From Shogun era Japan to the techno bunkers of 90s Berlin, people across time and cultures have always looked to let loose at night. 

• Guest: Imogen Willetts, author of 'Up All Night: A History of Going Out'
• Producer: Ali Benton

An expert guide to the commercial sins that have put the big consultancy under the spotlight, after more information emerged in a parliamentary hearing last week.

• Guest: Tom Ravlic, journalist, author and academic who has been writing about the KPMG saga for Crikey, and The Mandarin. He has previously been involved in the setting of ethical standards and accounting regulation. 

Ian Dunt examines the fallout from the death of Cambridge academic Jason Arday. And Nigel Farage’s Clacton by election victory -  what does it say about his political fortunes? Plus an update on the Andy Burnham 'bounce'. Is it still happening?

• Guest: Ian Dunt, iNews columnist and regular LNL commentator
• Producer: Ali Benton 

In recent weeks, the ABC has removed references to the Australian mining executive Gina Rinehart, following complaints. Guardian reporter Sarah Martin looks back at Rinehart's efforts to defend her public image in recent years. 

• Guest: Sarah Martin, reporter at the Guardian Australia, host of Gina: Becoming Mrs Rinehart
• Producer: Catherine Zengerer

Jordan has been trying to maintain neutrality in the Middle East war, but with a pre-existing military agreement with the US, that is proving increasingly difficult. After Iran sent missile strikes into Jordan recently, prominent Jordanian citzens have been urging the government to shore up sovereignty and neutrality.

• Guest: Nabih Bulos, Middle East bureau chief for the Los Angeles Times
• Producer: Ann Arnold

SBS political correspondent Anna Henderson surveys a busy week ahead in federal parliament, with the government eager to broker a deal to reform the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

• Guest: Anna Henderson, chief political correspondent, SBS

Late Night Live is sad to hear of the passing of Kris Short, who was one of LNL’s most enduring producers. She worked on the show between 1996-2015. Long before that Kris started at the ABC in the typing pool in 1976, becoming a clerk, production assistant, a broadcast production officer in Film Services and the ABC's Education department, where she was talent spotted by Wendy Mcleod to work on a new program called Offspring - the precursor to Life Matters. Before coming to Late Night Live she worked with David Marr on Arts Today where David said she had the difficult job of teaching him how to make radio. "What a woman," Marr said. "She was feisty and indefatigable." 

Wendy McLeod said Kris had a deep understanding of what worked on radio, the practical aspects of studio, writing and scripts, meeting talent and planning OB's. "She was so great to work with and handled our somewhat intense presenter with her quiet intelligence...I loved my time with Kris...she was a great friend. I watched successful career at RN, met up with her occasionally and we remembered those days and shared our love of cats. I can't believe she has left us at such a young age...it was a privilege to be her colleague and her friend," McLeod said. 

But it was on LNL that she stayed. Phillip Adams described Kris as 'delightfully grumpy' and has fond memories of sneaking off to the stairwell with her to eat ice cream. Former LNL Executive Producer, Gail Boserio, said "Kris understood and cared for the ABC and its importance to Australian culture and intellectual life. Sharp as a tack, she had a fine knowledge of grammar and made sure everybody's briefs were up to scratch. Kris was well read, with a cheeky sense of humour and infectious laugh! Phillip Adams used to say who needs google when you've got Kris Short."

Vale Kris, and thanks for all the stories,  many of which can be found here: 

The popularity of calming 'night' music to help people sleep is the latest iteration of compositions that reflect the coming of the night. It was composer John Field at the end of the 19th century, followed by Chopin and others, who first brought us the musical concept of 'nocturnes'.

• Guest: Susan Tomes is an award-winning pianist and writer,  'Nocturnes, and the fascination of night music' (Yale University Press)
• Producer: Ann Arnold

Music excepts, in order of appearance:

• Frederic Chopin's Nocturne Op.27, No.2 in D-flat Major, played by Artur Rubenstein
• John Field's Nocturne No.4  in A Major, H.36, played by Alice Sara Ott
• Max Richter, Yuki Namata, Caleb Burhans, Clarice Jensen, Brian Snow and Ben Russell playing Richter's 'Sleep. Patterns. (Cypher)'
• Gabriel Faure's  Nocturne No.6 in D-flat major, op.63, played by Angela Hewitt. 

What if your mortgage was illegal, your taxes were voluntary and you could simply opt out of the law? Sovereign citizens believe they’ve discovered a hidden legal system that can set them free from the state. Outlawed explores the strange world of pseudolaw, and what its rise tells us about trust, power and the law.

• Guest: Harry Hobbs, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Law and Justice at the University of New South Wales, co-author with Stephen Young, of Outlawed: Responding to the Global Rise of Sovereign Citizens and legal conspiracies published on August 18, 2026.
• Producer: Ali Benton

James Baldwin’s writing was inseparable from the people he loved, mentored and collaborated with. A new biography explores the intimate relationships that shaped his novels, essays and plays, and his role in Black and queer literary history.From Harlem and Paris, to Istanbul and the American South, it reveals the private life behind one of the 20th century’s most influential writers.

• Guest: Nicholas Boggs, author of Baldwin: A Love Story
• Producer: Ali Benton