7am

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

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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

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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.

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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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Labor is poised to move forward with its plan to increase the tax on superannuation balances over $3 million.

Critics are calling the idea unfair and questioning why Labor’s super tax will apply to unrealised gains, rather than just money made.

But with Labor’s super majority in parliament – and support from the Greens in the senate – their opponents can only complain.

Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe, on Labor’s superannuation plan, and what it tells us about the government’s economic priorities in its second term. 

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Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe.

Photo: AAP Image/Russell Freeman

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As the search to explain the Coalition’s disastrous election results continues, there’s one group being singled out inside Liberal campaign headquarters: the right-wing lobby, Advance.

Flush with a multi-million dollar war chest, Advance promised to “take back” the country – yet Labor won 17 new seats and the Greens vote barely moved.

As Advance and the Liberals blame each other for the failures, there are questions about whether the two will ever work together again.

Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Jason Koutsoukis, on how Advance “siphoned” Liberal funds, muddied its message, and yet is still claiming victory.

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Guest: Special correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Jason Koutsoukis.

Photo: Credit: AAP Image / Jono Searle

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For anyone doubting her ability to rehabilitate the Coalition after its thumping May 3 loss, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has a message: people have questioned her capability and drive before.

Ley says she’s proven them all wrong – as a roustabout picking up fleeces in 40-degree heat or piloting aeroplanes low over western Queensland to muster cattle when no one thought she could.

Now, as the first woman to lead the Liberal Party, Ley promises to “meet modern Australia where they are” and to win back women, young people and inner-city voters by 2028.

Today, chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Karen Barlow, on her conversation with Ley – and what it reveals about the Coalition’s path out of defeat.

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Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Karen Barlow 

Photo: AAP Image/Lukas Coch

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Kevin Wilson writes weird books about weird people — in the best possible way. In 2019’s Nothing to See Here, two children have a condition that means they spontaneously combust. In Now Is Not the Time to Panic, two lonely young artists wreak havoc on their small town, prompting fears of Satanism. This week on Read This, Michael sits down with Kevin to discuss how he wrote his latest novel, Run for the Hills, why having children revealed the multitude of ways weirdness can manifest.

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