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Three hours of free electricity sounds pretty good to many Australians struggling with a cost-of-living crisis.

But is the federal government’s latest solar offering, which features energy retailers being made to offer free power in the middle of the day in selected states, really going to reduce hefty power bills?

Today, energy expert from the Grattan Institute Alison Reeve unpacks the ups and downs of the scheme that’s set to start in July next year.

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Alison Reeve, energy and climate change deputy program director at the Grattan Institute

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You may have noticed a crypto ATM in the corner of a shopping centre or in a convenience store. 

There are thousands of them, tapping into investor’s interest around booming markets for bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.

But increasingly crypto ATMs are being used by criminals to launder money and to scam Australians out of millions of dollars.

Today, business reporter Rhiana Whitson on why feeding cash into a crypto ATM can be so risky and why there’s so little regulation of the market. 

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Rhiana Whitson, ABC business reporter

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Chip making giant Nvidia’s value hit $5 trillion US last week, a milestone that just a few years ago was unthinkable.

Two other tech giants have hit the $4 trillion US mark as excitement about the promise of AI drives investor interest. 

But in an uncertain world are the sky-high valuations sustainable, or a bubble that will soon bust? 

Today, the ABC’s chief business correspondent Ian Verrender on why this might not be a bubble that bursts like the dot-com crash of the early-2000s. 

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Ian Verrender, ABC Chief Business Correspondent 

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The Coalition’s climate policies have been under review since its drubbing at the last election.

But now that the Nationals have struck first, deciding to abandon a commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050, there’s big pressure on Sussan Ley’s leadership of the Liberal Party.

Will the Liberals follow their Coalition partner? And what would it mean for their electoral prospects and the signal it sends about the two parties’ enthusiasm for climate action?

Today, Michelle Grattan, the chief political correspondent at The Conversation, on the history of the Coalition’s climate policy and what happens next.

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Michelle Grattan, chief political correspondent at The Conversation and a professorial fellow at the University of Canberra

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Zohran Mamdani is a young, Muslim, Democratic socialist who’s a relative political novice. 

But he could become the next mayor of New York City, despite a challenge from former Democratic Party governor Andrew Cuomo. 

What are his policies and does he present a challenge to the politics of the president Donald Trump?

Today, Geoff Kabaservice from the centre-right think tank the Niskanen Center on how Zohran Mamdani managed to capture the attention of New York voters and whether he could be the answer to the Democratic Party’s woes.  

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Geoff Kabaservice, vice president for political studies at the Niskanen Center

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There’s been hope of a November interest rate cut to coincide with the Melbourne Cup for months, but with inflation rising again, it seems all bets are off.

What have the three rate cuts already granted this year done to house prices? 

Today, ABC finance commentator Alan Kohler looks at what’s happening in the market and how immigration policies have left Australia with rising demand for housing and not enough tradies to construct them. 

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Alan Kohler, ABC finance presenter and columnist

Vast reserves of Australian critical minerals will be mined, processed and exported under a deal the prime minister has struck with US President Donald Trump. 

But Australia’s already exporting plenty of zirconium to China and it can be used in everything from bathroom tiles to missiles and nuclear reactors. 

Today, Four Corners reporter Angus Grigg reveals how Australian critical minerals could end up aiding the advancement of Chinese military capabilities, including the construction of advanced hypersonic missiles. 

How will Australia balance its trade ambitions with the risk of supporting China's military machine, which analysts regard as a key threat to Australia’s national security? 

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Angus Grigg, Four Corners reporter

Home invasions, stabbing attacks and carjackings.

A wave of serious and violent crimes in Victoria have sparked concern about safety in the state. 

But is it right for the federal opposition leader to label Melbourne ‘the crime capital of Australia’?

Today, ABC Melbourne Mornings presenter Raf Epstein on what’s going on in the nation’s second most populous state and the divisive political debate around it. 

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Rafael Epstein, host of ABC Melbourne Mornings 

Kamala Harris is back on your screens.

The former vice-president is out spruiking her memoir 107 Days, which unpacks her 2024 race for the US presidency, but she’s also testing the waters to see if she could run again.

Today, 7.30 host Sarah Ferguson on her Australian exclusive, and at times testy, interview with the former vice-president.

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Sarah Ferguson, host of the ABC’s 7.30 program

The cost of medical treatments and dental work in Australia can be exorbitant. 

So it’s no wonder more people are accessing their superannuation funds early to pay for things like IVF and desperately dentist bills. 

It’s understandable and allowed in certain circumstances, but there are concerns that some providers are exploiting the system. 

Today, ABC reporter Celina Edmonds on her investigation into the early access rorts.

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Celina Edmonds, ABC reporter