The National Security Podcast

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.