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Defence & Security Podcast Network — Government
Defence & Security Podcast Network

The Defence & Security Podcast Network hosts a unique series of podcasts, featuring discussions with key enablers from across the Australian defence and security industry.

The podcasts provide the perfect blend of business intelligence and insights from a range of guests, which include government officials, ADF personnel, industry stakeholders, and members of the academic community.

By aligning ourselves with the ADF and the Commonwealth government, we are uniquely placed to deliver a dynamic 360° platform that bridges the gap between the customer (Defence) and industry.

We split our focus not just into the traditional sectors of Land (Army), Air (Air Force) and Sea (Navy), but into the six new Capability Streams:

– Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, Electronic Warfare and Cyber
– Key Enablers
– Air and Sea Lift
– Maritime and Anti-Submarine Warfare
– Strike and Air Combat
– Land Combat and Amphibious Warfare

As Defence moves to ensure the Force Structure Review and the First Principles Review: Creating One Defence plans are met, Australian industry involvement is critical for mission success.

The Defence & Security Podcast Network will provide you and your business with valuable lessons, tips and insights into the industry, putting your company in the best position to take part in the increased Defence spending.

We’ll cover every aspect of doing business in the defence industry, from the tender process to recruitment, success stories, access points to Defence, smart business strategies, and geopolitical insights.

Subscribe to the Defence & Security Podcast Network and be part of this exciting and innovative industry.

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Latest Episodes:

CYBER UNCUT: Grok still under fire, potential ASRock data breach, and watchdog targets automated decision making Jan 26, 2026

Show notes

This week on Cyber Uncut, David Hollingworth and Daniel Croft are still talking about Grok's nudity woes, OpenAI's turn to ads, the potential compromise of a major rack hardware maker, and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner's calls for more government transparency.

The pair kick things off once again with Grok and its struggles in producing sexual abuse material and OpenAI's move to introduce ads into ChatGPT.

In cyber security news, the Everest ransomware group claims to have stolen vital hardware data from ASRock Rack, with the potential for some serious downstream impacts and further cyber attacks. Plus, hackers who have been named and in court, and 2025 in cryptocurrency crime.

And finally, some good news – search engine DuckDuckGo says NO to AI, and the OAIC looks to boost government transparency around automated decision making.

Enjoy, The Cyber Uncut team

THE PROGRESS REPORT: Clearing the sky for the next generation – a conversation with Sue-anne Munckton Jan 23, 2026

Show notes

Imagine being told at the start of your aviation career that women simply don't fly jets. Decades later, Sue-anne Munckton is the CEO of the Civil Aviation Academy Australasia and director/founder of Sky Careers and a powerhouse advocate for Australia's aviation future.

In this episode, Tash Taylor sits down with the recent Australian Aviation Awards Excellence Award winner to discuss her 35-year journey from student pilot to industry leader.

Sue-anne reveals why we must teach children by age 10 to break down career barriers and shape their sphere of influence. Her company, Sky Careers, is opening doors to 30,000+ industry roles – from drone-piloted "SnotBots" that collect whale snot to maritime logistics.

The Progress Report. New voices. Real stories. Big shifts.

Enjoy the podcast, The Progress Report team

CONTESTED GROUND: Australia's efforts to combat extremism, anti-Semitism, and balance freedom Jan 21, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of the Contested Ground Podcast, hosts Phil Tarrant, Major General (Ret'd) Dr Marcus Thompson, and Steve Kuper discuss the Australian government's legislative efforts to combat anti-Semitism, hatred, and violent extremism in Australia.

The trio unpack the legislative proposal and political considerations that have shaped the Albanese government's Combating Anti-Semitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026, developed in the aftermath of the terrorist shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach, Sydney, which resulted in at least 15 deaths and over 40 injuries on 14 December 2025.

The trio also discuss the fine line between balancing national security, freedom, protesting and religious liberties as a democracy and the different requests identified by the opposition, Greens and other minor parties ahead of the debate.

Enjoy the podcast, The Contested Ground Team

CYBER UNCUT: The Pentagon backs Grok, Victorian schools hacked, and Bandcamp says no to AI Jan 19, 2026

Show notes

This week, David Hollingworth and Daniel Croft are joined by HR Leader's Carlos Tse to talk about AI in the workplace. We chat about Grok's ongoing issues with sexually abusive content, the Pentagon's move to embrace the platform regardless, and a hack that has compromised the data of every school in Victoria. The podcast kicks off with a discussion on a new partnership between the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) and Microsoft to keep AI in the workplace human-centric, and the US Department of Defence betting hard on Grok to increase its warfighting capacity. In cyber security news, an unknown threat actor has compromised Victoria's Department of Education, impacting every school in the state. Hollingworth and Croft talk about the Everest hacking group's Big Game Hunting tactics and its targeting of a pair of major carmakers. The pair wrap things up with a discussion of Bandcamp's move to ban AI from its platform, and talk about this year's Australian Cyber Awards – nominations are now open, so get yours in! Enjoy, The Cyber Uncut team

Venezuela, US military intervention and cartel power vacuums, with Cesar Alvarez Jan 15, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Robert Dougherty is joined by Cesar Alvarez, lecturer at Charles Sturt University on terrorism and security studies, to unpack the security, geopolitical and cartel criminal dynamics surrounding recent US military operations in Venezuela.

Alvarez worked for Canberra-based national security think tank Australian Strategic Policy Institute and provided technical advice to the Terrorism Prevention Branch of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. He has also served as a consultant and adviser to the Counter-Narcotics Directorate and the Doctrine and Planning Office of the National Police of Colombia.

He holds a master of policing, intelligence and counter-terrorism with a degree of master of international security studies from Macquarie University. He also holds a bachelor's degree of government and international relations from Externado University of Colombia. Alvarez is the founder and director of public diplomacy organisation Australia-Colombia Dialogue.

During the podcast, the pair discuss a range of topics, including:

An overview of Venezuela's evolution into a key hub for transnational organised crime and drug trafficking.
The role of the Cartel de los Soles and the deep entanglement between criminal networks and the Venezuelan state.
Historical shifts in Latin America's criminal landscape following the fall of the Medellín Cartel, led by Pablo Escobar, and the Cali Cartel, run by the Rodríguez Orejuela brothers.
The impact of Colombian coca cultivation, peace processes with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, and unintended consequences of counter-narcotics policy.
The strategic, psychological and geopolitical implications of the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
Likely internal power struggles within criminal organisations following Maduro's removal.
The future of drug trafficking routes across Colombia, Venezuela and global markets, including Europe and Australia.
Whether US actions in Venezuela set a precedent for other authoritarian leaders in Latin America.
The potential implications for countries such as Cuba, Nicaragua and Colombia amid shifting regional politics.
How the most recent changes in US policy may reshape Latin American security dynamics in the coming years.

Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

CYBER UNCUT: Grok's sexual abuse, Qantas' AI shift, and Trump's cyber warfare? Jan 12, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, Daniel Croft and Bethany Alvaro are joined by Australian Aviation's Jake Nelson to discuss AI, before talking about local hacks, NSW Health, and Trump alluding to the use of cyber warfare in Venezuela.

Croft, Alvaro, and Nelson first discuss Qantas and its shift towards AI implementation in 2026.

The trio then discuss Grok and the dangers of the new "edit image" button that has led to the creation of deepfake child sexual abuse material.

Croft and Alvaro then discuss the Australian band Royel Otis and a failed request by the guitarist to obtain the anonymous details of users he said were defaming him.

Finally, the two discuss Trump and his hinting that cyber warfare may have been used in the strikes on Venezuela to shut off the lights and create pathways in for US forces.

Enjoy the episode, The Cyber Uncut team

Venezuela, dark fleet shipping and the blurred lines of maritime law, with Salvatore Mercogliano Jan 09, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Robert Dougherty is joined by Salvatore R Mercogliano PhD, Campbell University professor of history in North Carolina and What's Going on With Shipping host, as they discuss US operations in Venezuela, the capture of leader Nicolás Maduro and international maritime implications for "dark fleet" shipping.

Mercogliano, a former merchant mariner, holds degrees in military and naval history, maritime history and nautical archaeology, and marine transportation. He previously authored the 2017 book Fourth arm of defense: Sealift and maritime logistics in the Vietnam War.

The pair discuss a range of topics, including:

An overview of "dark fleet" or "shadow ships" operating outside the rule of law to avoid international sanctions.
Implications on global shipping following US operations and the capture of commercial shipping vessels near Venezuela.
Historical precedent for the capture of "dark fleet" ships as well as the flight of oil tankers and commercial maritime vessels from Venezuela after US military operations.
"Dark fleet" ships operating in other regions, such as the Indo-Pacific, where trade abuses and maritime smuggling activities have previously been linked to North Korea and other actors.
Advances being made in military technology mounted on commercial shipping, such as containerised missile systems, containerised drone systems and close-in support weapon systems.
The value of these systems in a wartime or blockade settings, with emphasis on the possible invasion of Taiwan by the People's Liberation Army Navy in the South China Sea.

Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

CONTESTED GROUND: Venezuela, Russia, China, Iran and America's resurgence Jan 08, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of the Contested Ground podcast, co-host Steve Kuper and returning co-host Liam Garman unpack the fallout of the American special forces raid in Venezuela.

The pair also discuss the broader global ramifications emerging as a result of the American direct action in Latin America, including:

The real motivations behind America's raid and why simple claims of regime change or pursuit of oil may not be as clear-cut as some would have us believe.
Ongoing concerns about security and stability in the Middle East following revelations of significant strategic military deployments from the US to Europe and the region.
The sociopolitical challenges facing Australia and allied nations as protests unfold in cities across the world, with political discourse shifting from the Middle East to Venezuela and claims of American imperialism.
The ramifications of fraying, sectarian political debates and echo chambers that undermine social cohesion and national stability.

Enjoy the podcast, The Contested Ground team

SPOTLIGHT: Confronting a contested Indo-Pacific, with Lockheed Martin's Admiral (Ret'd) Phil Davidson Jan 08, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight Podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by former commander of US Indo-Pacific Command, Admiral (Ret'd) Phil Davidson, as they discuss the allied efforts to confront a contested Indo-Pacific.

As part of this special conversation, the pair discuss a range of subjects, including:

The shifting power dynamics emerging across the region and the implications associated with the return of great-power competition.
Building and enhancing avenues for interoperability and interchangeability across regional allies in order to build collective deterrence.
The importance of building a robust, adaptable and resilient allied integrated air and missile defence network across the region to help underpin regional security.

Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect Spotlight team

Robotics and artificial intelligence in the military domain, with Lieutenant Colonel Dr Adam J Hepworth Dec 25, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Robert Dougherty is joined by the director of the Australian Army's Robotic and Autonomous Systems Implementation and Coordination Office, Lieutenant Colonel Dr Adam J Hepworth, as they discuss emerging artificial intelligence and robotics implications for the Australian Army.

LTCOL Hepworth leads the advancement of emerging technology, including robotics, autonomous systems, AI and autonomy for the Australian Army. He holds a bachelor of science in mathematics from the University of NSW, a master of logistics and supply chain management from the University of South Australia, a graduate diploma in scientific computation and a master of science in operations research from the United States Naval Postgraduate School, and a doctor of philosophy in computer science from the University of NSW.

He is a visiting fellow at the University of NSW and an expert member of the Global Commission for Responsible AI in the Military.

The pair discuss a range of topics, including:

An outline of LTCOL Hepworth's responsibilities as director of the Australian Army's Robotic and Autonomous Systems Implementation and Coordination Office.
An invitation to join the Expert Advisory Group for the Global Commission on Responsible AI in the Military Domain, on behalf of the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs.
A general overview of responsible military AI and irresponsible AI, as well as the benefits achieved with military AI use and challenges from that use, that Australia needs to be aware of.
Short and long-term recommendations for governance and regulation of artificial intelligence in the military domain.
Work on responsible artificial intelligence in the military domain being completed in Australia.
The importance of keeping a human in the loop for AI-based decision making and the evolution of new military technology into the future.

Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

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