Frances Adamson, DFAT Secretary, on our 50th episode.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade launched an initiative to send commercial Australian television programs to local stations in the South Pacific. This move will probably do little to enhance what used to be a vigorous and discerning projection of Australian news and values into the region.

The Australia-China trade relationship is currently under significant strain.  In the long run, increased protectionism would not improve Australia’s economic welfare. 

India and Australia’s relationship has evolved over the years. Once estranged nations now look to one another as key strategic and diplomatic partners in the Indian Ocean region and in the Indo-Pacific region at large.

The Australian government had originally planned to release a long-term international development policy, but COVID-19 derailed this. Instead it was decided to release a policy for the next two or so years covering the COVID-19 crisis and aftermath.

When Australian trade with China is disrupted, commentary quickly gravitates towards the frame of economic coercion. With such deeply intertwined trade relations, coercion is, in reality, only one possible cause.

Harinder Sidhu, former High Commissioner to India, on the Australia-India relationship.

In the wake of COVID-19, there has been much talk about Australia’s economic reliance on China and the vulnerability this creates. In addition to becoming more self-sufficient, another solution is to diversify trading partners, which is where India comes in.

Heather Smith on fixing the G20, industrial policy, tech competition, and what economists get wrong.

The reaction of some in the business community to China’s threats of an economic boycott reflect an acute over-reliance on China. This in itself is symptomatic of the Australian business community’s lack of imagination.

The circular economy aims to minimise waste and keep materials and products in circulation for as long as possible. It is increasingly regarded as a promising model for driving sustainable and resilient economic growth in both developed and emerging economies.