Message from the Head of College: December 2025

Our team at the ANU National Security College has worked throughout 2025 to build capability, knowledge and dialogue for a more secure Australia. But we end the year at a confronting time for the work we do – and for all Australians. The antisemitic atrocity at Bondi on 14 December has brought home the threats to national security and cohesion in the most horrific way.

We share the pain and sorrow of Jewish Australians and the wider community. Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those who have lost their lives or sustained grievous injuries. Our respect and gratitude go to all who have so selflessly and courageously helped others in need. Peace and safety are fundamental rights, prized by Australians yet maliciously torn away through terrorist violence.

The strength of our nation is unity in diversity. A threat to any part of the extraordinary mosaic of modern Australia is a threat to us all. Now is a time for solidarity and caring, for supporting fellow Australians through grief and fear. Many voices say this outrage will change Australia permanently. It should – only not in the way the perpetrators wanted. 

In the time ahead, the College will redouble its efforts to contribute to an Australia where there is no place for political violence and the hatred that enables it.

As an early step I can announce that in the New Year we will make use of our trusted networks and convening power to bring together a roundtable discussion on antisemitism. This will provide a valuable listening opportunity, in which security experts and thought leaders will hear directly from a range of Jewish Australian voices on the threat to their community and what this means for Australia. Insights drawn from the roundtable will inform our commitment, as part of ANU, to engage with the new Gonksi taskforce on tackling antisemitism in the education system. The discussions will also contribute to NSC’s Community Consultations process.

This month we released some preliminary findings from that major initiative, which is about building a picture of what Australians think about national security. Even well before the Bondi attack, our survey data showed that most Australians place a high priority on peaceful and safe communities.

Our final Community Consultations report will be released at a major conference, Securing our Future: a ready and resilient Australia, to be held in Canberra on 24-25 March. We welcome expressions of interest in attending. Tickets will formally become available in January.

The final working weeks of the year have remained busy and productive across the NSC. Our leadership course for Senior Executive Service officers involved an intensive week of briefings in the United States, including in a very different Washington to the one some of us thought we knew. Last week we had the privilege of hosting a special visitor from Japan, Mrs Akie Abe, for a private discussion of the geopolitical and leadership legacy of her late husband Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. And we took time earlier this month for a moment of celebration for the College: a gathering to reflect on a long record of achievement in this our 15th anniversary year.

Wishing all of our staff, students, alumni and supporters a restful and reflective festive season with your loved ones, and a peaceful and safe 2026.