Seeing the unseen: why geospatial intelligence is important

Seeing the unseen: why geospatial intelligence is important

Author: ANU National Security College November 6, 2025 Duration: 41:57

What are the origins of the Australian Geospatial-Intelligence Organisation (AGO), and how has the organisation developed within the National Intelligence Community? 

How does AGO contribute to the broader remit of Australian statecraft, the work done by other NIC agencies, and the Five Eyes partnership? 

What makes innovation in the geospatial intelligence space key to building resilience? 

 

In this episode Kathryn McMullan joins Sally Bulkeley to discuss the importance of geospatial intelligence, how it contributes to statecraft, and how the AGO works with other partners to enhance national security and resilience. 

 

Kathryn McMullan is the Director of AGO. 

Sally Bulkeley is Deputy Head of the ANU National Security College. 

 

TRANSCRIPT 


Show Notes:  

AGO | National Intelligence Community 

Five Eyes wide shut: now is the wrong time to pause in shaping Australia’s intelligence agencies


We'd love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Produced by the ANU National Security College, The National Security Podcast offers a deep and nuanced examination of the forces shaping regional and global stability. This isn't just a surface-level news recap; it's a forum for serious, informed discussion grounded in academic rigor and policy expertise. Each episode features conversations with leading thinkers, practitioners, and analysts who unpack the complex security landscape, from geopolitical shifts and economic coercion to cyber threats and climate-related risks. The focus is consistently on the pressing challenges and strategic choices confronting Australia and the broader Indo-Pacific region. Listeners will gain access to a range of perspectives that cut through the noise, providing clarity on how today's decisions shape tomorrow's security environment. By engaging with this podcast, you join a conversation that is both timely and essential, one that connects theoretical understanding with the practical realities of government and international affairs. The dialogue here is built on evidence and experience, offering listeners a trusted source to better comprehend the intricate dynamics of power, diplomacy, and defense. It's an ongoing exploration of what security means in a rapidly changing world, delivered through thoughtful, long-form discussions that prioritize depth and insight.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The National Security Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Economic security: shocks, preparedness and resilience [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:29
What are the dynamics behind the sudden raft of economic security challenges Australia is confronting? What policy and institution settings need to be redesigned for the new world we find ourselves in? How can Australia…
Social licence for national security: what’s the mandate?  [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:34
What is social licence a licence for? What are the public signing up to? How do other nations restructure the national security discussion to involve people, rather than just informing them? As a diverse and multicultura…
Safeguarding the present and future of democracy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:17
Is the decline of democracy being overblown? How has social media reshaped democracy, for better and for worse? How can the next generation of leaders sustain and strengthen democracy? In this episode, George Brandis, To…
It wouldn’t happen in Australia: can the centre hold? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:55
How does distrust in democratic institutions and political leaders affect social cohesion in Australia? Is the rise of authoritarianism within democracies a symptom of broader systemic problems? How can democratic instit…
The monitor's lens: the Secrecy Review and insights from the INSLM [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:32
What is the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor? How does it differ from other oversight bodies? And what are the legal and policy issues we are grappling with that have prompted a Secrecy Review? In this e…
Indo-Pacific statecraft: deterrence and diplomacy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:02
Note: This episode was recorded during NSC’s Securing our Future conference on 9 April 2024. How can deterrence and diplomacy be integrated to preserve peace, stability, and the conditions for prosperity in the Indo Paci…
Deterrence and denial: navigating the 2024 National Defence Strategy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:53
How does Australia’s recently released National Defence Strategy (NDS) differ from a Defence White Paper?What are the merits of having a bipartisan approach to defence policymaking? How important is it to clearly communi…
One and free: interests, values and national identity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:29
Why is it important to consider Australia's national identity when discussing matters related to national security?What does a shared sense of national identity look like for Australia today? What are some of the frailti…