The Daily Aus
This is a daily news podcast for young people in Australia. Join The Daily Aus team every weekday morning as we cover the news in your language. We’re a newsroom of young journalists, delivering news for young people. TDA is completely independent. We are not owned by any larger media company.
The debate over mandatory national service
For the first time, TDA is taking you back to the high school debate club. In this episode, we’re debating the idea of national civic service. It’s a pitch put forward by the former Treasurer of Australia that young Aussies should have to complete a mandatory year of national service, in areas like healthcare, emergency services, agriculture or the military. In today’s episode we’ll run through the arguments for and against, hear what the TDA audience thinks, and get to the bottom of whether national service could actually become a reality.
Hosts: Zara Sei...
The transport gap for people with disability
For a lot of us, getting around is something we barely think about. You tap on, jump on the closest bus, train or tram, and you're at work, at your parents' for dinner, or grabbing a coffee with the girls. Our calendars might be packed and our days might feel shorter than ever, but the actual getting there? That's rarely the part that stresses us out.
That's not the reality for everyone, though. Around 5.5 million Australians live with disability, and for many of them the trip itself is the hard part. The step onto the bus might...
Headlines: Minister shuts office over security threat
Today's headlines include:
Federal Communications Minister Anika Wells has shut her electorate office in Brisbane following a security incident. U.S. President Donald Trump says SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has restored Ukraine’s access to Starlink, a satellite internet service Ukraine uses in its war with Russia. Tens of thousands of supporters of Serbia’s opposition student movement have rallied in central Belgrade ahead of Sunday's parliamentary election. And today’s good news: A world-first trial overseen by leading Australian scientist Professor Georgina Long could drastically change how cancer is treated.Host: Billi FitzSimons
Producer: Imogen Abbott<...
The changing regulation of porn
Content warning: Today's episode includes references to sexual violence and strangulation. It's not explicit, but if you've got kids in the car, you might want to save it for later. If you need support, 1800 RESPECT is available on 1800 737 732.
In both Australia and the UK, there have been major developments in the regulation of porn access. Here at home, Pornhub came back this month, but only for Australians who’ve proved their age through Apple. And in two weeks, England and Wales will make some types of porn illegal to possess.
One common theme across all th...
Headlines: Sam Wood escalates bail plea
Today's headlines include:
Former Bachelor reality TV star Sam Wood is set to again apply for bail, taking his fight to the state's highest court. NSW has become the first state to legalise ‘terramation’, a process also called human composting, as an alternative to burying or cremating remains. A judge in the U.S. state of New Mexico has ordered Meta to pay $US25 billion for misleading Facebook users about their data privacy. And today’s good news: The Australian men’s ten-pin bowling team has taken home silver at the International Bowling Federation’s World Cup in Munich.Is Australia's social media ban actually working?
It’s nearly been one year since Australia introduced a world-first social media ban for under 16s. And it turns out, that was just the beginning of the Australian Government’s campaign against social media. But, is it actually working? And with all the focus on social media, what are they doing about AI?
Today, Billi sits down with the Minister for Communications Anika Wells.
Listen: The Govt's plan to turn off the algorithm
Listen: Interview with eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman-Grant
Host: Billi FitzSimons and Zara Seidler
Guest: Anika Wells
Produc...
Headlines: UN to address military AI risks
Today's headlines include:
Independent MP Helen Haines remains in a critical but stable condition after being run down outside her electorate office in the regional Victorian town of Wangaratta on Monday. A Queensland teen has been accused of hate crimes after allegedly threatening a family. The United Nations (UN) is launching a new initiative on the military uses of AI, aimed at addressing concerns about the threat the technology could pose to humanity. And today’s good news: Australia will field its first women’s wheelchair rugby team this December, when 15 nations will compete at the inaugural Women’s World...What we know about the attack on Helen Haines
Independent MP Helen Haines is in a critical condition after she was hit by a car outside her electorate office in regional Victoria on Monday. The Prime Minister has described it as a “deliberate” attack, and a joint counter-terrorism team is now investigating.
On today’s podcast, we’re going to go through who Helen Haines is, what we know about the attack, and how the country has responded.
Host: Elliot Lawry and Sam Koslowski
Producer: Orla Maher
Video Editor: Rosa Bowden
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Headlines: NAB to cut up to 2,500 jobs
Today's headlines include:
Federal MP Helen Haines has lost her leg and is fighting for life after being rammed by a vehicle in what’s been labelled a deliberate attack. Thousands of jobs will be cut at National Australia Bank (NAB) as part of the major lender’s plans to “simplify its operation model” and “support NAB’s strategic ambition”. A Japanese spacecraft is rocketing towards Mars on an unprecedented quest to explore its mysterious moons and bring back samples. And today’s good news: Researchers in the U.S. say they can predict a cancer patient’s chances of survival...The misconduct allegations splitting the Greens
A letter from party members has sparked an investigation into Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John, who’s been accused of behaving inappropriately towards women over several years. Now the senator says he is the victim of a years-long smear campaign coming from within his own party. Today we're diving into the allegations against Jordon Steele-John, and the Senator’s lengthy response.
Host: Emma Gillespie and Zara Seidler
Producer: Rosa Bowden
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Headlines: 160 rioters arrested in Milan
Today's headlines include:
Italian police have used tear gas and water cannons while detaining at least 160 people in Milan, after clashes broke out on the sidelines of peaceful youth-led protests in several European cities. Victorian Labor has promised to introduce a weekly public transport cap if it wins re-election next month. Artificial intelligence firm Anthropic, the developer of Claude, says it will commit 5% of its shares to a new public benefit fund – to be set up as a separate company, fully owned by Anthropic. And today’s good news: The world’s oldest known shipwreck has been found off the...The true story of Elizabeth Holmes
Through her company Theranos, Holmes vowed to replace blood tests with a tiny finger prick test that could produce real time results, to be rolled out in supermarkets and pharmacies. Some of the world’s richest people and companies went all in on the vision, propelling Holmes from Stanford dropout to industry disruptor and entrepreneur. But Elizabeth Holmes’ claims that she’d solved one of medicine's biggest problems using a few drops of blood turned out to be nothing more than an elaborate deception. Today, we’re taking you through the story of Elizabeth Holmes, the fraudster who fooled Silicon...
Headlines: Sydney manhunt underway
Today's headlines include:
A 16-year-old shooter in the U.S. state of Oregon has opened fire at a primary school, killing three children (aged five, eight and 11) and one teacher. A manhunt is underway in Sydney’s inner west after a man was reportedly seen with a shotgun. The AFL has announced it will conduct hair drug testing on all players in the new year. And today’s good news: Doctors in Saudi Arabia have successfully completed a rare and complex operation to separate conjoined twins.Hosts: Lucy Tassell and Billi FitzSimons
Producer: Imogen Abbott
Wan...
Why young Aussies are buying shares
In 1986, about one million adults owned shares, and a stockbroker stood between them and the market. The ASX says 11.5 million Australians invest beyond their super and home. Those between 18 and 29 now account for 1 in 5 investors - and, for the first time, the group of people who say that they’re going to start their investment journey in the next 12 months are mostly women. Ultimately, as the ASX CEO said this week, “Australia is a nation of investors”. On today’s podcast, we’re gonna chat through the latest data on how Australians invest, who they are, and who’s actually mak...
Headlines: ACCC sues Kmart
Today's headlines include:
Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John has taken leave from the party room after seven members demanded an investigation into inappropriate comments towards women. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has launched legal action against Kmart in the Federal Court over nail glue and button batteries. Netflix plans to lay off about 6% of its workforce, amounting to nearly 1,000 positions, as the streaming giant makes wider "organisational changes". And today’s good news! A Jack Russell terrier who ran away in Yellowstone National Park a month ago has been reunited with her owners.Hosts: Billi FitzSimons and...
Is an 'egg cartel' driving up prices?
Over the past year, Australia has recorded some of the highest prices in the world for one particular supermarket staple: eggs.
This week, the ACCC launched a case against the country’s biggest egg producers, accusing them of anti-competitive conduct including acting as a cartel and culling hens to drive up prices.
On today’s podcast we're going to tell you everything you need to know about this case, and get to the bottom of why eggs have been so expensive.
Host: Elliot Lawry and Emily Donohoe
Producer: Orla Maher
Video edit...
Headlines: Aus and Jordan strengthen defence ties
Todays headlines include:
Australia and Jordan have agreed to strengthen defence ties and work towards peace in the Middle East during a leader’s meeting in Canberra. A 36-year-old woman has won a landmark High Court challenge to freeze her eggs from behind bars. The UK’s domestic spy boss says threats from foreign adversaries have quadrupled in the past decade, with officials devoting more resources to the issue than during the Cold War. And today’s good news: Eight orangutans rescued from Indonesia’s wildfires have been relocated to a protected rainforest.Hosts: Lucy Tassell and Emma Gill...
Can Australia block an execution livestream?
On the morning of 4 December, Australian time, the U.S. military plans to carry out its first execution by firing squad since WWII. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth wants the public to be able to watch the killing via livestream, in an announcement that’s prompted global debate about online harms and the ethics of such a move.
Here in Australia, MPs across the political spectrum have condemned the plans, with calls for regulators to intervene. But can the Federal Government actually block footage of this kind from being seen by Aussies?
Today we're unpacking everything you n...
Headlines: NT legalises pepper spray for over 16s
Todays headlines include:
The Northern Territory (NT) will legalise the use of OC spray (also known as capsicum or pepper spray) for self defence for people aged 16 and over. One person has died and several others have been injured after a roller coaster incident in the U.S. state of Georgia. Russia has hit at least six energy targets during deadly airstrikes across Ukraine. And today’s good news: Aussie researchers have developed a new breakthrough treatment to reduce brain inflammation in pre-Parkinson’s patients.Hosts: Adella Beaini and Emma Gillespie
Producer: Rosa Bowden
Want...
Did the AI bubble just burst in Australia?
Last week, Australian data centre operator Firmus announced it would no longer list on Australia’s stock exchange. It came after months and months of hype around the AI company, which would have had the second biggest listing in Austarlia’s history. In today’s podcast, we’re going to cut through all the jargon and explain what the company actually is, why everyone was talking about it and what actually happened last week.
Host: Zara Seidler and Sam Koslowski
Producer: Orla Maher
Video editor: Rosa Bowden
Want to support The Daily Aus? That's s...
Headlines: Aussie engineer freed from Iraq
Todays headlines include:
An Australian engineer will return home after being detained in Iraq for more than five years. Australian MPs from across the political spectrum have condemned U.S. plans to livestream the execution of a former army psychiatrist. North Korea has fired an unidentified projectile towards the sea off its east coast. And today’s good news: Aussie Olympian Izzi Batt-Doyle has set a new national record for the women’s marathon.Hosts: Elliot Lawry and Emma Gillespie
Producer: Rosa Bowden
Want to support The Daily Aus? That's so kind! The best way to d...
The White Fox Boutique lawsuit, explained
Adidas has sued Sydney-based fashion brand White Fox Boutique, alleging it infringed on its ‘three stripe’ trade mark. It’s the latest in a string of trademark lawsuits in the fast fashion industry. Today we’ll take you through what exactly Adidas is alleging, the similar lawsuits happening across the fashion industry, and why trademarks matter in the first place.
Host: Billi FitzSimons and Elliot Lawry
Producer: Orla Maher
Video editor: Imogen Abbott
Want to support The Daily Aus? That's so kind! The best way to do that is to click ‘follow’ on Spotify or Ap...
Headlines: ATO reverses credit card decision
Todays headlines include:
The federal government has announced it will fund the ATO to keep accepting credit card payments for tax bills until mid-2027, after a backlash from small businesses. U.S. death row inmate Christa Pike can now stand and walk short distances, her lawyers said, after she survived Tennessee’s attempt to execute her last week. The Australian data centre operator Firmus will no longer list on Australia’s stock exchange later this month. And today’s good news: A’ja Wilson has become the first WNBA player to win three consecutive league MVP awards.Hosts: B...
The international youth revolt happening right now
A burning fire truck, police clashing with teenagers and masked protestors calling for change. Over the past few weeks you might have seen these images coming out of France. What started as frustration over education standards at one school in Paris has rippled into a movement across the country and beyond. In today’s podcast we’re going to break down where the French student protests began, why they’ve escalated so quickly and how authorities are responding.
Host: Elliot Lawry and Billi FitzSimons
Producer: Orla Maher
Video editor: Imogen Abbott
Want to support...
Headlines: NSW Police to carry long-arm rifles
Todays headlines include:
Sydneysiders will soon see police carrying long-arm rifles as part of a new permanent response unit being rolled out across the city. Russian strikes on Ukraine have killed at least 28 people, including children, and injured 100 others. The U.S. state of Texas has pushed ahead with an execution using the same lethal injection method that failed in the case of Christa Pike in Tennessee. And the good news: A 13-year-old who swam for four hours through rough water to save his family has been awarded one of Australia's top bravery honours.Hosts: Zara Seidler...
The failed execution of Christa Pike, explained
Last week, the Tennessee Department of Correction tried and failed to execute a woman for the first time in 200 years. Despite the fact that she was administered not one but two lethal injections, 50-year-old Christa Pike survived and is now conscious and talking. In today’s podcast, we’ll explain the context to her death penalty, what happened last week and what could come next.
Host: Billi FitzSimons and Zara Seidler
Producer: Orla Maher
Editor: Rosa Bowden
Want to support The Daily Aus? That's so kind! The best way to do that is to c...
Headlines: PornHub restored in Australia
Todays headlines include:
Pornhub’s parent company Aylo has today announced that it is restoring access to the website for adults in Australia. Russian health authorities say no one who came into contact with a Siberian laboratory worker who died last week has tested positive for plague. Amazon's Prime Video has locked in exclusive global rights to the Emmy Awards in a six-year deal, ending the ceremony's run on U.S. free-to-air TV. And today’s good news: Australia's first lunar rover is one step closer to the moon.Hosts: Zara Seidler and Billi FitzSimons
Producer: Rosa B...
Manchester City's financial scandal, explained for non-football fans
Between 2009 and 2018, Manchester City won three Premier League titles. Last week, an independent commission found that over those same seasons, the club made its owner's money look like sponsorship income and kept some costs off its books. City says that's wrong and has appealed. Today, we're explaining what the commission found, what City says, and what happens next.
Host: Billi FitzSimons and Sam Koslowski
Producer: Rosa Bowden
Want to support The Daily Aus? That's so kind! The best way to do that is to click ‘follow’ on Spotify or Apple and to leave us a fi...
Headlines: ADF soldier dies in training accident
Todays headlines include:
An Australian Defence Force (ADF) member has died and five other soldiers have been injured in a military vehicle rollover at a bushland training area. The Coalition has announced it would cut net overseas migration to 100,000 people in its first year in government if elected. The Greens’ official think tank has proposed investing $25 billion into a publicly owned supermarket chain. And the good news: Women’s tennis is set to achieve equal prize money with men at its biggest tournaments outside the four Grand Slams for the first time.Hosts: Zara Seidler and Elliot Lawry
The DV allegations against Sam Wood
Former star of The Bachelor and fitness entrepreneur Sam Wood has been charged with two counts of domestic violence.
Wood was arrested after police attended a Queensland property on Saturday night.
Today, we’ll tell you what we know about the allegation against Sam Wood, and we’re also going to have a conversation about the word ‘alleged’.
If you or someone you know needs support, please contact 1800 Respect on 1800 737 732.
Host: Billi FitzSimons and Elliot Lawry
Producer: Rosa Bowden
Want to support The Daily Aus? That's so kind! The best wa...
Headlines: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor takes police to court
Todays headlines include:
Former Bachelor star and fitness entrepreneur Sam Wood has been charged with domestic violence offences. Four football fans remain in hospital after a car ploughed into them as they waited to cheer on their team ahead of the weekend's NRL grand final. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor will take Thames Valley Police to court over allegations that searches of his homes may have broken the law. And today’s good news: Australia's oldest man, Ken Weeks, turns 113 years old today.Hosts: Billi FitzSimons and Elliot Lawry
Producer: Rosa Bowden
Want to support The Daily Au...
The debate around daylight saving
You might be a little more tired this morning and it is probably because we lost an hour of sleep yesterday thanks to daylight saving time.
Well, that’s if you’re in NSW, Victoria, the ACT, South Australia, and Tasmania. For those of you in the rest of the country - you don’t need to change your clocks twice a year which seems to be the way the world is moving.
Today, we’re going through the debate that surrounds daylight saving and the health issues associated with it that you might not know abo...
Headlines: Woman survives execution attempt
Todays headlines include:
A woman in the U.S. state of Tennessee is in a critical condition after she survived two attempts by the Tennessee Department of Correction to execute her. Radio host Jackie "O" Henderson's legal fight to recover most of her contract, which is worth up to $100 million, has been delayed by more than six months. Sydney Swans player Isaac Heeney has won the club’s “Most Valuable Player” award, also known as the Bob Skilton Medal. And today’s good news: Four astronauts have pulled up at the International Space Station after launching on an eight-ho...How a pilot tried to hijack an Israel-bound plane
On Wednesday morning, a co-pilot on a flight to Israel stabbed the other pilot in an apparent attempt to crash the plane. The aircraft then dropped more than 17,000 feet in less than two minutes. Passengers and crew members managed to get into the cockpit and subdue the alleged attacker – in a move that Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said avoided a 9/11-style disaster. We’ll tell you everything you need to know about what went down in today’s podcast.
Host: Elliot Lawry and Billi FitzSimons
Producer: Imogen Abbott
Want to support The Daily Au...
Headlines: House prices continue to fall
Todays headlines include:
Israeli officials say a co-pilot on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv stabbed the other pilot on Wednesday morning in an apparent attempt to crash the plane. Australian house prices decreased by 1.1% in September, marking the sixth straight month of falling prices. New Zealand's parliament has been dissolved, marking the official start of campaigning for November's national election. And the good news: A new species of penguin has been discovered for the first time in 100 years.Hosts: Billi FitzSimons and Sam Koslowski
Producer: Imogen Abbott
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Why are interest rates at a 15 year high?
Earlier this week, the Reserve Bank of Australia raised the cash rate to its highest level in 15 years, saying the measure was taken to control “elevated” inflation. We’re expecting that the RBA could continue to hike prices in the months to come, as a range of factors influence the prices of goods and services here in Australia. In today’s podcast, we’re going to chat through the RBA”s decision, get to understand why it was made and what it says about the state of the economy.
Sign up to TDA's Finance Newsletter here.
Host: Sam...
Headlines: Greens elect new leader
Todays headlines include:
The Greens have announced NSW Senator David Shoebridge as their new leader. Australia’s annual inflation rate rose to 4% in August, according to new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). U.S. forces are in the final stages of leaving Iraq after more than 20 years, in the last phase of a plan put in place by former President Joe Biden. And today’s good news! Australian Paralympian gold medallist Rowan Crothers has set a new world record in the men’s S10 200 metre freestyle.Hosts: Lucy Tassell and Zara Seidler
Producer: Rosa Bow...
The Cornell sexual assault allegations, explained
Two years ago, seven male students at an American university allegedly gang raped a 20 year old woman. No criminal charges were ever laid, but this week prosecutors reopened the investigation.
It comes after the alleged victim filed a lawsuit against Cornell University, saying that it failed to protect her. Today, we're unpacking what's alleged, why no one was charged, and why the case is back on the table.
Host: Elliot Lawry and Zara Seidler
Producer: Orla Maher
Video Editor: Rosa Bowden
Want to support The Daily Aus? That's so kind! The...
Headlines: OpenAI apologises for hacking Medicare
Todays headlines include:
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has increased the cash rate from 4.35% to 4.60%. OpenAI has published a blog post apologising for one of its agents hacking a Medicare statistics website in June, and for only notifying the Government of the hack in an email to a public inbox in September. Listeners are advised this story contains details that may be distressing. The 15 jurors in the trial of former senior constable Beau Lamarre-Condon will be taken to view the Paddington terrace where Jesse Baird and Luke Davies were shot dead. And today’s good news! Girls’ rugby...A breakthrough for male contraceptives
The World Health Organisation has released its first-ever blueprint for male contraceptives, spelling out exactly what a safe, effective pill, gel or implant needs to look like. Today, we're unpacking what's actually in the pipeline - including trials happening right here in Australia - and why the WHO thinks new options could reach pharmacies within five to ten years.
Host: Sam Koslowski and Billi FitzSimons
Producer: Orla Maher
Video Editor: Rosa Bowden
Want to support The Daily Aus? That's so kind! The best way to do that is to click ‘follow’ on Spotify or A...
