ABC News Daily

Anthony Albanese is about to break a major election promise. 

Next week’s budget will reveal just how dramatic the government’s changes to generous tax breaks for property investors will be. 

The expected shake up to negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount follows the prime minister’s promises during the last election campaign to leave the arrangements as they were.

Have concerns around generational inequality in housing made breaking an election promise feasible?

Today, host of ABC Radio’s AM program, Melissa Clarke, on the prime minister’s gamble. 

Featured: 

Melissa Clarke, political correspondent and host of ‘AM’

The US President Donald Trump has launched what he’s calling ‘Project Freedom’, promising to rescue commercial ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz.

Already Iran has resumed firing on the UAE and the US says it’s destroyed Iranian military boats in the Strait.

Today, Jennifer Parker, a former Royal Australian Navy warfare officer, on the new phase of the Iran war. 

Featured: 

Jennifer Parker, Adjunct Professor at the Defence and Security Institute at The University of Western Australia 

The war in Iran is creating economic uncertainty around the world, with higher inflation putting pressure on central banks, including the RBA, to hike interest rates.

So, why are stocks still surging on Wall Street, driving the value of the world’s biggest sharemarkets to record highs? 

Today the ABC’s finance expert Alan Kohler on why investors remain so optimistic and it’s got a lot to do with AI.  

Featured: 

Alan Kohler, ABC finance expert

The nation was shocked when 95-year-old Clare Nowland died after being tasered by a NSW police officer at an aged care facility in 2023. 

While police forces defend their policies and training, there are concerns that officers draw the weapon too quickly, not just when danger is imminent. 

There’s also a controversial medical diagnosis called “excited delirium” that’s been used to explain why it’s not the device that’s causing deaths. 

Are the devices really as safe as their maker insists?

Today, reporter Grace Tobin on her Four Corners investigation into the multi-billion-dollar Taser industry. 

Featured: 

Grace Tobin, ABC investigative reporter

In the past week Donald Trump’s obsession with building his grand ballroom has reared its head again.

He was even talking about it after the suspected third attempt on his life. 

The US president has torn down parts of the East Wing of the White House to make way for the huge structure that will dominate the White House. 

Today, Dan Diamond, White House reporter at the Washington Post on legal efforts to stop the president and what Trump’s motive really is. 

Featured: 

Dan Diamond, Washington Post White House reporter 

The growth of the NDIS is about to be slashed, but what tool will the government use to determine who gets to stay and whose disability supports are cut?

Today, we speak with Martin Laverty, an architect of the NDIS and now head of disability services provider, Aruma. 

We also speak with Jess Howlett who has autism, about her fears she’ll be unfairly removed from the scheme.

Featured: 

Jess Howlett, diagnosed with level 2 autism

Martin Laverty, chief executive of disability accommodation and services provider Aruma

China buys lots of Iran’s oil, but it’s trying to avoid getting drawn into the war, instead calling for de-escalation and peace in the Middle East. 

So, what role is Beijing actually playing, how is its economy affected and what is it learning about the United States’ military? 

Today, Neil Thomas, an expert in China’s politics from the Asia Society Policy Institute on Xi Jinping’s strategy and standing in the world. 

Featured: 

Neil Thomas, fellow on Chinese Politics at the Asia Society Policy Institute’s Center for China Analysis

Donald Trump’s dislike of the press has seen him repeatedly refuse to attend the annual White House correspondent’s dinner in Washington DC.

But this year he’d taken his seat not long before a 31 year old tried to burst into the function room armed with guns and knives. 

The US president has described the suspect as ‘sick’.

Today, we speak with Missy Ryan, staff writer at The Atlantic magazine, who was in the room when the chaos began. 

Featured: 

Missy Ryan, staff writer at The Atlantic

A video posted by Senator David Pocock has gone viral, leaving some viewers asking why the gas giants aren’t paying more for the resources they extract in Australia.  

The video reveals the government receives more money from a tax on beer than from the tax on the profits of massive oil and gas projects. But is that the whole story?

Today, the ABC’s chief digital political correspondent Clare Armstrong on the growing campaign for a new gas tax and what to make of the push back from the industry. 

Featured: 

Clare Armstrong, ABC chief digital political correspondent

More than seven weeks since the start of the war in Iran, flight schedules through the Middle East are still disrupted, but slowly recovering. 

Travellers are now more likely to get to their destinations on time, but the cost to airlines from the surging price of jet fuel is starting to bite. 

Today, aviation industry expert Ian Douglas on where things currently stand and why airfares aren’t coming down in price anytime soon. 

Featured: 

Ian Douglas, honorary senior lecturer at the University of New South Wales School of Aviation