ABC News Daily

The US presidential election will be held in just over a month and only a handful of the 50 states really matter. 

Michigan is one of them and campaigners for the Democratic and Republican parties are going door-to-door to try and convince people their candidate would make the best president for them. 

President Joe Biden won the state by 154,000 votes in the last election, following Donald Trump’s slim win by 10,000 votes in 2016. 

Today, Foreign Correspondent reporter Stephanie March explains what makes voters there tick and why some are leaning towards Trump, even if they don’t like him. 

She hits the streets with supporters of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, listening to the arguments that might sway crucial votes. 

Stephanie March highlights the Republicans’ efforts to win over African-American voters, leveraging figures like Kwame Kilpatrick, a former Democrat and convicted criminal whose sentence was commuted by Trump. 

She also explores the Democrats’ challenges in retaining support from traditionally loyal groups, such as the Arab-American community in Dearborn, due to tensions over continued support for Israel. 

March provides insights into the grassroots campaign strategies, including the Republicans’ unconventional approach of knocking on every door regardless of political affiliation. 

Featured: 

Stephanie March, Foreign Correspondent reporter

Key Topics:

• US presidential election 2024
• Michigan swing state
• Joe Biden 2020 election
• Donald Trump 2016 election
• Kwame Kilpatrick
• African-American voters
• Arab-American voters
• Grassroots campaign strategies
• Kamala Harris

Almost a year since the October 7 terrorist attack in Israel, war in the Middle East has escalated with Iran firing a wave of ballistic missiles at Israel. 

It follows Israel’s assassination of the leader of the Iranian-linked Hezbollah group in Lebanon and Israeli troops crossing the border with Lebanon in ground raids. 

So, what happens next and is there a way to avoid more bloodshed?

Today, Hussein Ibish from the Arab Gulf States Institute explains why Israel might be stepping up strikes against Hezbollah now and why Iran might be holding back in its response. 

Dr Ibish discusses the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and Lebanon, emphasising the dire conditions and displacement of millions. 

He points out that Iran’s missile strikes may be more about domestic politics than actual military strategy. 

Featured: 

Hussein Ibish, senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute 

Key Topics:

• Middle East war
• Iran-Israel tensions
• Hezbollah
• Gaza humanitarian crisis
• Lebanon displacement
• Israeli ground raids
• October 7 terrorist attack
• Benjamin Netanyahu

Living in a retirement village is marketed as safe, low maintenance and fun. 

But an ABC investigation has found that contract clauses and particularly exit fees can lead to much of a resident’s life savings being lost.

Today, reporter Adele Ferguson on how families are being gouged and why you shouldn’t fall for the glossy brochures. 

She shares the heartbreaking stories of Joan Green and Lynette Anderson, who lost significant portions of their savings due to exorbitant exit and refurbishment fees. 

Adele Ferguson says there's a the lack of regulation and oversight in the retirement village sector, suggesting a need for stronger consumer protections and clearer contracts.

Featured: 

Adele Ferguson, ABC investigative reporter 

Key Topics:

• Retirement village exit fees
• Hidden costs in retirement villages
• Retirement village contracts
• Consumer protection
• Regulation of retirement villages
• Retirement village refurbishment fees

When news broke that Coles and Woolworths will be hauled before a court to defend their discounts there wasn’t too much sympathy from consumers struggling with rising prices. 

Many were already sceptical of the Prices Dropped and Down Down specials. 

But is action from the competition watchdog and politicians really going to reduce our grocery bills? 

Today, ABC commentator and presenter Annabel Crabb on the politics of doing the groceries. 

Annabel Crabb highlights how the ACCC’s legal action against Coles and Woolworths could set a precedent for future retail practices. 

Featured: 

Annabel Crabb, ABC writer and presenter

Key Topics:

• Coles and Woolworths discounts
• ACCC legal action
• Consumer protection
• Discounts
• Supermarket codes of conduct
• Cost of living crisis
• Retail practices
• Grocery bills

Koala Airlines has a website, a management team and a vision to redefine air travel in Australia. 

Its boss is tight-lipped about where it will fly and when. But if it gets into the air, can it really succeed in taking on the big players Qantas and Virgin when so many others have failed, most recently Rex.  

Today, Emily Baker on her Four Corners investigation into why Rex couldn’t compete. 

Emily Baker explains that Koala Airlines aims to provide a different product or service, similar to how Aldi and IGA operate alongside Coles and Woolworths. 

She highlights that the Australian domestic market is dominated by a duopoly of Qantas and Virgin, making it challenging for new entrants. 

Emily discusses how Rex’s attempt to enter the jet market and compete on the Golden Triangle routes ultimately led to its downfall. 

She also notes that Qantas and Virgin’s aggressive competitive strategies played a significant role in Rex’s failure. 

Emily says there's evidence that a third airline would push down airfares, and one way to achieve that would be to force Qantas to sell off Jetstar. 

Featured: 

Emily Baker, Four Corners reporter

Key Topics:

• Koala Airlines
• Australian aviation market
• Qantas and Virgin duopoly
• Rex Airlines failure
• Golden Triangle routes
• Airline competition
• Airfare prices
• Bill Astling
• Lim Kim Hai
• John Sharp

Given the stark difference between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris it’s hard to fathom there are some Americans still struggling to decide who they’ll vote for in just six weeks’ time. 

But while they’re disengaged, and often confused, it’s these undecided voters who could swing the result.

Today, we look at who they are and what they’re saying with Margaret Talev, Axios contributor and director of Syracuse University’s Institute for Democracy, Journalism and Citizenship.  

Margaret Talev explains that undecided voters are crucial in swing states, where even a small percentage can determine the outcome. 

She highlights that while the economy is the top issue for these voters, reproductive rights are a significant concern, especially among women. 

She emphasises the challenge of engaging these voters, who are generally disengaged from regular political news consumption. 

Both candidates are using populist messages and scare tactics to win over these undecided voters.

Featured: 

Margaret Talev, senior contributor with the news site Axios and director of Syracuse University’s Institute for Democracy, Journalism and Citizenship

Key Topics:

• Undecided voters
• Swing states
• Economic issues
• Inflation and wages
• Reproductive rights
• Illegal migration
• 2024 US Presidential Election

Inflation’s now at its lowest level in more than three years, so when’s the interest rate cut coming? 

One factor the RBA is looking at is the unemployment rate which might need to rise before it acts.  

Today, chief business correspondent Ian Verrender on the old economic theory linking unemployment and inflation and his prediction on when interest rates will start to fall.

Ian Verrender highlights the delay in the impact of interest rate changes, likening it to adjusting a shower’s temperature. 

He discusses the Phillips Curve theory and its relevance to current economic conditions.

Verrender predicts a possible rate cut before Christmas, emphasising the delicate balance the RBA must maintain.

Featured: 

Ian Verrender, ABC Chief Business Correspondent

Key Topics:

• Inflation rates
• Interest rates
• Unemployment rate
• Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA)
• Phillips Curve theory
• Central bank policies
• Michele Bullock
• Australian economy

After the pager and walkie-talkie attacks last week, Israel has scaled up its air strikes in southern Lebanon. 

So, as its fight against Hezbollah intensifies could it go further by sending in ground troops? 

Today, Dov Waxman, a professor of Israel Studies at the University of California on Israel’s goals and what might come next.  

Professor Waxman explains that the recent escalation is a significant shift in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. 

This low-intensity war has been ongoing since October 8th, following the Hamas-led attack in southern Israel. 

Waxman notes that Hezbollah’s actions are in solidarity with Hamas, as part of the Iran-backed axis of resistance. 

He says Israel’s goal is not to destroy Hezbollah but to push its forces away from the border.

The professor also warns of the potential for this conflict to escalate into a regional war.

Featured: 

Dov Waxman, Professor of Israel Studies at the University of California and the chair of the Nazarian Centre for Israel Studies

Key Topics:

• Israel air strikes
• Hezbollah conflict
• Southern Lebanon
• Axis of resistance
• Iran
• Middle East war

Childcare in Australia is expensive and finding a spot can be really hard. 

Even if you never need it, getting it wrong matters for women’s rights and the economy. 

Today, we look at how we got it so wrong, the money being made and the ideas to try and fix it. 

We speak with a mother who’s struggled to get enough care for her children and hear how it’s set back her plans to return to work as a teacher. 

Alexandra Dockrill shares the financial and professional setbacks she faces due to the childcare crisis.

A childcare expert explains why recent recommendations to the government fall short of the overhaul that the system needs. 

Professor Elizabeth Hill discusses the impact of privatisation on the sector and the challenges of implementing universal childcare. 

Featured: 

Alexandra Dockrill, NSW mother of two

Elizabeth Hill, professor in the Department of Political Economy at the University of Sydney

Key Topics:

• Childcare costs in Australia
• Childcare availability
• Women’s rights and childcare
• Privatisation of childcare
• Universal childcare
• Childcare subsidies
• Early childhood education
• Gender equality in the workforce

As it dawned on David Sweeney’s father that the people he was investing with online were scammers, he made a shock admission to his family. 

“I’ve lost all the money,” he said. 

It was the start of a fight led by his son David against the banks that had allowed about $1 million to leave his father’s accounts. 

It was an ordeal that lasted for five years, as a bank tried to deny it had been given a warning about the scammers before the money was taken. 

In the end, David Sweeney’s family got all the cash reimbursed, but the battle had taken its toll. 

Now, the Government has drafted legislation to address the rise in scamming, but it’s stopped short of forcing the banks to repay the victims. 

A reimbursement scheme is already in place in the United Kingdom, and today, investigative reporter Adele Ferguson explains how it’s working there to protect people’s savings. 

Featured: 

Adele Ferguson, ABC investigative reporter

Key Topics:

• Online scams
• Banking system
• Scam prevention legislation
• Consumer protection
• Financial fraud
• Option FM scam