PODCAST: A taste of things to come, with shadow minister for defence Andrew Hastie

Joint-capabilities
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By: Robyn Tongol

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by Andrew Hastie, shadow minister for defence, to discuss the government’s response to the recent “gunboat” diplomacy by China.

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by Andrew Hastie, shadow minister for defence, to discuss the government’s response to the recent “gunboat” diplomacy by China.

The pair also discuss the following:

  • Is the government trying to keep the Australian public calm by talking down the actions of the Chinese naval task force currently off the east coast of Australia?
  • Does the Australian Defence Force have the tools and resources it needs to stand up to a great power adversary, particularly following the changes in posture and focus by the US government?
  • What are the steps we need to take in order to make Australia less susceptible to coercion by a great power and build our resilience to make sure that Australia isn’t compromised in the event of conflict in the region?

Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team

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Listen to previous episodes of the Defence Connect podcast:

Episode 11: SPOTLIGHT: Defence electronics supply chains, counterfeit components and shortages
Episode 10: PODCAST: AUKUS, China and Australia’s defence industrial future, with former prime minister Scott Morrison
Episode 9: CONTESTED GROUND: When AI goes rogue – the emerging threat Australia isn’t ready for
Episode 8: PODCAST: Frontier AI, cyber warfare, and defending Australia’s military networks, with Wendi Whitmore and Tom Scully
Episode 7: PODCAST: Australia’s 2026 Intergenerational Report and national security implications, with Phillip Tarrant and Robert Dougherty
Episode 6: CONTESTED GROUND: AUKUS, deterrence, and the deepening Australia–UK strategic partnership
Episode 5: SPOTLIGHT: Unlocking Australia’s Defence estate through divestment, with Stantec Australia
Episode 4: CONTESTED GROUND: Is Australia ready to secure its place in an increasingly contested space domain?
Episode 3: THE PROGRESS REPORT: Building the future – Viviene Beins on aerospace engineering, women, and Australia’s defence industry
Episode 2: PODCAST: Australian defence industry faces a changing strategic landscape, with Phillip Tarrant and Robert Dougherty