Australia is heading to the moon for the first time. The Australian Space Agency has unveiled a prototype of a rover bound for the lunar surface on a NASA mission this decade. ‘Roo-ver,’ as it’s been nicknamed by the public, will explore the moon to help experts learn more about establishing a “sustainable human presence" there. The project is being developed by the ELO2 consortium — a group of companies and universities selected by the Australian Space Agency. Mechanical Engineer Chloe Chang has been working with Lunar Outpost Oceania, the technical lead of the ELO2 consortium, and she joins us in the deep dive to explain the announcement.

Hosts: Emma Gillespie and Zara Seidler
Producer: Orla Maher
Guest: Chloe Chang, Lunar Outpost Oceania

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Today's headlines include:

The Federal Government has unveiled its mid-financial-year budget update, forecasting a $26.9 billion deficit for the current financial year.

Alan Jones has been served with an additional eight charges of assault while in court today.

A senior Russian military figure has been assassinated in Moscow.

The good news: The BBC and Disney have announced they will create a Bluey feature film.

Hosts: Billi FitzSimons and Zara Seidler
Producer: Elliot Lawry

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 five-star review. We would be so grateful.The Daily Aus is a media company focused on delivering accessible and digestible news to young people. We are completely independent.

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2024 was a tough year for both the Australian and global economies, with headlines about inflation, cost of living, housing affordability and global conflicts dominating headlines.

Now, as we look down barrel of a new year, the tune has changed - Australia’s Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the worst is behind us, Donald Trump has promised to make America rich again, and the RBA has signalled it may be warming to the idea of a drop of interest rates.

On today’s pod, we’re going to chat to Matt Grudnoff, a senior economist at the Australia Institute, about the year that was in economics, what he thinks will happen in 2025, and what’s giving him hope.

Hosts: Sam Koslowski and Zara Seidler
Producer: Orla Maher

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Today's headlines include: Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has announced plans to ban face masks and balaclavas at public protests, and outlaw demonstrations outside places of worship. The Federal Government will introduce laws to increase funding deals for public broadcasters the ABC and SBS from three to five-year terms. Germany is headed for an early election after a vote of no confidence against Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Parliament.

Hosts: Emma Gillespie and Zara Seidler
Producer: Elliot Lawry

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 five-star review. We would be so grateful.The Daily Aus is a media company focused on delivering accessible and digestible news to young people. We are completely independent.

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Over the weekend, the remaining five members of the Bali Nine were returned to Australia after spending nearly two decades in Indonesian jails. Their return to the country wraps up a story that dates back to 2005 and has had far reaching implications for both Australia and Indonesia. In today's podcast, we explain how a group of Australians ended up in an Indonesian jail for decades, and the story behind their release.

Hosts: Zara Seidler and Sam Koslowski
Producer: Orla Maher

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Today's headlines include:

Fire crews are responding to multiple blazes in Victoria and parts of NSW as heatwave conditions continue.Families impacted by a 2021 jumping castle tragedy at a Tasmanian primary school have launched legal action against state authorities and jumping castle operator, Taz-Zorb.Hundreds are feared dead in the French overseas territory of Mayotte following a Category 4 cyclone.

Hosts: Lucy Tassell and Emma Gillespie
Producer: Elliot Lawry

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 five-star review. We would be so grateful.The Daily Aus is a media company focused on delivering accessible and digestible news to young people. We are completely independent.

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In a landmark decision, Australia's High Court has ruled that employers can be liable for causing an employee mental harm during the process of terminating their employment. It's a major workplace ruling that has caught the attention of Industrial Relations experts and HR departments. In today's podcast, we'll break down the facts of this case, what the High Court ultimately ruled, and why it matters to all Australian workplaces.

Hosts: Achol Arok and Sam Koslowski
Producer: Orla Maher

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 five-star review. We would be so grateful.

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Want to make a voluntary financial contribution to The Daily Aus? Well that is just too kind. You can support TDA via TDA+U here. It means you're supporting a newsroom of young people, making news for young people. Thank you, as always, for your support!

It's Saturday! Which means it's time for the good news podcast!

Here's a wrap-up of the good news from the week that you might have missed. It includes the youngest-ever chess world champion, Australians killing it at the Short Course World Championships, and a new bill that has passed the US Senate to fund CPR training and access to Automated External Defibrillators in schools.

You can watch the moment Gukesh Dommaraju won the chess championships here.

Recommendations:
Sam recommended Light Dark Light by Fred Again and Aussie singer/songwriter Angie McMahon.
Billi recommended wearing sunscreen (she mentioned this one from Mecca).

Neither of these recommendations are sponsored.

Hosts: Billi FitzSimons and Sam Koslowski
Producer: Orla Maher

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Today's headlines include:

The Coalition has unveiled analysis showing its proposed nuclear policy could cost an estimated $300 billion.

More than 500 Qantas engineers have walked off the job in strike action around the country today. It comes after negotiations between unions and the airline stalled.

Elon Musk has become the first person in the world with a net worth above $US400 billion ($AU628 billion).

Hosts: Sam Koslowski and Emma Gillespie

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 five-star review. We would be so grateful.The Daily Aus is a media company focused on delivering accessible and digestible news to young people. We are completely independent.

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It's official. Papua New Guinea is joining Australia's National Rugby League (NRL) competition from 2028. A deal between the two nations will expand the global profile of one of Australia's most dominant sports, but it could become one of geopolitical importance, too. As concern grows around China's increased presence in the South Pacific, what does the PNG NRL deal tell us about diplomacy and global politics? We'll explore more in today's deep dive.

Hosts: George Finlayson and Emma Gillespie
Producer: Orla Maher

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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 five-star review. We would be so grateful.

The Daily Aus is a media company focused on delivering accessible and digestible news to young people. We are completely independent.

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Today's headlines include:The Government's student debt reforms are being rolled out from today after its HECS indexation changes passed Parliament last month.Australia’s unemployment rate fell to 3.9% in November to its lowest level since March, according to the latest ABS figures.FBI Director Christopher Wray has announced his intention to step down before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January.

Hosts: Lucy Tassell and Emma Gillespie
Producer: Elliot Lawry

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 five-star review. We would be so grateful.

The Daily Aus is a media company focused on delivering accessible and digestible news to young people. We are completely independent.

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