Patterson. The courtroom drama unfolds as sole survivor Ian Wilkinson recounts the deadly lunch that led to three tragic fatalities. Brown reveals the strange absence of motive in the prosecution's case, despite damning evidence of mushroom poisoning. Listeners are drawn into Erin's complex relationships and her chilling culinary passions, making this case a haunting tale of trust turned toxic.

May 6, 2025 • 0sec
Annabel Crabb on Dutton’s women debacle
In this engaging discussion, Annabel Crabb, an ABC political journalist, unpacks Peter Dutton's struggle to regain female voters for the Coalition. She highlights the dramatic increase in female MPs, yet points out that fewer than ten will represent the Coalition. Crabb analyzes Labor's successful strategies for women in politics, contrasts them with the Liberal Party's challenges, and delves into systemic issues affecting women's representation. The conversation also touches on how political shifts may influence future leadership dynamics.