In a world of uncertainty, it is more important than ever for Australia to stop dismissing ourselves as a ‘middle power’ and start exerting our influence on the global stage. 

On this episode, Allan Behm joins Paul Barclay to discuss Australia’s diplomatic strategy of ‘pre-emptive capitulation’, America’s international bullying and how Australia should use its unrecognised national power. 

This discussion was recorded on Monday, 24 February 2025, and things may have changed since the recording. 

Order What’s the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website. 

Guest: Allan Behm, Special Advisor in International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute 

Host: Paul Barclay, Walkley Award winning journalist and broadcaster // @PaulBarclay

Show notes:  

AUSFTA: A bad deal then. Even worse now., by Jack Thrower,the Australia Institute (March 2025) 

With friends like these, After America (February 2025) 

Polling – President Trump, security and the US–Australian alliance, Polling brief (March 2025)  

Talk us through AUKUS, by Allan Behm,the Australia Institute (February 2023) 

Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions 

We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au. 

In a world of uncertainty, it is more important than ever for Australia to stop dismissing ourselves as a &lsquo;middle power&rsquo; and start exerting our influence on the global stage.&nbsp;
On this episode, Allan Behm joins Paul Barclay to discuss Australia&rsquo;s diplomatic strategy of &lsquo;pre-emptive capitulation&rsquo;, America&rsquo;s international bullying and how Australia should use its unrecognised national power.&nbsp;
This discussion was recorded on Monday, 24 February 2025, and things may have changed since the recording.&nbsp;
Order <a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/whats-the-big-idea">What&rsquo;s the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia</a> now, via the Australia Institute website.&nbsp;
Guest: Allan Behm, Special Advisor in International &amp; Security Affairs, the Australia Institute&nbsp;
Host: Paul Barclay, Walkley Award winning journalist and broadcaster // <a href="https://twitter.com/PaulBarclay">@PaulBarclay</a>
Show notes: &nbsp;
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/ausfta-a-bad-deal-then-even-worse-now/">AUSFTA: A bad deal then. Even worse now.</a>, by Jack Thrower, the Australia Institute (March 2025)&nbsp;
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/with-friends-like-these/">With friends like these</a>, After America (February 2025)&nbsp;
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/polling-president-trump-security-and-the-us-australian-alliance/">Polling &ndash; President Trump, security and the US&ndash;Australian alliance</a>, Polling brief (March 2025)&nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/talk-us-through-aukus/">Talk us through AUKUS</a>, by Allan Behm, the Australia Institute (February 2023)&nbsp;
Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions&nbsp;
We&rsquo;d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to <a href="mailto:podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au">podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au</a>.&nbsp;

There is no shortage of solutions for the biggest problems Australia faces — only a shortage of bravery to implement them. Host Paul Barclay asks contributors to Australia Institute Press' first book about their big picture thinking on how we can change Australia for the better.

There is no shortage of solutions for the biggest problems Australia faces &mdash; only a shortage of bravery to implement them. Host Paul Barclay asks contributors to Australia Institute Press' first book about their big picture thinking on how we can change Australia for the better.

How do you turn big, bold ideas into positive change?  In What's the Big Idea?, this new 12-episode series from the Australia Institute, acclaimed journalist Paul Barclay speaks to leading thinkers about how we can make change for the better.

What's the Big Idea?

Get all of the Australia Institute's podcasts in one feed.

Get all of the Australia Institute's podcasts in one feed.

Australia Matters

There is no shortage of solutions for the biggest problems Australia faces — only a shortage of bravery to implement them. Host Paul Barclay asks contributors to Australia Institute Press' first book about their big picture thinking on how we can change Australia for the better. 

There is no shortage of solutions for the biggest problems Australia faces &mdash; only a shortage of bravery to implement them. Host Paul Barclay asks contributors to Australia Institute Press' first book about their big picture thinking on how we can change Australia for the better.&nbsp;

In a world of uncertainty, it is more important than ever for Australia to stop dismissing ourselves as a ‘middle power’ and start exerting our influence on the global stage. 

Australia has power, why don’t we act like it? | Allan Behm

Nuclear weapons are still a threat to humanity. In our age of uncertainty, Australia isn’t doing enough to rid the world of these weapons.

On this episode, Paul Barclay is joined by Dr Tilman Ruff, co-founder of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) to discuss Australia's role in trying to rid the world of nuclear weapons, including renouncing protection by nuclear weapons, the need to sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), and the risks associated with the AUKUS deal.

This discussion was recorded on Wednesday, 26 February 2025, and things may have changed since the recording.

Order What’s the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website.

Guest: Dr Tilman Ruff AO, Co-founder and Founding Chair, the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons // @tilmanaruff

Host: Paul Barclay, Walkley Award winning journalist and broadcaster // @PaulBarclay

Show notes 

Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference by Allan Behm, the Australia Institute (August 2022)

The hands of the Doomsday Clock show the world is ignoring a potential three-headed catastrophe by Allan Behm, The New Daily (January 2025)

Risky Business: An update on super funds and nuclear weapons by Rosemary Kelly, Margaret Beavis, Alice Grundy, Adam Gottschalk, Olivia Chollet, the Australia Institute (October 2024)

Australia’s Future Submarines: Submarines, submarine propulsion, defence policy, national security, AUKUS, nuclear safeguards and sovereignty: how do the pieces fit together? by Allan Behm, Rear Admiral Peter Briggs and Commodore Paul Greenfield RAN (October 2022)

Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions

We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au.

Nuclear weapons are still a threat to humanity. In our age of uncertainty, Australia isn&rsquo;t doing enough to rid the world of these weapons.
On this episode, Paul Barclay is joined by Dr Tilman Ruff, co-founder of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) to discuss Australia's role in trying to rid the world of nuclear weapons, including renouncing protection by nuclear weapons, the need to sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), and the risks associated with the AUKUS deal.
This discussion was recorded on Wednesday, 26 February 2025, and things may have changed since the recording.
Order&nbsp;<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/whats-the-big-idea">What&rsquo;s the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia</a>&nbsp;now, via the Australia Institute website.
Guest: Dr Tilman Ruff AO, Co-founder and Founding Chair, the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons // <a href="https://twitter.com/tilmanaruff">@tilmanaruff</a>
Host: Paul Barclay, Walkley Award winning journalist and broadcaster // <a href="https://twitter.com/PaulBarclay">@PaulBarclay</a>
Show notes 
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/nuclear-non-proliferation-treaty-review-conference/">Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference</a>&nbsp;by Allan Behm, the Australia Institute (August 2022)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/the-hands-of-the-doomsday-clock-show-the-world-is-ignoring-a-potential-three-headed-catastrophe/">The hands of the Doomsday Clock show the world is ignoring a potential three-headed catastrophe</a>&nbsp;by Allan Behm, The New Daily (January 2025)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/risky-business/">Risky Business: An update on super funds and nuclear weapons</a>&nbsp;by Rosemary Kelly, Margaret Beavis, Alice Grundy, Adam Gottschalk, Olivia Chollet, the Australia Institute (October 2024)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/australias-future-submarines/">Australia&rsquo;s Future Submarines: Submarines, submarine propulsion, defence policy, national security, AUKUS, nuclear safeguards and sovereignty: how do the pieces fit together?</a>&nbsp;by Allan Behm, Rear Admiral Peter Briggs and Commodore Paul Greenfield RAN (October 2022)
Theme music:&nbsp;Blue Dot Sessions
We&rsquo;d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to <a href="mailto:podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au">podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au</a>.

Nuclear weapons are still a threat to humanity. In our age of uncertainty, Australia isn’t doing enough to rid the world of these weapons.

No nukes: Australia must push for serious global nuclear disarmament | Tilman Ruff

After the failure of the Voice referendum, achieving justice for Indigenous Australians remains more important than ever. This demands keeping hope alive.

On this episode, Thomas Mayo joins Paul Barclay to discuss the Voice referendum, the use of Indigenous issues as a political football, disinformation in the media and social media, truth in political advertising laws, and the continuing importance of the Uluru Statement and a voice for indigenous people.

This discussion was recorded on Thursday 6 February 2025, and things may have changed since the recording.

Order What’s the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website.

Guest: Thomas Mayo, Assistant National Secretary, Maritime Union of Australia // @thomasmayo

Host: Paul Barclay, Walkley Award winning journalist and broadcaster // @PaulBarclay

Show notes: 

Compared to the cost of protesting, buying time with a minister is very cheap by Jack Thrower and Vivien Clarke, the Australia Institute (January 2025)

Truth in political advertising laws, factsheet,the Australia Institute (December 2024)

Misinformation and the referendum by Bill Browne, the Australia Institute (October 2023)

Supporting Media Diversity: Nordic Lessons by Ebony Bennett, Dr Maria Rae and Professor Kristy Hess, the Australia Institute (February 2023)

Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions

We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au.

After the failure of the Voice referendum, achieving justice for Indigenous Australians remains more important than ever. This demands keeping hope alive.
On this episode, Thomas Mayo joins Paul Barclay to discuss the Voice referendum, the use of Indigenous issues as a political football, disinformation in the media and social media, truth in political advertising laws, and the continuing importance of the Uluru Statement and a voice for indigenous people.
This discussion was recorded on Thursday 6 February 2025, and things may have changed since the recording.
Order&nbsp;<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/whats-the-big-idea">What&rsquo;s the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia</a>&nbsp;now, via the Australia Institute website.
Guest: Thomas Mayo, Assistant National Secretary, Maritime Union of Australia // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/thomasmayo.bsky.social">@thomasmayo</a>
Host: Paul Barclay, Walkley Award winning journalist and broadcaster // <a href="https://twitter.com/PaulBarclay">@PaulBarclay</a>
Show notes: 
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/compared-to-the-cost-of-protesting-buying-time-with-a-minister-is-very-cheap/">Compared to the cost of protesting, buying time with a minister is very cheap</a> by Jack Thrower and Vivien Clarke, the Australia Institute (January 2025)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/truth-in-political-advertising-laws/">Truth in political advertising laws</a>, factsheet, the Australia Institute (December 2024)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/misinformation-and-the-referendum/">Misinformation and the referendum</a>&nbsp;by Bill Browne, the Australia Institute (October 2023)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/supporting-media-diversity-nordic-lessons/">Supporting Media Diversity: Nordic Lessons</a>&nbsp;by Ebony Bennett, Dr Maria Rae and Professor Kristy Hess, the Australia Institute (February 2023)
Theme music:&nbsp;Blue Dot Sessions
We&rsquo;d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to <a href="mailto:podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au">podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au</a>.

After the failure of the Voice referendum, achieving justice for Indigenous Australians remains more important than ever. This demands keeping hope alive.

Where to now for Indigenous justice? | Thomas Mayo

The climate crisis is an inequality crisis. Australia needs to pay attention to equity and inclusion and enable sustainable development for countries in energy poverty.

On this episode Sunita Narain joins Paul Barclay to discuss the need for inclusive and equitable growth in tackling climate change, pollution and congestion in Delhi, renewable energy in India and how climate change and climate justice will affect global migration.

This discussion was recorded on Tuesday, 18 February 2025, and things may have changed since the recording.

Order What’s the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website.

Guest: Sunita Narain, Environmentalist Writer and Director general, the Centre of Science and Environment // @sunitanar

Host: Paul Barclay, Walkley Award winning journalist and broadcaster // @PaulBarclay

Show notes 

Our crisis of integrity looms in the Pacific by Elizabeth Morison, The Canberra Times (December 2024)

The National Climate Disaster Fund: Our Pacific neighbours, an Australia Institute initiative

“A drowning memory”: the Pacific Island communities fighting for their survival, Follow the Money (March 2025)

Hitting our limits: the climate and COP29, Follow the Money (November 2024)

Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions

We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au.

The climate crisis is an inequality crisis. Australia needs to pay attention to equity and inclusion and enable sustainable development for countries in energy poverty.
On this episode Sunita Narain joins Paul Barclay to discuss the need for inclusive and equitable growth in tackling climate change, pollution and congestion in Delhi, renewable energy in India and how climate change and climate justice will affect global migration.
This discussion was recorded on Tuesday, 18 February 2025, and things may have changed since the recording.
Order&nbsp;<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/whats-the-big-idea">What&rsquo;s the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia</a>&nbsp;now, via the Australia Institute website.
Guest: Sunita Narain, Environmentalist Writer and Director general, the Centre of Science and Environment // <a href="https://x.com/sunitanar">@sunitanar</a>
Host: Paul Barclay, Walkley Award winning journalist and broadcaster //&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/PaulBarclay">@PaulBarclay</a>
Show notes 
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/our-crisis-of-integrity-looms-in-the-pacific">Our crisis of integrity looms in the Pacific</a>&nbsp;by Elizabeth Morison, The Canberra Times (December 2024)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/initiative/the-national-climate-disaster-fund/our-pacific-neighbours/">The National Climate Disaster Fund: Our Pacific neighbours</a>, an Australia Institute initiative
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/a-drowning-memory-the-pacific-island-communities-fighting-for-their-survival/">&ldquo;A drowning memory&rdquo;: the Pacific Island communities fighting for their survival</a>, Follow the Money (March 2025)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/hitting-our-limits-the-climate-and-cop29/">Hitting our limits: the climate and COP29</a>, Follow the Money (November 2024)
Theme music:&nbsp;Blue Dot Sessions
We&rsquo;d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to <a href="mailto:podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au">podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au</a>.

The climate crisis is an inequality crisis. Australia needs to pay attention to equity and inclusion and enable sustainable development for countries in energy poverty.

Australia has power, why don’t we act like it? | Allan Behm

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