PODCAST: Righting the ship, balancing the force, with Senator James Paterson, shadow minister for defence

Joint-capabilities
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By: Robyn Tongol

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.

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 global fallout of the ongoing Iran conflict and the lessons Australia can learn from the successful asymmetric tactics and strategies employed by Iran.
  • The debate about defence spending – is it enough to merely focus on the headline figures: 2.5 versus 3 versus 3.5 per cent of gross domestic product.
  • Getting the balance of capabilities right rather than focusing on single platforms or capabilities in isolation; viewing the Australian Defence Force as an ecosystem of capabilities that need to be balanced rather than overly specialised, exquisite platforms.
  • Australia’s key vulnerabilities and opportunities in an era of great power competition and multipolar competition.
  • Expectations, insights and opportunities – part of the 2026 National Defence Strategy and updated Integrated Investment Program.

Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team

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Listen to previous episodes of the Defence Connect podcast:

Episode 11: SPOTLIGHT: Modern electronic warfare, spectrum congestion and the Australian defence ecosystem, with DEWC Services’ Rian Whitby
Episode 10: CONTESTED GROUND: The intersection of finance, organised crime, terrorism and foreign interference, with Keith Bulfin
Episode 9: CONTESTED GROUND: The fragility of Australia’s energy ecosystem, with AVM (Ret’d) John Blackburn AO
Episode 8: PODCAST: The MC-55A Peregrine and the future of ADF airborne reconnaissance, with Alan Clements
Episode 7: CONTESTED GROUND: Australia faces fallout closer to home as Iran continues to fight back
Episode 6: PODCAST: AUKUS infrastructure, public perceptions and nuclear-powered submarines, with Fred Thomas MP
Episode 5: THE PROGRESS REPORT: From the cockpit to the dockyard
Episode 4: PODCAST: Iran escalation, munitions supplies and the Middle East’s path to peace
Episode 3: SPOTLIGHT: Cyber security, DISP accreditation and building sovereign resilience, with Macquarie Government’s James Rabey
Episode 2: PODCAST: Warrior culture, special operations and private military companies, with Trevor Fortner

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