

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

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.

Apr 1, 2025 • 14min
Your questions: Is Gina Rinehart an oligarch?
Kate Griffiths, a researcher at the Grattan Institute, dives into the controversial role of political donations in Australia, specifically focusing on figures like mining magnate Gina Rinehart. She highlights the skepticism voters have regarding billionaire influence and explores the accessibility of politicians to wealthy donors. The discussion touches on recent changes to electoral funding laws designed to enhance transparency. Griffiths emphasizes the importance of public discourse in maintaining a democracy that reflects the interests of the many, not just the privileged few.

9 snips
Mar 31, 2025 • 13min
Why ‘Adolescence’ is a wake up call for parents
Michelle Mitchell, a parenting author and educator, discusses the societal impact of the Netflix series 'Adolescence'. She emphasizes the heightened awareness among parents regarding their children's media consumption and its effects on mental health. The conversation covers issues like toxic masculinity and online extremism, showcasing how harmful ideologies can shape teenagers’ identities. Mitchell also provides practical strategies for parents to navigate technology and ensure their children’s online safety in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

Mar 30, 2025 • 16min
Understanding the Tasmanian salmon saga
Leon Compton, host of ABC Radio Tasmania Mornings, dives into the turbulent waters of the Tasmanian salmon farming saga. He highlights a recent bacterial outbreak that wiped out over 5,500 tonnes of salmon, igniting public health worries and triggering intense community backlash. Compton examines the environmental concerns, particularly the impact on local ecosystems like the endangered Morgian skate, and the political tensions as the industry faces scrutiny ahead of the federal election. Ethics of salmon consumption also come into play, urging listeners to weigh their choices carefully.

Mar 28, 2025 • 19min
Why the May 3 election will be like no other
Join Casey Briggs, an ABC election analyst with a keen eye on voter trends, as he breaks down the upcoming May 3 election in Australia. He discusses how key issues like the cost of living and energy policy are shaping campaigning strategies. Notably, there's a surge in swing voters this election, prompting a shift in political approaches. Briggs dives into the contrasting visions of Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton, highlighting the significant choices voters will face concerning their economic futures.

Mar 27, 2025 • 15min
Team Trump’s ‘comically incompetent’ group chat
David Smith, an Associate Professor at the United States Studies Centre, dives into the recent blunder of Trump's team where classified military plans leaked into a group chat. He discusses the chaotic dynamics of urgent decision-making among high-ranking officials and critiques the use of unsecured platforms like Signal for sensitive discussions. The conversation reveals the striking incompetence in communication protocols, the implications for national security, and the hypocrisy surrounding information handling in the Trump administration.