Over at Ultimo – the ABC’s ‘global’ headquarters – excitement is reaching fever pitch.

The cause of the hullabaloo is ABC Radio National’s ‘Top 100’ Books month which follows the tremendous success of the inaugural ‘Top 100’ Books 2025. Voting closes on October 1, so you’d best hurry to register your ‘Top 100’ books of all time.

Doubtless you know, as I do, that Radio National is heavily into books. This is good. Books are good. We can all agree books are good, notwithstanding the inconvenient truth that many Australians can’t pay their mortgages, let alone afford a book or attend a movie.

When listening to Radio National, I’m often struck by the apparent ‘yawning disconnect’ between the audience and the subject under discussion. Perhaps this troublesome disconnect goes some way to explaining the paltry audience numbers for much of Radio National’s output. Think of the ‘phone box’ sized audiences that tune into The Minefield or Late Night Live for example and you have an idea of where sentiments lie in regard to these public offerings.

Thousands of hours of airtime can be, and are, filled analysing, critiquing, dissecting and of course, promoting books satisfying the broadcaster’s self-described role as a ‘beacon for curious minds’.

Two shows in particular get top-billing in this space – both with inspired titles: The Book Show and its sister show The Bookshelf. Books are good for business – and what a business it is.

On a riveting recent episode of The Bookshelf presenter Cassie McCullagh revealed to her national audience, that she is a ‘weeper’. My heart almost broke on hearing this. It was a highlight, among other several other astounding highlights, included in this ‘must listen to’ show.

The other great little business is one being operated by ABC insiders – (not the show with that name) – but actual people inside the ABC. Some call them ‘celebrities’, but somehow the term seems ludicrously out of place for ABC presenters. Let’s describe them as ‘frontline’ presenters or perhaps ABC ‘employees’.

These people develop their profiles via their employment at the ABC, on the public purse and with the generous support of a bevy of ABC marketers who are employed for precisely this work.

This particular cohort – which is far from a small number – write books which are then massively promoted and cross-promoted by the ABC both on legacy platforms of radio and television – but also of course on Podcasts and social media.

In addition, ABC presenters are routinely invited to every literature festival in the country – of which there are many. At one recent gathering of the nation’s literary luminaries almost ten ABC ‘frontliners’ were in attendance in varying capacities as masters of ceremony, panel members, adjudicators, and even spots reading excerpts of their own works.

Several questions come to mind about the books written by frontline presenters. Do they write the books in their spare time or as many suspect, do they write them while ‘on duty’ at the ABC? Who arranges the promotion, cross-promotion, and presence on social media of the books authored by ABC presenters? Is it the policy of ABC management to permit ABC ‘presenters’ to write books and then provide saturation promotional opportunities for such staff?

Taxpayers may welcome hearing from ABC Managing Director, Hugh Marks, or ABC Chair, Kim Williams on what the contractual arrangements are for ABC staffers on these matters.

Some may think these questions are frivolous and that ABC presenters have every right to pen books and promote them on the platforms provided by their employer – and paid for by us. I have a different view. For sure write the books – but do it on your own time, be transparent about how and when the books were written and be even more transparent about who keeps the royalties from such activity.

Take for example, a senior employee at the Australian Taxation Office. This person has a terrific idea for a book about the intrigues of the taxation system in Australia (and/or beyond) and decides to write a book about it. Under no circumstances would the ATO allow the individual to research, write, and then promote the book during work hours – but this is precisely what is, in my opinion, occurring at our national broadcaster on an industrial scale.

Loads of ABC presenters have written books: Annabelle Crabb, Leigh Sales, Stan Grant, Richard Fidler, Kate Evans, Louise Milligan, and Chris Masters to name a few, have also written books and enjoyed the vigorous support of the national broadcaster in promoting them. The practice has proven mutually attractive over an extended period. As is well known, most authors struggle to get published and battle even harder to find ways to promote their works in order to sell them and make a living.

The ‘in-house’ practices of those employed in the ‘Elysian’ world of the ABC serve to underscore the separateness, the ‘specialness’ of senior presenters within the organisation.

Let me end with a statement from the ABC itself…

ABC Radio National is a beacon for curious minds – where Australia’s biggest conversations find their voice and where audiences can go beyond the news headlines for stories with national and global implications.

ABC Radio National shares Australia’s best conversations across a diverse range of topics, including arts and culture, business and current affairs, health, science and technology, Indigenous culture and issues, and religion and ethics.

You can hear us on the radio or online, download our podcasts, explore our digital feature articles and videos, and connect with us on social media and email.

You certainly can – and given that you are paying for it all, tune in and have your say on the matters raised here. I’m thinking of writing a book about it … and don’t forget to vote on your ‘Top 100’ books.