CONTESTED GROUND: War without borders – the disinformation threat arriving in Australia
23.03.2026 | 33 Min.
In this episode of the Contested Ground Podcast, host Phil Tarrant sits down with co-host Major General (Ret'd) Dr Marcus Thompson to unpack the second-order effects of the ongoing Middle East conflict – and what it could mean for Australia's security environment. The latest Contested Ground Podcast explores how the Middle East conflict could affect Australia, with a focus on cyber disinformation and proxy activity. Tarrant highlights that influence operations are most likely to arrive online rather than on our shores, while Thompson notes the growing role of AI-driven deepfakes, synthetic media, and coordinated social media campaigns in shaping public perception. Both hosts question Australia's preparedness to counter foreign interference, warning that disinformation could inflame social and political divisions. They also flag economic impacts, including rising fuel prices and supply chain pressures, as likely long-term effects. A central theme of the discussion was resilience. Australians need to critically assess the information they consume, recognising that modern conflict extends well beyond traditional battlefields and into the digital domain. Enjoy the podcast, The Contested Ground team
CYBER UNCUT: CommBank bets on AI security, pro-Iran hackers target healthcare, and do injunctions really work?
20.03.2026 | 39 Min.
In this episode of Cyber Uncut, David Hollingworth and Daniel Croft unpack the week's cyber and AI developments, from local artificial intelligence news to age verification wrinkles, and cyber conflict overspilling from the war in Iran. The pair kick off the podcast discussion by taking a look at the latest AI news out of the Commonwealth Bank, and this time, it's good news, as the bank deployed a pair of security agents. The pair then take a look at the Australian Defence Force and its own work in integrating AI into its battle management programs. After that, it's time for cyber security! The Handala hacking group has turned its gaze far abroad and targeted a medical technology company, disrupting surgeries and supply chains, while a mysterious hacker has targeted a Kiwi healthcare organisation with a bizarre – and disruptive – cyber attack. The pair also discuss the effectiveness of injunctions and how non-publication orders may seem like a useful tool for victims of cyber attacks but are easily ignorable by the criminals themselves. Finally, Hollingworth and Croft finish things up by looking at the rise of VPNs in the wake of new age verification laws and discussing the new sanctions levied against Chinese and Iranian hackers by the European Union. Enjoy, The Cyber Uncut team
THE PROGRESS REPORT: The mission to make military children visible
20.03.2026 | 52 Min.
How do you explain to a six-year-old that her father isn't just "away" but serving the nation? For Hayley Boswell, the answer started with a handmade book and a story about saving sea turtles. A former lawyer and youth worker turned CEO and founder of Defence Kidz, Hayley is on a mission to ensure that one in 20 Australian children with a veteran parent are no longer the "invisible" part of the defence capability. In this episode, Tash Taylor sits down with Hayley to discuss the emotional and practical realities of military life. From successfully lobbying for veteran identifiers in schools to shipping out hundreds of "deployment packs" designed by psychologists, Hayley shares how small tools – like a weighted koala or a T-shirt – can provide the resilience a child needs when their world is constantly in motion. Hayley reflects on her own upbringing as a "military child", moving from Toowoomba to the Navy life, and how those early memories shaped her mission. From Adelaide Zoo connection days to the magic of a recorded bedtime story sent from Afghanistan, Hayley illustrates how Defence Kidz is rebuilding that lost sense of belonging. The Progress Report. New voices. Real stories. Big shifts. Enjoy the podcast, The Progress Report team
Righting the ship, balancing the force, with Senator James Paterson, shadow minister for defence
20.03.2026 | 31 Min.
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
SPOTLIGHT: Modern electronic warfare, spectrum congestion and the Australian defence ecosystem with DEWC Services Rian Whitby
19.03.2026 | 29 Min.
In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by Rian Whitby, deputy chief operating officer at DEWC Services and former naval officer aerospace engineer. The pair discuss the Australian defence ecosystem and electronic warfare in the lead-up to Whitby's appearance at the Electronic Warfare Australia-New Zealand 2026 conference. As part of this in-depth conversation, the pair discuss a range of subjects, including the following: The Australian defence ecosystem as well as small-to-medium enterprises and international primes supply chains. Support for the Royal Australian Navy and the evolving regional threat environment in the Indo-Pacific. Spectrum congestion and increasingly sophisticated electronic attack capabilities in modern warfare. The Royal Australian Navy's new platforms, such as future Mogami Class frigates, uncrewed underwater vessels and uncrewed surface vessels. Integration of embedded electronic warfare upgrades into legacy naval platforms. Electromagnetic warfare challenges, capability gaps and Australia's evolving sovereign electronic warfare capability. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect Spotlight team
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