ABC News Daily

This week we learned that the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will soon be a new home owner. 

He’s bought a multi-million-dollar house, featuring sweeping ocean views, on the New South Wales central coast.

Some people think it’s a move from the PM that’s especially tone deaf, given the depths of the housing crisis, while others see the story as a complete beat up.

Today, host of Radio National Breakfast and The Party Room podcast, Patricia Karvelas, on why it has become a big problem for the PM. 

Patricia Karvelas explains that the timing of the purchase is problematic, given the current housing crisis and the upcoming election. 

She says there are concerns about the optics of this purchase, even within the Labor Party. 

The episode delves into the public’s reaction and the media’s role in amplifying the controversy.

Featured: 

Patricia Karvelas, host of Radio National Breakfast and The Party Room podcast 

Key Topics:

• Anthony Albanese 
• Property market 
• Housing crisis
• Federal politics
• Labor Party
• Media coverage
• 2025 Federal Election 
• Political leadership

When masked neo-Nazis turned up in a small New South Wales town to hold a rally on the weekend it shocked the locals.

The men, part of a white supremacist group, were not from the area. So, why were they there?

Today, extremism researcher Kaz Ross discusses how we should respond to the growing white supremacist movement in Australia. 

Kaz Ross explains that the neo-Nazi group, the National Socialist Network, aims to intimidate and gain publicity through such rallies. 

She says the group’s tactics include the use of provocative banners and chants to incite fear and media attention. 

She warns that the movement is growing and poses a significant threat to social cohesion.

Featured: 

Dr Kaz Ross, independent researcher into far-right extremism

Key Topics:

• Neo-Nazi rally 
• National Socialist Network
• White supremacists 
• Far-right extremism
• Social cohesion and safety threats
• Legislative responses to neo-Nazis

The Lebanese capital Beirut is a divided city, where life continues as normal for some, while not so far away Israeli air strikes are reducing buildings to rubble. 

The sound of Israeli drones is constant as its forces hunt members of Hezbollah. 

The militant group has been firing missiles into Israel since Hamas terrorists crossed from Gaza into Israel last year. 

Today, we go to Beirut with the ABC’s global affairs editor John Lyons who explains why some Lebanese welcome the weakening of Hezbollah.

Featured: 

John Lyons, ABC Global Affairs Editor 

Key Topics:

• Beirut conflict
• Israeli air strikes
• Hezbollah
• Lebanese civilians
• Israeli drones
• Middle East war
• Lebanese army
• Civilian deaths
• Political divisions in Lebanon

In just three weeks, Americans will choose whether they want Donald Trump or Kamala Harris in the White House and the contest is incredibly close. 

More than a hundred thousand eligible voters are living here in Australia, although not all will cast a ballot. 

Today, we meet an Australian-based Harris voter and a Trump voter, to talk about what’s driving their decision and what sort of America they hope will come from it.  

We also discuss whether people with wildly different political views can get along. 

Judy Grobstein supports Kamala Harris due to her stance on issues including women’s rights, gun laws and LGBTQ rights. 

She's concerned about the roll back of women’s freedoms and the handling of immigration by the Republicans. 

Susan Shaffer, despite her personal dislike for Donald Trump, supports him due to her concerns about the economy, immigration, and US involvement in the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. 

She highlights the perceived failures of the current administration on the economy and border control. 

Featured: 

Judy Grobstein, Harris voter

Susan Shaffer, Trump voter

Key Topics:

• U.S. Presidential Election 2024
• Kamala Harris
• Donald Trump
• American voters in Australia
• Women’s rights
• Gun control 
• Immigration policy
• US economy
• Political divisions in America

Oasis is coming to Australia, but many fans will have already accepted they either won’t manage to get a ticket or if they do it’s going to cost a lot of money.  

So, what goes on behind the scenes with the big ticketing companies that control our live music scene? 

Today, Avani Dias on her Four Corners investigation into dynamic pricing and how Australian artists are allegedly being ripped off.

Avani Dias reveals that while dynamic pricing won't be used for Oasis tickets in Australia, Ticketmaster is under scrutiny for its use in the United Kingdom, which caused ticket prices to surge unexpectedly. 

She explains how Live Nation, the owner of Ticketmaster, has a business model that involves buying up smaller live music businesses, including venues and merchandise sellers, giving it significant control over the industry. 

Avani discusses the impact on Australian artists, who often see a small fraction of the revenue from their performances due to various fees imposed by Live Nation. 

She highlights concerns from industry insiders, including Peter Garrett, about the lack of regulation and the potential exploitation of artists. 

Avani also touches on the broader implications for the future of live music in Australia.

Featured: 

Avani Dias, Four Corners reporter

Key Topics:

• Oasis tour
• Dynamic ticket pricing
• Live Nation 
• Live music
• Ticketmaster 
• Music industry regulation
• Grassroots music 
• Artist revenue 

When Donald Trump won the 2016 US election, the world was shocked because polls had predicted an easy win for Democratic Party candidate Hillary Clinton.

So, with the polls showing a close race both at the national level and in the swing states that will determine the next president, can we trust them? 

Today, Matt Taglia from Emerson College Polling explains the science of polling.  

He discusses the accuracy of current polling methods and how they have evolved since 2016. 

Matt Taglia addresses the challenges pollsters face in reaching a representative sample of voters, especially in swing states. 

Featured: 

Matt Taglia, senior director at Emerson College Polling

Key Topics:

• 2016 US Election Polling 
• Polling Accuracy
• Margin of Error
• Polling Methodology
• Swing State Polling
• Key US Election 2024 Issues
• 'Shy' Trump Voter Effect
• Polling Trends and Predictions

He was a giant on the American music scene, but Sean Combs, who goes by the stage name Diddy, is now facing charges that put him at the centre of what could be a much-needed MeToo moment for the industry. 

The rapper has been arrested, accused of sex trafficking and running a criminal enterprise centred on abusing women. 

Today, what we know about the case and whether it will change the global music industry.

Music journalist and co-founder of The Brag Media, Poppy Reid, discusses the potential impact of these allegations on Hollywood and the broader entertainment industry. 

She explains the background of the charges, including the lawsuit filed by Diddy’s former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, and the subsequent raids on his properties.

Poppy Reid says the indictment details graphic allegations of abuse and coercion spanning over a decade. 

She believes this case could trigger a significant MeToo movement within the music industry, similar to what happened in the film industry with Harvey Weinstein.

Featured: 

Poppy Reid, music journalist and co-founder of The Brag Media

Key Topics:

• Sean Combs
• Diddy
• Sex trafficking charges
• MeToo movement
• Cassie Ventura 
• Music industry 
• Entertainment industry

After 142 years the UK’s electricity grid is now coal free. 

Last week it closed its last remaining coal fired power station earlier than expected and became the first G7 economy to dump coal power. 

Today, energy expert from the Grattan Institute Alison Reeve on how the Brits did it and when we’ll do the same. 

She explains the historical significance of coal in the UK’s industrial revolution and its eventual decline. 

Alison Reeve highlights the role of bipartisan politics and strategic policies in achieving this milestone. 

Featured:

Alison Reeve, Energy and Climate Change Deputy Program Director at Grattan Institute

Key Topics:

• UK electricity grid
• Coal-fired power stations
• Renewable energy transition
• Politics in energy policy
• Role of nuclear energy in the UK
• Australia’s coal power phase-out

Electric vehicles are becoming more popular and if you can’t afford a Tesla, a cheaper Chinese made car could be the answer.

But in the United States, the Biden administration wants to ban all Chinese developed software from cars on American roads because of security concerns. 

The US government already charges a big tariff on imports of Chinese EVs. 

Today, Adam Tong from the Center for a New American Security on whether the cyber security risk cited by US officials is really something to be concerned about. 

Mr. Tong explains that the interconnected nature of modern EVs increases their vulnerability to cyber attacks. 

He highlights that malware could potentially be embedded in the software deeply embedded in the vehicles, posing risks to both personal data and physical safety. 

Mr. Tong notes that while no major attacks have occurred yet, the proactive measures by the US aim to prevent future threats. 

He also discusses the economic implications of the ban, suggesting it also serves to protect the US EV industry from Chinese competition.

Featured: 

Adam Tong, associate fellow at the Center for a New American Security 

Key Topics:

• Electric vehicles
• Chinese EVs
• Cybersecurity risks
• Biden administration 
• US-China trade relations
• EV industry 
• Tariffs on Chinese imports
• National security concerns

When journalist Deborah Stone learned of the Hamas terrorist attack in Israel one year ago, she had to get to work. 

As a Jewish woman and editor in chief of The Jewish Independent news website, finding a balance in the reporting was what she strove for now and then. 

It’s been a challenge, as Jewish Australians reflect on the bloodiest single day in Israel’s history and the death toll from the controversial military response grows. 

Today, Deborah Stone shares her reflections on the past year and whether vastly different views on what’s happened since can be reconciled. 

She highlights the increased anti-Semitism faced by Jewish Australians and the impact on their sense of safety. 

Deborah Stone also shares a powerful story from a young woman with both Jewish and Arabic heritage, illustrating the possibility of caring for both communities.

Featured: 

Deborah Stone, editor in chief of The Jewish Independent

Key Topics:

• Hamas terrorist attack
• Israel’s military response
• Jewish Australian diaspora
• Zionism
• Anti-Semitism in Australia
• Israeli and Palestinian rights
• Multiculturalism