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
21 snips
Jan 12, 2026 • 14min
Inside Iran’s crackdown as protests escalate
Negin Shiraghaei, a British-Iranian activist and founder of the Azadi Network, dives into the violent protests in Iran, revealing the chilling impact of internet shutdowns and alarming casualty figures. She discusses the protesters' resolve and the regime's desperate measures, including sniper use. Greg Karlstrom, a Middle East correspondent for The Economist, analyzes Iran's leadership response to potential military threats from the US and the economic turmoil fueling the unrest. Together, they paint a vivid picture of a country on the brink.
Jan 9, 2026 • 14min
Why the PM finally called an antisemitism inquiry
The podcast dives into the unfolding political decision to establish a royal commission into antisemitism following a devastating terror attack. It explores Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's delayed response and the mounting pressure that led to this inquiry. Political editor Jacob Greber discusses the government's reaction, while Michelle Goldman from the New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies shares insights on community sentiments regarding this significant move. The dialogue captures the intersection of politics, public safety, and community cohesion.
Jan 8, 2026 • 10min
How a Minneapolis ICE raid turned deadly
Madeline Lohman, the Advocacy and Outreach Director at The Advocates for Human Rights, shares her insights on the chilling Minneapolis ICE raid that resulted in the shooting of a US citizen. She discusses the community's fierce backlash, the solidarity displayed during protests, and the discrepancies between official accounts and eyewitness testimonies. Lohman highlights the tragic consequences of ICE tactics and the targeting of vulnerable individuals like asylum seekers. She also emphasizes the importance of community organizing in striving for a more compassionate immigration approach.
Jan 7, 2026 • 13min
Why Trump wants to take over Greenland
Stephen Lammy, Professor Emeritus of International Relations at USC and Arctic politics expert, dives into Trump's renewed interest in annexing Greenland. He questions the security rationale behind this desire and highlights economic motives, particularly rare earth mining and countering China. Lammy explains the practical challenges of large-scale mining in Greenland and warns of the absence of legal justification for such actions. He also discusses how Trump's unpredictability risks eroding trust with U.S. allies, impacting NATO relationships.
Jan 6, 2026 • 15min
Where is next for Trump after Venezuela?
Join John Lyons, ABC's Americas Editor and a savvy commentator on US foreign policy, as he dives into the fallout from Nicolás Maduro's recent court appearances and the US's controversial operations in Venezuela. They explore the backlash at the UN and Trump's military threats in Latin America. Former DEA Chief Ray Donovan highlights the long effort to arrest Maduro and discusses his ties to drug trafficking. Lyons also reveals how this situation sends strong signals about future military actions and appeals to Trump's political base.
13 snips
Jan 5, 2026 • 16min
Is Trump’s capture of Venezuela's president legal?
Join Venezuelan journalist Tony Frangie Mawad, who shares firsthand accounts from Caracas about the mixed public reactions to Nicolás Maduro's dramatic capture. He details the complex emotions of hope and fear among residents facing uncertainty. Legal expert Professor Ben Saul discusses the implications of the US military operation, arguing it violates international law. He warns of the dangers of setting precedents that could undermine global order, drawing parallels with past interventions driven by resource interests.
14 snips
Jan 1, 2026 • 16min
2025 Picks: Why we need to move beyond BMI
Dr. Louise Bauer, a leading expert in child and adolescent health, and Willow Muscada, a Perth student who underwent a breast reduction, delve into the issues surrounding BMI. Willow recounts her struggle with BMI misclassification, which delayed her surgery. Dr. Bauer highlights the historical misuse of BMI and how it can mislead assessments for athletes and ethnic groups. They advocate for a shift towards recognizing clinical versus preclinical obesity and emphasize the need for nuanced approaches in healthcare.
Dec 31, 2025 • 16min
2025 Picks: Do we need laws to stop AI taking your job?
Toby Walsh, Chief Scientist at the AI Institute at UNSW, dives into the transformative potential of AI for Australia’s economy, suggesting it could add over $100 billion in the next decade. He highlights the risk of job displacement, especially in repetitive and middle-skill roles, and debates whether AI will create more jobs than it destroys. Walsh also discusses the need for balanced regulations to protect workers while fostering innovation, emphasizing the importance of retraining and supporting transitions in this rapidly changing landscape.
Dec 30, 2025 • 15min
2025 Picks: How China became a green energy superpower
Jo Lauder, an ABC climate reporter specializing in energy coverage, dives into China’s dramatic green energy transformation. She highlights how China has become home to half of the world’s solar and wind power despite being the largest greenhouse gas emitter. Lauder explains the country's strategies like the Made in China 2025 plan and massive state investments that support this pivot. She also discusses the paradox of continued coal dependency amidst a robust renewable push and wonders if other nations can replicate this ambitious model.
Dec 29, 2025 • 17min
2025 Picks: The productivity problem with car washing
In this insightful discussion, Ian Verrender, ABC's Chief Business Correspondent, delves into Australia's productivity challenges. He questions why hand car washes are outpacing automatic ones and links it to immigration policies. Verrender argues that boosting productivity is crucial for living standards, but wonders if higher wages could be a solution. He also discusses the tension between measuring productivity in services versus manufacturing and highlights the impact of population growth on productivity outcomes.
