One of the cardinal Murdoch family rules is never speak about the family outside the family.

So, when journalist McKay Coppins got in touch with James Murdoch last year, he really wasn’t expecting a reply.

But Coppins was curious – what would happen to the Murdoch empire when Rupert died? And what it would mean for his youngest son, James, who was seemingly an outcast from the family?

What he didn’t yet know was there was a secret high stakes legal battle going on – and James was ready to talk.

This is part two in a two part interview. 

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Guest: Staff writer at The Atlantic, McKay Coppins

Photo: Ron Galella / Getty

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Two time Miles Franklin Award-winning author Alex Miller is 88, but with 17 books under his belt and more writing on the way, he’s showing no signs of slowing down. On this episode of Read This, host Michael Williams sits down with Alex to discuss his latest book The Deal, which revisits the life of Lang Tzu, a character in his critically acclaimed novel The Ancestor Game.

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In news rooms, board rooms and electoral offices around the country, there's one question driving everyone insane: when is Anthony Albanese going to call the election?

Nervous backbenchers are willing him to strike while the Reserve Bank’s decision to cut interest rates is fresh in voters’ minds, but the prime minister is being coy about his preferred date.

Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on when Labor insiders are expecting an election and how Peter Dutton is coping with the government’s week of good news.

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Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.

Photo: AAP Images

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Australia faces its most “difficult threat environment” in 50 years, with larger and more varied plots than ever before. That was the message from the director-general of ASIO, Mike Burgess, when he gave his annual threat assessment on Wednesday night, taking the extraordinary step of declassifying some of the intelligence behind the warning.

According to Burgess, foreign interference and espionage are at extreme levels, with ASIO foiling five major terror attacks against Australians last year.

Today, special correspondent for The Saturday Paper Jason Koutsoukis on how foreign governments are trying to interfere in Australia – from AUKUS to our elections.

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Guest: Special correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Jason Koutsoukis

Photo: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

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Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s confirmation as US health secretary made official one of President Donald Trump’s most controversial appointments.

Kennedy’s confirmation came off the back of fiery questions from both Democrats and Republicans on his record on vaccines.

Under oath, Kennedy denied he was against vaccinations, but watching closely was investigative journalist Brian Deer, who says Kennedy is beyond a vaccine sceptic – he’s “the most prominent anti-vaccine campaigner in the whole world”.

Today, journalist Brian Deer on Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s real beliefs, and the impact his campaigning had on a deadly measles outbreak in the Pacific.

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Guest: Investigative journalist Brian Deer.

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On Tuesday afternoon, the Reserve Bank cut the official cash rate to 4.1 per cent.

It’s the first interest rate cut since 2020, after 13 consecutive hikes between May 2022 and November 2023.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers welcomed the cut, saying it's a relief “Australians need and deserve”.

But RBA governor Michelle Bullock has warned not to expect further cuts and given the impact on mortgage repayments will be modest, how much political mileage the government can get out of this remains to be seen. 

Today, managing editor of The Saturday Paper Emily Barrett on what the Reserve Bank’s decision tells us about the state of the economy and how it will shape the looming election campaign. 

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Guest: Managing editor of The Saturday Paper, Emily Barrett

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Meals on Wheels is an essential service for many elderly people across the country. 

It’s the sort of service that you can’t really put a price on – providing community connection and support to people who might be falling through the cracks. That’s what makes this failed plot to take over Meals on Wheels so shocking. 

It’s a story that’s got it all: dubious alliances, shocking lies, boozy nights – and millions of dollars.

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Guest: Senior reporter at The Saturday Paper Rick Morton

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When Bob Brown spoke out against the invasion of Iraq in 2003, at the height of the war on terror, he was widely derided. He was mocked in the press, and even abused by a young Queensland MP, Peter Dutton.

But looking back, he says it’s one of his proudest moments.

Now, at 80 years old, Bob argues that speaking up in public and in private is crucial to pushing back against the strongman leaders of today – with their assaults on democracy and on the planet.

Today, lifelong activist and former Greens leader Bob Brown, on how to take a stand, and why he’s still optimistic about the future.

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Guest: Former leader of the Australian Greens Bob Brown

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In 2017, Rachel Khong released her debut novel Goodbye, Vitamin to critical acclaim. In 2024, she followed it with her second novel, a sweeping family saga spanning five decades. Real Americans is a fascinating exploration of what makes us who we are and challenges some of the corrosive myths that underpin America. In this episode of Read This, Michael chats with Rachel about her new book and she shares her thoughts on luck, science, and the ultimate unknowability of each other and sometimes, even ourselves.

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The Brereton inquiry uncovered shocking allegations of war crimes committed by Australian soldiers in Afghanistan.

But there was one failing of Australian soldiers that wasn’t investigated.

According to documents and interviews, some Australian soldiers in Afghanistan used foreign rules of engagement in combat which they weren’t trained in, or permitted to use.

The use of these rules may have resulted in the killing of a large number of unarmed Afghans who would not otherwise have been killed.

Today, contributor to The Saturday Paper Ben Mckelvey, on how and when Australian special forces are allowed to kill.

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Guest: Journalist Ben Mckelvey

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