Episodit
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Donald Trump and Kamala Harris have made their final pitches to the American people and voting is finally underway in the United States after a tumultuous campaign.
So, when the polls close, how long will it take for the votes to be counted and a winner to be declared?
Today, the ABC’s US election analyst Casey Briggs explains how it could unfold, when to pay attention and what to watch out for.
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Casey Briggs, ABC US election analyst
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With just hours until election day starts in America, we’ll just have to wait and see whether Donald Trump or Kamala Harris will win the presidency.
The opinion polls have been inconclusive, with the Democratic and Republican candidates neck and neck in the US states expected to be key.
Today, the ABC’s North America correspondents Barbara Miller and Carrington Clarke join me from Pennsylvania.
They’ve been travelling across the United States throughout this brutal campaign, meeting dozens of voters and they’ll explain what’s behind Trump’s enduring popularity.
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Barbara Miller, ABC North America correspondent
Carrington Clarke, ABC North America correspondent
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Big interest rate rises since May 2022 have finally seen house prices begin to drop in our most populous cities.
In the latest Corelogic data for October, Sydney home prices fell 0.1% in a month, while Melbourne was 0.2% down.
It’s still a mixed picture across the country, with national home values up 6% for the year, 1.9% down in Melbourne, 3.7% up in Sydney and a massive 22.6% rise in Perth.
With home price rises slowing in some cities, how long will that slump continue and what happens when interest rates begin to fall?
Today, the ABC’s Chief Business Correspondent Ian Verrender explains why home buyers should not get too excited about falls.
He says that despite slight declines, prices remain near record levels in many areas.
Ian Verrender discusses the impact of population growth on housing demand and the challenges of affordability due to stagnant wages and rising costs.
He also says that any future interest rate cuts could quickly reignite demand, potentially pushing prices higher again.
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Ian Verrender, ABC Chief Business Correspondent
Key Topics:
Interest ratesHouse price trendsCorelogic dataHousing affordabilityPopulation growthHousing supply and demandSydney and Melbourne housing marketsPerth housing market -
Michigan is a key swing state in the US election and there’s a big divide in voting intentions between its biggest city, Detroit, and much of the rest of the state.
Detroit is set to strongly back Kamala Harris, and Donald Trump has compared the city to a developing nation.
With just days until the US election, host of America’s Last Election podcast series Matt Bevan is in Michigan where he’s been gauging the mood of voters.
Today, he discusses hot dogs, a close-ish encounter with Kamala Harris and why Michigan was key to Trump’s last attempt to overturn the election result.
Matt Bevan highlights the strategic importance of voter turnout in Detroit for the Democratic Party and the tactics used by Donald Trump to depress it.
He shares insights from voters on their concerns about the election and the potential for post-election violence.
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Matt Bevan, host of If You’re Listening: America’s Last Election
Key Topics:
Michigan swing stateKamala HarrisDonald Trump2020 election result challengesUS election voter sentiment -
We’d all like to fly business class, but most of us end up at the back.
So, no wonder claims that the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arranged personal flight upgrades directly with the boss of Qantas has caused a furore.
Today, Sean Johnson, founder of the Open Politics website and former lobbyist and Liberal party staffer on political gift giving and why it needs to end.
He explains the exclusive nature of the Qantas Chairman’s Lounge and its implications for political transparency.
He highlights the potential conflicts of interest that arise when politicians accept such perks.
Sean Johnson also discusses the broader culture of gift-giving in politics and its impact on public trust.
He proposes a complete ban on gifts and sponsored travel to mitigate these issues.
Editor’s note: After this episode was recorded, the prime minister’s office put out a statement denying that Anthony Albanese ever called former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce to ask for flight upgrades.
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Sean Johnson, founder of Open Politics
Key Topics:
Anthony Albanese flight upgradesQantas Chairman’s LoungePolitical gift-givingConflicts of interest in politicsPublic trust in politiciansTransparency in governmentPolitical perks and privilegesAnti-Corruption measuresPolitical culture -
Donald Trump says he’s the opposite of a Nazi and his opponent Kamala Harris is a fascist, not him.
But what do his own words and actions show us?
Today, Jennfier Mercieca, historian of political rhetoric from Texas A&M University on how Trump’s language can be likened to Hitler’s and how he uses it to win over his supporters.
She says Trump’s campaign strategy involves terrorising voters into supporting him by exploiting their fears.
She highlights how Trump’s rhetoric includes derogatory comments and fear appeals to create a sense of loyalty among his followers.
Dr. Mercieca also notes that Trump’s repetition of key messages mirrors tactics used by historical fascists to manipulate public perception.
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Dr Jennifer Mercieca, historian of American political rhetoric
Correction: This episode includes a comment that Hitler was a propagandist during World War One. In fact, Hitler joined the newly formed Nazi Party following World War One in September 1919 and took charge of party propaganda in 1920.
Key Topics:
Donald TrumpKamala HarrisFascismPolitical rhetoricFear appealsAuthoritarianismElection campaign strategiesAdolf Hitler -
More than two and a half years into the war in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has gone to an ally for help.
Several thousand North Korean troops have arrived in Russia and are expected to join the fight.
Today, Russia expert Matthew Sussex from the Centre for European Studies at the ANU on what it means for the war.
He explains that the North Korean troops are likely to be used in rear-area roles initially, freeing up Russian soldiers for front-line combat.
He highlights that this move is a significant escalation, as it involves a country from Asia sending troops to Europe.
Professor Sussex also discusses the potential benefits for North Korea, including military modernisation and enhanced missile capabilities.
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Matthew Sussex, an associate professor at the Centre for European studies at the Australian National University
Key Topics:
Ukraine warRussia-North Korea allianceNorth Korean militaryVladimir PutinKim Jong-unRussia-China relationsSouth Korea -
Artificial Intelligence chatbots have come such a long way in a really short time.
Each release of ChatGPT brings new features, like voice chat, along with updates to the training data fed into the systems, supposed to make them smarter.
But are more leaps forward a sure thing? Or could the tools actually get dumber?
Today, Aaron Snoswell from the generative AI lab at the Queensland University of Technology discusses the limitations of large language models like ChatGPT.
He explains why some observers fear ‘model collapse’, where more mistakes creep in as the systems start ‘inbreeding’, or consuming more AI created content than original human created works.
Aaron Snoswell says these models are essentially pattern matching machines, which can lead to surprising failures.
He also discusses the massive amounts of data required to train these models and the creative ways companies are sourcing this data.
The AI expert also touches on the concept of artificial general intelligence and the challenges in achieving it.
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Aaron Snoswell, senior research fellow at the generative AI lab at the Queensland University of Technology
Key Topics:
Artificial IntelligenceChatGPTLarge Language ModelsModel CollapseAI Training DataArtificial General IntelligenceResponsible AI DevelopmentGenerative AI -
With less than two weeks until Americans vote, Donald Trump’s campaign keeps getting stranger.
From playing music instead of taking questions from supporters, to commenting on the genitalia of a dead golfer, and suggesting he’d deploy the military against his ‘enemy within’ the United States.
But still the polls are neck and neck.
Today, we talk to Rina Shah, a former Republican strategist, about the race to the finish line.
She speaks about the importance of Pennsylvania in the upcoming election, noting that both campaigns are heavily focused on this key swing state.
She highlights Trump’s unconventional campaign tactics, including his bizarre town hall meeting in Philadelphia that turned into a music fest.
Rina Shah also discusses Kamala Harris’s strategy of using Trump’s own words against him in her rallies, which seems to resonate well with voters.
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Rina Shah, political strategist, former senior Republican congressional aide and a former presidential campaign adviser
Key Topics:
Donald Trump campaign tacticsPennsylvania swing stateKamala Harris campaign strategyEarly voting trendsTrump’s town hall meetingElection 2024 pollsAbortion policyTrump’s comments on Arnold Palmer -
In 2018, Queensland decriminalised abortion up to 22 weeks’ gestation without a doctor's permission.
Now, the prospect of repealing those laws has become a major issue ahead of this weekend’s state election.
In South Australia too, the legality of abortion has been contested in the parliament.
So, why is abortion up for debate?
Today, Prudence Flowers from Flinders University on why what’s happening here can be linked to the United States.
Dr Flowers explains that the overturning of Roe v Wade in the US has sent shock waves globally, influencing debates in Australia.
She says the political landscape in Queensland is particularly volatile, with independent MP Robbie Katter pushing for a repeal of the decriminalisation law.
She notes the significant anti-abortion sentiment within the Liberal National Party, which could impact the outcome if they win the election.
In South Australia, recent legislative attempts to restrict abortion have narrowly failed, reflecting the contentious nature of the issue.
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Dr Prudence Flowers, senior lecturer at Flinders University
Key Topics:
Queensland abortion lawsSouth Australia abortion debateRoe v WadeRobbie KatterLiberal National Party and abortionUS influence on Australian politicsReproductive rightsPolitical strategies in electionsAbortion laws -
With the polls in the US neck and neck just a few weeks out from the election, money talks.
Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, is throwing it around for Donald Trump, even offering million-dollar cheques to voters who sign a petition set up by a Trump-friendly campaign group.
Today, Vittoria Elliot from WIRED on why Musk is so desperate for Trump to win.
Vittoria Elliot explains Musk’s shift from supporting Democrats to backing Trump, driven by business interests and regulatory concerns.
She highlights Musk’s significant influence on social media, particularly through X, where he amplifies right-wing talking points.
Elliot also discusses the legal grey areas of Musk’s financial incentives for voters and the potential implications for future elections.
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Vittoria Elliot, WIRED reporter covering platforms and power
Key Topics:
Elon MuskDonald TrumpUS Election 2024Early VotingPolitical Action Committees (PACs)Social Media MisinformationFree Speech -
The assassination of the Hamas leader, Yahya Sinwar in Gaza, the architect of the October 7 attack, might have been an opportunity for a ceasefire.
Instead, Israeli airstrikes have intensified in the north and there is no sign Hamas will agree to the return of hostages.
Today, international relations expert Rajan Menon on what Benjamin Netanyahu hopes to achieve.
Professor Menon says that despite Sinwar’s death, Hamas remains resilient and continues to pose a threat.
He says the international community is closely watching the situation, with significant political and humanitarian concerns.
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Rajan Menon, professor emeritus of international relations at the City College of New York
Key Topics:
Yahya Sinwar assassinationIsraeli airstrikes in GazaHamas leadershipBenjamin Netanyahu’s strategyCeasefire prospectsHostage negotiationsGaza conflict Humanitarian impact -
The cost of toll roads for drivers and even rideshare passengers are hard to avoid and the price attached to each beep of the reader increases every year.
Transurban is the firm that dominates the industry on the east coast and in some states they can even use the criminal justice system to chase toll debts and fines.
The cost of toll roads is prohibitive for many drivers, forcing people to quit jobs across town and pushing truck drivers to use suburban roads instead.
Today, Four Corners reporter Pat McGrath on his investigation into the contracts that governments sign to get nice new toll roads.
He reveals how many contracts allow toll price increases pegged to the consumer price index or at least four per cent, leading to significant revenue for companies like Transurban.
He explores potential reforms and the need for government intervention to address these issues.
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Pat McGrath, Four Corners reporter
Key Topics:
Toll roadsTransurbanConsumer price indexToll debt enforcementGovernment contracts with toll companiesToll road reformsCost of living crisisTraffic congestion -
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.
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Patricia Karvelas, host of Radio National Breakfast and The Party Room podcast
Key Topics:
Anthony Albanese Property market Housing crisisFederal politicsLabor PartyMedia coverage2025 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.
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Dr Kaz Ross, independent researcher into far-right extremism
Key Topics:
Neo-Nazi rally National Socialist NetworkWhite supremacists Far-right extremismSocial cohesion and safety threatsLegislative 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.
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John Lyons, ABC Global Affairs Editor
Key Topics:
Beirut conflictIsraeli air strikesHezbollahLebanese civiliansIsraeli dronesMiddle East warLebanese armyCivilian deathsPolitical 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.
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Judy Grobstein, Harris voter
Susan Shaffer, Trump voter
Key Topics:
U.S. Presidential Election 2024Kamala HarrisDonald TrumpAmerican voters in AustraliaWomen’s rightsGun control Immigration policyUS economyPolitical 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.
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Avani Dias, Four Corners reporter
Key Topics:
Oasis tourDynamic ticket pricingLive Nation Live musicTicketmaster Music industry regulationGrassroots 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.
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Matt Taglia, senior director at Emerson College Polling
Key Topics:
2016 US Election Polling Polling AccuracyMargin of ErrorPolling MethodologySwing State PollingKey US Election 2024 Issues'Shy' Trump Voter EffectPolling 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.
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Poppy Reid, music journalist and co-founder of The Brag Media
Key Topics:
Sean CombsDiddySex trafficking chargesMeToo movementCassie Ventura Music industry Entertainment industry - Näytä enemmän
