Scams are on the rise in Australia. And not only are they increasing in volume, they are more sophisticated than ever before, particularly in the age of artificial intelligence. So what is being done to combat the rise of scams, and is it working? We’ll break it all down for you in today’s podcast. Note: This podcast is brought to you by PayID – an easy way to send money using your mobile number or email, without needing to remember bank details. Hosts: Sam Koslowski and Billi FitzSimons Produce...
May 17, 2025•16 min
Here are this afternoon's headlines: Former soldier Ben Roberts-Smith has lost his bid to appeal his failed defamation case against Nine newspapers.The cut off for postal votes to be received by the Australian Electoral Commission is today. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said he expects US-led peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, set to be held this weekend in Turkiye, will fail to deliver a breakthrough. And today’s good news: American Ilona Maher, one of rugby’s most high-profile pla...
May 16, 2025•3 min
This week, there have been a number of new party leaders. Sussan Ley was elected the first female leader of the Liberal Party, and just yesterday, Larissa Waters was elected the leader of the Greens. It all comes as we now have more women in parliament than ever before. In this episode, we’re going to look at what the representation of women in politics looks like today. Hosts: Zara Seidler and Billi FitzSimons Producer: Orla Maher Want to support The Daily Aus? That's so kind! The best way to d...
May 15, 2025•14 min
This afternoon's headlines: The Greens have unanimously elected a new leader, Larissa Waters, after former leader Adam Bandt lost his seat at the federal election. The Israeli Defense Forces have launched a new bombardment of Gaza, which the Hamas-run Health Ministry says killed at least 80 people, a quarter of whom were children. Australia’s unemployment rate is at 4.1%, remaining steady since the beginning of the year, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. And today’s good news! Th...
May 15, 2025•4 min
A new bill in NSW’s Parliament re-ignited a debate around abortion, six years after the state decriminalised the procedure. Parties allowed their members to choose how they vote, protesters gathered outside the Parliament, and one upper house MP has compared abortion to Nazi Germany. In today’s show, we’ll explain why the medical procedure was up for discussion once again, and what is going to change. Sign up to our brand new Finance Newsletter Hosts: Lucy Tassell and Sam Koslowski Producer: Orl...
May 14, 2025•13 min
This afternoon's headlines: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is travelling to Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, in his first overseas trip since his decisive victory at the federal election. Wages increased by 3.4% in the year to March, according to new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The Menendez brothers have been resentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole, meaning they could soon be released. Good news: Five fishermen who spent nearly two months lost at sea ha...
May 14, 2025•3 min
The high profile sex trafficking case of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ has begun in court this week, with both the prosecution and defence laying out their arguments. The 55-year-old rapper and producer was arrested and charged in September last year. He was denied bail and has been in custody ever since. In today’s podcast, we’ll explain the context of the case, and run through what we’ve learnt in the first few days of the trial. Hosts: Zara Seidler and Emma Gillespie Producer: Elliot Lawry 1800 RESPECT...
May 13, 2025•18 min
Sussan Ley and Ted O'Brien have been elected as Liberal leader and deputy leader. A Queensland mother has been charged with the murder of three of her children following a “suspicious” house fire in Toowoomba last Wednesday. U.S. President Donald Trump has granted refugee status to Afrikaners, the white ethnic minority in South Africa. And today’s good news: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved an at-home cervical screening device for the first time. Hosts: Zara Seidler and Billi F...
May 13, 2025•4 min
Yesterday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced his Cabinet for the next term of Parliament. It followed a week of very public in-fighting in the Labor Party about who should be elevated to the Cabinet. In today’s podcast, we’re going to explain the concept of ‘factions’ and the role that factions played in discussions about the Cabinet. Hosts: Zara Seidler and Billi FitzSimons Producer: Orla Maher Want to support The Daily Aus? That's so kind! The best way to do that is to click ‘follow’ o...
May 12, 2025•15 min
Today's headlines include: Four more closely contested seats have been called, while David Littleproud will stay on as leader of the National Party after a failed challenge from Matt Canavan. An Australian humanitarian worker has been killed in Ukraine, officials have confirmed. Chess has been outlawed in Afghanistan, with the Taliban citing concerns that the game promotes gambling. And today’s good news: Poland has launched a new healthcare program which will give adults access to free checkups...
May 12, 2025•4 min
Did you know that some politicians still get paid an annual salary (or in this case, a ‘pension’) upon retiring from Parliament? The scheme no longer exists, but politicians who were in Parliament prior to it being axed in 2004 are still eligible. And the reason we are talking about it now is because Peter Dutton, who just lost his seat of Dickson, is one of the eligible politicians. We thought it was the perfect time to explore this little-known scheme that will see millions of dollars being pa...
May 11, 2025•15 min
Today's headlines include: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says cutting student debts by 20% will be, "the first piece of legislation that we will introduce into the new parliament". Proceedings in the trial of accused mushroom murderer Erin Patterson have wrapped for another week in Victoria. Microsoft founder Bill Gates has announced he’s planning to give away 99% of his fortune by 2045. And today’s good news: Brisbane artist Julie Fragar has been named winner of the 2025 Archibald Prize. Host...
May 09, 2025•4 min
Earlier this week, India fired missiles at Pakistan, reigniting a long-simmering conflict over a disputed region in the Himalayas. Pakistan said India’s strikes killed at least 31 people, mainly civilians, and that it’s considering it an “act of aggression”. Today, we’ll explain the history of Kashmir, the region at the centre of this conflict, and what has brought on the latest hostilities. Hosts: Lucy Tassell and Zara Seidler Producer: Orla Maher Want to support The Daily Aus? That's so kind! ...
May 08, 2025•12 min
Today's headlines include: Greens leader Adam Bandt has conceded defeat in this seat of Melbourne, after a close contest from Labor candidate Sarah Witty. Two men have been found guilty of the murder of 15-year-old Cassius Turvey, a Noongar Yamatji boy from Perth. Global weight loss company WeightWatchers has filed for bankruptcy in the U.S. after 62 years as a diet and health platform. And today’s good news: Four critically endangered African penguin chicks that hatched in January have enjoyed ...
May 08, 2025•4 min
Over the weekend, there was a federal election in Australia. At that election, Labor won a significant majority, while the Coalition had their standing in Parliament weakened considerably. While much of the media’s attention has been on the major parties, in today’s podcast we’re going to talk about how the Greens fared. Hosts: Zara Seidler and Sam Koslowski Producer: Orla Maher Want to support The Daily Aus? That's so kind! The best way to do that is to click ‘follow’ on Spotify or Apple and to...
May 07, 2025•14 min
Today's headlines include: Peter Dutton has spoken publicly for the first time since conceding defeat on election night. NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb has announced she will step down from the force in September. U.S. President Donald Trump has met with the recently re-elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the White House. And today’s good news: Australian researchers are confident they’ve located a 170 year old shipwreck off the coast of South Australia. Hosts: Zara Seidler and Lu...
May 07, 2025•4 min
We're taking a break from our election coverage today to update you on another event you’ve probably been hearing a lot about in the headlines: the mushroom murder trial. In case you missed it, the murder trial of a woman accused of killing three people by serving them poisonous mushrooms is underway in Victoria’s Supreme Court. Erin Patterson was charged with murder after three people died following a meal at her home in July 2023. She pleaded not guilty and so now, we are in the middle of a si...
May 06, 2025•14 min
Today's headlines include: More counting for the Federal Election has been completed, with new results emerging in some key seats. New Zealand’s Prime Minister wants to implement an Australian-style social media ban for under 16-year-olds. Russian officials claim Ukrainian airstrikes have forced the closure of all major airports in the country’s capital, Moscow. And today's good news: The population of an endangered bird species has risen to record-high numbers in NSW. Hosts: Billi FitzSimons an...
May 06, 2025•4 min
As the results from Saturday’s federal election continue to roll in, it’s clear that Labor will govern with a significant majority, and that the Liberal Party has endured one of its worst electoral defeats in modern history. There are many reasons and critiques being thrown around when it comes to explaining what happened to the Liberal Party, some from inside the party and others from outside the party. On today’s podcast, we’ll break down some of the reasons why experts are saying the Coalitio...
May 05, 2025•16 min
Today's headlines include:U.S. President Donald Trump has congratulated Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on his election victory. The estranged husband of Erin Patterson, who is accused of murdering his parents and aunt with poisonous mushrooms, has finished giving evidence at her trial. Rapper and producer Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking trial will begin tomorrow. And today’s good news: Australian Formula One driver Oscar Piastri has won the Miami Grand Prix in the U.S. state of F...
May 05, 2025•4 min
The federal election is officially over, but counting is continuing around the country. With Labor set to govern with a significant majority, in today’s podcast, we'll unpack the big results and headlines from Saturday's election — including Labor’s win, the Coalition’s loss, what's happening with the minor parties and teals, and what comes next for the Liberal leadership after Peter Dutton lost his seat. Hosts: Zara Seidler and Billi FitzSimons Producer: Emma Gillespie Want to support The Daily...
May 04, 2025•16 min
It's election night, so we're dropping into your feeds with a quick update on what we've learnt from the results so far. The TLDR is that Labor is going to form a majority government, with Anthony Albanese to lead as Prime Minister for a second term. Hosts: Sam Koslowski and Zara Seidler Producer: Emma Gillespie Want to support The Daily Aus? That's so kind! The best way to do that is to click ‘follow’ on Spotify or Apple and to leave us a five-star review. We would be so grateful. The Daily Aus...
May 03, 2025•4 min
On Thursday, Fran Hurndall started running from Cottesloe Beach in Perth with the goal of reaching Sydney's Bondi Beach in a record time of 34 days. But this run is about more than a record attempt. Fran is running to start a conversation about domestic violence. In this episode, we interview Fran to understand more about the challenge she's undertaking and why. Hosts: Billi FitzSimons and George Guest: Fran Hurndall Want to support The Daily Aus? That's so kind! The best way to do that is to cl...
May 02, 2025•15 min
Today's headlines include: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton have continued campaigning ahead of tomorrow’s election. Rescue crews in Victoria have airlifted three people to safety after a helicopter crash off the coast of the Bellarine Peninsula. McDonald’s has reported its lowest U.S. sales figures since the height of the pandemic. And today’s good news: Researchers in Western Australia have developed a type of vaccine that could provide “broad protection” agai...
May 02, 2025•3 min
The election is finally tomorrow.To wrap up the week, we want to arm you with all the information you need to make sense of election night itself.In this episode, we’re doing this a little bit differently and we’re going to take you through the number, the words, the moment and the time for you to look out for come tomorrow night. Hosts: Zara Seidler and Billi FitzSimons Producer: Elliot Lawry Want to support The Daily Aus? That's so kind! The best way to do that is to click ‘follow’ on Spotify ...
May 01, 2025•16 min
Today's headlines include: Nearly five million Australians have voted early for the federal election so far, according to the latest data from the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC). The Northern Territory Government has passed “the strongest bail laws in the country” in an attempt to combat rising crime. A minerals deal between the U.S. and Ukraine has been signed after months of tense negotiations. And today’s good news: British woman Fran Hurndall has today begun her quest to become the fa...
May 01, 2025•4 min
In a matter of days, we’ll know which party has formed government and who the next leader of Australia will be. On today’s episode, we are going to give you the lowdown on who the two people vying for the top role are - Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton. From their time before parliament to what they’ve pushed for inside of Canberra, we’ll explain everything you need to know before the weekend. Hosts: Zara Seidler and Emma Gillespie Producer: Elliot Lawry Want to support The Daily Aus? That's so...
Apr 30, 2025•21 min
Today's headlines include: The mushroom murder trial of Erin Patterson is underway in a Victorian court, with the prosecution making its opening statements today. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has told The Daily Aus that all Australians are responsible for the safety of young people online. U.S. President Donald Trump has commemorated 100 days in office with a rally in the state of Michigan. And today's good news: Guide Dogs NSW/ACT is celebrating International Guide Dog Day with the launch of ...
Apr 30, 2025•6 min
We are now just mere days away from the federal election.Today, we’re talking about what voters have said is the biggest issue influencing their vote this election: cost of living! In fact, nearly two thirds of young people listed cost of living as their main concern at this election, according to a TDA survey conducted by Resolve Polling. So, what are the parties proposing to do about it? We’re breaking that down in today’s podcast. Hosts: Billi FitzSimons and Zara Seidler Producer: Elliot Lawr...
Apr 29, 2025•13 min
Today's headlines include: The Australian stock market has reached a two-month high with news the Trump administration is expected to soften automotive tariffs. Queensland Police have charged a teenager after a vandalism attack on Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s office. Canada’s Liberal Party has secured a fourth term of government in the country’s snap election today, defying predictions from earlier this year. And today’s good news: Researchers have discovered the oldest known ant fossil in B...
Apr 29, 2025•5 min
