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
9 snips
Feb 8, 2026 • 15min
Will the home battery boom slash power bills?
Tony Wood, Senior Fellow at the Grattan Institute who studies energy and climate, speaks about the surge in home batteries and rooftop solar. He covers how batteries helped during heatwave outages and can shift midday solar to evening peaks. He explains what drove the recent boom, how larger batteries change household coverage, and the implications for wholesale prices and future reliability.
Feb 5, 2026 • 17min
Can middle powers really take on Trump?
Samir Puri, author of Westlessness and former Chatham House director, explains shifting global power and middle-power strategy. He discusses Mark Carney’s challenge to the rules-based order. He examines why US-led bargains are fraying. He outlines how middle powers can rethink defence, diplomacy and economic dynamism to adapt to a more multipolar world.
8 snips
Feb 4, 2026 • 13min
Why the gold price has gone crazy
David Taylor, ABC business correspondent who explains markets and commodities. He describes queues at bullion dealers and who is buying gold. He traces the rally to tariff announcements, geopolitical shocks and US dollar weakness. He contrasts gold and silver volatility and outlines where prices might head next.
6 snips
Feb 3, 2026 • 15min
Alan Kohler on the rate hike and the RBA’s mistakes
Alan Kohler, ABC finance expert and journalist known for clear economic commentary. He breaks down the RBA’s surprise 0.25% hike and why last year’s three cuts looked questionable. He discusses the RBA’s higher inflation forecasts, how rate rises slow spending and the narrow path to a soft landing. He also explains how rate cuts and migration pushed housing prices up.
7 snips
Feb 2, 2026 • 15min
Unpacking the latest Epstein files
David Smith, associate professor at the United States Studies Centre, offers expert analysis on US politics. He outlines what the released Epstein files contain. He explains why the DOJ says no new probes are needed. He discusses withheld pages, mentions of high-profile figures, and whether further releases or hearings might follow.
27 snips
Feb 1, 2026 • 14min
What China’s military turmoil means for Taiwan
Neil Thomas, fellow on Chinese politics at the Asia Society Policy Institute, explains dramatic leadership changes in China’s military. He breaks down which top generals were removed and why that matters. He explores whether corruption charges hide political motives. He assesses how the purges affect the timeline and tactics for pressure on Taiwan.
Jan 29, 2026 • 16min
What’s behind Trump’s milk obsession?
Yasmin Tayag, staff writer at The Atlantic who covers food and culture, unpacks why whole milk became a political talking point. She traces policy shifts, dairy industry pressure, and the science around saturated fat. She also explores the cultural and symbolic reasons milk turned into a political statement.
Jan 28, 2026 • 16min
Why Pauline Hanson is so popular with Gen X men
Tony Barry, director at RedBridge Group and former Liberal strategist, breaks down the One Nation surge. He traces Pauline Hanson’s rise, why Gen X men are drawn to the party, and whether high polling will turn into seats. He also discusses party dynamics, populism’s rise, and how the major parties might shift in response.
5 snips
Jan 27, 2026 • 16min
How the ICE killings could lead to a civil war
Claire Finkelstein, law and philosophy professor and national security law expert at Penn, gives legal analysis on federal tactics and risks of domestic confrontation. She discusses disturbing footage and public alarm. She examines patterns suggesting deliberate strategies, forensic details of two shootings, and how federalized forces could escalate clashes into wider conflict.
9 snips
Jan 26, 2026 • 15min
Trump’s bid to control the Western Hemisphere
Monica Duffy-Toft, professor of international politics at Tufts and director of its Center for Strategic Studies, analyzes U.S. moves to reassert dominance in the Western Hemisphere. She discusses Trump’s Greenland rhetoric, a muscular hemispheric policy using coercion, the idea of spheres of influence, Venezuela as a test case, and risks of eroding international safeguards.
