The National Security Podcast

How do we balance effective national security laws with protecting individual rights and democratic freedoms? Where is the line between legitimate foreign influence and foreign interference? How well do Australia’s espionage laws protect journalism and political discourse? How should Australia’s terrorism laws respond to a threat environment increasingly involving children and different forms of violent extremism? In this episode, Sharryn Parker speaks with Jake Blight – Australia’s Independent National Security Legislation Monitor –about whether Australia’s national security laws are keeping pace with the changing nature of espionage, foreign interference and terrorism. Jake Blight is Australia’s Independent National Security Legislation Monitor (INSLM). Sharryn Parker is Senior Policy Advisor at NSC, on secondment from the Department of Defence. TRANSCRIPT Show notes: · NSC academic programs – find out more · Launching the review of the definition of a ‘terrorist act’ · The monitor's lens: the Secrecy Review and insights from the INSLM · Espionage, Foreign Interference and Related Offences Report · Issues Paper – Review of the definition of a ‘terrorist act’ We'd love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do ports sustain Australia’s economy, border security and defence preparedness? What are the biggest strategic challenges facing Australian ports? What role do ports play in combating organised crime and protecting Australia’s borders? What partnership, policy or capability would most improve Australia’s port security now? In this episode, Sharryn Parker speaks with Mike Gallacher and Mike Outram about the role of ‘ports’ as critical infrastructure and the challenges of protecting Australia’s maritime supply chains. Michael Gallacher is Chief Executive Officer at Ports Australia. Michael Outram is the former Australian Border Force Commissioner and Distinguished Advisor at the ANU National Security College (NSC). Sharryn Parker is a Senior Policy Advisor at NSC, on secondment from the Department of Defence. TRANSCRIPT Show notes: · NSC academic programs – find out more · Beyond the Checkpoint by Mike Outram We'd love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can Australia reframe water as a national security issue, rather than only an environmental or social policy concern? Can Australia realistically pursue both AI leadership and sustainable water management? What happens when drought, climate change, food insecurity, ageing infrastructure and economic pressure combine? Who should be at the table for a national water strategy? In this episode, Sharryn Parker speaks with Jason Alexandra and Matthew Coulton about Australia's water future, exploring why water security needs to be understood as a national security issue. Dr Jason Alexandra is a Senior Research Fellow at the Australian National University’s (ANU) Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions and the Institute for Water Futures. Matthew Coulton is Associate Director at WSP Australia, and previously served as General Manager Water and Agriculture at the Bureau of Meteorology and as a senior adviser to Australian and New South Wales governments on water policy and reform. Sharryn Parker is a Senior Policy Advisor at the ANU National Security College (NSC), on secondment from the Department of Defence. TRANSCRIPT Show notes: NSC academic programs – find out more How much water and power will AI data centres use in Australia? Ironically, we don’t have the data to know by Michael Vardon, ANU Sustainable water services for rural and remote communities by WSP Reforming water policy for a changing Australia by WSP Next Steps on the National Water Agreement by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water Australian Water Association (AWA) Homepage Australian Water Directory by AWA National Water Week We'd love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How is health connected to national security? What role should the military play in health security – and where are the limits? How can Australia improve coordination across agencies before the next crisis arrives? In this episode, Sharryn Parker speaks with Esperanza Martinez and Nicholas Thomson about why pathogen preparedness, human security and health need to be understood as part of Australia’s broader security picture. Dr Nick Thomson is Academic Convenor and Fellow at the Pacific Security College. Dr Esperanza Martinez is Professor in Practice and Head of Health and Human Security at the Australian National University’s (ANU) College of Health and Medicine. Sharryn Parker is a Senior Policy Advisor at the ANU National Security College (NSC), on secondment from the Department of Defence. TRANSCRIPT Show notes: NSC academic programs – find out more Turning the tide together by Nick Thomson Harnessing synergies at the interface of public health and the security sector by Nick Thomson Health and human security: Core to national and global stability by Esperanza Martinez (pg. 94) Health in a World of Crises and Impunity by Esperanza Martinez We'd love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is the future trajectory for Plan ANZAC? How does a small nation like New Zealand (NZ) contribute to collective security in the Indo-Pacific? How does NZ’s strategic identity differ from Australia’s? What should the future social contract between NZ and its Defence Force look like? What does effective leadership and stewardship look like? In this episode, Sharryn Parker is joined by Major General Rose King, Chief of the New Zealand Army, to discuss how NZ land forces undertakes its role in regional security and what closer cooperation with Australia looks like in practice. Major General Rose King is Chief of Army, New Zealand Defence Force. Sharryn Parker is a Senior Policy Advisor at the ANU National Security College (NSC), on secondment from the Department of Defence. TRANSCRIPT Show notes: · NSC academic programs – find out more We'd love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does the flare up in recent AUKUS debates represent the perspectives of the broader Australian public? Does Australia have a credible Plan B if part of AUKUS falters? Can Australia sustain the political will and strategic patience needed for a multi-decade defence project? In this episode, Justin Burke speaks with Jennifer Parker and Peter Dean about what the latest developments mean for AUKUS, the US alliance and Australia’s long-term maritime strategy. Dr Peter Dean is Professor of Strategic Studies at The Australian National University (ANU). Jennifer Parker is an Expert Associate at the ANU National Security College (NSC) and an Adjunct Professor at the University of Western Australia. Justin Burke is Senior Policy Advisor at NSC. TRANSCRIPT Show notes: · NSC academic programs – find out more · AUKUS poll , by the Lowy Institute · Defence’s Collins Class Submarines Life of Type Extension — Planning and Implementation, by the Australian National Audit Office We'd love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can national security be fully understood through hard power alone? Is it time for Australia to have a broader national security strategy – one that goes beyond defence and brings in federal, state and community perspectives? How can women’s experiences be integrated into a more traditional understanding of national security? In this episode, Sharryn Parker speaks with Professor Valerie Hudson and Dr Elise Stephenson about realism, power and the perspectives often missing from traditional security debates. Professor Valerie Hudson is Professor and George H.W. Bush Chair in the Department of International Affairs of the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University. Dr Elise Stephenson is the Deputy Director of the Global Institute for Women's Leadership, Australian National University. Sharryn Parker is a Senior Policy Advisor at the ANU National Security College (NSC), on secondment from the Department of Defence. TRANSCRIPT Show notes · NSC academic programs – find out more · Whither Women and Peace and Security? · Gender and National Security · Community Consultations Findings Report We'd love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why is the Strait of Hormuz crisis about more than crude oil, and what does it reveal about Australia’s hidden supply-chain vulnerabilities? What should investment in supply chain resilience look like for Australia? Does the green transition reduce Australia’s energy security risks, or does it shift our dependence to new materials, technologies and supply chains? How can Australia move from a ‘just in time’ to a ‘just in case’ approach to national resilience? In this episode, Walter Colnaghi and David Leaney join Sharryn Parker to discuss what the Hormuz crisis means for Australia’s economic security. Sharryn Parker is a Senior Policy Advisor at the ANU National Security College (NSC), on secondment from the Department of Defence. Walter Colnaghi is a PhD candidate at the ANU School of Politics and International Relations and a Research Assistant at NSC. David Leaney is a Lecturer at the ANU College of Business and Economics, and a specialist in international supply chain management. TRANSCRIPT Show notes NSC academic programs – find out more Beyond the checkpoint: managing Australia’s border as a strategic economic and national security asset We'd love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How should government balance national preparedness with cost-of-living pressures? Can Australia strengthen fuel security, defence capability and supply chain resilience without undermining productivity and living standards? How do economic pressures, housing stress and inequality shape public trust – and what does that mean for national security? In this episode, Aruna Sathanapally, Richard Denniss and Michael Stutchbury join Rory Medcalf to examine the intersection of national security, economic pressure and social resilience. Dr Richard Denniss is co-Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at The Australia Institute. Dr Aruna Sathanapally is CEO at the Grattan Institute. Michael Stutchbury is Executive Director at The Centre for Independent Studies. Professor Rory Medcalf AM is Head of the ANU National Security College (NSC). His professional experience spans more than three decades across diplomacy, intelligence analysis, think tanks, journalism and academia. Note: this episode was recorded at NSC’s Securing our Future: a ready and resilient Australia conference on 24 March 2026. TRANSCRIPT Show notes: NSC academic programs – find out more Will this budget really make housing fairer for more Australians? It’s a good start , by Dr Aruna Sathanapally and Matthew Bowes Full panel discussion (with Q&A) We'd love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What are the real differences between the 2024 and 2026 National Defence Strategy – and why is this an evolution, not a revolution? How is Australia thinking about national resilience, and what does a ‘whole-of-nation’ approach to security look like in practice? Are we investing in the right capabilities – and at the right speed – to meet the challenges ahead? How do global conflicts, from Ukraine to the Middle East, shape Australia’s defence outlook and strategic choices? In this episode, David Andrews joins Sharryn Parker to unpack Australia’s 2026 National Defence Strategy – what’s changed, what hasn’t, and what it means for national resilience and deterrence. David Andrews is Senior Policy Advisor at the ANU National Security College (NSC). Sharryn Parker is Senior Policy Advisor at NSC, on secondment from the Department of Defence. TRANSCRIPT Show notes: · ANU National Security College academic programs – find out more · 2026 National Defence Strategy · 2026 Integrated Investment Program We'd love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How are everyday Australians experiencing misinformation in their daily lives, and why does it feel increasingly overwhelming? How are platforms and algorithms shaping what we see? What impact is this having on trust in institutions, political decision-making and social cohesion? What does a healthy democratic information space look like? In this episode, Tanya Notley and Ika Trijsburg join Sally Bulkeley in conversation to explore the convergence of misinformation, media literacy and democratic resilience. Dr Tanya Notley is Professor in the School of Arts and Institute for Culture and Society at Western Sydney University, and a leading expert in digital inclusion and media literacy. She is a founding member of the Australian Media Literacy Alliance. Ika Trijsburg is Director of Urban Analytics at the ANU Institute for Infrastructure and Society and Head of Democracy and Diplomacy at the Municipal Association of Victoria. She leads the Disinformation in the City project across five Australian universities. Sally Bulkeley is the former Deputy Head of the ANU National Security College. TRANSCRIPT Show notes: · ANU National Security College academic programs – find out more · NSC Community Consultations Report · Disinformation in the City Response Playbook (2024) · Australian Media Literacy Alliance – media literacy resources We'd love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why do Australians place peaceful and safe communities above more traditional security priorities? Why are AI-enabled attacks, economic crises, supply chain shocks and disinformation rising above more conventional threats in public concern? Why do many Australians want more transparency and information from trusted agencies, while also feeling overwhelmed by the information environment? Why do so few Australians think the country is fully prepared for major threats, and what does that preparedness gap mean for government and industry? In this episode, Rory Medcalf, Tom Rogers and Tim Wilford join Sally Bulkeley to discuss the findings of NSC’s Community Consultations Report – Australia's first comprehensive research report, examining Australian attitudes to national security, and perceptions of risk and resilience. Professor Rory Medcalf AM is Head of the ANU National Security College. His professional experience spans more than three decades across diplomacy, intelligence analysis, think tanks, journalism and academia. Tom Rogers is the former Australian Electoral Commissioner and a Distinguished Advisor at NSC. Tim Wilford is Director, Community Consultations at NSC. Sally Bulkeley is Deputy Head of College at NSC. TRANSCRIPT Show notes · NSC academic programs – find out more · Community Consultations Findings Report · Engagement Report · First Nations Report · The security gap Australia can’t afford to ignore We'd love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why did the United States and Israel choose to strike Iran now – and what are the strategic consequences of that decision? What lessons have been learnt from Iran’s asymmetric response? Can Iran’s protesters realistically leverage the current crisis for meaningful political change, or has the aerial campaign by US and Israel undermined their momentum? How can Australia and other US allies balance alliance commitments with national interests in this conflict? In this episode, Beth Sanner and Dr Rodger Shanahan join Justin Burke to discuss the drivers of the Iran war, and examine the broader implications for regional and global security. Beth Sanner is a Distinguished Advisor at the ANU National Security College (NSC). She is the former US Deputy Director of National Intelligence, a 35-year intelligence veteran, and now the Director of Geopolitics and Strategy for International Capital Strategies. Dr Rodger Shanahan is a former Army officer with a PhD in Arab and Islamic studies. He has previously held appointments at NSC and the Lowy Institute, with operational and diplomatic experience in the Middle East. Justin Burke is Senior Policy Advisor at NSC. TRANSCRIPT Show notes: · NSC academic programs – find out more We'd love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is there a strategic through line or an explanatory logic behind the Trump Administration’s actions in Venezuela, Greenland and Iran? What is the current state of the Transatlantic Alliance? What are the implications of cross-theatre linkages for the idea that Europe and the Indo-Pacific are separate security arenas? With rising tensions in the Middle East, what factors will most strongly influence whether tensions between the US and Iran escalate into a broader regional conflict? Are there any potentially optimistic geopolitical signals that deserve amplification? In this episode, Justin Burke speaks with Euan Graham and Gorana Grgić to discuss the through lines on the surprising geopolitical events that ushered in 2026, imagining a world without the US at its center. Dr Gorana Grgić is Head of the Global Security team at the ETH Zurich’s Center for Security Studies and holds senior affiliations in Australia and the US. Her research interests include US and EU foreign policy and NATO. Dr Euan Graham is an Expert Associate at the ANU National Security College. He has extensive experience as a commentator, policy analyst and former practitioner specializing in Indo-Pacific security. Justin Burke is a Senior Policy Advisor at the ANU National Security College. TRANSCRIPT Show notes: · NSC academic programs – find out more · The Case for a Pacific Defense Pact: America Needs a New Asian Alliance to Counter China · Asia After America | Foreign Affairs We'd love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why do Australia’s borders require a fundamental rethink? How can Australian governments build on the vision of Australia’s borders as a national strategic asset? How can new forms of border governance, such as the use of AI and advanced data analytics, be introduced without undermining public trust? What should the border look like for industry, travellers, the pubic, international partners and those interested in conducting trade with Australia? In this episode, Mike Outram joins Sally Bulkeley to discuss the need for Australia to reconceptualise its borders as strategic assets, the threats posed by transnational crime, and the economic benefits of modern border management. Sally Bulkeley is Deputy Head of the ANU National Security College (NSC). Mike Outram APM is a Distinguished Advisor at NSC. He was Commissioner of the Australian Border Force from 2018 to 2024. He has served as a law enforcement officer for over 30 years. TRANSCRIPT Show notes Securing our Future conference – Register now NSC academic programs – find out more Beyond the checkpoint: managing Australia’s border as a strategic economic and national security asset ACIC CEO ‘opens the books’ on serious and organised crime | National Security College We'd love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why has serious and organised crime – estimated to cost Australia $82.3 billion each year – become a national security issue? How is the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) responding to this? What are the linkages between state actors and transnational and serious organised crime in Australia? What is the role of ACIC and other intelligence organisations in combating transnational crime? How does ACIC work with international partners? In this episode, Heather Cook joins Rory Medcalf to discuss the evolving landscape of transnational crime and its implications for national security in Australia. Heather Cook is Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and Director of the Australian Institute of Criminology. She is a career intelligence professional with more than 33 years' experience. Professor Rory Medcalf AM is Head of the ANU National Security College. His professional experience spans more than three decades across diplomacy, intelligence analysis, think tanks, journalism and academia. Show notes: NSC academic programs – find out more ACIC CEO ‘opens the books’ on serious and organised crime | National Security College Beyond the checkpoint: managing Australia’s border as a strategic economic and national security asset by Mike Outram Impact of organised crime on Australia laid bare in new report - ABC listen We'd love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How integrated is Australia’s approach to statecraft across defence, diplomacy, development and industry – and how visible is that integration to the public? What is the strategic logic behind Australia’s expanding network of Pacific partnerships and treaties? What are the details of the reforms to defence acquisition and how will this impact the future of Australia’s defence industry? In this episode, Pat Conroy joins Rory Medcalf to discuss Australia’s strategic outlook, defence reform, regional engagement and the future of defence acquisition. The Hon Pat Conroy MP is the Minister for Defence Industry, Minister for Pacific Island Affairs, and the Federal Member for Shortland. Professor Rory Medcalf AM is Head of the ANU National Security College. His professional experience spans more than three decades across diplomacy, intelligence analysis, think tanks, journalism and academia. TRANSCRIPT Show Notes · NSC academic programs – find out more · Press Conference, Parliament House | Defence Ministers · Government unveils Department of Defence overhaul amid delays and cost blowouts - ABC News · Papua New Guinea – Australia Mutual Defence Treaty We'd love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is intergenerational security and how does it intersect with traditional concepts of national security? How do intergenerational dynamics and differing interactions with technology, social media and AI impact security and resilience? What are the security issues that young Australians care about and how do these differ from the concerns of older Australians? In this episode Sally Bulkeley is joined by Afeeya Akhand and Victoria Cooper to discuss intergenerational security and the differing perspectives across age demographics in Australia. Afeeya Akhand is an Emerging Associate with the ANU National Security College (NSC). Her research focuses on South Korean foreign policy, Indo-Pacific security, inclusion and social cohesion. Victoria Cooper is a Senior Analyst at the Development Intelligence Lab and focused on foreign policy and the interaction of socio-political trends, development and security. She is also an Emerging Associate with NSC. Sally Bulkeley is Deputy Head of College at NSC. TRANSCRIPT Show notes NSC academic programs – find out more Dinner Table Politics | Victoria Cooper | Substack Recent stabbings highlight danger of online misinformation | Afeeya Akhand | The Strategist We'd love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How is the Australian Defence Force preparing for the challenges of a changing world? Does the appointment of a naval officer as the Chief of the Defence Force signal a shift in focus to the maritime domain? What does a career in the Australian Defence Force mean in the 21st century? In this episode, Admiral David Johnston joins Rory Medcalf to discuss the insights he has gained through his career in the Royal Australian Navy, and how he sees the future of Australia’s defence. Admiral David Johnston AC RAN was appointed Chief of the Defence Force on 10 July 2024. He has extensive experience across a range of leadership, maritime and joint operations, training and capability management appointments in Australia and overseas. Professor Rory Medcalf AM is Head of NSC. His professional experience spans more than three decades across diplomacy, intelligence analysis, think tanks, journalism and academia. TRANSCRIPT Show notes NSC academic programs – find out more CDF Speaking at the ASPI 2025 Defence Conference: National preparedness and national support for defence CDF Podcast on Australia’s defence strategy in the indo-pacific We'd love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What are the origins of the Australian Geospatial-Intelligence Organisation (AGO), and how has the organisation developed within the National Intelligence Community? How does AGO contribute to the broader remit of Australian statecraft, the work done by other NIC agencies, and the Five Eyes partnership? What makes innovation in the geospatial intelligence space key to building resilience? In this episode Kathryn McMullan joins Sally Bulkeley to discuss the importance of geospatial intelligence, how it contributes to statecraft, and how the AGO works with other partners to enhance national security and resilience. Kathryn McMullan is the Director of AGO. Sally Bulkeley is Deputy Head of the ANU National Security College. TRANSCRIPT Show Notes: AGO | National Intelligence Community Five Eyes wide shut: now is the wrong time to pause in shaping Australia’s intelligence agencies We'd love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.