Australia’s Peace and Security: Will AUKUS make us safer?

What are the prospects and consequences of nuclear war? What more can Australia do to maintain our region as a nuclear-free zone? Does our current relationship with the United States enhance or endanger our security? How should Australia navigate the growing US-China contestation? How feasible is Australia’s current defence strategy of ‘deterrence through denial’?  

Moderator, Penny D Sackett is Distinguished Honorary Professor, ANU Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions and was the former Chief Scientist of Australia, 2008-11.

Speakers:

Melissa Parke, Luck is not a strategy to avoid nuclear war. Melissa is the Executive Director of ICAN and is a former Member of Parliament and UN human rights lawyer.

Allan Behm, AUKUS, the Alliance and Regional Security. Allan Behm is the Advisor, International & Security Affairs Program, The Australia Institute, specialising in international and security policy development.

Major General Michael G Smith AO (Retd), AUKUS, China and Australia’s military strategy of deterrence through denial. Major General Smith served for 34 years in the Australian Defence Force, including serving in Papua New Guinea, Cambodia and Timor-Leste.