The Signal is the ABC's daily news podcast that helps cut through the noise to cover the biggest stories, explaining not only what is happening but why. It's an entertaining 15-minute show, perfect for the daily commute.
With Donald Trump back in the White House early next year, there’s a real possibility he’ll ignite a trade war with Beijing.Â
Given Australia does so much trade with China, that could have big consequences for our economy.
Today, we explore what could be in store for inflation, interest rates and our wider economy once Trump’s back in charge.Â
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Dr Susan Stone, Credit Union SA Chair of Economics at the University of South Australia
The government wants to ban under 16s from social media saying it’s harming children and parents need support.Â
It’s a move that has the support of the federal opposition and many parents, but does an outright ban risk cutting off important support and sources of information for young people?Â
Today, we explore some alternative ideas to help make social media safer with a cyber safety expert and an advocate for better mental health for young people.Â
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Kriti Gupta, youth mental health advocate with ALLKND
Susan McLean, Cyber Safety Solutions
Elon Musk played a huge role in Donald Trump’s campaign, throwing at least $130 million at it.Â
But what role will the richest man in the world really play when Trump steps into the White House next year?
Today, political scientist Geoff Kabaservice from the Niskanen Centre in Washington DC on the people Trump will need if he wants to rule like a dictator, even for one day.Â
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Geoff Kabaservice, Vice President for political studies at the Niskanen Centre
Donald Trump won the election, so what should we expect once he’s in the oval office next year?
Kim Hoggard, a former staffer during the Reagan and George H W Bush administrations, says presidents can feel ‘unleashed’ during their second term.Â
Today, she explains why voters chose to ignore all of Trump’s flaws and embrace his populist pitch.Â
She says Trump’s victory is a fundamental shift for America, driven by voters prioritising economic concerns.Â
Kim Hoggard also discusses Trump's policies, including mass deportations and sweeping tariffs, that could reshape America’s future.Â
She warns that Trump’s second term could bring significant ideological shifts and increased authoritarian tendencies.
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Kim Hoggard, a former staffer during Reagan and George H. W. Bush administrations
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In this update from Washington DC, Matt Bevan, host of If You’re Listening: America’s Last Election, brings you an update on all the events from overnight Australian time.Â
In a spectacular comeback, Donald Trump has won the US election to become the 47th President of the United States.Â
Matt is joined on the ground by Emma Shortis from The Australia Institute to explain where the Democrats went wrong and the Republicans went right - and what a more emboldened Trump with the support of the House, the Senate and the Supreme Court means for America.Â
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Emma Shortis, director of the international and security affairs program at The Australia Institute
This is a Wednesday evening update on the US election.Â
Donald Trump is in a strong position as vote counting continues, he’s already won some swing states and is ahead in others.Â
ABC global affairs editor John Lyons joins Sam from Washington DC with the latest on the vote count.
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John Lyons, ABC global affairs editor
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.Â
So, when the polls close, how long will it take for the votes to be counted and a winner to be declared?Â
Today, the ABC’s US election analyst Casey Briggs explains how it could unfold, when to pay attention and what to watch out for.Â
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Casey Briggs, ABC US election analyst
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.Â
The opinion polls have been inconclusive, with the Democratic and Republican candidates neck and neck in the US states expected to be key.Â
Today, the ABC’s North America correspondents Barbara Miller and Carrington Clarke join me from Pennsylvania.Â
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.Â
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Barbara Miller, ABC North America correspondent
Carrington Clarke, ABC North America correspondent
Big interest rate rises since May 2022 have finally seen house prices begin to drop in our most populous cities.Â
In the latest Corelogic data for October, Sydney home prices fell 0.1% in a month, while Melbourne was 0.2% down.Â
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.Â
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. Â
He says that despite slight declines, prices remain near record levels in many areas.Â
Ian Verrender discusses the impact of population growth on housing demand and the challenges of affordability due to stagnant wages and rising costs.Â
He also says that any future interest rate cuts could quickly reignite demand, potentially pushing prices higher again.Â
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Ian Verrender, ABC Chief Business Correspondent
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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.Â
Detroit is set to strongly back Kamala Harris, and Donald Trump has compared the city to a developing nation.Â
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.Â
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.Â
He shares insights from voters on their concerns about the election and the potential for post-election violence.Â
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Matt Bevan, host of If You’re Listening: America’s Last ElectionÂ
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We’d all like to fly business class, but most of us end up at the back.Â
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.Â
He explains the exclusive nature of the Qantas Chairman’s Lounge and its implications for political transparency.Â
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.Â
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
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