Don’t you get sick of the constant text messages warning that you haven’t paid a toll, or that you’ve missed a package delivery or have a refund owing? In many cases they’re clearly fake but there are scams that aren’t so obvious, and Australians have lost billions of dollars to them. Today, consumer affairs reporter Michael Atkin on why more of us are falling for the traps set by criminals and what the big banks should be doing to protect us. First published 10 May 2024. Featured: Michael Atkin...
Dec 26, 2024•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast You would have thought with a population exceeding 1.4 billion, China wouldn’t be too worried about the number of people living there declining a bit. But as it faces the challenges of an economic slowdown and an ageing society, Beijing is urging families to have more babies to stop a population decline that’s been recorded for a second year in a row. But is a falling birth rate necessarily a bad thing? First published 26 February 2024. Featured: Stuart Gietel-Basten, Professor of Social Science...
Dec 25, 2024•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast Have you ever wondered just how much better electric vehicles are for the environment? It’s more complicated than you’d think. Today, climate reporter Jo Lauder compares the lifetime greenhouse gas footprint of an electric car with that of a petrol car and delivers the verdict. First published 31 May, 2024. Featured: Jo Lauder, ABC climate reporter
Dec 24, 2024•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast We all love a trip to Europe in summer, but have you ever felt like you’re not really welcome there? Melbourne woman Claudia had that inkling in Barcelona recently when locals made it clear they wanted her to go home. Today, we look at the growing anger in some of the most popular tourist cities and what is being done to try to ease the pressure. First published 24 May, 2024. Featured: Claudia, Australian tourist Sebastian Zenker, professor in tourism at the Copenhagen Business School...
Dec 23, 2024•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast Hollywood star Scarlett Johansson said no when OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman asked if she could be the voice for a new version of ChatGPT. But they went ahead and released a chatbot that the actor thinks sounds “eerily similar” to herself. As artificial intelligence becomes more sophisticated, how do we protect ourselves from being copied? First published 24 May, 2024. Featured: Sharon Goldman, AI reporter at Fortune
Dec 22, 2024•14 min•Transcript available on Metacast Fifty years ago, Cyclone Tracy's ferocious winds destroyed 85 per cent of Darwin's housing and most of the city's infrastructure. It was the third time Darwin had been razed to the ground by a cyclone, but within three days the prime minister had committed to rebuilding Australia's northern capital in the same spot. In this final of a two-part series, Darwin reporter Jane Bardon hears how Tracy prompted an overhaul of the National Construction Code. It's supposed to ensure buildings on Australia...
Dec 19, 2024•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast On Christmas Eve in 1974, Cyclone Tracy razed Darwin to the ground, killing 66 people and prompting a massive evacuation from the city of 35,000 people. Now, 50 years since the disaster that changed the nation, Darwin's population is three times what it was then. Why did so many survivors return to the cyclone belt to rebuild Darwin and their lives? In this first of a two-part series, Darwin reporter Jane Bardon hears first hand accounts of a night of terror and explores how the event became lif...
Dec 18, 2024•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast It's been a year of stretched household budgets as the cost of living crisis continues. But given the cost of housing, it's being felt very differently across the generations. Today, ABC finance expert Alan Kohler and his son, Nine News finance editor Chris Kohler on how the pinch is affecting Australians and what’s in store for 2025. Alan Kohler discusses the significant impact of high interest rates and the challenges faced by younger generations in entering the housing market. He explains how...
Dec 17, 2024•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast From conflict in the Middle East and Ukraine, to the election of Donald Trump and Taylor Swift's record-breaking Eras Tour, this year has brought pivotal events, one after the other. Today, the ABC's global affairs editor John Lyons reflects on how 2024 played out and what 2025 could bring. He's travelled the world to cover the big stories. In this episode, John Lyons shares personal anecdotes from his travels, noting the resilience and common aspirations of people in conflict zones. Featured: J...
Dec 16, 2024•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast Anthony Albanese’s government has faced an uphill battle in 2024, dealing with mounting discontent over the cost of living. Ahead of an election year, will the prime minister's message cut through? Today, 7.30's chief political correspondent Laura Tingle on the year in politics and what 2025 could bring. She says the government has tried to provide relief through targeted tax cuts and energy subsidies, though these measures have had limited impact on reducing everyday expenses. Laura Tingle also...
Dec 15, 2024•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast When artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT first landed, students rejoiced as they began using it for homework and assessments. That’s why universities and schools were quick to ban it entirely. But now, the University of Sydney is leading the way to overturn that ban which it says doesn’t work. Today, Professor of Educational Technologies Danny Liu on a new way to test students that gets around the AI problem. Featured: Danny Liu, Professor of Educational Technologies, University of Sydney...
Dec 12, 2024•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast The firebombing of a synagogue in Melbourne this week has been declared a suspected act of terrorism. What does that mean and did the prime minister react too slowly to a rise in anti-Semitism? Today, host of Radio National Breakfast and the Party Room podcast, Patricia Karvelas, on how the conflict in the Middle East is reverberating here. Featured: Patricia Karvelas, host of ABC Radio National Breakfast and the Party Room podcast
Dec 11, 2024•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast The security camera vision shows health insurance executive Brian Thompson being shot in the back as he walks on a New York City street. Then, the offender evades police for almost a week, before Luigi Mangione is arrested in a McDonalds in Pennsylvania. It’s a captivating murder case because some people seem to be gleefully rallying behind the alleged gunman. It’s a sign of deep anger in America when it comes to healthcare and insurance. Today, North America correspondent Carrington Clarke on t...
Dec 10, 2024•14 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s taken just an eight-day offensive for rebels in Syria to bring down the brutal, murderous Assad regime, which had ruled for half a century. The dictator Bashar al-Assad fled Damascus to Russia, where he’s reportedly been given asylum. But with the main Syrian rebel group behind the movement being a declared terrorist organisation in Australia and having previous links to Al Qaeda, what does the future hold? Today, the ABC’s Global Affairs Editor John Lyons on what comes next and what it mea...
Dec 09, 2024•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast With summer upon us, cranking up the air conditioning is the most comfortable option, but the electricity bill that goes with it can be shocking. That’s why Australians who have a house, a roof and some money are increasingly getting solar panels. But there is a problem because there is a thing as too much solar. Today, energy reporter Dan Mercer explains that the surge of solar power is risking stability of the power grid and it’s a bit like riding a bike. Featured: Dan Mercer, ABC energy repor...
Dec 08, 2024•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast Esveidy Rodriguez is an undocumented immigrant living in Arizona. She’s now thinking about what life will be like for her in Donald Trump’s America. The president-elect has promised to start the process of deporting millions of illegal immigrants on day one of his return to the White House. Many, like Esveidy and her parents, have lived in America for years. Today, we speak with Esveidy and hear how she’s feeling about what happens in 2025....
Dec 05, 2024•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast When the South Korean leader ordered martial law, a chaotic series of events got underway. Troops were deployed to the streets of Seoul, politicians rushed to the parliament building and protestors made their voices heard. After a parliamentary vote blocked the order, the martial law was rescinded in an embarrassing backdown. So, what on earth was President Yoon Suk Yeol trying to achieve and what does it mean for South Korea’s future? Today, Kyung Moon Hwang from the Australian National Univers...
Dec 04, 2024•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast Many Australians would not have heard of Kim Williams, but most podcast listeners will be familiar with Joe Rogan. Kim Williams is the current chairman of the ABC and Joe Rogan is a podcast host with tens of millions of followers around the globe. Today, technology and online culture journalist Taylor Lorenz on the day Kim Williams took on Joe Rogan and how the podcaster became so popular and influential. Featured: Taylor Lorenz, writer of tech and online culture newsletter User Mag...
Dec 03, 2024•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast Is it a reasonable act of a loving father, or a president abusing his power to get a family member off the hook? In his final weeks in office, Joe Biden has pardoned his son Hunter Biden for gun and tax charges. Today, host of the ABC’s Planet America John Barron on what it means for the outgoing president’s legacy. Featured: John Barron, co-host of Planet America
Dec 02, 2024•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast Since Donald Trump won the US election, there’s been a fair bit of debate about how he did it. One theory is the Democrats have all but abandoned the working class and Trump made them feel seen. So, ahead of Australia’s own election next year, how are working class people feeling about politics? Today, political strategist and pollster Kos Samaras on how their economic plight will affect the election result. Featured: Kos Samaras, former Labor strategist and director of the RedBridge Group...
Dec 01, 2024•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast For almost 20 years they’ve sat in prisons in Indonesia, for trying to smuggle heroin out of Bali, but the five remaining members of the so-called Bali Nine could be returned to Australia soon. As a former foreign correspondent, it’s a story Sam Hawley knows well, because she went inside Kerobokan prison for a week in 2017. She spoke with two members of the Bali Nine, Si Yi Chen and Matt Norman and has followed their story ever since. Today, Sam speaks with Cindy Wockner, who was also a correspo...
Nov 28, 2024•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast When police officer Kristian White tasered 95 year old Clare Nowland in an aged care facility last year, he said the great grandmother was a threat because she was carrying a knife. But a jury has found him guilty of manslaughter. Today, we speak with reporter Jason Om who has been covering the case and with criminologist Xanthe Mallett about how police use tasers. Featured: Jason Om, 7.30 reporter Xanthe Mallett, associate professor of criminology from the University of Newcastle...
Nov 27, 2024•14 min•Transcript available on Metacast There’s been a flurry of activity in Canberra as the government rushes to get a huge amount of legislation through parliament before it rises at the end of the week. So, what are the new and proposed laws and will they really help you? Today, the ABC’s National Political Lead, David Speers on the bills passing and failing, as the government ponders a sooner rather than later election. Featured: David Speers, ABC National Political Lead...
Nov 26, 2024•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast When Bunnings started to use facial recognition technology to check on who was in its stores, without the consent of customers, it raised alarm bells. It says the face scans were deleted within one second and the tech helped to make stores safer, by identifying thieves or people who’ve been violent. But at what cost? The hardware giant has now been found to have breached Australians’ privacy. Today, tech reporter Ange Lavoipierre on what Bunnings was up to, how the technology works and whether i...
Nov 25, 2024•14 min•Transcript available on Metacast You may have heard of home births, but free birthing, where there are no medical professionals present is a small, but increasing practice in Australia. So, why are some women turning away from traditional hospital births and medical intervention? Today, investigative reporter Charlotte King on the movement putting lives at risk. She says free birthing is chosen by some women due to a deep distrust in the medical system and past experiences of birth trauma. Charlotte King says the lack of regula...
Nov 24, 2024•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast Thousands of us travel through South East Asia every year and it can, at times, be risky. But the story out of Laos this week is devastating. Nineteen year old Melbourne woman Bianca Jones has died and her friend Holly Bowles is in intensive care after what appears to be methanol poisoning from drinks. Three other travellers have died and at least 10 people have fallen ill after drinking the alcohol. Today, what we know about the mass poisoning, how methanol ends up in drinks and the damage it c...
Nov 21, 2024•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast On the one thousandth day of Russia’s war in Ukraine this week there was a major shift on the battleground. Russia declared that Ukraine, with the backing of US President Joe Biden, had fired US-supplied missiles into its territory for the first time. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has also unveiled new rules for his use of nuclear weapons. Today, former Ukraine ceasefire observer Samir Puri on what it means for the war. Featured: Dr Samir Puri, former ceasefire observer in Ukraine, Associate...
Nov 20, 2024•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast The former broadcaster Alan Jones is heading to court next month to defend charges including aggravated indecent assault, involving nine alleged victims. But why are the charges for alleged offences between 2001 and 2019, only being laid now? Today, former Media Watch host Jonathan Holmes on the power Alan Jones once wielded and how it wilted away. Featured: Jonathan Holmes, Media Watch presenter 2008 to 2013
Nov 19, 2024•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast Almost every day since his election, Donald Trump has been unveiling new members of his team. The picks say a lot. He’s chosen a vaccine sceptic as Health Secretary, a TV host to take charge of defence and an accused drug and sex offender as Attorney General. Today, National Political Reporter for The Hill, Julia Manchester on what it all says about how Trump will govern. Featured: Julia Manchester, National Political Reporter for The Hill...
Nov 18, 2024•14 min•Transcript available on Metacast About 15 years ago, the then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was spruiking a ‘Big Australia’, where our population would hit 35 million by 2050. But the idea went away, without a big plan to deal with the pressures that come with that level of growth being prepared or acted on. Now, we’re still heading for that kind of population growth without much consideration for what it means for the environment and how we could provide the services and housing for all those people. Today, business and economics ...
Nov 17, 2024•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
