Australia in the World
Norway’s 30 minutes with the PM
Did you know Norway and Australia share a land border? Well, technically it’s not a recognised border, of the formally demarcated variety. Nor is the ground all that solid. Frozen…
Economic diplomacy: No free lunches for national security
Phones or thrones
Here’s an interesting context for considering whether the Australian government struck the right balance in development aid last year by spending more money…
Analyses
WeChat's role in Australian democracy: A grassroots view
A new study finds that despite drawbacks, the Chinese messaging app plays a vital role in the democratic participation of Chinese-Australians.
There must be a better way: Australia’s diplomatic appointments
It’s strange that it takes controversy around a sub-national trade envoy to drive public scrutiny of Australia’s diplomatic appointments. While former politicians and advisers…
The opportunities of cross-public service diplomacy
When people think about Australian diplomacy they think of diplomats, embassies and the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). But the relationships that…
PNG’s troubled election should be a wake-up call for Australia
It has been a difficult election period for Papua New Guinea. Outbreaks of violence in the nation’s capital Port Moresby and other parts of the country have disrupted voting and…
US abortion bans unleash state-sanctioned violence against women
The US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe vs Wade has unleashed a frenzy of misogynistic lawmaking, with abortion bans now enacted or soon to be enacted in more than half US…
Podcasts
Rules Based Audio: The scramble for information control over Africa
In this episode, Sasha Fegan discusses the influence of disinformation in the media landscape in Africa.
Can we please have a real debate on nuclear submarines?
So it’s to be full speed ahead with nuclear-propelled submarines then? This is a momentous policy decision, but it looks like it will be taken with no real debate, despite the…
If you had 30 minutes with the PM, what would you ask?
“Right. So I’m going to pretend that you are the recently voted upon Prime Minister?”
Exactly, I reply, smiling across the screen to Dorcas Makgato, High Commissioner for…