Hamish Macdonald

We asked some of Australia’s favourite authors to find out what they’ve been reading. The result is an eclectic list with something for everyone — even the kids.

The Chinese leader may be one of the most powerful people in the world, but how did he get there? And what makes him tick?

Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy has captured the world’s attention and admiration like few leaders can.  When Russia launched its war on Ukraine in February 2022, the comic actor turned wartime leader became the face of Ukraine’s resistance. He refused offers of evacuation, famously telling Joe Biden he needed ammunition, not a ride.

Joe Biden is America’s oldest ever president. He wants to stay in the White House another four years and is now campaigning for a second term. If he wins that term, he’ll be 86-years-old by the time he leaves office.

Ferdinand Marcos Jr, better known as “Bongbong”, is the president of the Philippines. His popularity skyrocketed in recent years, particularly among Gen Z, thanks to his stardom on tiktok. But it was almost 40 years ago that he fled the country as a young governor when his father’s authoritarian and corrupt government was overturned in a dramatic coup. 

Argentina's president is hell-bent on fixing the country's economic woes, chainsaw in hand. But are his radical tactics working?

In a special mini-series, Geraldine Doogue and Hamish Macdonald get the answers to all your burning questions about AUKUS.  In this first episode, we investigate how AUKUS came about - who spoke to who, what the true motivation was for going nuclear and whether the total secrecy around the deal was justified.  GUESTS:  Andrew Fowler - investigative journalist and author of Nuked: The Submarine Fiasco that Sank Australia’s Sovereignty (MUP), which won the 2024 Walkley Book Award. Scott Morrison - 30th Prime Minister of Australia, now Non-Executive Vice Chairman of the US-headquartered advisory and consulting firm American Global Strategies LLC and member of several advisory boards, including the DYNE Strategic Advisory Board. GET IN TOUCH:  We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au

Daniel Mookhey joined Hamish Macdonald on 702 Mornings to discuss the latest in pay disputes with the RTBU, what a decision on interest rates might mean, and how to have kids engage more keenly with politics. 

The Irish rockstar is fired up as he claims his life's work is being ripped apart by the new US administration.  In this passionate and surprising conversation Sir Bob discusses cuts to aid budgets in the US and UK, what Australia should be doing to stand up to Donald Trump and why he no longer listens to music.   Guest: Bob Geldof, musician and co-founder of the Band Aid Charitable Trust Recommendations:  Geraldine: Repeat: A Warning from History, Dennis Glover Hamish: Queen performs at Live Aid, 1985 Get in touch:  We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au

As part of the ABC's Your Say campaign, you've been telling us what matters most to you ahead of the May 3 election.