ABC News Daily

Catastrophe has a way of shaping leaders. Winston Churchill during World War Two, George Bush during 9/11 and Scott Morrison during the Black Summer bushfires.

It may define Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s leadership too, as he comes under pressure to respond to the antisemitism crisis and the Bondi Beach terror attack, in which 15 people were killed.

Today, the chief political correspondent at The Conversation, Michelle Grattan on whether Anthony Albanese can rise to the challenge.

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

Who could do such a thing? It’s the question Australians are asking after Sunday’s mass shooting at Bondi Beach.

How did they radicalise? Who did they associate with? And what drove them to plan and execute the worst terror attack in Australia’s history?

Today, investigative reporter Sean Rubinsztein-Dunlop on what we know about the shooters and the unresolved questions for our security services.

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Sean Rubinsztein-Dunlop, ABC investigative reporter

Sydney’s Jewish community is in shock after Sunday's mass shooting at Bondi Beach.

It was an act of terrorism that Jewish leaders long feared. So, in the depths of their sorrow, how are they coping and what are they asking for?

Today, Rabbi Mendel Kastel from support group Jewish House, whose brother in law Rabbi Eli Schlanger was killed in the attack.

Also, Liberal MP Julian Leeser, who is Jewish himself, on where Australians outraged at this attack should direct their anger.

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Rabbi Mendel Kastel

Julian Leeser, Liberal MP

The terrorist attack targeting Jewish people at Bondi is the worst mass shooting in Australia since the Port Arthur massacre.

Sixteen are dead and many more injured at a place special in Australia's heart, at an event special to the Jewish community, Hanukkah. 

Today, extremism expert Dr Josh Roose on whether authorities failed to heed the warnings. 

Also, Bondi local and Sydney cardiologist Dr James Otton who rushed to assist the wounded.

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Dr James Otton, cardiologist

Josh Roose, associate professor of politics at Deakin University

Streaming giant Netflix is battling Paramount for control of the historic Warner Bros studio, which includes HBO and a treasure trove of film and TV content.

Warner Bros has backed the $72 billion US Netflix bid, despite Paramount offering billions more in a deal that would include the television assets, including news network CNN and the Discovery channel. 

Today, Chris Bumbray, editor-in-chief of entertainment news website JoBlo.com on what it means for how we watch shows and movies and whether this moment marks the end of cinema as we know it. 

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Chris Bumbray, editor-in-chief JoBlo.com

Imagine being able to claim thousands and thousands of dollars in expenses so your family can join you on work trips, or to fly business class to New York, or for private drivers to take you to the biggest sporting events. 

Well, Minister Anika Wells is under intense pressure to justify her use of taxpayer funds, even if it’s all within the rules.

Today, the chief political correspondent at The Conversation, Michelle Grattan on why the perks for politicians are a honey pot and a trap. 

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

In the first week of summer, dozens of homes have been destroyed in bushfires; at Dolphin Sands in Tasmania, on the New South Wales Central Coast, and at Bulahdelah, north of Newcastle where a firefighter also died.  

A local builder at Koolewong in New South Wales noted that a recently constructed home, built to modern fire safety standards, was left standing while others around it burned to the ground. 

Today, the ABC’s Central Coast reporter Sarah Forster on the homes that were lost in Saturday’s fire and an expert on building houses in high bushfire risk areas.

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Sarah Forster, ABC Central Coast reporter 

Colin Wood, member of the Standards Australia committee for the construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas

They’re a cheaper and convenient alternative to driving a car, but some e-bike riders are causing massive headaches for other road users and police. 

A string of serious injuries and deaths in e-bike crashes, particularly involving children, is fuelling calls for a crackdown. 

Today, Geoff Rose from the Monash Institute of Transport Studies on the influx of illegal e-bikes on the roads.

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Geoff Rose, Adjunct Professor in Transport Engineering at Monash University

Parents and teens are preparing for life cut off from social media when Australia’s world first ban for under-16s officially starts on Wednesday. 

The government has admitted it will take time to remove everyone aged under 16 from the platforms and it’s becoming clear older users could get caught in the net. 

So, how can you prove that you’re old enough to use the 10 platforms being targeted and how will teens get around the restrictions? 

Today, Jennifer Dudley-Nicholson, a tech reporter at the Australian Associated Press on what you need to know as the ban kicks in and why it could get messy.

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Jennifer Dudley-Nicholson, AAP technology reporter

Correction: The social media ban officially starts on Wednesday 10th December, not Thursday. 

The United States has deployed 15,000 troops and sent warships to the Caribbean in the biggest military build-up there since the Cuban Missile Crisis.

It follows months of deadly US strikes on boats from Venezuela it says are smuggling drugs.

Today, Latin America expert Orlando Pérez from the University of North Texas on why Donald Trump is turning up the pressure on Venezuela’s president Nicolás Maduro and why toppling him won’t be easy.

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Orlando J. Pérez, Professor of Political Science at the University of North Texas in Dallas