On average there’s a class action lodged in Australia every week. But do they really help bring justice to groups of Australians exposed to wrongdoing? Today, Anne Connolly on her Four Corners investigation into the class action traps leaving victims short changed and lawyers richer. Featured: Anne Connolly, Four Corners reporter
Aug 03, 2025•15 min
Donald Trump has spent another week fielding questions over the release of the so-called Epstein files. The saga even followed him to Scotland. Now he has sent the US Deputy Attorney-General to interview Jeffrey Epstein’s co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell who is in prison for sex trafficking. Today, Jill Wine-Banks, one of the prosecutors during the Watergate scandal, on whether Trump could pardon Maxwell and whether it could help him. Featured: Jill Wine-Banks, Watergate prosecutor and legal ana...
Jul 31, 2025•15 min
Donald Trump’s latest trade deal with the European Union is said to be really bad for Europe. So, why did the EU agree to a 15 per cent tariff on almost all goods entering the United States and does it signal a troubled road ahead for us? Today, the ABC’s Chief Business Correspondent Ian Verrender on where all the Trump trade mess is up to. Featured: Ian Verrender, Chief Business Correspondent
Jul 30, 2025•15 min
Donald Trump’s latest trade deal with the European Union is said to be really bad for Europe. So, why did the EU agree to a 15 per cent tariff on almost all goods entering the United States and does it signal a troubled road ahead for us? Today, the ABC’s Chief Business Correspondent Ian Verrender on where all the Trump trade mess is up to. Featured: Ian Verrender, Chief Business Correspondent
Jul 30, 2025•15 min
Once a sceptic, now a convert, Donald Trump is embracing crypto currency and making a tidy profit on the side. The US president’s newfound love has seen crypto currencies like Bitcoin skyrocket in value and now he’s passing bills through US Congress to change the sector entirely. Today, Ross Buckley, Laureate Fellow and Scientia Professor at the University of New South Wales on whether it’s still just a bubble waiting to burst. Featured: Ross Buckley, Laureate Fellow and a Scientia Professor at ...
Jul 29, 2025•15 min
Israel says there’s no starvation in Gaza, but the pictures tell a very different story and there’s now growing condemnation from some of Israel’s supporters, including Australia. The Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the images of suffering are ‘completely indefensible’. Today, Global Affairs Editor Laura Tingle on the mounting pressure and the one person who could force Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu to change course. Featured: Laura Tingle, ABC Global Affairs Editor...
Jul 28, 2025•16 min
Israel says there’s no starvation in Gaza, but the pictures tell a very different story and there’s now growing condemnation from some of Israel’s supporters, including Australia. The Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the images of suffering are ‘completely indefensible’. Today, Global Affairs Editor Laura Tingle on the mounting pressure and the one person who could force Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu to change course. Featured: Laura Tingle, ABC Global Affairs Editor...
Jul 28, 2025•16 min
Fraudsters have found it surprisingly straightforward to get thousands of taxpayer dollars deposited in their accounts by just making a few false declarations to the Australian Taxation Office about the amount of GST they’re owed because of fake businesses. It adds up to billions of dollars that are unlikely to be recovered. Today, Angus Grigg on his Four Corners investigation into the biggest GST scam in history and how the ATO dropped the ball. Featured: Angus Grigg, Four Corners reporter...
Jul 27, 2025•14 min
The tech bros of Silicon Valley are dominating the AI race, using the most advanced computer chips and US expertise. But there’s an artificial intelligence boom underway in China giving them a run for their money. US President Donald Trump doesn’t like it; he’s vowing he won’t allow America’s adversaries to control the algorithms. Today, Kyle Chan from the global policy think tank the Rand Corporation on what’s at stake in the battle for global AI dominance. Featured: Kyle Chan, post-doctoral re...
Jul 24, 2025•15 min
Our hunger for electricity has never been so great. That’s hardly surprising given the growing desire to electrify our homes and transport. But it’s the massive computer data centres that could become a big problem. There are questions about whether the official forecasts underestimate how much power they’ll need over the next ten years. Today, ABC energy reporter Dan Mercer on whether we have enough electricity to keep up with the huge demand. Featured: Dan Mercer, ABC energy reporter...
Jul 23, 2025•15 min
If you hadn’t realised that cameras are everywhere by now, the so-called Coldplay-gate is a great reminder. The kiss cam vision of a canoodling couple at the concert, who were apparently having an affair, is proof again how quickly salacious news (and memes) can travel on social media. Today, political scientist from Loyola University in Chicago, Jennifer Forestal, on public shaming and when it can be a good thing. Featured: Jennifer Forestal, associate professor of political science at Loyola U...
Jul 22, 2025•15 min
On the one side there’s a media tycoon, on the other the President of the United States. It has all the makings of a fascinating courtroom drama. Donald Trump is suing Rupert Murdoch and the Wall Street Journal over an article alleging the US President sent a lewd birthday message to Jefferey Epstein in 2003. Today, media expert Rod Tiffen on the complex relationship between Trump and Murdoch and how the legal proceedings ahead. Featured: Rodney Tiffen, emeritus professor in government and inter...
Jul 21, 2025•14 min
A decade ago, a Chinese company was given the green light to take control of the Darwin port, which is key Australian infrastructure. Now, the Albanese Government is scrambling to get it back in Australian hands, in a move that risks antagonising China, while being welcomed by the United States. Today, veteran defence analyst Alan Dupont, who until recently was the Defence and National Security Advocate for the Northern Territory Government, focused on defence investment in the NT. He explains w...
Jul 20, 2025•16 min
When convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide in a New York jail in 2019, conspiracy theories about his death began circulating. Now, some of Donald Trump’s Make America Great Again supporters are furious that the US president is refusing to release files linked to a sex trafficking investigation, which many think contain a list of Epstein’s high profile clients. Today, John Barron, co-host of the ABC’s Planet America program, on why the president’s usual playbook for getting himse...
Jul 17, 2025•16 min
After heaping so much praise on his Russian counterpart, Donald Trump’s view of Vladimir Putin has finally soured. But is the US president’s demand for a ceasefire in the Ukraine war within 50 days and a promise of US weapons for NATO really a sign that the bromance is over? Today, Russia expert Matthew Sussex from the Centre for European studies at the ANU on how Putin’s still playing Trump. Featured: Dr Matthew Sussex, Visiting Fellow, Centre for European Studies at the Australian National Uni...
Jul 16, 2025•14 min
Would Australia join the United States in a war against China if it invades Taiwan? That’s the question Anthony Albanese faced during his delicate visit to Beijing where he’s trying to strengthen trade and business ties. As the Prime Minister meets the Chinese President, can he drum up more business while managing tensions in the relationship? Today, global affairs editor Laura Tingle joins us from Beijing. Featured: Laura Tingle, ABC Global Affairs Editor...
Jul 15, 2025•15 min
Donald Trump has long aspired to win a Nobel Peace Prize. He’s now collected several nominations for the prestigious award from global leaders, the latest from the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Today, Emma Shortis, director of the International and Security Affairs program at the progressive think tank The Australia Institute, looks at controversial past recipients, the president’s track record on peace and whether he’s in with a chance. Featured: Dr Emma Shortis, director of the In...
Jul 14, 2025•16 min
Teenagers influenced by the so-called ‘manosphere’ are bringing the misogyny they absorb online into the classroom. It’s forcing some female teachers to leave the profession entirely. Today, the ABC’s Siobhan Marin on her Compass investigation into where these disturbing ideas are coming from and how we can pull teen boys out of the rabbit hole. This episode includes some confronting accounts of behaviour in our schools. Featured: Siobhan Marin, Compass presenter and host of the Quick Smart podc...
Jul 13, 2025•16 min
Sun safety is drilled into Australians from a young age. But the protection offered by some of the most popular sunscreen brands is in question after consumer group Choice released test results showing many are not meeting their SPF claims. Today, ABC reporter Rachel Carbonell on the industry backlash, her investigation into an overseas testing lab and whether we can trust the SPF on the bottle. Featured: Rachel Carbonell, ABC National Health Equity reporter
Jul 10, 2025•15 min
After spending hundreds of millions of dollars to help put Donald Trump in the White House, Elon Musk is launching his own political party. Musk says his ‘America Party’ will challenge the status quo, which he believes is bankrupting the United States. Today, political scientist Geoff Kabaservice from the Niskanen Center on what the party stands for and who might vote for it. Featured: Geoff Kabaservice, vice president for political studies at the Niskanen Center in Washington, DC...
Jul 09, 2025•16 min
The Reserve Bank board has defied the expectations of investors, many economists and even the treasurer. It’s not giving borrowers an interest rate cut this month, revealing a six to three split on the decision to keep rates on hold. Today, the ABC’s business editor Michael Janda on whether the RBA is playing it too safe. Featured: Michael Janda, ABC Business Editor
Jul 08, 2025•16 min
Cancer has traditionally been a disease of old age. But younger Australians aged in their 30s and 40s are increasingly being diagnosed with cancer and scientists are desperate to understand why. Could it be processed foods, plastics, or exposures during childhood or birth? Today, Dr Norman Swan on his Four Corners investigation into what could be causing the sharp rise in cancer rates among younger generations and what can be done about it. Featured: Dr Norman Swan, Four Corners reporter and hos...
Jul 07, 2025•16 min
After deliberating for a week, a jury has found Erin Patterson guilty of murdering three relatives by serving them a beef Wellington lunch laced with death cap mushrooms. She had pleaded not guilty to the crimes, saying the mushrooms were accidentally included in the meals. The team at the ABC’s Mushroom Case Daily podcast has been following every development and today on ABC News Daily we bring you their coverage of the verdict.
Jul 07, 2025•24 min
Music has always been a powerful form of protest, but rap band Bob Vylan could be facing criminal charges after leading a chant at Glastonbury calling for ‘death’ to the Israeli military. The incident was shown on the BBC and the broadcaster, festival organisers and the UK Prime Minister have all raised concerns about anti-Semitism. Today, British music journalist Dorian Lynskey on the controversy and when protests by musicians go too far. Featured: Dorian Lynskey, British music journalist, auth...
Jul 06, 2025•15 min
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has set his sights on bold economic reform with options to be discussed at a meeting of some of the nation’s best policy minds next month. It’s called the economic reform roundtable, but is a big shake up of the tax system, for example, even possible in the current political climate? Today, the ABC’s finance expert Alan Kohler on why these experts would be better off talking about artificial intelligence and even a hike to the GST. Featured: Alan Kohler, ABC finance expert...
Jul 03, 2025•15 min
Parents send their young children to childcare trusting they’ll return home each day safely. But families are in shock after a Victorian childcare worker was charged with 70 offences, including sexual assault and producing child abuse material. The alleged victims were as young as 5 months old. The staff member had worked at 20 different centres and held a valid Working with Children Check. Today, Caroline Croser-Barlow from The Front Project, which works to improve early childhood education, on...
Jul 02, 2025•16 min
After the strikes against Iran, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is turning his focus back to the conflict in Gaza. Talks are planned between Netanyahu and the US president at the White House next week, as Donald Trump insists “we’re going to get a ceasefire”. Benjamin Netanyahu also faces public pressure in Israel to bring the hostages home, but is it really time to strike a deal with Hamas? Today, Hussein Ibish from the Arab Gulf States Institute on whether new talks with the US coul...
Jul 01, 2025•15 min
The countdown is on to the start of the social media ban for Australian children aged under 16. It’s due to start in December, but which platforms are banned and how users will have to prove their age is yet to be revealed. Today, the ABC’s national technology reporter Ange Lavoipierre on the many unanswered questions. Featured: Ange Lavoipierre, ABC’s national technology reporter
Jun 30, 2025•16 min
How often do you use AI chatbots? They’re becoming part of our everyday lives. But when you pump in a question into something like ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot, do you ever think about the energy it uses? Today, Gordon Noble from the Institute of Sustainable Futures at UTS on the power hungry data centres driving AI, the water used to keep them cool and the cost for the environment. Featured: Gordon Noble, research director at the Institute for Sustainable Futures at the University of Technology...
Jun 29, 2025•13 min
Donald Trump was elected on the promise of putting America first and staying out of foreign conflicts. So the US President’s decision to bomb Iranian nuclear facilities caused the first and very public split among his Make America Great Again base, with influential figures like Tucker Carlson and Steve Bannon leading the charge against US involvement. Today, senior political correspondent for the Wall Street Journal Molly Ball on the fighting MAGA factions and what it means for Trump. Featured: ...
Jun 26, 2025•16 min
