The $300 billion submarines we might never get

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The $300 billion submarines we might never get

FromABC News Daily

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Length:

14 minutes

Released:

May 1, 2023

Format:

Podcast episode

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With a wary eye on China, the government's committed us to buying nuclear submarines worth more than 300 billion dollars.

But they've done it without having the workforce to operate them or anywhere to dump the nuclear waste.

Today Four Corners reporter Angus Grigg on our very high risk defence gamble.

Released:

May 1, 2023

Format:

Podcast episode

Titles in the series (100)

ABC News Daily is the podcast that helps you understand the issues affecting your world. Every episode, host Samantha Hawley walks through one story with the help of an ABC colleague or expert in under 15 minutes. When you want coverage you can trust, listen to ABC News Daily.

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Donald Trump, the FBI and nuclear secrets: The FBI raid that saw classified documents seized from Donald Trump's home doesn’t seem to have dented his political ambitions, or his influence on the Republican Party. As ever more alarming stories surface about the kind of secret material Donald Trump had allegedly illegally taken to Mar-a-lago, the former president's latest political victim, Republican Liz Cheney, a harsh critic, has lost her primary, and with it her chances of re-election. Today, US national security expert Karen Greenberg on a dangerous time in American politics. Featured: Professor Karen Greenberg, Director, Center on National Security, Fordham University School of Law, New York by ABC News Daily
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Why Australian wages got stuck and who's to blame: Right now, there's at least one job vacancy for every person who’s unemployed in Australia. It sounds pretty good, but there's a catch: while everyone who wants a job could theoretically have one, wages are falling way behind inflation, meaning making ends meet is getting much harder. Today, the ABC's business editor, Ian Verrender, on next week's jobs summit in Canberra, and whether it will lead to more money in our pockets. Featured: Ian Verrender, ABC business editor by ABC News Daily
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The new Centrelink 'points' system making job seekers anxious: It's an unsettling time for Australians on unemployment benefits as they try to navigate a whole new set of rules. A new Centrelink system means they'll need to earn points for a range of activities or risk missing out on their income support. Today the ABC's social affairs correspondent, Norman Hermant on the anxious days ahead for hundreds of thousands of Australians as they try to make sense of the changes. Featured: Norman Hermant, social affairs correspondent by ABC News Daily
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Rain, floods and the threat of a soggy summer: After months of torrential rain up and down the east coast, New South Wales is being hit by severe flooding again. Today, ABC journalist Gavin Coote takes us to the hardest hit communities and University of New South Wales climate scientist Agus Santoso explains why there could be much more rain to come. Featured: Gavin Coote, ABC Radio reporter, AM Jeremy Muller, Windsor resident Kevin Shaw, Camden resident Dr Agus Santoso, senior researcher, UNSW Climate Research Centre by ABC News Daily
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Alan Kohler on the recession we don't have to have: The Australian economy is looking shaky right now, as life gets tougher for millions of Australians with mortgages with major banks passing on this week's interest rate rise. But the worst could still be to come, as speculation builds we could end up in a recession. Today, finance expert Alan Kohler on what that would look like, and who we should blame if it happens. Featured: Alan Kohler, financial analyst by ABC News Daily
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Still traumatised, Lismore's flood victims wait for answers: As residents of Sydney, the Hunter and their surrounds begin another clean up from devastating floods, it's worth also remembering the residents of Lismore. Thousands of residents there still haven't been able to return to their homes, more than four months after flooding destroyed large parts of the city in northern New South Wales. Today, local resident and ABC reporter Leah White takes us there, as the community grapples with questions like whether to rebuild amid predictions of more rains to come. Featured: Leah White, ABC reporter, Lismore, NSW Lee and Mike Try, North Lismore residents by ABC News Daily
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One jab to end them all: A spike in COVID cases has led the Government to urge everyone over 30 to get a fourth vaccine. But how much longer will we need rolling booster shots? Today viral immunologist Dr David Martinez on the promising early signs in trials for universal vaccines that could ward off current and future coronaviruses. Featured: Dr David Martinez, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina by ABC News Daily
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The controversy over a 'breakthrough' dementia drug: Even though half a million Australians live with dementia, much remains unknown about the disease. Recently, one global pharmaceutical company, Biogen, has been promoting a drug to combat its most common form, Alzheimer's, after it was approved for use. Today, the host of the ABC's Health Report, Dr Norman Swan, on whether the drug really does what the company claims. Featured: Dr Norman Swan, host, ABC RN The Health Report and co-host, ABC Coronacast by ABC News Daily
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Why the big banks are betting on a recession: The reserve bank has spent most of the year furiously increasing interest rates but now the big banks are betting they'll start falling again soon. It's not due to an improving economic outlook. It's because the rapid rate hikes globally could land us in recession. Today, ABC business editor Ian Verrender on the 'miserable' state of the economy and why the credibility of the RBA is on the line. Featured: Ian Verrender, ABC business editor by ABC News Daily
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As interest rates rise, is honesty Labor's only policy?: Interest rates have risen again, this time by half a percent, and from all accounts the Reserve Bank isn't finished yet. The new Treasurer, Jim Chalmers, says it means millions of Australians will be finding it much harder to make ends meet. So what is he saying he'll do about it? Today, economics reporter Gareth Hutchens on what we know of the new government's plans to ease the pain. Featured: Gareth Hutchens, ABC business and economics reporter by ABC News Daily
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Satan, miracles and God's plan: Scott Morrison 'unplugged': We haven't seen too much of him since he lost the election, but Scott Morrison has been back in the headlines after delivering a lengthy weekend address at a Pentecostal church in Perth. In it, he referenced Satan, miracles and God's plan, telling the faithful it would be a mistake to trust in governments like they trust in God. Today, Radio National Breakfast host Patricia Karvelas runs us through the key moments, and why they matter. Featured: Patricia Karvelas, host, ABC RN Breakfast by ABC News Daily
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How the 'teals' are playing politics: The last parliament was dogged by allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct. But since the election, there's a new force in Canberra, with a record number of women winning seats on the parliamentary crossbench. Today 4 Corners reporter Louise Milligan on her fly-on-the-wall access to some of the independents. Featured: Louise Milligan, 4 Corners by ABC News Daily
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Is a recession the only way out?: The prices of everyday goods are going up faster now than at any other time during the past 20 years. Yesterday we learned the inflation rate had hit 6.1 percent, and analysts says it's still heading up. Today, the ABC's business editor Ian Verrender on whether all this means we're sliding towards the economic pain of a recession, and what we can all do if we are. Featured: Ian Verrender, ABC business editor by ABC News Daily
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Alan Kohler on why the RBA needs a shake-up: The Reserve Bank governor, Philip Lowe, once suggested interest rates wouldn't rise until 2024, but already this year, they've gone up three times. We're being warned there could be far worse still to come, which will only add to the financial pain millions of Australians are facing. Now, the Government's holding a review of the bank, which the Treasurer Jim Chalmers says will dig into just how well the RBA is serving us. Today, Alan Kohler, on the shake-up he says the bank needs. Featured: Alan Kohler, ABC news finance analyst by ABC News Daily
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Paul Barry on Trump's big lie, the Murdochs and Crikey: Taking on the might of the Murdoch family in court is no small feat, but the small Australian commentary website, Crikey, is doing just that. Lachlan Murdoch is suing the platform for defamation, after it alleged links between his family and the January 6 Capitol riot in the US, which the Murdochs deny. Today, the host of Media Watch on ABC TV, Paul Barry, on why it will be a test case for Australia's defamation laws you’ll want a front row seat for. Featured: Paul Barry, host, Media Watch, ABC TV by ABC News Daily
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COVID's deadly 'payback period': Australian hospitals have never been so swamped by COVID-19 patients. We're heading for another peak in infections, and the daily death toll has never been so high, while worldwide we appear to be faring worse than just about anywhere else. But why? And how many more waves will Australia need to endure? Today, epidemiologist Professor Tony Blakely on why Australia's early success at keeping the virus at bay now seems to be working against us. Featured: Professor Tony Blakely, epidemiologist, School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne by ABC News Daily
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Are pro golfers being played by Saudi Arabia?: The international golfing establishment is in turmoil, with two Australians in the spotlight for very different reasons. One, Cameron Smith, this week won the prestigious British Open, while the other, former tournament winner and golfing legend Greg Norman, is being accused of selling out golf to improve the image of Saudi Arabia. Today, host of The Ticket podcast Tracey Holmes on the great white shark's brash moves. Featured: Tracey Holmes, host, ABC The Ticket podcast by ABC News Daily
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The koala's slide to extinction: Did you know koalas were listed as endangered in Queensland, New South Wales and the ACT this year? The iconic Australian marsupial is on a slide towards extinction, and the animals could all be gone from the wild on the east coast in less than 30 years. Today, ABC Background Briefing reporter, Rachael Brown, on her recent investigation into the multiple threats facing koalas, and the political in-fighting that's hindering efforts to protect them. Featured: Rachel Brown, reporter, ABC Background Briefing by ABC News Daily
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Are the secrets of the universe down a Victorian gold mine?: It could be all around us, but we can't see it, and we don't really know whether it exists. Now scientists in Australia are leading a new state-of-the-art search deep underground to find evidence of elusive 'dark matter'. Today, ABC reporter Ben Knight on why physics as we know it is at a crossroads. Featured: Ben Knight, senior ABC reporter by ABC News Daily
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When Nancy Pelosi risked war with China: There's already so much uncertainty in the world and now it's being compounded, with China scrambling jets in response to a visit to Taiwan by the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi. The headlines are worrying, pointing to the risks of an all-out war. Today, the ABC's East Asia correspondent, based in Taipei, Bill Birtles on the potential for a crisis in the Taiwan Strait. Featured: Bill Birtles, ABC East Asia correspondent, Taipei, Taiwan by ABC News Daily
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'Haunting' memories of the disease on our doorstep: You would have heard by now Australia has stepped up its border security because of an outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease in Indonesia. So what would happen if the disease arrived here? Today we speak to a farmer who lived through a devastating outbreak in England in the early 2000s and the life-changing experiences of an Australian vet who went to help. Featured: Robert Craig, dairy farmer, Cumbria UK Bill Sykes, cattle farmer and veterinarian by ABC News Daily
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Inside Scott Morrison's last-ditch election tactic: It's the first parliamentary sitting day of Anthony Albanese's government, but in recent days there's also been attention on the dying hours of Scott Morrison's leadership. We now know that, as we were all casting our ballots, the government was scrambling to get news out about an asylum-seeker boat arrival. Today, the ABC's political editor, Andrew Probyn, on how and why the long-standing convention to keep 'on-water operations' secret was broken. Featured: Andrew Probyn, ABC political editor by ABC News Daily
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China, Russia and the race for new hypersonic missiles: Last year, China tested a hypersonic missile that circumnavigated the globe before hitting its target. It surprised the world, and it was a sign of just how advanced its military has become. So amid calls for the US and its allies including Australia to develop better missile capabilities in response, how big is the threat? Today, aerospace engineer and former NASA employee, Professor Iain Boyd, on the hypersonic arms race Beijing seems to be winning. Featured: Dr Iain Boyd, professor of aerospace engineering sciences, University of Colorado Boulder by ABC News Daily
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Australia's crackdown on climate protesters: As the movement to fight climate change grows, protests have become increasingly disruptive. But did you know police in some states have been given counter-terrorism-like powers to arrest those involved, even before an event begins? Today, Background Briefing reporter, Geoff Thompson on why climate activists are finding it much harder to shut down cities. Featured: Geoff Thompson, Background Briefing reporter by ABC News Daily
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An Australian journalist's escape from the Taliban: When an Australian journalist was detained by the Taliban and forced to apologise for her stories, it highlighted the threats faced by reporters since coalition forces pulled out of Afghanistan almost a year ago. Today, we speak to Lynne O'Donnell about her escape, and the terror the Afghan people are facing. Featured: Lynne O'Donnell, reporter, Islamabad, Pakistan by ABC News Daily
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The mysterious deaths of two Saudi sisters: When two sisters from Saudi Arabia were found dead and naked in their beds in a Sydney apartment earlier this year, it shocked Australians and puzzled police. It has raised questions about who the young women were and why they fled their homeland. Today, Background briefing reporter Rachael Brown on her chilling investigation into their mysterious deaths and why other Saudi women in Australia are living in fear. Featured: Rachael Brown, Background Briefing reporter by ABC News Daily
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Inside Australia’s biggest tax scam: The Australian Tax Office is meant to be one of the most secure and forensic agencies in the country - we trust it to get things right. But its vulnerabilities were exposed, after a criminal syndicate managed to steal more than $100 million of taxpayers' money. Today, Four Corners reporter, Paul Farrell, takes us inside the biggest tax fraud in our history, and explains how it was exposed. Featured: Paul Farrell, investigative reporter, Four Corners, ABC TV and ABC iview by ABC News Daily
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The desperate search for the Titan sub: It's a story that's captivating the world: the missing five men, who went deep into the Atlantic Ocean to try and get a glimpse of the wreckage of the Titanic. Oxygen may have run out in the missing Titan submersible but rescuers are still hard at work. Today, an oceanographer on the dangers and complexities of the mission. Featured: Arthur Trembanis, oceanographer at the University of Delaware by ABC News Daily
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The ‘axis of evil’ and the housing crisis: The Greens have been accused of forming an ‘axis of evil’ in the Parliament, by joining with the Coalition to block the government’s key housing bill. But are they really the enemy for demanding a rent freeze to try to stop landlords charging tenants whatever they like? Today, Insiders host, David Speers, on the housing deadlock, and why the government refuses to cap rents. Featured: David Speers, host, Insiders, ABC TV and iview by ABC News Daily
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How Russia infiltrated Australia's spy agency: With Russia at war with Ukraine, keeping our secrets safe from Moscow is vital. But history tells us Australia hasn't been very good at spying on spies and knowing when our agencies have been infiltrated. Today, investigative reporters Sally Neighbour and Margot O'Neill on an ASIO mole who sold our intelligence to the Russians, and why our spy agency kept it secret for so long. Featured: Sally Neighbour, investigative reporter, ABC Four Corners and ABC iview Margot O’Neill, investigative reporter, ABC Four Corners and ABC iview by ABC News Daily
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The message David Jones is sending the Reserve Bank: You may have enjoyed a spot of shopping on the weekend, but if you're still heading out to spend up big, you're among a diminishing crowd. We now know there's been a huge slump in consumer spending, as more and more of us find it harder to make ends meet with soaring rents and rising interest rates. So, with New Zealand already in a technical recession, is there a downturn coming here too? Today, the ABC’s business editor, Ian Verrender, on where our economy's heading, midway through the year. Featured: Ian Verrender, ABC business editor by ABC News Daily
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'Not a safe place': Lidia Thorpe's sexual assault allegations: Once again, the treatment of women in politics has come into question, after the independent Senator Lidia Thorpe used parliamentary privilege to allege she'd been sexually assaulted in a stairwell at Parliament House. It came a day after she had stood in the Senate to accuse the Victorian Senator, David Van, of sexual assault, an accusation he denies and which she later withdrew. Senator Van has now been asked to leave the Liberal Party room. Today, ABC political reporter, Dana Morse, on Lidia Thorpe's allegations, and the culture at Parliament House. Featured: Dana Morse, ABC political reporter, Parliament House, Canberra by ABC News Daily
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The $300 billion submarines we might never get

The $300 billion submarines we might never get

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Titles in the series (100)

More Episodes from ABC News Daily

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