Colm Tóibín is regarded as one of Ireland’s greatest authors — and for good reason. With a career spanning 30 years and 11 award-winning novels under his belt, Colm is beloved both at home and abroad. In his latest book, Long Island, Tóibín returns to familiar territory with a sequel to 2009’s best-selling Brooklyn. On this episode of Read This, he and Michael discuss what it means to write a sequel, the importance of James Baldwin’s writing, and, of course, Costco.

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It’s only been a week, but the election campaign is already off script. 

Trump’s tariffs have landed like a grenade in the middle of the campaign, with the announcement of a 10 per cent tax on all Australian goods bound for the US providing a real world test for both leaders. 

While Dutton’s plan to tackle tariffs lacks detail, he’s clear on one thing: he’d quite like to live in Kirribilli. 

Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno, on Dutton’s missteps, Albanese’s reset and the global forces shaping the campaign.

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Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.

Photo: AAP Image/Lukas Coch

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Barry Berih has lived in the same Melbourne flat for most of his life. He has mild cerebral palsy and is cared for by his mother. He has all the medical support he needs, along with his mosque nearby and his Eritrean community surrounding him.

But one afternoon, without warning, Barry watched the then Victorian premier, Dan Andrews, announce on TV that the iconic public housing towers in the city would be demolished.

One of those towers is his home, making Barry one of about 10,000 people set to be evicted. With that threat looming, some of his neighbours decided to leave.

But Barry has been fighting back, and today at 10am, he and hundreds of other people in his class action will find out whether they’ve won their case against the Victorian government.

Today, reporter and co-host of 7am Ruby Jones, on the plan to demolish public housing during a housing crisis, and how Melbourne’s inner city will change if Barry loses his case.

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Guest: Reporter and co-host of 7am, Ruby Jones.

Photo: James Ross / AAP

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Australian defence officials are preparing to choose whether to buy warships from Germany or Japan.

It’s an $11 billion decision – and is about far more than ship design and cost.

Given Japan describes Australia as its most important security partner after the United States, our decision will send a signal about whether the relationship is reciprocated.

These considerations have been sharpened by the recent appearance of the Chinese navy off our shores – and by the Trump administration's reshaping of American foreign policy.

Today, special correspondent for The Saturday Paper Jason Koutsoukis, on the frigate deal that could cement the Japan-Australia alliance, or sink it.

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

Photo: Connor Morrison / ADF

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Today in the White House Rose Garden, President Trump will unveil his next round of tariffs – an event he’s calling “Liberation Day”.

Trump’s first round of tariffs are already causing damage, and there’s more pain to come, as the president enacts what looks like a radical plan to reshape the entire global financial system.

Today, managing editor of The Saturday Paper Emily Barrett, on Trump, tariffs and the economic blueprint known as the Mar-a-Lago accord.

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Guest: Managing editor of The Saturday Paper Emily Barrett

Photo: Samuel Corum/Sipa USA

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As the federal election campaign kicked off over the weekend, chief political analyst at the Australia Institute Amy Remeikis was paying close attention. 

While Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a crackdown on supermarket price gouging and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton focused on cost-of-living measures, Remeikis noticed there were some big issues that neither leader wanted to confront – such as climate change and Australia’s relationship with our most important ally.

Today, chief political analyst at the Australia Institute Amy Remeikis on the big questions we should be asking our politicians – and why now is the time to do so.

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Guest: Chief political correspondent at the Australia Institute, Amy Remeikis

Photo: Supplied

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In recent weeks, Australian researchers began receiving a questionnaire.

Sent by the US government, it asked things like “can you confirm that this is no DEI?” and “Can you confirm this is not a climate or environmental justice project?”

The questions were seeking to determine whether Australian research, co-funded by the United States, was complying with Donald Trump’s promise to cut funding from projects that support a “woke” agenda.

The move has been labelled as “foreign interference” and raises questions about the independence and sustainability of Australian research.

Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton on why Australian research needs a new backer – and what the government should be doing about it.

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Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper, Rick Morton

Photo: Mark Syke-VIEW / Alamy

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Tanzanian-born, London-based author Abdulrazak Gurnah was midway through writing his latest novel, Theft, when he received a call letting him know he’d won the 2021 Nobel Prize for Literature. After more than a year of events and literary obligations, he finally returned to Theft, with more enthusiasm than ever. On this episode of Read This, Michael sits down with Abdulrazak to discuss his writing, the phenomenon of tourism and his latest book.

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In his press conference announcing the May 3 federal election, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australians have a choice, warning Opposition Leader Peter Dutton will cut “your job, your wages, your child’s education and… your Medicare”. 

In response,  Dutton asked voters to consider if they are better off now than they were before Labor came to power.

In this special election edition of 7am, special correspondent for The Saturday Paper Jason Koutsoukis traces the battlelines of the upcoming election and tells us which leader is most ready for the fight ahead.

If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support. 

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Guest: Special correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Jason Koutsoukis

Photo: AAP Image / Lukas Coch

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While Peter Dutton’s electorate braced for Cyclone Alfred, the opposition leader flew to Sydney to attend a $25,000 dollar-a-head dinner at Justin Hemmes’ Vaucluse mansion.

It was a choice that’s been pilloried in the media – and the government.

But as Labor sets about to raise money in similar ways, it raises questions about who has the ear of our leaders – and what Australia’s wealthiest people are getting in return for their donations.

Today, special correspondent for The Saturday Paper Jason Koutsoukis, on Peter Dutton, Anthony Albanese and the billionaires they court.

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

Photo: Alan Chau and John Koh / Hancock Prospecting

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Traditionally, the idea of bail meant that someone accused of a crime had the right to be free until their trial. But over nearly fifty years, that has shifted dramatically, with bail now used as a tool for crime prevention.

Jurisdictions across Australia are adopting more punitive bail laws – with Victoria just passing what it calls “the toughest laws in the country”.

The government says it’s about community safety, but legal and human rights experts warn that these changes will put more children in custody, disproportionately affect First Nations people, and potentially increase deaths on remand.

Today, legal academic, Dr Marilyn McMahon, on how media pressure and politics are reshaping bail – and what it means for justice.

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Guest: Professor in Deakin Law School, Dr Marilyn McMahon.

Photo: AAP Image / Con Chronis

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