Defence & Security Podcast Network

CONTESTED GROUND: The blind faith factor – why Australians trust an ADF they don't understand Jul 23, 2026 42:08 As global security deteriorates, a major new UNSW Canberra survey reveals a startling paradox in the Australian psyche: unwavering trust in the Australian Defence Force, coupled with a deep misunderstanding of its operations, widespread apathy towards increased funding, and a shocking drop in support for traditional alliances. Australia's relationship with the ADF is reaching a strange inflection

Defence preparedness, artificial intelligence productivity, and Australian industrial resilience Jul 23, 2026 38:27 How prepared is Australia for a more contested strategic environment, and what role can defence industry, emerging technology, and economic resilience play in strengthening national security? In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Stephen Kuper, Robert Dougherty, and Bethany Alvaro unpack key insights from the inaugural Australian Defence Industry Accelerator Summit and the Australian Def

CYBER UNCUT: AI won't replace security teams – it will decide whether they keep you, with Securonix's Ajay Biyani Jul 17, 2026 27:02 Join Cyber Daily's David Hollingworth and Securonix's senior vice president for Asia-Pacific and Japan, Ajay Biyani, to break down why the challenge for organisations isn't replacing analysts – it's giving them the tools they need. Security operations centres are under unprecedented pressure as cyber attacks become faster, more sophisticated and increasingly powered by AI. At the same time, securi

CONTESTED GROUND: Shots fired! Chinese missile test shatters Australia's "fog of peace", with Mike Pezzullo Jul 14, 2026 47:30 As Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese moves to secure the Pacific and ensure continued alignment with Australia, China threw a wrench in the works by conducting a ballistic missile test, effectively firing the starter's gun on a countdown to war. In a chilling diagnosis of the Australian political landscape, the latest Contested Ground podcast presents a blunt thesis: the nation has traded

SPOTLIGHT: Counter-drone innovation, directed energy and delivering operational outcomes, with EOS Defence Systems' Lee Kormany Jul 14, 2026 48:26 How is Australia's defence industry accelerating innovation to keep pace with rapidly evolving threats, from autonomous drones through to directed energy weapons? In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, host Robert Dougherty is joined by Lee Kormany, executive vice president Electro Optic Systems Defence Systems Australia. The discussion builds on a recent $5.7 million contract a

CYBER UNCUT: Trust is the new attack surface, with ThreatLocker APAC director of operations Emile Barakat Jul 13, 2026 28:59 Cyber criminals and nation-state actors are no longer relying on malware alone – they're exploiting trust. Here's what you need to know to fight back. ThreatLocker's Emile Barakat joins Cyber Daily's David Hollingworth to help Australia's business leaders understand how threat actors target professionals on platforms like LinkedIn – and how it needs to be addressed. Whether it's a fake recruiter,

Strengthening security ties, Fiji defence pact and Australia's counter-drone push Jul 9, 2026 22:35 How can Australia balance the need to strengthen international security partnerships while accelerating investment in domestic defence capability across multiple domains? In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Stephen Kuper, Robert Dougherty and Bethany Alvaro discuss a busy week across defence, national security and industry. Discussion includes new cooperation agreements signed by the A

CONTESTED GROUND: Lessons from the UK in political polarisation, generational dislocation and intergenerational warfare, with Ben Dullroy, Bravo Delta Advisory Jul 8, 2026 52:49 While Australia's level of political atomisation is far from as bad as what is being experienced in the broader Western world, we're not far-off. How we engage with generations of Australians will have dramatic ramifications for our national security in the immediate and longer term. Following mounting political tensions across the Western world, with startling examples in the United Kingdom in r

CYBER UNCUT: Why cyber security's next battle will be won by speed, with Qualys CEO Sumedh Thakar Jul 6, 2026 38:47 Qualys' CEO joins the Cyber Uncut podcast to explain why autonomous remediation, smarter patching, and risk-based security will define the next generation of cyber defence. Cyber security is entering a new era as powerful AI models dramatically reduce the time it takes attackers to discover and exploit vulnerabilities. In this episode, Qualys CEO Sumedh Thakar joins Cyber Daily's Liam Garman to e

Defence Industry Development Strategy, Defence reform and Australians fighting in Ukraine Jul 2, 2026 15:23 Questions remain about how Australia and its partners can respond to a deteriorating strategic environment while balancing capability development, industrial resilience and evolving security threats. In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Stephen Kuper and Robert Dougherty discuss a week of major developments across defence and national security, spanning the war in Ukraine, Indo-Pacific

CONTESTED GROUND: Budget backlash – has Australia lost its political middle ground? Jul 1, 2026 37:11 As Australia faces a populist political surge and the established political parties continue to lose ground, can Australia's "sensible" centre hold, or will decades of failed policies, broken promises and declining economic opportunities finally come home to roost? In a departure from its usual international focus, Contested Ground turns to domestic tensions sparked by the federal budget. The hos

CYBER UNCUT: Beware AI and influencers, NSW Rural Fire Service hacked, and say goodbye to the Essential Eight! Jun 29, 2026 33:01 This week, Cyber Uncut looks at important tax time advice, a string of Aussie hacks that have exposed sensitive personal information, and the Australian Signals Directorate's decision to retire the Essential Eight. CPA Australia has a warning this tax time, and that is to be very aware of taking tax advice from AI chatbots and financial influencers. An AI hallucination could cost you real money, s

CONTESTED GROUND: Australia's sovereign capability reckoning – why the system is no longer fit for purpose Jun 26, 2026 42:53 Host Steve Kuper is joined by former navy logistician Dave Grosvenor and chair of the Gravity Group Steve Hayes for a wide-ranging discussion on Australia's sovereign capability, industrial resilience and the growing gap between strategic risk and national preparedness in this episode of the Contested Ground podcast. The conversation opens with a blunt assessment of Australia's strategic vulnerabi

Defence export ambitions, drone technology and defence manufacturing hubs Jun 26, 2026 18:59 Questions remain around how Australia can grow sovereign capability while responding to evolving strategic challenges. In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Stephen Kuper, Robert Dougherty and Bethany Alvaro discuss a busy week across defence and industry, including Australia's record $2.5 billion defence export deal with Canada and what it means for future international partnerships. Th

Offshore manufacturing, defence procurement and industrial resilience, with Philippe Odouard and David McLaughlin Jun 25, 2026 56:41 How can Australia strengthen sovereign industrial capability while building a sustainable and globally competitive defence manufacturing sector? In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by Philippe Odouard, former CEO of XTEK (now HighCom) and Quickstep, alongside David McLaughlin, co-founder and chief technology officer of 3D scanning technolog

CYBER UNCUT: Anthropic blocks Fable 5, Mackay Sugar tackles cyber attack, and the AFP gets tough on cyber crime Jun 22, 2026 43:38 This week, Cyber Uncut looks at the launch – and the blocking – of Anthropic's latest AI models, a raft of cyber attacks on Aussie organisations, and praises the Australian Federal Police for its work at home and abroad. AI giant Anthropic had a tough week recently. It launched its most advanced AI model yet, only to have the US government force it to block access. Cyber Daily's David Hollingwort

SPOTLIGHT: Cyber warfare, autonomy and the future of defence, with Palo Alto Networks' Tom Scully and MAJ GEN (Ret'd) John Davis Jun 19, 2026 40:41 How is artificial intelligence changing the world of modern defence operations, cyber security and military decision making? In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by Palo Alto Networks' Tom Scully, director and principal architect for government and critical industries Asia-Pacific and Japan, and US Army Major General (Ret'd) John Davis, vice presiden

CONTESTED GROUND: Fortune favours the bold – building a national security strategy for the 21st century, with Marc Ablong Jun 15, 2026 41:24 When Opposition Leader Angus Taylor announced a Coalition government would develop and implement a national security strategy, many shouted, "Finally!", but delivering a strategy that is fit for purpose is more political than most would think. Since the release of the nation's first whole-of-nation national security strategy in 2013, successive Australian governments have sought to mask the nati

CYBER UNCUT: ThreatLocker's Emile Barakat talks Essential Eight, cyber policy, and security as a human challenge Jun 15, 2026 20:46 ThreatLocker's APAC director of operations, Emile Barakat, joins Cyber Daily's David Hollingworth to discuss what makes the Essential Eight so essential, the federal government's budget spend on cyber security, and the Australian outlook on cyber crime and why it happens here. This week on the Cyber Uncut podcast, Cyber Daily deputy editor David Hollingworth speaks with Emile Barakat, the head of

Developing Australia's ability to take a hit and keep fighting, with the honourable Andrew Hastie MP, shadow minister for industry and sovereign capability Jun 12, 2026 30:55 Many critics often describe Australia's glaring lack of industrial and economic complexity as a major national security challenge, while others see it as a glass jaw impacting our ability to sustain ourselves in a fight or crisis. So, what is needed? This glaring gap in our national resilience and survivability has increasingly figured in commentary and analysis as the Indo-Pacific emerges as the

AUKUS expansion, artillery manufacturing and Australia's regional defence role Jun 11, 2026 29:21 As AUKUS implementation accelerates, questions remain around Australia's role in the Indo-Pacific and how the nation should balance capability development with regional strategic priorities. In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Stephen Kuper, Robert Dougherty and Bethany Alvaro discuss a busy week across Australia's defence landscape, including the establishment of a new US Navy support

SPOTLIGHT: Building mass, capability and trust with autonomous and uncrewed systems, with Michael Mitchell, Elysium EPL director Jun 9, 2026 31:47 Australia's maritime estate is simply too vast for any conventionally manned fleet to patrol effectively – uncrewed and autonomous systems will prove key to maintaining Australia's maritime sovereignty. With an exclusive economic zone stretching across roughly 8.2 million square kilometres and critical northern chokepoints through which virtually all the nation's fuel and essential imports flow, t

CYBER UNCUT: AI profitability, hacker targets Aussie orgs, and Cyber Daily gets given Shirt of Invisibility… Jun 8, 2026 46:29 This week's essential cyber security podcast uncovers a new threat actor targeting a raft of Australian organisations and asks the important question: Is AI profitable yet? Hint – it is not. Cyber Daily's David Hollingworth and Daniel Croft open the podcast with the good news that Anthropic's Mythos platform is, in fact, coming to Australia, and they talk to the man behind the website that asks –

Defence policy, domestic manufacturing and military culture, with Senator Malcolm Roberts Jun 4, 2026 33:36 What are One Nation's aspirations and policies for domestic manufacturing, infrastructure and military capability? In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by Senator Malcolm Roberts, who is representing Pauline Hanson's One Nation political party. Senator Roberts holds a bachelor of engineering (honours) from the University of Queensland and a

SPOTLIGHT: LAND 156, counter-drone warfare and electronic warfare capability, with Department 13's Ben Westgarth Jun 2, 2026 36:07 How can Australia keep pace with the rapid proliferation of drones reshaping the character of warfare and creating new challenges for militaries, governments and critical infrastructure operators around the world? In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by Ben Westgarth, chief executive officer of Department 13, to discuss the evolutio

CYBER UNCUT: Genetec's Mathieu Chevalier on tricking AI and what Claude Mythos really means for the industry Jun 1, 2026 22:02 Genetec's lead security architect joins the Cyber Uncut podcast to unpack the impact of AI on vulnerability hunting, prompt injection, and how to become invisible with one simple trick. This week on the Cyber Uncut podcast, host David Hollingworth speaks with Genetec's lead security architect, Mathieu Chevalier, about how AI is dramatically impacting both physical and cyber security, the hidden c

Australia's first 3D printed autonomous USV, with Josh Wigley and Harry Hubbert May 29, 2026 13:00 How can the new guard of Australian defence technology companies accelerate development of autonomous maritime capability through rapid manufacturing and AI-enabled uncrewed systems? In this special Indian Ocean Defence & Security Conference & Exhibition episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by Hyperion Systems CEO Josh Wigley and Greenroom Robotics

Australia's shipbuilding future, landing craft pipeline and autonomous vessels, with Austal CEO Paddy Gregg May 28, 2026 11:09 How is Australia's naval shipbuilding sector preparing for a new generation of landing craft, autonomous maritime systems and general purpose frigates? In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by Paddy Gregg, chief executive officer of Austal, speaking directly from the Indian Ocean Defence & Security Conference in Perth. Austal is one of Austra

CONTESTED GROUND: Assessing the fallout and implications of the latest Trump–Xi meeting for Iran, Taiwan and Australia May 27, 2026 18:26 When the leaders of the world's two major powers meet, the world stops to take notice and nowhere is this clearer than in the recent meeting between US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping. There is no escaping the fact that the US–China relationship will be the defining factor of the 21st century, for good or for ill. Join Contested Ground hosts, Steve Kuper and Major Ge

CYBER UNCUT: Don't let AI control your bank account, Qilin hackers target Australia, and law enforcement strikes back! May 25, 2026 37:12 Daniel Croft and David Hollingworth tackle the challenges of linking your finances to an AI agent, break down the Qilin ransomware group's Aussie rampage, the ransom payment dilemma, and round up a week of wins for fighting cyber crime. Australians may soon be able to link their banking details directly with platforms like OpenAI, but is that wise? Croft has recently uncovered a stellar example o

Missile manufacturing, Collins LOTE upgrades and submarine base east May 21, 2026 23:39 Can Australia's defence industrial base and military modernisation efforts keep pace with growing strategic pressures and capability demands? In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, journalist Bethany Alvaro and senior journalist Robert Dougherty discuss Kongsberg's missile manufacturing facility in Newcastle and plans to produce Naval Strike Missiles and Joint Strike Missiles in Australia

CYBER UNCUT: Budget priorities, paying ransoms, and Cyber Daily chats with Frank Briguglio, FCTO at SailPoint May 18, 2026 38:13 Daniel Croft and David Hollingworth analyse the Albanese government's budget, the Instructure breach and ransom payments, and Dan Marks from Austrade chats with SailPoint's federal chief technology officer. Jim Chalmers has handed down another Labor budget, and while it seems like not a lot for cyber security, Hollingworth thinks the heavy lifting has already been done – do you agree? Then it's o

Aerobatics, military aviation and Australian air shows, with Paul Bennet May 15, 2026 31:05 What drives the passion behind flying and preserving some of the world's most iconic military aircraft? And how can air shows inspire the next generation of aviators, engineers and defence personnel? Find out in this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast as senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by aerobatic pilot and renowned warbird aviation enthusiast Paul Bennet, founder of Paul Bennet

CONTESTED GROUND: Australia and the West must ask themselves new questions in the face of the modern world, with Robbin Laird May 11, 2026 35:43 Each and every day, the world is becoming more unpredictable, yet Australia continues with the post-Cold War status quo. As things continue to deteriorate, we're going to have to ask ourselves some particularly confronting questions. Australia and its allies are entering an "age of chaos" in which the assumptions that shaped the post-Cold War order are rapidly breaking down. Rather than dealing wi

Black Hawk capability, B-21 bomber debate, and upcoming budget May 11, 2026 19:41 Questions remain around Australia's defence modernisation efforts. Can the nation continue expanding advanced capabilities while balancing cost, readiness, and strategic priorities? In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Robert Dougherty and Bethany Alvaro discuss concerns surrounding the Arafura Class offshore patrol vessel program, including delays, capability questions, and reductions

CYBER UNCUT: AI security woes, Aussie schools caught in international breach, and ThreatLocker's Rob Allen May 11, 2026 41:20 Australian students and teachers have been compromised by an international data breach, with thousands of kids likely impacted. David Hollingworth and Daniel Croft break down how it happened, why it matters, and what schools need to do to protect themselves. PLUS! Cyber Daily partners with Austrade to bring you a series of interviews direct from the RSA Conference 2026. Artificial intelligence is

Supermarine Spitfire, warbird aviation and modern aerial innovation, with Keith Russell May 7, 2026 33:18 How close can a modern reproduction come to the legendary Supermarine Spitfire from World War II? And what does preserving and flying these aircraft reveal about aviation engineering, military history and innovation? In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by Keith Russell, owner and pilot of the Whitsunday Spitfire, a 90 per cent scale reprodu

CYBER UNCUT: AI without guardrails – why Australian businesses are sleepwalking into cyber risk May 4, 2026 42:23 Qualys ANZ managing director Sam Salehi joins the Cyber Uncut podcast to expose the expanding AI attack surface, the governance gaps exposing organisations, and why boards must translate cyber risk into dollars to take it seriously. This week on the Cyber Uncut podcast, host Liam Garman speaks with Qualys ANZ managing director Sam Salehi about the rapidly evolving "AI attack surface" – from shado

Bushmaster PMV funding, long-range strike expansion and cyber defence May 1, 2026 20:15 Questions remain around sovereign manufacturing. Can Australia continue scaling its land and cyber capabilities while balancing industrial capacity and long-term strategic priorities? In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Stephen Kuper, Robert Dougherty and Bethany Alvaro discuss a significant week across Australia's defence landscape, in particular the $750 million investment to expand

Space Command workforce expansion and operationalising the domain, with Major General Gregory Novak AM Apr 30, 2026 46:58 How is Australia building a specialised space workforce while balancing sovereign capability, allied integration and the operational demands of a contested domain? In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by Commander of Australian Space Command, Major General Gregory Novak AM, to discuss the rapid evolution of the space domain and its growing importance to natio

CONTESTED GROUND: The Defence budget, inflationary pressures and domestic information warfare Apr 29, 2026 34:22 The release and messaging surrounding the 2026 National Defence Strategy and 2026 Integrated Investment Program is just the latest salvo in the government's effort to direct the national conversation about our national security. With the government emphasising major increases in Defence spending over the next decade, the government is hoping that the headline figures and a lack of public understan

SPOTLIGHT: Maritime sustainment, mission-ready maintenance and resilient fleet capability, with Serco's David Astbury Apr 28, 2026 26:48 The world of maritime operations is built on a bedrock foundation of modern naval sustainment. In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by David Astbury, Asia-Pacific general manager for Defence at Serco, to explore the evolving challenges and opportunities shaping maritime maintenance and sustainment. Kuper and Astbury discuss the growing importance of

CYBER UNCUT: EU gets age verification right, Anthropic's Claude Mythos, and the week in cyber attacks Apr 27, 2026 40:32 David Hollingworth and Daniel Croft dive into the biggest stories in cyber security and cyber intelligence, and Anthropic's Claude Mythos preview and Project Glasswing continue to cover both – and it's already been breached. Plus, age verification plans in the European Union (EU), and a wrap-up of ransomware incidents impacting Aussie businesses. Love it or hate it, but age verification appears to

Anzac Day reflections, veteran support reform and ADF workforce trends, with Minister Matt Keogh Apr 23, 2026 42:27 How can Australia improve veteran support while strengthening recruitment, retention and workforce pathways in the Australian Defence Force? In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Minister for Defence Personnel Matt Keogh to discuss preparations for Anzac Day, the recently released 2026 National Defence Strategy, and ongoin

SPOTLIGHT: Open-source growth across defence and national security, with SUSE CMO Margaret Dawson Apr 21, 2026 22:27 Welcome to the world of resilient, mission-ready defence systems – welcome to open source. In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by Margaret Dawson, chief marketing officer at SUSE, to explore the evolving role of open source software in modern defence environments. Dougherty and Dawson discuss how the open-source model is being app

CONTESTED GROUND: Shipping, supply chains and Australia's exposure to a volatile system, with UNSW's Professor Douglas Guilfoyle and Associate Professor Daniel Prior Apr 20, 2026 41:57 We are consistently reminded that Australia is a maritime trading nation and, as such, is exposed to all the vulnerabilities. So why haven't we prepared accordingly? As the ceasefire in the Middle East collapses and both sides begin to once again ramp up their efforts to assert control over the Strait of Hormuz and the globally sensitive waterway, Australia is reminded of its inherent vulnerabilit

CYBER UNCUT: Compliance isn't just box-ticking, it can be an uplift opportunity, with Fujitsu's Laura O'Neill Apr 17, 2026 23:41 Many organisations struggle with the changing nature of cyber security compliance and regulations – but it can be a powerful force for positive change, according to the head of advisory and assurance at Fujitsu, Laura O'Neill. Join Cyber Daily's deputy editor, David Hollingworth, and Fujitsu's Laura O'Neill as they take an insightful look at the world of compliance and regulations in the age of A

Military drone racing, FPV integration and warfare trends, with Wing Commander Keirin Joyce Apr 17, 2026 50:41 How is drone racing shaping the future of military capability? And can Australia harness these skills to strengthen its uncrewed systems and workforce? In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by Wing Commander Keirin Joyce, Australian Defence Force Drone Racing Association president and deputy director of disruptive experimentation in the Royal

CYBER UNCUT: Understanding CISOs as leaders, not just defenders, with PEXA's Graham Fairley Apr 16, 2026 21:36 Cyber security leadership matters now more than ever, and the role of CISO is the most important piece of the puzzle. Join Cyber Daily's David Hollingworth and PEXA's cyber lead, Graham Fairley, to discover how security can become a business enabler, not an afterthought. With the Australian Cyber Summit 2026 coming up later this month, David Hollingworth, deputy editor of Cyber Daily, is joined by

ADF promotions, Middle East aftershocks and dreaded Defence budget cuts Apr 16, 2026 29:13 Can Australia balance the cost of expanding its drone-based attack and defence capabilities on a shoestring budget? Industry is rightly worried about possible cost cuts. In an editorial discussion for this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Stephen Kuper, Robert Dougherty and Bethany Alvaro take a run at a burgeoning week of news across Australia's defence landscape and how international con

How PowerWater's CISO embeds cyber security into business strategy from day 1 Apr 15, 2026 36:44 Some boards consider cyber security an IT problem. Others see it as a cost. However, Dominic Grunden, CISO at PowerWater, works with department leads to embed cyber security into business strategy from day one: making safety, security, and compliance a business enabler. Ahead of this year's Australian Cyber Summit, Australia's premier cyber security conference and awards, Liam Garman sits down wi

CONTESTED GROUND: Successive governments have failed to prepare Australia for the era of polycrisis, with Marc Ablong PSM, Geostrategic Risk Partners Apr 15, 2026 36:26 In the latest episode of the special Contested Ground series unpacking the fallout and implications of the conflict in the Middle East, host Steve Kuper is joined by geostrategic analyst and former Defence policymaker Marc Ablong PSM as they interrogate the nation's preparedness, the era of polycrisis and mobilisation in the modern era. As part of this, the pair deep dive into what makes a "polycr

SPOTLIGHT: Crewed, uncrewed, mass and increasing contemporary maritime combat capabilities, with Kevin 'Q' Quarderer of Leidos Australia and MAJGEN (Ret'd) Mick Ryan Apr 14, 2026 47:46 The closure of the Strait of Hormuz and Ukraine's masterful use of autonomous and uncrewed systems have demonstrated the need for a structural rethink about how Australia and its partners build and deliver contemporary naval power. Iran and Ukraine have successfully demonstrated, to varying degrees, the shift currently transforming contemporary naval warfare, raising questions about the future of

CYBER UNCUT: AI to change banking forever, Iranian cyber attacks, and Australia to tackle DPRK fake IT workers Apr 13, 2026 30:50 David Hollingworth and Daniel Croft tackle the week's stories that matter, from predictions of dire disruption to the banking industry, Iranian cyber warfare, North Korean hackers in our code, and Americans and Aussies partnering up to combat North Korean hackers. Artificial intelligence, says JP Morgan's boss, is going to change banking forever, while at the same time, Atlassian is laying off sta

Fleet readiness, future warfare and Australia's naval strategy, with Commodore Antony Pisani Apr 9, 2026 15:45 What does it take to lead the Royal Australian Navy in an increasingly uncertain world? Courage, integrity, service, respect and excellence. Defence Connect senior journalist Robert Dougherty holds a rare in-depth conversation with Royal Australian Navy Commander Surface Force, Commodore Antony Pisani CSC, aboard the helicopter landing dock HMAS Canberra off the NSW coast. CDRE Pisani offers an un

CYBER UNCUT: Lloyds Bank AI woes and wins, Aussie toy store hacked, and a new Children's Online Privacy Code Apr 6, 2026 36:28 On this not-to-be-missed podcast, David Hollingworth and Daniel Croft look at the AI best of times and worst of times for the UK's Lloyds Bank, see what LockBit's up to in the ransomware space, and have a look at Australia's new draft Children's Online Privacy Code. Good news for Lloyds – the UK's biggest bank is deploying AI to bolster its data engineering. It's a smart move that makes sense of t

THE PROGRESS REPORT: Direct hit over Baghdad – the pilot who outflew a surface-to-air missile Apr 2, 2026 46:13 How do you stay composed when your aircraft is struck by a surface-to-air missile over enemy territory, your hydraulics fail, and you're staring down at the city of Baghdad? For Colonel (Ret'd) Kim Campbell, the answer wasn't luck – it was 24 years of rigorous training, a "lead with courage" mindset, and the redundant, rugged engineering of the A-10 Warthog. In this gripping episode, Tash Taylor s

SPOTLIGHT: Subs may be the centrepiece – but infrastructure, workforce and sovereign capability will decide the outcome, with Stantec's Chris Waywell, Rob Sansbury and Robert Fogel Apr 1, 2026 49:19 The AUKUS partnership represents one of the most ambitious defence industrial undertakings in modern history, and in this episode, host Steve Kuper is joined by Chris Waywell (UK), Rob Sansbury and Robert Fogel (US) of Stantec to explore what it will really take to make it work. While public attention has largely focused on the acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines, our panel argues that the t

CONTESTED GROUND: Apathy, complacency and the 'Lucky Country', Australia's predicament is entirely self-inflicted, with Ben Dullroy Mar 30, 2026 55:26 Australia has long prided itself on being the "Lucky Country", celebrating a culture of "she'll be right" now that a national culture of apathy is biting at home as the world continues to burn. As the war in the Middle East continues to rage by the day, Australia and Australians are beginning to feel the very real ramifications in our daily lives. All of this comes as Australia's political leaders

CYBER UNCUT: AI firms to face child safety fines, Iranian hackers hacked and was Lockheed Martin breached? Mar 27, 2026 46:18 Cyber security, AI ethics, and geopolitical hacking collide in a packed week of headlines – and in this episode of Cyber Uncut, David Hollingworth and Daniel Croft break down what actually matters. The pressure is mounting on AI firms as Australian regulators eye hefty fines for platforms deemed unsafe for children – is this a fight the Aussie government can win, or will the tech bros find a way t

SPECIAL EDITION PODCAST: 125 years of the Royal Australian Navy and Australian Army Mar 26, 2026 53:06 In this special episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Robert Dougherty leads an expert panel marking the 125th anniversary of the Royal Australian Navy and Australian Army, reflecting on their evolution since Federation in 1901. The panel features defence experts, including former Royal Australian Navy officer Jennifer Parker, Vice Admiral (Ret'd) Peter Jones, and UNSW Canberra senior lectu

CONTESTED GROUND: Australian resilience during a crisis and sovereign industrial capability Mar 26, 2026 15:47 In this episode of the Contested Ground Podcast, hosts Phil Tarrant, Steve Kuper and Major General (Ret'd) Dr Marcus Thompson unpack the concept of sovereign industrial capability and its growing importance amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The trio explore how the idea of sovereignty has evolved from a defence-specific concept into a broader national priority, particularly as global s

CONTESTED GROUND: From Tehran to Sydney – why war could reshape Australian property Mar 24, 2026 41:21 What does the war in Iran have to do with Australian housing? Potentially, everything. In this bold episode of the Contested Ground Podcast, Phillip Tarrant, Major General (Ret'd) Dr Marcus Thompson and leading real estate commentator Tom Panos unpack one of the most overlooked questions in Australia right now: how escalating conflict in the Middle East could reshape the nation's property market.

SPOTLIGHT: Inside Australia's AUKUS industrial transformation, with Honeywell Aerospace Australia senior director Lee Davis Mar 24, 2026 41:46 In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by Lee Davis, senior director at Honeywell Aerospace Australia, to unpack what's being described as the most transformative industrial undertaking in the nation's history – Australia's AUKUS industrial base strategy. At its core, AUKUS is about far more than submarines. It's about building a deeply integrated, tr

CONTESTED GROUND: War without borders – the disinformation threat arriving in Australia Mar 23, 2026 33:01 In this episode of the Contested Ground Podcast, host Phil Tarrant sits down with co-host Major General (Ret'd) Dr Marcus Thompson to unpack the second-order effects of the ongoing Middle East conflict – and what it could mean for Australia's security environment. The latest Contested Ground Podcast explores how the Middle East conflict could affect Australia, with a focus on cyber disinformation

CYBER UNCUT: CommBank bets on AI security, pro-Iran hackers target healthcare, and do injunctions really work? Mar 20, 2026 39:29 In this episode of Cyber Uncut, David Hollingworth and Daniel Croft unpack the week's cyber and AI developments, from local artificial intelligence news to age verification wrinkles, and cyber conflict overspilling from the war in Iran. The pair kick off the podcast discussion by taking a look at the latest AI news out of the Commonwealth Bank, and this time, it's good news, as the bank deployed a

THE PROGRESS REPORT: The mission to make military children visible Mar 20, 2026 52:36 How do you explain to a six-year-old that her father isn't just "away" but serving the nation? For Hayley Boswell, the answer started with a handmade book and a story about saving sea turtles. A former lawyer and youth worker turned CEO and founder of Defence Kidz, Hayley is on a mission to ensure that one in 20 Australian children with a veteran parent are no longer the "invisible" part of the de

Righting the ship, balancing the force, with Senator James Paterson, shadow minister for defence Mar 20, 2026 31:45 In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by the new shadow minister for defence, Senator James Paterson, to discuss his appointment and ambitions for the nation's defence capabilities. The pair unpack a host of issues, including the following: The key priorities the senator and opposition have identified as focal points for this term of government. The local and

SPOTLIGHT: Modern electronic warfare, spectrum congestion and the Australian defence ecosystem with DEWC Services Rian Whitby Mar 19, 2026 29:29 In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by Rian Whitby, deputy chief operating officer at DEWC Services and former naval officer aerospace engineer. The pair discuss the Australian defence ecosystem and electronic warfare in the lead-up to Whitby's appearance at the Electronic Warfare Australia-New Zealand 2026 conference. As part of t

CONTESTED GROUND: The intersection of finance, organised crime, terrorism and foreign interference with Keith Bulfin Mar 19, 2026 42:32 In this episode of the Contested Ground podcast, host Steve Kuper speaks with financial intelligence expert and author, Keith Bulfin as they unpack the intricacies of the global financial systems and the weaponisation of the institutions by organised crime, terrorist and state-backed networks. The pair discuss a range of subjects including the ramifications of lax regulation and enforcement, that

CONTESTED GROUND: The fragility of Australia's energy ecosystem, with AVM (Ret'd) John Blackburn AO Mar 17, 2026 50:50 In this episode of the Contested Ground podcast miniseries following the outbreak of the latest conflict in the Middle East, hosts Steve Kuper and Major General (Ret'd) Dr Marcus Thompson are joined by Air Vice-Marshal (Ret'd) John Blackburn AO to discuss the implications of the Iran conflict on Australia's energy system. The trio begin by discussing the Australian government's rhetoric around the

CYBER UNCUT: Meta buys out Moltbook, and understanding insider threats with special guests from Clayton Utz Mar 16, 2026 58:41 This week on Cyber Uncut, David Hollingworth and Daniel Croft unpack the week's cyber and AI news and entertain some very special guests in the studio to break down how insider threats work and how CISOs can defend against them. The pair kick off the podcast discussion by breaking down Meta's move to buy agentic AI chat platform Moltbook and how its developers have now become senior Meta AI staff

The MC-55A Peregrine and the future of ADF airborne reconnaissance, with Alan Clements Mar 12, 2026 25:24 In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by L3Harris Technologies vice president for Australia and New Zealand, Alan Clements, to discuss the arrival of the Royal Australian Air Force's new MC-55A Peregrine aircraft. Clements is a former F/A-18 Classic Hornet instructor and previously served as commanding officer of No. 77 Squadron. He became an

CONTESTED GROUND: Australia faces fallout closer to home as Iran continues to fight back Mar 11, 2026 33:19 In this episode of the Contested Ground Podcast, hosts Phil Tarrant, Major General (Ret'd) Dr Marcus Thompson, and Steve Kuper discuss the immediate aftermath of the US–Israeli strikes against Iran and the ramifications for Australia. The trio lays the foundation for a mini-series of focused podcast conversations over the coming weeks to address the impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle Eas

AUKUS infrastructure, public perceptions and nuclear-powered submarines, with Fred Thomas MP Mar 10, 2026 10:52 In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by UK member of Parliament for Plymouth Moor View, Fred Thomas, who has recently toured Australian defence facilities as part of a UK parliamentary delegation examining submarine infrastructure and AUKUS cooperation. Thomas has previously served as a Royal Marines Officer across several security environmen

CYBER UNCUT: Users flee ChatGPT, CommBank reports $1bn fraud, and Iran conflict, with ThreatLocker's Danny Jenkins Mar 9, 2026 38:00 This week on Cyber Uncut, Liam Garman and Daniel Croft unpack the week's cyber and AI news, while David Hollingworth reports from Zero Trust World 2026 in Florida! Garman and Croft kick off the podcast with news of ChatGPT shedding a raft of users since it announced it would sign up with the Pentagon after rival AI giant Anthropic backed down over fears its AI would be used without adequate guardr

THE PROGRESS REPORT: From the cockpit to the dockyard Mar 6, 2026 46:56 From commercial pilot to maritime leader, Georgia Davey's "roller-coaster" career is a masterclass in adaptability. In this episode, the NORSTA Maritime program manager joins Tash Taylor to discuss her journey from the skies of northern Australia to managing maintenance for naval vessels. Georgia shares the unique challenges of defence construction and maritime logistics, offering a candid look at

Iran escalation, munitions supplies and the Middle East's path to peace Mar 5, 2026 43:45 In this special "Iran conflict" episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Stephen Kuper is joined by Robert Dougherty and Bethany Alvaro to unpack major developments surrounding the escalating battle between the forces of Iran, the United States and Israel. The discussion begins with an overview of the lead-up to the conflict, proxy activity across the Middle East, then implications for regional and

SPOTLIGHT: Cyber security, DISP accreditation and building sovereign resilience, with Macquarie Government's James Rabey Mar 3, 2026 34:46 In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, host Stephen Kuper is joined by James Rabey, principal consultant at Macquarie Government, to explore how AUKUS and broader Defence reforms are reshaping security requirements across Australia's defence industry supply chain. As part of this in-depth conversation, the pair discuss a range of subjects, including the following: How AUKUS and

CYBER UNCUT: Qantas' AI backlash, hacker goes on Aussie spree, and Proofpoint CEO Sumit Dhawan joins the pod Mar 2, 2026 57:17 This week on Cyber Uncut, David Hollingworth and Daniel Croft unpack the week's cyber and AI news and entertain a special guest to boot! The pair kick off the podcast discussing Qantas facing a backlash over a series of job cuts that may be informed by the company embracing AI, while WiseTech's announcement of 2,000 job cuts definitely is driven by AI uptake. The pair also talk about CrowdStrike's

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