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Western Australian police recently finished trialling a technology that can identify people as they walk past – revealing they scanned nearly 1.4 million faces, over a period of five months.
Police say the cameras helped them make 122 arrests and they’re now considering whether to use the technology more widely.
But is catching 122 people worth putting nearly 1.4 million others under surveillance? And how much privacy should Australians be expected to give up in the name of public safety?
Today, we revisit our conversation with UNSW cyber security expert Professor Richard Buckland, on the dangers of live facial recognition and what happens when police surveillance powers expand.
This episode first aired in June, 2026.

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Guest: UNSW cyber security expert Professor Richard Buckland
Photo: WA Police
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Interest rates are keeping the pressure on household budgets, and on the Albanese government. The prime minister’s trip to the Carribean for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting while economic pain was being exacted back home has given his opponents another opportunity to question his priorities.
Meanwhile, One Nation is distancing itself from MAGA following the seismic repudiation of Trump in the US midterms. But the economic discontent that helped turn Americans against their government exists here too.
Today, Chief political correspondent at SBS Anna Henderson, on the week in politics, and why the economic anger that punished Trump should worry Canberra.

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Guest: Chief political correspondent at SBS Anna Henderson
Photo: PA/Alamy
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For generations of Australians, David Jones was somewhere people would dress up to go shopping: the Christmas windows, the fashion parades, and the excitement of taking home something special in those black and white houndstooth bags.
Now, after 188 years, the department store has entered voluntary administration. Its stores are still trading, but thousands of workers face an uncertain future. And the new owner, if one can be found, will have to decide how much of the business can survive.
Today, ABC business reporter Daniel Ziffer on a retail institution overtaken by changing habits, what it says about the economy, and whether Australians still want what department stores have to offer.

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Guest: ABC business journalist Daniel Ziffer
Photo: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts
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It’s the election result Democrats almost didn’t dare to dream of.
But with anger mounting over the cost of living amid Trump’s war with Iran, traditionally conservative states across America flipped blue.
Democrats have now taken control of both the US House and Senate in a stunning win that’s being seen as a direct rejection of President Trump.
Today, editor-at-large of The National Interest, Steve Clemons on where Trump went wrong, what the Democrats will do with their new powers in Congress, and whether this spells the end of MAGA.

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Guest: Editor-at-large of The National Interest Steve Clemons
Photo: EPA/Olga Fedorova
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It’s been nearly two decades since Australians have felt the sting of interest rates this high.
Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock says persistent inflation has forced the RBA to hike the official cash rate for the fifth time this year.
But some experts fear the bank may have gone too far – risking tipping Australia into a recession.
Today, Australia Institute chief economist Greg Jericho on why the RBA may have got it wrong, and the big corporate inflation-driver no one seems to be talking about.

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Guest: Australia Institute chief economist, Greg Jericho
Photo: AAP Image/Dean Lewins
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.