In this News Review episode, Grant McHerron, Nigel Pittaway and Ben Felton review and discuss the highlights from the ADM Congress, AUKUS Pillar 2 Conference and Space Summit that were held on the same day this week in the same venue.
You could tell that it's an election year as both Pat Conroy (minister for Defence Industry) and Andrew Hastie (shadow Defence minister) were both on-site and had a Q&A session with Ewen Levick after their presentations. We also enjoyed the presentation from Michael Shoebridge and Marcus Hellyer who delivered a live Grumpy Strategists session in front of a very large audience and answered many of their questions.
Nigel noted that CASG's Deputy Secretary Chris Deeble gave a good presentation and, if you read between the lines, it seems that CASG 2.0 may not be a thing anymore. One of Ben's highlights was the speech by the British High Commissioner who noted the change in strategic engagement thanks to AUKUS. We also discuss the three main elephants in the room, being Trump, AUKUS and the pending election.
Grant appreciated Adam Gilmour's candid and rather frank discussion of the hurdles they've had to clear to get their launch window approved (very soon now!) and also how Quasar Satellite Technology have a cutting edge space situational awareness technology that exceeds what the USA can currently field.
We wrap with the ITAR relaxation not applying to FMS, the difficulty Australia has in receiving approved, budgeted materiel from the USA due to competing priorities from their other "number one favourite friends," and Nigel laments the politicisation of Defence as the election looms. Our next big issue is out soon and we'll have a solid presence at Avalon Airshow so we're looking forward to meeting listeners and readers there.
------------------
The ADM Podcast is produced by Southern Skies Media on behalf of Australian Defence Magazine, a Yaffa Media title (www.australiandefence.com.au).
The views of the people appearing on this podcast do not necessarily represent the views of Australian Defence Magazine, the Department of Defence or the guests' employer.
If you wish to use any of this podcast's audio, please contact Australian Defence Magazine via their website www.australiandefence.com.au or email them via defmag@yaffa.com.au to get involved.
ADM Podcasts are a blend of public interest journalism and sponsored content with a focus on the Defence community. Conversations with leaders and thinkers from a range of backgrounds including academia, Defence, industry, and associations. ADM Podcasts aims to educate, explain and explore some of the bigger issues around Defence.
For sponsored content opportunities, please contact ADM Associate Publisher Kylie Leonard and/or National Sales Manager Michael Flanagan.
Hosted by Grant McHerron
Producer: Steve Visscher
Australian Defence Magazine - © 2025