Podcast
ABC News Daily
Hosted by ABC Australia · EN
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.
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 of the Donald Trump administration in the White House. His actions, including threats of massive tariffs 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 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), politics, the big banks, supermarkets, Tesla, Elon Musk, education, schools, teachers and crime.
Watch for episodes about federal politics and the leadership of Labor's Anthony Albanese. We look at policy areas that matter for voters, including education, health, housing and immigration and assess the proposals from the federal opposition.
ABC News Daily follows developments in the Middle East and the war between Israel and Hamas, with insights into the actions of Benjamin Netanyahu.
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.
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 podcast covers the future of renewable / green power generation, including the use of wind turbines, solar and hydro electric power.
ABC experts including Ian Verrender, Alan Kohler, Laura Tingle, David Speers, and Annabel Crabb join Samantha Hawley to step through big issues and current affairs.
136episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
China’s warning to Trump on Taiwan
May 2000:16:21Tap to summarizeThere are questions about the future of Taiwan after Donald Trump declared he’s “not looking to have somebody go independent”.The US president met China’s leader in Beijing and says Xi Jinping asked him whether the US would defend Taiwan. What do Trump’s comments mean for US-China relations and how likely is a Chinese invasion of the self-governed island?Today, Samir Puri, visiting lecturer in war studies at King’s College London on President Xi Jinping’s warning to Trump and whether the Chinese are ready for war. Featured: Samir Puri, visiting lecturer in war studies at King’s College London
Transcribe →
Is the budget bold enough to stop One Nation’s rise?
May 1900:15:27Tap to summarizeLabor wants its budget to be seen as a concrete step towards levelling the playing field between the generations. But Newspoll suggests it’s the most unpopular federal budget in more than 30 years. Across the polls, Labor’s support is steady or declining, while One Nation rises above the Coalition. Will bolder economic policies from Labor and the Coalition stop the collapse of Australia’s two-party system and the rise of minor parties and independents?Today, Michelle Grattan, political correspondent at The Conversation and professorial fellow at the University of Canberra on the reaction to the budget. Featured: Michelle Grattan, political correspondent at The Conversation and professorial fellow at the University of Canberra
Transcribe →
What Trump’s China trip reveals about the AI race
May 1800:15:19Tap to summarizeWith so many tech bosses accompanying Donald Trump on his recent trip to China, expectations were high that AI and high tech business deals would be central to the talks. But in the end, there was no breakthrough on selling US firm Nvidia’s high tech AI chips to China.So where does that leave the race for AI dominance and how are China and the US approaching AI differently?Today, China tech expert Selina Xu on who’s ahead right now and what happens next.Featured: Selina Xu, China tech researcher, writer and analyst
Transcribe →
The tax raid on family trusts
May 1700:15:09Tap to summarizeIf you’ve got a family trust, you’re probably doing pretty well.They’ve been used for generations to distribute wealth and reduce tax bills. Now the government’s moving to make sure the tax office receives more from the earnings, imposing a minimum 30 percent tax on discretionary trusts. Today, Kristen Sobeck a tax expert at the University of Canberra on the new tax on trusts. Featured: Kristen Sobeck, economics lecturer at the University of Canberra
Transcribe →
Why Trump keeps asking 'Vance or Rubio?'
May 1400:16:13Tap to summarizeMarco Rubio is hitting his stride, he’s Trump’s National Security Advisor and his Secretary of State, he’s taken over the White House press briefing, sat down with the Pope and is now in China for Trump’s showdown with President Xi.No wonder speculation is growing that he could be the next Republican presidential nominee, instead of Vice President JD Vance.Today, Geoff Kabaservice from the Niskanen Center think tank on the new political battle in the US.Featured: Geoff Kabaservice, Niskanen Center Vice President for Political Studies
Transcribe →
What we know about the cruise ship hantavirus
May 1300:16:02Tap to summarizeIt’s been an ordeal for those who embarked on a cruise across in early April and it’s not over yet. The ship's passengers are being repatriated across the world after potential exposure to hantavirus, which caused the death of three passengers. Among those heading home are four Australians who will soon be placed in a quarantine facility in Western Australia. What is the virus, how does it spread and should we be worried about it? Today epidemiologist Raina MacIntyre from UNSW on everything you need to know about hantavirus. Featured: Raina MacIntyre, epidemiologist and Professor of Global Biosecurity at the University of New South Wales
Transcribe →
Is this the bravest budget in decades?
May 1200:20:49Tap to summarizeThe Treasurer Jim Chalmers has delivered his 2026 budget, unveiling a new tax cut and some of the most significant tax changes in decades. Delivered as war impacts the economy, it’s being sold as a budget that addresses the growing inequality between generations, with the treasurer declaring Labor is on the hard road of reform. But will changes to taxes on property investors and family trusts really level the playing field?The ABC’s chief business correspondent Ian Verrender joins Sam Hawley in the budget lock-up in Sydney. Featured: Ian Verrender, ABC Chief Business Correspondent
Transcribe →
Is Putin right to be paranoid?
May 1100:16:05Tap to summarizeFor decades, Russia’s Victory Day parade has brought tanks and intercontinental ballistic missiles to Red Square to celebrate the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany. But not this year. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin scaled back the event due to the risk of a Ukrainian long range attack on Moscow. At the same time, media reports citing a European intelligence service suggest security is increasing around Putin and there’s even a risk of a coup. Today, Matthew Sussex, Russia expert at the Australian National University on Putin’s paranoia and whether Ukraine has cards to play in the conflict. Featured: Matthew Sussex, associate professor at the Centre for European Studies at the Australian National University
Transcribe →
How to beat inflation without rate hikes
May 1000:16:00Tap to summarizeWhy is it up to the Reserve Bank to control inflation with interest rates? Imagine if there were other tools that spread the pain to more people, not just those repaying a home loan. Perhaps the government could force workers to put more money into their superannuation accounts or move the GST up and down depending on the inflation rate. Today, independent economist Chris Richardson assesses the options. Featured: Chris Richardson, independent economist
Transcribe →
Is Iran's 'slopaganda' changing anyone's mind?
May 700:15:15Tap to summarizeIt’s a new sort of warfare and it’s not taking place on the battlefield.Backers of Iran are creating so-called ‘slopaganda’ using AI generated videos to mock the United States and President Donald Trump. But while Iranian diplomats are sharing the viral videos, are they actually changing anyone’s mind? Today, Brett Schafer from the Institute for Strategic Dialogue on how Iran is using meme warfare to soften the regime’s image. Featured: Brett Schafer, senior director at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue
Transcribe →