Skip to main content
Home
National Security College
  • ANU College of Law, Governance and Policy
  • Home
  • Education
    • Executive and professional development
    • Academic study
  • Ideas
    • Policy engagement
    • NSC Futures Hub
    • Publications
    • Initiatives
  • Events
  • People
  • About

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. content centre
  3. category
  4. preparedness
Finland and Australia two flags textile cloth, fabric texture
Adobe stock
13 March 2025

North star: why Australia should look to Finland on resilience and preparedness

Rory Medcalf and Christian Fjäder discuss how Australia and Finland can build an innovative security partnership involving policy dialogue and exchanges of expertise.
  • resilience
  • Finland
  • National security
  • preparedness
  • Defence
  • Europe
Map of Australia and the regions, with people stnading on it.
ktsdesign, Adobe Stock
25 May 2025

Issues Paper: thinking about our national security

This Issues Paper is a conversation starter, to help you think about what you may choose to tell us during the consultation process. Your views matter.
  • Community consultations
  • preparedness
  • resilience
  • Securing our Future
Securing our Future – A ready and resilient Australia, 24–25 March 2026
NSC
16 February 2026

Securing our Future 2026 program

Conference program available now – 'Securing our Future: a ready an resilient Australia'.
  • Securing our Future
  • preparedness
  • resilience
Image displaying a person standing amongst rubble
Adobe Stock
Thu, 29 Oct - Fri, 30 Oct 2026

National preparedness and resilience

This two-day program will help participants understand the critical role of preparedness and resilience in Australia, while exploring the compounding dimensions of the challenges we face.

Enrol
Securing our Future – A ready and resilient Australia, 24–25 March 2026
NSC
13 January 2026

Registrations now open – Securing our Future 2026

We’re excited to announce that registration is now live for NSC's flagship 'Securing our Future 2026' conference.
  • Community consultations
  • Securing our Future
  • preparedness
  • resilience
Rory Medcalf delivering the 2022 annual Order of Australia Association - Australian National University lecture.
ANU
07 December 2022

Making sense of national security

This 2022 Order of Australia Lecture by Professor Rory Medcalf AM was presented at The Australian National University on 7 December 2022.
  • national security policy
  • National Security College
  • preparedness
Professor Rory Medcalf delivering the 2025 Sir James Plimsoll Lecture
NSC
22 May 2025

Why we need a nationwide conversation on national security

The Head of NSC, Professor Rory Medcalf AM, presented the 2025 Sir James Plimsoll Lecture in Hobart on 22 May.
  • preparedness
  • resilience
  • national security policy
View of Flinder Station in Melbourne at night.
Niko nguyen on Unsplash
07 December 2025

Amid rising security concerns, Australians prioritise safe and peaceful communities

Early data from the NSC’s nationwide Community Consultations initiative shows how everyday Australians feel about national security issues.
  • Community consultations
  • preparedness
  • resilience
  • National security
The National Security Podcast
29 May 2025
The National Security Podcast

Australia decides 2025: national security priorities

In this episode, David Andrews, Will Leben and Bec Strating join Sally Bulkeley to discuss the outcomes of the 2025 Australian Federal Election, what’s in store of the re-elected Albanese Government and the implications for our national security agenda.

Acast
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
The National Security Podcast
17 Apr 2025
The National Security Podcast

Is Australia prepared? Lessons from the 2024 Independent Intelligence Review

In this episode Chris Taylor and Miah Hammond-Errey join Rory Medcalf to delve into the 2024 Independent Intelligence Review, discussing the role of intelligence in an uncertain world, the relationship between intelligence and policy, and the impact of technology on intelligence. 

Listen now
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Professor Rory Medcalf delivering the 2025 Sir James Plimsoll Lecture
NSC
22 May 2025

Time to talk: Australian resilience and preparedness in the new world disorder

Transcript of Professor Rory Medcalf's address at the 2025 Sir James Plimsoll Lecture.
  • preparedness
  • resilience
  • National security
  • Securing our Future
  • Community consultations
An MQ-28A Ghost Bat is loaded with a NAIM-120 inert air-to-air missile variant at the ordnance loading area during Trial Kareela at RAAF Base Woomera, South Australia.
AC Ivan Smotrov
17 April 2026

This is a big step forward on defence for Australia. Too bad we’re playing catch-up

Professor Rory Medcalf comments on Australia's 2026 National Defence Strategy. He discusses the steps forward, playing catch-up, and questions left open on the alliance and preparedness.
  • National security
  • National Defence Strategy
  • Defence
  • preparedness
  • Geopolitics and Regionalism
  • Aus-US alliance
  • Community consultations
The National Security Podcast
03 Jul 2025
The National Security Podcast

Disasters, distrust, and disinformation

In this episode, Jodie Wrigley, Anthony Bradstreet, and Allison Curtis join David Andrews to discuss the evolving challenges posed by mis- and disinformation in crisis response scenarios.

Listen now
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
The National Security Podcast
17 Jul 2025
The National Security Podcast

A decade at the helm: in conversation with Rory Medcalf

In this episode, Rory Medcalf joins David Andrews to look back on the past decade in which he has served as Head of the ANU National Security College (NSC). They discuss the evolution of global threats over this period and how NSC has shifted its work to respond. 

Acast
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Flooded road with a caution sign
Adobe Image
08 April 2024

A more prepared Australia

In this paper, William Leben addresses the importance of preparedness in Australia and the need to build resilience to natural disasters.
  • Climate Change
  • Defence
  • Australia
  • Security
  • policy
  • geopolitics
  • resilience
  • Disaster relief
  • Humanitarian assistance
  • preparedness
Participants at the NSC Finnish roundtable
Jed Buchanan/NSC
09 September 2025

Strengthening Australia-Finland ties in security and resilience

NSC was pleased to host a high-level delegation from Finland for a roundtable on shared security priorities.
  • Finland
  • Security
  • preparedness
  • resilience
  • Indo-Pacific
Rory Medcalf at the Helsinki Security Forum 2025
Helsinki Security Forum 2025
29 October 2025

Message from the Head of College: October 2025

Rory Medcalf reflects on Australia’s evolving security landscape, announcing the 2026 Securing our Future conference and updates on Community Consultations, research, and AUKUS education initiatives.
  • Monthly message
  • Head of College message
  • preparedness
The National Security Podcast
25 Sep 2025
The National Security Podcast

What Finland can teach Australia about national security

In this episode, Pasi Rajala joins Rory Medcalf to discuss the evolving geopolitical landscape, the importance of international cooperation among democracies, and Finland's unique approach to security and resilience. 

Listen now
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
NSC staff at Securing our Future: a ready and resilient Australia
Rohan Thomson
09 April 2026

Message from the Head of College: March 2026

Professor Rory Medcalf reflects on NSC's Community Consultations Reports, the Securing our Future conference and other important work by the College in March 2026.
  • Community consultations
  • Securing our Future
  • resilience
  • preparedness
The National Security Podcast
10 Oct 2024
The National Security Podcast

The impact of climate change on national security

In this episode, Tom Middendorp, Chris Barrie, Cheryl Durrant, and Sophie Lewis join Danielle Ireland-Piper to examine the critical link between climate change and national security, and what action is needed to mitigate the risks posed by it. 

Listen now
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Australia and EU flags
jixiang, Adobe Stock
16 June 2025

Why Europe needs a defence deal with Australia – and why we need it, too

Professor George Brandis argues that Australia and Europe must build a deeper strategic and defence partnership beyond trade to address growing global security risks and an increasingly unreliable US.
  • EU
  • Europe
  • preparedness
  • resilience
The National Security Podcast
04 Dec 2025
The National Security Podcast

The future will thank us: an intergenerational approach to security

In this episode Sally Bulkeley is joined by Afeeya Akhand and Victoria Cooper to discuss intergenerational security and the differing perspectives across age demographics in Australia.

Listen now
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
The National Security Podcast
12 Jun 2025
The National Security Podcast

In conversation with Canada’s Chief of the Defence Staff

In this episode, General Jennie Carignan joins Sally Bulkeley to discuss Canada’s evolving defence posture amid a shifting strategic landscape, with a focus on interoperability with partners like Australia, its Indo-Pacific commitments, and lessons drawn from the war in Ukraine. 

Acast
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Professor Rory Medcalf AM, Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC and Tim Wilford
NSC
26 November 2025

Message from the Head of College: November 2025

Rory Medcalf talks about the important work done by NSC in November 2025 – including the SES program visit to USA, new publication on AI, ACIC CEO address, and the Securing our Future conference.
  • Monthly message
  • Head of College message
  • preparedness
NS26 participants
Jed Buchanan, NSC
03 March 2026

NSC launches NS26 – a national security program for parliamentarians

We are proud to announce the successful launch of the ANU National Security College’s (NSC) national security program for parliamentarians - NS26.
  • NS26
  • Australian Parliament
  • parliamentary engagement
  • preparedness
  • resilience
Rory Medcalf at UTAS
NSC
27 May 2025

Message from the Head of College: May 2025

Professor Medcalf reflects on Australia’s political stability and urges national dialogue on security through NSC’s new Community Consultations.
  • preparedness
  • resilience
  • executive education
  • Head of College message
Professor Rory Medcalf AM with Singapore’s Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs Mr. K Shanmugam
Singaporean Ministry of Home Affairs
30 June 2025

Message from the Head of College: June 2025

Professor Medcalf reflects on NSC’s work in June 2025 – from Community Consultations and capacity-building activities, to deepening regional partnerships and shaping the College’s future direction.
  • preparedness
  • resilience
  • executive education
  • Head of College message
The National Security Podcast
02 Apr 2026
The National Security Podcast

No worries? What Australians think about security, risk and resilience

In this episode, Rory Medcalf, Tom Rogers and Tim Wilford join Sally Bulkeley to discuss the findings of NSC’s Community Consultations Report – Australia's first comprehensive research report, examining Australian attitudes to national security, and perceptions of risk and resilience.

Listen now
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Attendees at the NSC forum on preparedness and resilience
Jed Buchanan, NSC
06 August 2025

NSC hosts global scholars to discuss national resilience

NSC welcomed the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung’s Asia Foresight Group, along with colleagues from ANU and RAND Australia, for a forum on preparedness and resilience.
  • preparedness
  • resilience
David Bolton, Dr Carolyn Bull and Ema Vueti
David Bolton, NSC
26 October 2025

From Brisbane to the bush: NSC in Queensland for Community Consultations

NSC’s Community Consultations team travelled through south-east Queensland talking to locals about key issues.
  • Community consultations
  • preparedness
  • resilience
Rory Medcalf at an ANU seminar
ANU
16 March 2015

Towards a new Australian security

Professor Rory Medcalf discusses Australia's changing nature of Australia's security landscape.
  • National Security College
  • preparedness
  • resilience
The National Security Podcast
20 Jun 2024
The National Security Podcast

Economic security: shocks, preparedness and resilience

In this episode, Jeffrey Wilson, Tania Constable, Swati Dave, Darren Lim, Helen Mitchell, and Christopher Flynn assess Australia’s economic readiness to deal with future strategic shocks and the importance of building economic resilience, securing supply chains, and protecting critical sectors. 

Listen now
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Sally Bulkeley, Dr Helen Haines MP and Sharryn Parker
NSC
18 August 2025

From city streets to country roads: NSC in Victoria for Community Consultations

The NSC team travelled to Victoria to engage in NSC in Community Consultations.
  • Community consultations
  • Social licence
  • National security
  • social cohesion
  • preparedness
  • resilience
Rory Medcalf at the National Press Club
National Press Club
09 December 2020

Securing Australia in the 2020s: how are we preparing?

In an address to the National Press Club, Head of NSC Professor Rory Medcalf offered a distinct roadmap for Australia to protect its interests and values in the decade ahead.
  • national security policy
  • preparedness
  • resilience
Rory Medcalf explains why national security matters for Australia's next election
ANU
02 April 2025

ANU Expert Explainers: Australia's security crossroads

Rory Medcalf | ANU TV
Master of Peace and Conflict Studies
30 September 2025

Deterrence, diplomacy and development

William Leben and Martina Zapf | Development Intelligence Lab
Professor Rory Medcalf AM, Head of the ANU National Security College
Lannon Harley/ANU
23 March 2026

Two in three Australians worried about national security

Rory Medcalf | ANU Reporter
Quad members USA, Japan, India and Australia flags together. Quadrilateral Security Dialogue members.
Ruma via Adobe Stock
16 June 2025

India has vital role in Pacific region disaster response

Anthony Bergin | The Australian
Aus Canberra Parliament House
-wuppertaler, Wikimedia
23 March 2026

We’re suffering high anxiety over national security

Rory Medcalf | The Australian
Royal Australian Navy helicopter displays the Australian National Flag over Sydney Harbour
SMNIS Genae Kelly, Defence Imagery
04 April 2026

Australia is vulnerable. That’s not in doubt. Can our leaders keep us secure? We’re about to find out

Rory Medcalf interview | SMH
Headquarters Joint Operations Command
CPL Adam Abela, Defence Imagery
16 April 2026

A sound strategy, still underfunded

Jennifer Parker | AFR
US navy
PICRYL
26 May 2025

How Tasmania could be affected by a future conflict in South-East Asia

Rory Medcalf interview | ABC Radio Hobart
Securing our Future 2026: a ready and resilient Australia
Rohan Thompson, ANU NSC
22 April 2026

Community voices heard at ‘Securing Our Future 2026’

Rory Medcalf interview | ANU Observer
Rory Medcalf
NSC
28 May 2025

Why Australia should look to Finland on resilience and preparedness

Rory Medcalf and Christian Fjäder | NSC YouTube
Flag of Finland on military uniform.
Bumble Dee, Adobe stock
14 May 2025

Could Australia learn about prepardness from Finland, the prepper nation of the Nordics?

Rory Medcalf and Christian Fjäder interview | ABC News
Kakadu Fleet Review 2026
ADF/Defence Imagery
22 March 2026

Australians know we’re under threat – and underprepared

Rory Medcalf | SMH
Royal Australian Navy sailors participating in the Empowering Excellence Defence Breakfast
Danyellah Hill, Defence Imagery
23 March 2026

The security gap Australia can’t afford to ignore

Bec Strating and Elise Stephenson | Lowy Institute