The National Security Podcast

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 [email protected]. 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 [email protected]. 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 [email protected]. 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 [email protected]. 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 [email protected]. 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.