A quiet transformation is underway at Australian universities. Behind closed doors, powerful consulting firms are helping to reshape higher education; cutting courses, centralising power, and outsourcing staff. 

One firm in particular, Nous Group, is now embedded in some of the country’s most prestigious institutions. At the Australian National University, its role in a $250 million restructure has been concealed, even from parliament, raising serious concerns about transparency and accountability. 

Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper, Rick Morton, on how consultants gained control of the university sector, and what it could mean for the future of higher education.

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Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper, Rick Morton.

Photo: University of Sydney

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On the surface, Kaliane Bradley’s debut is a time-travel novel — it’s speculative fiction meets romance and espionage. But underneath? It's a sharp, satirical exploration of institutional control — of what happens when government red tape meets the impossible. On this episode of Read This, Michael sits down for a conversation with Kaliane Bradley to discuss her bestselling book The Ministry of Time. (edited) 

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As Anthony Albanese heads to the G7 summit, the future of Australia’s most important defence pact is suddenly uncertain. 

The Trump administration is reviewing AUKUS, pushing for more military spending, and condemning Australia’s new sanctions on Israeli ministers – all signs of a once stable alliance under pressure. 

Today, press gallery journalist and columnist for Inside Story, Karen Middleton, on what’s testing the US–Australia relationship, and whether a meeting on neutral ground can strengthen the longstanding alliance.

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Guest: Press gallery journalist and columnist for Inside Story, Karen Middleton.

Photo: Bianca De Marchi

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Elon Musk and Donald Trump were once political partners – sharing praise, power and ice-cream parties. Now the pair have been trading insults on their own social media networks.

In what started with Musk’s opposition to the president’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill”, that proposes extensive tax cuts, the feud has sparked threats that could ground NASA missions and blow holes in the US federal budget.

Today, tech and power reporter for The Guardian, Nick Robins-Early, on the break-up and the dangers of handing critical services to a single billionaire.

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Guest: Tech and power reporter for The Guardian, Nick Robins-Early.

Photo: EPA / Will Oliver

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US President Donald Trump’s agenda of mass deportations has reached a tipping point.

After ICE raids in Los Angeles sparked street riots, the president dispatched the National Guard and active duty Marines to confront protestors, while threatening to arrest California Governor Gavin Newsom if he stands in the way.

Today, senior political correspondent for Time magazine, Eric Cortellessa, on the LA riots, the political battle, and whether Trump’s commandeering of the National Guard is a forerunner to more authoritarian acts.

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Guest: Senior political correspondent for Time magazine, Eric Cortellessa

Photo: EPA/Allison Dinner

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When Anthony Albanese first became prime minister, he began dismantling the Home Affairs super-ministry, which had been overseen by Peter Dutton.

Labor had long opposed a model which saw such significant power contained within one portfolio – and removed ASIO and the AFP from Home Affairs.

Now, in a spectacular reversal, and without explanation, Albanese is making Home Affairs even more powerful than the super-portfolio first created in 2017 – and it’s all under the control of Tony Burke.

Today, special correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Jason Koutsoukis, on what the move says about Tony Burke’s rising power, and what it means for our national security.

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Guest: Special correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Jason Koutsoukis

Photo: Mick Tsikas

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At the recent election, a generational shift became undeniable. 

Nearly half of all voters were Millennials or Gen Z – and their votes helped deliver Labor its biggest lower house majority ever, returned a sizable crossbench, and left the Coalition reeling. 

But despite their decisive influence, young voters are still waiting for answers – especially on one issue they’ve placed at the heart of their demands: a government duty of care in the face of the climate crisis.

Today, climate activist Anjali Sharma, on whether Labor will govern for the young people who delivered them victory.

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Guest: Climate activist Anjali Sharma

Photo: Supplied

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Torrey Peters’ debut novel, Detransition, Baby, was an instant sensation. Longlisted for the Women’s Prize in the UK and named one of the New York Times’ best books of the 21st century so far, the book catapulted Torrey into the limelight. Her second and latest book, Stag Dance, is a collection of four stories that are brutal, funny, and brilliant. On this episode of Read This, Michael sits down with Torrey to discuss the genesis of Stag Dance and why she isn’t interested in trans identity.

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Donald Trump’s return to power is testing Australia’s decades-old reflex to stand with the United States.

When the US defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, demanded Canberra nearly double its military spend, Anthony Albanese answered that Australia will decide its own defence policy – and has been vocal in his criticisms of Trump’s tariffs on steel and aluminium.

With public support for automatic alignment with the US fading, the prime minister is recalibrating the alliance in real time.

Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno, on how Australia is no longer “all the way” with the USA.

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Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.

Photo: PA/Alamy

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Greg Bourne, former BP Australasia president, once worked alongside Australia’s biggest LNG venture: Woodside’s North West Shelf.

Now a councillor at the Climate Council, he warns extending the project will unleash billions of tonnes of emissions and threaten tens of thousands of ancient rock carvings, while delivering a “pittance” in economic benefit to Australia.

Yet Bourne says the decision to keep the project running until 2070 was almost inevitable, after decades of lobbying in Canberra.

Today, Greg Bourne on how Woodside got the green light – and the reform he says is needed to stop the next fossil-fuel behemoth.

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Guest: Former BP Australasia president, Greg Bourne.

Photo: AAP Image/Supplied by Woodside Energy

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