The Signal

Could artificial intelligence be key to improving Australia's living standards?A Productivity Commission report suggests the roll out of the technology could inject more than a hundred billion dollars into the economy over the next decade. But there's a catch. If AI can take over from workers on some tasks, are swathes of humans set to lose their jobs? Today, Toby Walsh, the chief scientist at the AI Institute at the University of New South Wales, on whether it's time for the government to step in. First published 1 September, 2025Featured: Toby Walsh, Chief Scientist at UNSW.ai, the AI Institute of University of New South Wales Sydney

In the month of April, China installed more solar power than Australia ever has. China is also now home to half of the world's wind power and half of the world's electric cars.Despite this, China remains the world's biggest emitter of greenhouse gases.So, is it a climate hero or villain and how has the Chinese Communist Party managed to roll out green energy tech so quickly?Today, climate reporter Jo Lauder on why China is becoming the world's first ‘electrostate'. First published 18 August, 2025Featured: Jo Lauder, ABC climate reporter

Why have so many hand car wash services replaced automatic machines?It has to do with immigration policies and there are implications for Australia's productivity which is among the worst in the developed world. Economists insist boosting productivity is the only way to improve our living standards, but could delivering higher wages first actually help to fix the problem?Today, chief business correspondent Ian Verrender on the key factors left off the agenda at the economic round table in Canberra - population and property. First published 21 August, 2025Featured: Ian Verrender, ABC Chief Business Correspondent

It was a decision driven by spite for Sydney man Peter Anderson. He was determined to buy a solar battery for his home so he could take money away from the big power companies, while never receiving a hefty power bill again. But his plan came unstuck after agreeing to participate in a so-called virtual power plant. Today, energy reporter David Mercer on Peter's dilemma, how giving back to the grid really works and whether it's worth it. First published 26 May, 2025Featured: Dan Mercer, ABC energy reporter

Sarah Ferguson's interviews illuminate the biggest issues of our times and reveal insights from the most interesting people in public life.How did she stop US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee from "flooding the zone" when grilling him on US support for Israel's war in Gaza? What did she learn about compassion in politics when speaking with New Zealand's former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern? This week, Sam Hawley is joined by ABC presenters and journalists to discuss their best stories and interviews from 2025.Today, Sarah Ferguson, host of ABC's 7.30 program, shares her insights from her big name interviews.

Some stories are best told first-hand by those at the centre of the action. It's how the ABC's Australian Story has brought us so many compelling personal narratives and it's a format that's captivated the program's host Leigh Sales.So which episodes stick in her mind? There's a dramatic rescue on the Franklin River, the widows who found love again, Jelena Dokic's family anguish and the adventures of missing sausage dog, Valerie. This week, Sam Hawley is joined by ABC presenters and journalists to discuss their best stories and interviews from 2025.Today, Leigh Sales on the tales she can't forget.

The US President Donald Trump has surrounded himself with colourful and controversial characters. From Steve Witkoff, who once bought Trump a sandwich and is now taking the lead on peace efforts in Gaza and Ukraine, to Howard Lutnick, the tariff tsar.How did they secure their key roles and what effect are they having on the policies of the most powerful nation on Earth?This week, Sam Hawley is joined by ABC presenters and journalists to discuss their best stories and interviews from 2025.Today, Matt Bevan, host of the ABC's If You're Listening podcast, on the cast of characters in Donald Trump's orbit.

ABC foreign correspondent Stephanie March has explored the tensions between elephant tourism in Botswana and the destruction the creatures bring to local communities. She's brought us a glimpse of Gaza, where children live in tents and she's walked the streets of Georgia, as fears grow about the influence of Russia and a slide towards autocracy. This week, Sam Hawley is joined by ABC presenters and journalists to discuss their best stories and interviews from 2025.Today, Stephanie March from the ABC's Foreign Correspondent program on her heart warming and heart breaking global stories.

The continuing rise of artificial intelligence was one of the big stories of 2025. But how long until humanoid robots, with an AI brain, step into the limelight and take our jobs?This week, Sam Hawley is joined by ABC presenters and journalists to discuss their best stories and interviews from the past year. Today, ABC finance presenter and commentator, Alan Kohler, looks at Elon Musk's robot ambitions, how robots could be the new slaves, and what it could mean for all of us.Do we need a Universal Basic Income, can we tax robot and AI companies to pay for it and why professional sports player may be one job that's safe for a while yet. 

What actually works to prevent terrorist attacks and is Australia up to challenge in a complex threat environment?The Prime Minister says new laws to tackle antisemitism will include powers to deport so-called hate preachers and a new criminal charge for those advocating "racial supremacy".He's also been pressured into adopting in-full the recommendations from the Special Envoy's Plan to Combat Antisemitism.Today, the Lowy Institute's Lydia Khalil on how to stop the next terror attack.Featured: Lydia Khalil, extremism and counter terrorism expert and the director of the transnational challenges program at the Lowy Institute

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.Featured: 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.Featured: 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.Featured: Rabbi Mendel KastelJulian 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.Featured: Dr James Otton, cardiologistJosh 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. Featured: 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. Featured: 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.Featured: 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.Featured: 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.Featured: Jennifer Dudley-Nicholson, AAP technology reporterCorrection: 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.Featured: Orlando J. Pérez, Professor of Political Science at the University of North Texas in Dallas

Australia's renewable energy transition is well underway with new poles, wires and transmission towers planned across the country.But some farmers say they're being pressured and harassed to hand over land for the infrastructure to get electricity from where it's generated to where it's used. Today, reporter Alysia Thomas-Sam from ABC's 7.30 program on the farmers pushing back at the farm gate and climate reporter Jess Davis on why transmission towers need to run through farmland.Featured: Alysia Thomas-Sam, 7.30 reporterJess Davis, ABC climate reporter

Australian property is now more expensive than ever and soaring mortgage debt has the financial regulator hitting the brakes on risky lending.But could stopping banks for offering some loans do anything to stop rapid price growth for homes and units? Today, the ABC's chief business correspondent Ian Verrender on what's worrying APRA and the outlook for the housing market. Featured: Ian Verrender, ABC chief business correspondent

In a flurry of peace talks over the last week, Ukrainian officials have been desperately trying to avoid an unjust deal with Russia being imposed on it. They've been pushing back against a controversial 28-point proposal that would have required Ukraine to surrender significant territory, restrict the size of its defence force and give up on ambitions of joining NATO. The US is leading the talks with both sides, but will Trump ultimately side with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin?Today, international relations expert Rajan Menon on whether this latest round of diplomacy offers any real hope and what Kyiv may still have to give up.Featured: Rajan Menon, professor emeritus of international relations at the City College of New York

Every day millions of Australians take vitamin supplements, hoping for a health boost. But there's been a sharp rise in people suffering numbness, nerve damage, even paralysis, after accidentally overdosing on vitamin B6. Many don't even realise B6 is in so many products at high concentrations and that the vitamin can build up in the body. Today, reporter for the ABC's 7.30 program Tom Hartley unpacks his year-long investigation into the surge in cases and the regulator's long-overdue crackdown. Featured: Tom Hartley, 7.30 reporter

Donald Trump has called a female journalist piggy, labelled another insubordinate and demanded Democratic politicians be arrested, even suggesting they could be executed for seditious behaviour.The US president is no stranger to unconventional acts and confronting statements, but does his recent behaviour go beyond even his usual standards? Today, staff writer at The Atlantic magazine, Tom Nichols, on his analysis that the president's latest outbursts are a sign he's losing control of himself. Featured: Tom Nichols, The Atlantic magazine staff writer

For many years the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was a pariah on the world stage, but the US president is bringing him back into the fold. We know Donald Trump wants the US to do business with the wealthy Gulf Arab state, but what else does he like about the country?Today, The New York Times contributor Noah Shachtman on how Trump wants America to be a lot more like Saudi Arabia and how he's trying to achieve it. Featured: Noah Shachtman, national security reporter and The New York Times contributor

Australians are all pretty invested in the weather and the Bureau of Meteorology is our go-to source of forecasts and information. So, people noticed when the BOM changed its website and many, including farmers, complained that data sources they relied on were either missing or hard to find. A change in the rain radar has already been rolled back and now the bureau has revealed it cost close to a hundred million dollars to build the website and all the infrastructure behind it. Today, the ABC's lead rural reporter in Victoria, Justine Longmore, on the BOM website debacle.Featured: Justine Longmore, ABC lead rural reporter, Victoria

The devastating Optus outage that was linked to three deaths revealed we can't always trust we can get through when we call Triple Zero.More than two months later, surely the system has been fixed.Today, consumer affairs reporter Michael Atkin on why some people still can't get help when they need it most.Featured: Michael Atkin, ABC consumer affairs reporterEditor's note: On Monday, WA Police said the death of a Perth man initially linked to the Optus Triple Zero outage was not connected to the failure. As of Tuesday 25th November two deaths are believed to be related to the outage. 

Our peak scientific body, the CSIRO, has made extraordinary discoveries and invented everyday wonders like Aerogard, plastic banknotes and WiFi. But once again the CSIRO is axing jobs, saying the cost of doing science has outpaced its funding and it needs to refocus on big issues. Today, Adam Spencer, ambassador for mathematics and science at Sydney University on what happens when science is underfunded. Featured: Adam Spencer, science communicator and University of Sydney's mathematics and science ambassador

There's a secret US-led plan to end the war in Ukraine, but it reportedly asks a lot of the country that's been invaded by Russia. Media reports suggest the plan would see Ukraine would give up land, reduce the size of its army, relinquish weapons and make Russian an official state language. At the same time, Putin's forces have launched new strikes on Ukrainian cities and a Russian spy ship off the coast of Scotland is causing concern. Today, Matthew Sussex, a visiting fellow at the ANU's Centre for European Studies on why prospects for peace are looking dim. Featured: Matthew Sussex, visiting fellow at the Australian National University's Centre for European Studies 

The remaining Epstein files are finally set to be released after a vote in US Congress and a shift in the US President's position. Despite dismissing calls to release files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein for months, Donald Trump reversed course when it became clear a bill to compel the release would pass in the US House of Representatives. Today, David A Graham, staff writer at The Atlantic, on how Trump was backed into a corner and what it says about his leadership and support among his MAGA base.Featured: David A Graham, staff writer at The Atlantic

Asbestos is highly carcinogenic, is banned and can't be imported in Australia. But in the last week it's been found in various children's coloured sand products from China, causing a major alarm across the community. The discovery has led to the closure of dozens of schools and products have been recalled from stores including Kmart, Target and Officeworks.Today, Associate Professor Anthony Linton from the Asbestos and Dust Diseases Research Institute on the health risks the sand poses and why every state is dealing with it differently.Featured: Anthony Linton, academic and research director at the Asbestos and Dust Diseases Research Institute

The Liberals and Nationals have now officially dumped the net zero emission target from their climate and energy policy. It keeps the Coalition together, but what do voters think? Today, pollster, former Labor strategist and director of the RedBridge Group, Kos Samaras on whether it's a winning strategy.Featured: Kos Samaras, director of the RedBridge Group

Donald Trump's been all over the place with his tariffs, but the US is now bringing in billions of dollars in revenue from them.Months since the tariffs were first announced and after dire warnings from economists, how is the American economy really faring? Today, Penny Goldberg, professor of economics at Yale University, on why the US economy hasn't yet seen a major downturn and the dark clouds in the longer term outlook. Featured:Pinelopi Koujianou Goldberg, Professor of Economics at Yale University and fmr Chief Economist at the World Bank Group

How is it that a neo-Nazi rally targeting Jewish people was allowed to take place on the steps of the New South Wales parliament? Why is it that the same group of people, who want a 'white Australia', could be allowed to form a political party?Today, extremism expert Josh Roose explains the tactics neo-Nazi groups are using to skirt the law and continue to build their brand. He outlines why even in a liberal democracy where extremism is often tolerated, it might be time to think about ways to ban the movement. Featured: Josh Roose, extremism expert and an associate professor in politics at Deakin University

More than one million workers sent home or working without pay, the poorest Americans left hungry and travel plans thrown into chaos.The longest government shutdown in American history is coming to an end, more than 40 days after it began. Today, political scientist Charles Hunt from Boise State University on why a small group of Democrats ended up giving Donald Trump what he wanted.Featured: Charles Hunt, associate professor of political science at Boise State University

We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: 2025 ABC News Daily Audience SurveyDonald Trump wants to sue a media organisation - again. This time he's threatening a US $1 billion lawsuit against the BBC, capping off one of the worst weeks in the British public broadcaster's history.Both the corporation's director-general Tim Davie and head of news Deborah Turness have resigned following criticism over the editing of a January 6th speech by US President Donald Trump.Today, Monica Attard, professor of journalism at the University of Technology Sydney and former ABC journalist, on what's unfolded and attacks on public broadcasters. Featured: Monica Attard, professor of journalism at the University of Technology Sydney and former ABC journalist

We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: 2025 ABC News Daily Audience SurveyThree hours of free electricity sounds pretty good to many Australians struggling with a cost-of-living crisis.But is the federal government's latest solar offering, which features energy retailers being made to offer free power in the middle of the day in selected states, really going to reduce hefty power bills?Today, energy expert from the Grattan Institute Alison Reeve unpacks the ups and downs of the scheme that's set to start in July next year.Featured: Alison Reeve, energy and climate change deputy program director at the Grattan Institute

We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: 2025 ABC News Daily Audience SurveyYou may have noticed a crypto ATM in the corner of a shopping centre or in a convenience store. There are thousands of them, tapping into investor's interest around booming markets for bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.But increasingly crypto ATMs are being used by criminals to launder money and to scam Australians out of millions of dollars.Today, business reporter Rhiana Whitson on why feeding cash into a crypto ATM can be so risky and why there's so little regulation of the market. Featured: Rhiana Whitson, ABC business reporter

We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: 2025 ABC News Daily Audience SurveyChip making giant Nvidia's value hit $5 trillion US last week, a milestone that just a few years ago was unthinkable.Two other tech giants have hit the $4 trillion US mark as excitement about the promise of AI drives investor interest. But in an uncertain world are the sky-high valuations sustainable, or a bubble that will soon bust? Today, the ABC's chief business correspondent Ian Verrender on why this might not be a bubble that bursts like the dot-com crash of the early-2000s. Featured: Ian Verrender, ABC Chief Business Correspondent 

We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: 2025 ABC News Daily Audience SurveyThe Coalition's climate policies have been under review since its drubbing at the last election.But now that the Nationals have struck first, deciding to abandon a commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050, there's big pressure on Sussan Ley's leadership of the Liberal Party.Will the Liberals follow their Coalition partner? And what would it mean for their electoral prospects and the signal it sends about the two parties' enthusiasm for climate action?Today, Michelle Grattan, the chief political correspondent at The Conversation, on the history of the Coalition's climate policy and what happens next.Featured:Michelle Grattan, chief political correspondent at The Conversation and a professorial fellow at the University of Canberra

We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: 2025 ABC News Daily Audience SurveyZohran Mamdani is a young, Muslim, Democratic socialist who's a relative political novice. But he could become the next mayor of New York City, despite a challenge from former Democratic Party governor Andrew Cuomo. What are his policies and does he present a challenge to the politics of the president Donald Trump?Today, Geoff Kabaservice from the centre-right think tank the Niskanen Center on how Zohran Mamdani managed to capture the attention of New York voters and whether he could be the answer to the Democratic Party's woes.  Featured: Geoff Kabaservice, vice president for political studies at the Niskanen Center