Will you be better off this year when it comes to the tax you pay, your wage, grocery shopping and other bills? 

The Labor government’s changes to the Stage Three tax cuts mean more lower and middle income taxpayers will receive a bigger than expected tax return. 

For our first episode of 2024, the ABC’s business editor Ian Verrender joins Sam Hawley to explain why it’s a ‘distinct possibility’ that the cost of living will get a little bit easier this year. 

Featured: 

Ian Verrender, ABC business editor

This episode features some of the best conversations of 2023, we’ll be back daily from January 29, 2024. 

Over the past year we took a break from the top news stories to look at moments in pop culture that have had a big impact. 

In this episode we interrogate the cultural juggernaut that was the Barbie movie, and then allegations against Russell Brand. 

Featured:

Wenlei Ma, TV and film critic

Dani de Placido, senior contributor at Forbes magazine

This episode features some of the best conversations of 2023, ABC News Daily will be back on Monday 29th January, 2024. 

The world’s second biggest economy has a huge influence on Australia. Whether it’s about trade or regional security, Australia maintains a delicate relationship with China. 

In this episode we dive into how China’s housing crash shook its economy and the story behind that alleged spy balloon.  

Featured: 

Ian Verrender, ABC business editor

Iain Boyd, professor of aerospace engineering and the director for the Centre of National Security Initiatives at the University of Colorado in Boulder

This episode features some of the best conversations of 2023, ABC News Daily will be back on Monday 29th January, 2024. 

We’re in a cost of living crisis and in 2023 we saw multiple interest rate hikes by the RBA, ballooning mortgage repayments for borrowers.

In this episode we explore whether rate hikes are the only way to fight inflation, and ask when our wages will finally catch up.

Featured: 

Michael Janda, ABC senior digital business reporter

Gareth Hutchens, ABC business and economics reporter

This episode features some of the best conversations of 2023, we’ll be back daily from January 29, 2024. 

Since the October 7 terrorist attacks by Hamas on Israel we’ve brought you in depth analysis and explainers about the conflict.

In this episode we learn how to spot misinformation about the war, ask whether Benjamin Netanyahu will survive it, and consider how the conflict is playing out on our streets. 

Featured: 

Kolina Koltai, senior researcher at the investigative journalists group Bellingcat

Guy Ziv, associate professor in the School of International Services at the American University and associate director of the university's Center for Israel Studies

Greg Barton, chair of global Islamic politics at Deakin University.

This episode features some of the best conversations of 2023, ABC News Daily will be back on Monday 29th January, 2024. 

Whether you’re a renter or paying off a mortgage, millions of Australians are feeling the pinch of the housing crisis. 

In this episode we look to solutions overseas, but also interrogate who is buying up all the properties. 

Featured:Nassim Khadem, ABC Business reporter

One year ago ChatGPT was just taking off, the artificial intelligence bot amazed people with its ability to do anything from writing job applications, to travel itineraries and essays.

Since then, AI technology has been evolving. 

So, are you an AI ‘boomer’ or ‘doomer’? Do you think artificial intelligence will make the world a better place or are you worried it could destroy our way of life? 

Today, Professor Toby Walsh, the chief scientist at UNSW’s AI institute explains the recent fight over AI in Silicon Valley and the latest innovations we need to know about. 

Featured: 

Toby Walsh, chief scientist at the AI institute at the University of New South Wales

At the start of the Israel-Gaza war, the Israeli Prime Minister had firm backing from many nations, including Australia. 

But with the Gaza health ministry now putting the death toll at more than 18-thousand, US President Joe Biden has warned Israel is losing that support.

Australia has now backed a United Nations vote calling for a ceasefire. 

Today, Ghaith al-Omari, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, discusses how the world’s view is shifting and what that means for the war.   

Featured: 

Ghaith al-Omari, senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy

Electric vehicles, electric bikes and electric scooters are more prevalent and part of our lives.

But as we make the green transition, the dangers of the lithium-ion batteries that power these devices and many others are becoming more apparent. 

They’re causing explosions and fires at homes across the country. 

Today, Dr Matthew Priestley from the University of New South Wales discusses what causes the battery fires and how to reduce the risk.  

Featured: 

Dr Matthew Priestley, Lead Technology Translator in the Energy Systems Research Group, University of New South Wales.

Did you know there’s a cyber-attack reported in Australia every six minutes? 

In the past 18 months, we’ve seen some of the biggest hacks in our history, including against Optus and Medibank. 

There are criminal groups trying to disrupt our lives and steal our data, but it’s countries like China and Russia that are also becoming more aggressive in targeting Australian businesses and government secrets.  

Today, executive director of cyber intelligence at CyberCX Katherine Mansted explains why the threat is increasing and how we can protect ourselves. 

Featured: 

Katherine Mansted, executive director of cyber intelligence at CyberCX