CONTESTED GROUND: The information and financial risks to national unity

Joint-capabilities
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By: Noemie Veñegas

In this episode of the Contested Ground podcast, hosts Phil Tarrant, Liam Garman, and Major General (Ret’d) Dr Marcus Thompson unpack how Australia’s shifting information and economic environment is deepening social rifts and reshaping national security.

In this episode of the Contested Ground podcast, hosts Phil Tarrant, Liam Garman, and Major General (Ret’d) Dr Marcus Thompson unpack how Australia’s shifting information and economic environment is deepening social rifts and reshaping national security.

Tarrant opens with the housing debate, questioning whether allowing buyers into the market with just a 5 per cent deposit strengthens opportunity or fuels instability. Garman warns that financial strain on younger Australians could erode national unity.

The conversation turns to data sovereignty and AI infrastructure, and how Australia must strengthen data protection and build infrastructure capable of expanding a sovereign AI industry.

The hosts also explore the evolving information and cyber domain, warning that influence operations and online manipulation are amplifying social division, examining a number of online influence campaigns.

Enjoy the podcast,
The Contested Ground team

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Listen to previous episodes of the Defence Connect podcast:

Episode 11: THE PROGRESS REPORT: The mission to make military children visible
Episode 10: PODCAST: Righting the ship, balancing the force, with Senator James Paterson, shadow minister for defence
Episode 9: SPOTLIGHT: Modern electronic warfare, spectrum congestion and the Australian defence ecosystem, with DEWC Services’ Rian Whitby
Episode 8: CONTESTED GROUND: The intersection of finance, organised crime, terrorism and foreign interference, with Keith Bulfin
Episode 7: CONTESTED GROUND: The fragility of Australia’s energy ecosystem, with AVM (Ret’d) John Blackburn AO
Episode 6: PODCAST: The MC-55A Peregrine and the future of ADF airborne reconnaissance, with Alan Clements
Episode 5: CONTESTED GROUND: Australia faces fallout closer to home as Iran continues to fight back
Episode 4: PODCAST: AUKUS infrastructure, public perceptions and nuclear-powered submarines, with Fred Thomas MP
Episode 3: THE PROGRESS REPORT: From the cockpit to the dockyard
Episode 2: PODCAST: Iran escalation, munitions supplies and the Middle East’s path to peace

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