INSIGHT: Proposing an alternative plan for Defence — Meryl Swanson, shadow assistant minister for defence

Joint-capabilities
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By: Robyn Tongol
Meryl Swanson

In this episode of the Defence Insight Podcast, Meryl Swanson, shadow assistant defence minister and federal member for Paterson, joins host Phil Tarrant to discuss the Labor opposition’s plan for Defence and defence industry.

In this episode of the Defence Insight Podcast, Meryl Swanson, shadow assistant defence minister and federal member for Paterson, joins host Phil Tarrant to discuss the Labor opposition’s plan for Defence and defence industry.

  

 
 

Swanson begins by explaining why she chose to pursue a career in politics after years in the media, and how she secured a leadership role in the Defence portfolio.

The shadow assistant minister weighs in on the SEA 1000 program, and stresses the need for a clearer framework to ensure delivery of the Attack Class submarines aligns with the nation’s strategic agenda.

Swanson then goes on to outline the Labor opposition’s broader plan to enhance capability by boosting defence spending as a proportion of GDP and further developing sovereign industrial capability.

The MP concludes by noting the importance of encouraging more Australians to forge careers in Defence and defence industry, to ensure the next generation of platforms are equipped to meet the nation’s national security objectives.

Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team

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Listen to previous episodes of the Defence Connect podcast:

Episode 11: CONTESTED GROUND: Australia and the West must ask themselves new questions in the face of the modern world, with Robbin Laird
Episode 10: PODCAST: Black Hawk capability, B-21 bomber debate, and upcoming budget
Episode 9: PODCAST: Supermarine Spitfire, warbird aviation and modern aerial innovation, with Keith Russell
Episode 8: PODCAST: Bushmaster PMV funding, long-range strike expansion and cyber defence
Episode 7: PODCAST: Space Command workforce expansion and operationalising the domain, with Major General Gregory Novak AM
Episode 6: CONTESTED GROUND: The Defence budget, inflationary pressures and domestic information warfare
Episode 5: SPOTLIGHT: Maritime sustainment, mission-ready maintenance and resilient fleet capability, with Serco’s David Astbury
Episode 4: PODCAST: Anzac Day reflections, veteran support reform and ADF workforce trends, with Minister Matt Keogh
Episode 3: SPOTLIGHT: Open-source growth across defence and national security, with SUSE CMO Margaret Dawson
Episode 2: CONTESTED GROUND: Shipping, supply chains and Australia’s exposure to a volatile system, with UNSW’s Professor Douglas Guilfoyle and Associate Professor Daniel Prior