“The future is expensive” – managing cost-of-living while investing in security

“The future is expensive” – managing cost-of-living while investing in security

Author: ANU National Security College May 14, 2026 Duration: 39:35

How should government balance national preparedness with cost-of-living pressures? 

Can Australia strengthen fuel security, defence capability and supply chain resilience without undermining productivity and living standards? 

How do economic pressures, housing stress and inequality shape public trust – and what does that mean for national security? 


In this episode, Aruna Sathanapally, Richard Denniss and Michael Stutchbury join Rory Medcalf to examine the intersection of national security, economic pressure and social resilience. 

 

Dr Richard Denniss is co-Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at The Australia Institute. 

Dr Aruna Sathanapally is CEO at the Grattan Institute. 

Michael Stutchbury is Executive Director at The Centre for Independent Studies. 

Professor Rory Medcalf AM is Head of the ANU National Security College (NSC). His professional experience spans more than three decades across diplomacy, intelligence analysis, think tanks, journalism and academia. 


Note: this episode was recorded at NSC’s Securing our Future: a ready and resilient Australia conference on 24 March 2026. 

TRANSCRIPT 


Show notes:  

 

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: 50

The National Security Podcast
Podcast Episodes
The maritime gateway: ports and border security [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:59
How do ports sustain Australia’s economy, border security and defence preparedness?What are the biggest strategic challenges facing Australian ports?What role do ports play in combating organised crime and protecting Aus…
How thirsty is AI? Competing for Australia's most strategic resource [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:42
Can Australia reframe water as a national security issue, rather than only an environmental or social policy concern? Can Australia realistically pursue both AI leadership and sustainable water management? What happens w…
Is Australia ready for the next pathogen threat? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:30
How is health connected to national security? What role should the military play in health security – and where are the limits? How can Australia improve coordination across agencies before the next crisis arrives? In th…
NZ Chief of Army on Plan ANZAC and the future of land power [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:12
What is the future trajectory for Plan ANZAC? How does a small nation like New Zealand (NZ) contribute to collective security in the Indo-Pacific? How does NZ’s strategic identity differ from Australia’s? What should the…
AUKUS at five: facts and fears [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:43
Does the flare up in recent AUKUS debates represent the perspectives of the broader Australian public? Does Australia have a credible Plan B if part of AUKUS falters? Can Australia sustain the political will and strategi…
Security, power and the perspectives we miss [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:56
Can national security be fully understood through hard power alone? Is it time for Australia to have a broader national security strategy – one that goes beyond defence and brings in federal, state and community perspect…
Beyond oil: what the Hormuz crisis means for Australia [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:57
Why is the Strait of Hormuz crisis about more than crude oil, and what does it reveal about Australia’s hidden supply-chain vulnerabilities? What should investment in supply chain resilience look like for Australia? Does…
2026 National Defence Strategy: evolution, not revolution [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:51
What are the real differences between the 2024 and 2026 National Defence Strategy – and why is this an evolution, not a revolution? How is Australia thinking about national resilience, and what does a ‘whole-of-nation’ a…