Securing our Future 2026 program
NSC
Day 1: Tuesday 24 March, Lowitja O’Donoghue Cultural Centre
| MANNING CLARK HALL | ||
| Securing our future: visions and expectations part 1 | ||
| 8.30–10.30 (120 mins) |
This conference opens a national conversation about resilience and preparedness: how to secure Australia’s future in a world of risk. First, a Welcome to Country, in this special part of Australia that has been a meeting place for millennia. The interim Vice-Chancellor and President of the Australian National University (ANU) will connect our proceedings to the mission of this institution. Head of ANU National Security College’s (NSC) will provide context for the evidence that will inform our discussions: the findings of the College’s Community Consultations initiative. Following a small break, the conference will break into two concurrent sessions to explore the social and economic dimensions of the community consultations report. |
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| 10.30–11.00 (30 mins) |
Morning tea Studio dialogue* – T2 Gallery |
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| MANNING CLARK HALL | ||
| 11.00–12.30 (90 mins) |
Federal resilience: practical insights from our states and territories In Australia’s federal system, states and territories are often at the front line of security responses. The NSC Community Consultations thus put emphasis on engaging beyond Canberra. In this session, a range of leading voices from state and territory governments will articulate how resilience and preparedness apply in their jurisdictions, across a spectrum of challenges, including natural disasters and threats to community cohesion. |
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| 12.30–13.30 (60 mins) |
Lunch Studio dialogue* – T2 Gallery |
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| MANNING CLARK HALL | CINEMA | |
|---|---|---|
| 13.30–15.00 (90 mins) |
Security council: mayoral leadership and local knowledge A key message from our Community Consultations is that Australians focus on how security issues affect their lives at a local level. “Peaceful and safe communities,” was a clear priority in our survey results. Like politics, security is ultimately local. In this session, Mayors and other local government voices share insights on how they see the challenges to their communities and the role of councils in ensuring resilience. These leadership perspectives will be paired with expert analysis to generate new insights into how we can approach Australia’s security from the grassroots. |
Getting real: Australian ways to civil preparedness An agenda for a ready and resilient nation has much to work with: many Australians and their institutions are no strangers to preparing for shocks and emergencies. This interactive session brings together a range of experts, security practitioners and civil society voices to share thoughts on how an Australia way of civil preparedness might evolve, drawing on existing national arrangements and experience. |
| 15.00–15.30 (30 mins) |
Afternoon tea Studio dialogue* – T2 Gallery |
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| MANNING CLARK HALL | ||
| 15.30–17.00 (90 mins) |
Policy direction: views from our national security leaders The leadership of the Australian Commonwealth’s national security departments, agencies and institutions is vital to any effective resilience agenda. In this session we will hear from some of those key leaders, articulating how national security policy and practice can connect with a range of the issues and prioritises aired by the public in our Community Consultations. |
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| 17.05 (5 mins) |
Close of session | |
Day 1: Conference dinner
Please note: you will need to be registered to attend this event. Please make sure this is part of your registration package.
| NATIONAL ARBORETUM | |
|---|---|
| 18.00–18.50 (50 mins) |
Canapés and drinks served |
| 18.50–18.55 (5 mins) |
Guests take their seats |
| 18.55–19.00 (5 mins) |
Welcome and introductions |
| 19.00–19.30 (30 mins) |
Keynote address The Hon Tony Burke MP Minister for Home Affairs, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Minister for Cyber Security, Minister for the Arts, Leader of the House |
| 19.30 | Vote of thanks Dinner and networking |
| 21.00 | Event close |
Day 2: Wednesday 25 March, Lowitja O’Donoghue Cultural Centre
| MANNING CLARK HALL | ||
| Securing our Future: visions and expectations part 2 | ||
| 8.30–10.00 (90 mins) |
At this midpoint of the conference we will broaden the range of visions and expectations on national resilience and preparedness from across the security leadership spectrum. | |
| 10.00–10.30 (30 mins) |
Morning tea Studio dialogue* – T2 Gallery Commonwealth and business perspectives on critical tech, cyber, and AI Brendan Dowling, Rachael Falk, and Brendan Dowling, Rachael Falk, and The Hon Kate Lundy HonLittd |
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| MANNING CLARK HALL | CINEMA | |
|---|---|---|
| 10.30–12.00 (90 mins) |
Common security: public voices and expert insight In a world of complex risks, national security is not the responsibility of governments alone. Our Community Consultations identified paramount public concern about such issues as disinformation, democratic resilience, community cohesion and economic wellbeing. This session brings together a range of civil society perspectives and academic experts to explore the importance of community leadership in ensuring Australia can cope with an array of challenges. |
Shared security, shared seas: First Nations and Pacific neighbours Our Community Consultations included engagement with First Nations voices, particularly across northern Australia and the Torres Strait. A report on this research will be released at the conference, framing understanding of the principle of custodianship in security. This session will also involve perspectives on shared security in our Pacific neighbourhood, including Papua New Guinea and New Zealand. |
| 12.00–13.00 (60 mins) |
Lunch Studio dialogue* – T2 Gallery Legal readiness: civil preparedness and the law Professor His Honour Judge James Renwick AM CSC, Associate Professor Danielle Ireland-Piper, Dr Dominique Dolla Pozza |
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| 13.00–14.30 (90 mins) |
Australians all: social cohesion in our multicultural democracy Modern Australian identity is defined by respect for diversity and democratic freedoms of expression and dissent. At the same time, our Community Consultations have identified growing anxiety about many security risks, which a deeply divided nation would struggle to counter. Governments are recognising social cohesion as a critical national priority, especially in the aftermath of the December 2025 terrorist atrocity at Bondi. This session combines experience and expertise from across the Australian community to identify challenges and opportunities for social cohesion as a foundation of national resilience. |
The day after tomorrow: intergenerational security The whole notion of securing a nation’s future is meaningless unless the interests of the next generation are engaged. The findings of our Community Consultations show marked intergenerational differences in security priorities. Yet there are also risks in generalising – so we are inviting a range of younger Australians to share their perspectives. This session will double as a dynamic scenario exercise, in which participants will be challenged to help generate mitigations to future security risks. |
| 14.30–15.00 (30 mins) |
Afternoon tea Studio dialogue* – T2 Gallery Building our borders: mainland and beyond Mike Outram APM, Professor Alan Gamlen, Lachlan Colquhan |
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| MANNING CLARK HALL | ||
| 15.00–16.30 (90 mins) |
Global lessons: international insights on preparedness and resilience In a disrupted world, many countries are redoubling their focus on national resilience and preparedness. Australia can benefit from insights into how a range of partners engage government, industry and civil society towards comprehensive security. This session features insights from the experience of Finland, Sweden, Singapore and Japan, plus an assessment of how the resilience agenda connects with the increased expectations placed on allies by the United States. |
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| 16.30–17.00 (30 mins) |
National opportunities and the road ahead In this closing session, a panel of leading security practitioners – including members of our Community Consultations expert advisory group – will share key observations from our conference discussions. The emphasis will be on identifying national opportunities: how to combine the findings of our Community Consultations and your conference inputs to inform an agenda of policy action for securing Australia’s future? |
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| 17.00 | Conference close | |
*Studio dialogue
These sessions will offer a special opportunity for 20 conference delegates to observe a live studio interview on the following topics:
Commonwealth and business perspectives on critical tech, cyber, and AI
Brendan Dowling, Rachael Falk, and The Hon Kate Lundy HonLittd
Legal readiness: civil preparedness and the law
Professor His Honour Judge James Renwick AM CSC, Associate Professor Danielle Ireland-Piper, Dr Dominique Dolla Pozza
The rule of law is central to the way Australia pursues its security. The law can both and enable and restrain mechanisms of civil preparedness. It is also a means of operationalising policy and can reflect our values and aspirations. This dialogue will consider the role of the law in civil preparedness, including the role of the Australian Constitution. Speakers will consider areas of law and legal policy where difficult questions may arise, and where action or further reflection might be needed.
Building our borders: mainland and beyond
Mike Outram APM, Professor Alan Gamlen, Lachlan Colquhan
Keep an eye out for further updates on these important sessions.
