

ABC News Daily
ABC Australia
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.
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 27, 2025 • 17min
Who is Dezi Freeman, the accused police killer?
Mahmood Fazal, a dedicated Four Corners reporter who has spent months exploring the sovereign citizen movement, discusses the chilling events surrounding Dezi Freeman, who is accused of killing two police officers. He highlights the complex motivations behind Freeman's actions and the alarming rise of the sovereign citizen ideology, especially during the pandemic. The conversation also covers the broader implications of these beliefs for public safety and law enforcement, shedding light on a growing threat in Australia.

Aug 26, 2025 • 15min
The attacks Iran ordered in Australia
In this discussion, Greg Barton, a Professor of Global Islamic Politics at Deakin University, unpacks Iran’s orchestrated antisemitic attacks in Australia that rattled the Jewish community. He explains how these incidents in Sydney and Melbourne aimed to disrupt social cohesion and what they mean for Australia's diplomatic ties with Tehran. The conversation also delves into Australia's strong government responses, including the expulsion of the Iranian ambassador and the implications for national security and community trust.

Aug 25, 2025 • 15min
Will cutting autism fix the NDIS?
Nas Campanella, ABC's National Disability Affairs Reporter, offers critical insights on the government's controversial decision to remove autism support from the NDIS. She discusses the emotional impact on families, especially regarding the new Thriving Kids initiative, which aims to assist children with mild to moderate developmental delays. The complexities of eligibility, funding, and therapy adequacy are also explored, revealing the deep concerns within the disability community about the future of support and potential reforms in Australia.

11 snips
Aug 24, 2025 • 15min
What are Trump’s troops doing in Washington DC?
Geoff Kabaservice, vice president for political studies at the Niskanen Center, delves into the surprising deployment of National Guard troops in Washington, D.C. He discusses the implications of this strategy in addressing crime, despite a decline in violent incidents. The conversation reveals concerns about militarization in domestic politics and the potential impact on local governance. Kabaservice critically analyzes Trump's motivations and the broader consequences of federal control over local law enforcement, sparking a debate on urban security and political polarization.

10 snips
Aug 21, 2025 • 14min
Laura Tingle on Netanyahu vs Albanese
Laura Tingle, ABC's Global Affairs Editor, dives into the escalating tensions between Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. She discusses Netanyahu's accusations of Albanese as a weak leader and the implications for Australian-Jewish relations. The dialogue explores the complexities of Australia’s stance on Israel, Palestine, and the criticisms faced by both leaders. Tingle also highlights the evolving nature of their diplomatic ties amidst historical support and rising political dissent.

13 snips
Aug 20, 2025 • 16min
The productivity problem with car washing
Ian Verrender, ABC's Chief Business Correspondent, explores Australia's troubling productivity woes. He dives into the surprising shift from automatic to hand car washes, linking it to immigration policies. Verrender discusses how these changes reflect broader economic trends. The conversation challenges the notion that productivity must always precede wage increases, suggesting that higher wages could actually drive productivity. He also highlights critical factors such as population growth and property dynamics that were overlooked in recent economic discussions.

11 snips
Aug 19, 2025 • 15min
Will Trump’s 'security guarantees' end Putin’s war?
John Herbst, former US Ambassador to Ukraine and senior director of the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center, provides keen insights into the delicate diplomatic landscape of the Ukraine-Russia conflict. He discusses a recent meeting between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders, emphasizing the importance of proposed US security guarantees. Herbst analyzes the potential for peace talks with Putin, the significance of NATO's commitments, and the challenges of ensuring reliable support for Ukraine amid fluctuating political dynamics.

9 snips
Aug 18, 2025 • 15min
Is Trump backing Putin’s plan for 'peace'?
In this insightful discussion, Dr. Matthew Sussex, a visiting fellow at the Centre for European Studies at ANU and a noted Russia expert, analyzes the implications of the recent Trump-Putin meeting. He dives into Putin's strategic aims and how Trump's actions may inadvertently bolster those goals. The conversation also covers the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Ukraine's resilient military response, and the effects of their controversial alliance on U.S. foreign policy and NATO security.

Aug 17, 2025 • 14min
How China became a green energy superpower
Jo Lauder, a climate reporter at ABC, dives into China's rapid rise as a green energy titan. She reveals that China now produces half of the world’s wind power and electric cars, yet remains the largest greenhouse gas emitter. Jo discusses the powerful role of the Chinese government in accelerating this transition and the contradiction of its industrial success alongside significant pollution challenges. Explore how China's renewable energy strategies could potentially reshape global markets and serve as a model for other countries.

Aug 14, 2025 • 16min
How RFK Jr is eroding global trust in vaccines
In this insightful discussion, Professor Julie Leask, a leading public health expert at the University of Sydney, delves into the alarming impact of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s anti-vaccine rhetoric. She highlights how his skepticism towards mRNA vaccines is eroding global trust and emphasizes the consequences of misinformation, particularly on public perception. Leask addresses the dangerous restructuring of vaccine oversight committees and the recent cancellation of significant research funding, arguing for the urgent need to bolster vaccine development and public confidence.


