Defence & Security Podcast Network

Momentum Media
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Jun 20, 2025 • 23min

Balancing military capability and clean energy transition, with Felix Bowman-Derrick

In this renewable energy and environment-focused episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by Felix Bowman-Derrick, Assistant Secretary of Environment and Engineering in the infrastructure division of the Department of Defence’s security and estate group. Bowman-Derrick holds a bachelor of environmental science (environmental management, honours) from Deakin University and an executive master of public administration from the Australia and New Zealand School of Government. He has previously worked with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. The pair discuss: Bowman-Derrick’s perspectives on how the Australian Defence Force and Defence are improving their renewable energy usage and environmental sustainability under the Net Zero Strategy and Future Energy Strategy. Australia’s need to balance these crucial policies with military resilience and lethal capability. The importance of contributing to Australia’s emissions reduction target of 43 per cent by 2030 and net zero by 2050, through the Defence estate. Initiatives being implemented and developed, such as energy resilience with large solar farms and the upgrade of lighting and heating systems, to recycling uniforms and tyres into new materials. Defence’s priorities for environmental management and policy into the immediate future, examples being displayed at Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 and how industry partners can get involved in the journey along the way. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team
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Jun 19, 2025 • 34min

THE PROGRESS REPORT: From pink suits to progress – finding your place in defence industry

What do you do when you walk into your first defence event in your early 20s, wearing a bright pink suit … and realise you’re the only woman in the room? In the premiere of The Progress Report, Defence Connect’s Natasha Taylor sits down with Olivia Agate – president of Women’s Defence Connection and HR partner at Navantia – to unpack what it really takes to show up, speak up, and stand tall in a still male-dominated industry. From rainbow dresses at 6am breakfasts to the quiet power of allyship, Agate and Taylor trade stories of imposter syndrome, backing yourself (and each other), and how simply saying yes can change the entire trajectory of your career. Listen in as two women pull back the curtain on what’s working, what’s not, and what still needs to change across Australia’s defence industry. The Progress Report. New voices. Real stories. Big shifts. Enjoy the podcast, The Progress Report team
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Jun 17, 2025 • 28min

SPOTLIGHT: Expansion plans for the military aviation industry, with Babcock’s Duncan Milne and Pierre Basquin

In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, host Liam Garman is joined by Duncan Milne, managing director of aviation and critical services at Babcock Australasia, and Pierre Basquin, chief executive of aviation and CEO France at Babcock International Group, to discuss further expansion into the military aviation industry to meet customer requirements. The conversation begins with a deep dive into the company’s efforts to support critical aviation missions in Australia such as medical evacuation and search and rescue. They explore partnerships with small-to-medium enterprises in Australia as part of the wider goals of Babcock’s global strategy regarding aviation. Finally, the trio unpack the greatest challenges facing the military aviation industry in the short and long term. Enjoy the episode, The Defence Connect team
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Jun 16, 2025 • 33min

CYBER UNCUT: Hacker furries, Global ransomware targets Aussie healthcare organisations, and cyber security for farmers

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, David Hollingworth and Daniel Croft talk about furry hacking collectives, a spree of ransomware attacks targeting Australian healthcare organisations, and good news for farmers. Hollingworth and Croft start their chat by catching up on a defacement campaign targeting a website administered by the US Department of Health and Human Services. AI-generated images of furries suddenly appeared overnight on the site, with the identity of the hackers – and whether or not they’re furries themselves – currently unknown. The pair then get more serious as they discuss the rapid rise of a new ransomware operation and its attacks on Australian healthcare providers. Global only started operating in June but already has three Aussie victims. Hollingworth and Croft discuss who the hackers might be and what their plans are for the future. Finally, the pair talk about some good news, with free new cyber security education resources being made available to Aussie farmers and the ACMA’s push to make telcos more supportive of the victims of domestic violence. Enjoy the podcast, The Cyber Uncut team
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Jun 12, 2025 • 24min

Direct from Australian Space Summit & Exhibition 2025, with Vasyl Myroshnychenko

In this Australian Space Summit & Exhibition 2025 episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by ambassador of Ukraine to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko. The pair discuss: Myroshnychenko’s perspectives on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and critical support being provided by Australia to assist against Russian forces. Recent military actions in Ukraine and a massive Russian attack using 300 drones and 17 missiles launched into Ukrainian territory. Speculation that Russia will only negotiate in peace talks when it is sufficiently weakened and brought to the table. Australia’s strategic position in the Indo-Pacific region and Russia’s growing presence in Australia’s area of influence. A need for Australia to bolster its sovereign defence capabilities and possible Ukrainian assistance in achieving this endeavour through battle-hardened expertise, innovation and technology. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team
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Jun 10, 2025 • 31min

SPOTLIGHT: Managing dislocated design teams in a defence environment, with Stantec’s Tony Rogers and Louisa Bloomer

In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, host Liam Garman is joined by Tony Rogers, market leader - defence, and Louisa Bloomer, director of digital technology (Asia-Pacific) at Stantec, to discuss the complexities of managing dislocated design teams in classified defence settings. The conversation begins with a deep dive into data policy and artificial intelligence, including how robust data frameworks impact design workflows. They explore data management and permissions and how Stantec approaches these challenges through their federal enclave architecture. Finally, the trio unpacks the unique challenges of leading design teams in classified environments and looks to the future – including the role of robotics in asset maintenance. Enjoy the episode, The Defence Connect team
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Jun 9, 2025 • 40min

CYBER UNCUT: Military artificial intelligence, Ukraine hacks Russia, local hacks surge, and the name game

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, David Hollingworth and Daniel Croft are joined by special guest Robert Dougherty of Defence Connect to talk about a Ukrainian hacking operation, ransomware attacks on Australian companies surge after a quiet spot, and a popular hacking forum returns. Hollingworth and Croft kick things off with Dougherty as they discuss an offer from Ukraine to assist the Australian Defence Force with integrating AI into combat operations, the uses of AI on the battlefield, and a daring Ukrainian cyber operation that targeted one of Russia’s most important builders of military aircraft. Cyber Daily’s two journalists then catch up on a busy week for Australian companies trying – and failing – to protect themselves from ransomware attacks. As it turns out, the quiet period talked about in the last episode was just a blip. The hacks, sadly, are back, and they continue to be disruptive, as Fire Rescue Victoria is continuing to learn following a 2022 cyber attack. Finally, the pair wrap up the podcast with news of BreachForum’s resurrection, and a welcome move from two IT security giants to clean up the realm of threat actor attribution. Names matter! Enjoy the podcast, The Cyber Uncut team
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Jun 5, 2025 • 25min

Direct from Australian Space Summit & Exhibition 2025, with Scott Morrison

In this Australian Space Summit & Exhibition 2025 episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by Scott Morrison, Space Centre Australia chair and former prime minister. The pair discuss: Morrison’s keynote speech during the Australian Space Summit & Exhibition and his discussions with space industry representatives throughout the event, in particular, his unique perspective since being in politics and now in the corporate space industry environment. The newly announced Space Centre Australia launch site in Queensland and the opportunities it represents for greater space industry collaboration. Australia’s relationships in the Indo-Pacific with Japan and South Korea as well as countries in Europe and representatives from the United States of America. The results and his observations about the recent Australian federal election. The increasing calls for the Australian government to lift its GDP percentage spend on defence from 2.3 per cent to at least 3 per cent. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team
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Jun 2, 2025 • 34min

CONTESTED GROUND: Australian sentenced to 13 years in Russia, Australia and EU discuss defence pact

In this episode of the Contested Ground podcast, hosts Phil Tarrant, Major General (Ret’d) Dr Marcus Thompson and Liam Garman unpack the latest from Ukraine and the ongoing conflict in India-Pakistan, and how diaspora groups are expanding conflict beyond country borders. They begin the podcast discussing Australian schoolteacher Oscar Jenkins, who was sentenced to 13 years in prison by Russia. The trio then discuss the India-Pakistan conflict, and how it has drawn in regional powers and diaspora groups.  They wrap up unpacking a European-Australian defence pact, and whether it will be sufficient to support Australian stability in the Indo-Pacific. Enjoy the podcast, The Contested Ground team
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May 30, 2025 • 33min

CYBER UNCUT: Meta’s new AI, a bad week for legal entities in Australia, and mandatory ransomware reporting

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, David Hollingworth and Daniel Croft talk about Meta moving to use user data to train its AI, cyber attacks on local legal firms and boards, and new regulations requiring mandatory reporting of ransomware payments. Hollingworth and Croft kick things off with the news that a German data watchdog has been unable to stop Meta from using user data to train its new AI model. As they say, if the product is free, the product is you – and your Facebook posts. The pair then discuss the latest cyber attacks targeting Australian organisations, with both a Queensland law firm and the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia falling victim to ransomware attacks, as well as The Salvation Army getting listed on a darknet leak site. Hollingworth and Croft also discuss how attacks seem to have slowed down in the last month. Is it a trend or just a blip? Finally, the two wrap up the podcast with a discussion on a new Australian law coming into effect requiring organisations to report paying a ransom and its possible impact on the ransomware economy. Enjoy the podcast, The Cyber Uncut team

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