Safeguarding Australia 2026 – Plenary Program
The plenary program examines how Australia is strengthening national defence, sovereign capability and resilience, and working with partners to advance collective security.
DAY 1 — STRATEGIC POSTURE, ALLIANCES & SOVEREIGN CAPABILITY
National Defence Strategy & Collective Security
Translating Australia’s National Defence Strategy into strategic deterrence, force settings, and sovereign readiness across the Indo-Pacific. This executive block examines how middle powers are strengthening collective security, navigating major-power competition, and deepening trilateral and regional partnerships.
Featured Speakers:
Amy Hawkins, First Assistant Secretary, National Defence Strategy Division, Department of Defence (TBC)
Stephen Moore, First Assistant Secretary, AUKUS Division, Department of Prime Minister & Cabinet
Senior Diplomat / Defence Attaché, Canadian High Commission
A/Prof Michael Cohen, National Security College, Australian National University
DEFENCE DIGITAL & AI STRATEGY KEYNOTE PANEL
Accelerating Decision Superiority: Operationalising AI, Data, and Sovereign Tech Advantage
Emerging technologies are transforming decision speed and operational deterrence. This keynote panel brings together senior Defence digital and data leadership to explore how artificial intelligence, cloud architecture, and enterprise data are being operationalised across the Defence enterprise to achieve strategic decision advantage.
Keynote Panellists:
Chris Crozier, Chief Information Officer & Chief AI Officer, Department of Defence (TBC)
Dr Paul Robards, Chief Data Integration Officer, Department of Defence (TBC)
Sovereign Capability & the Defence Industrial Imperative
Securing defence capability, scaling sovereign industrial capacity, and building resilient, secure supply chains amidst contested global markets. Industry leaders and capability experts unpack how to accelerate acquisition, delivery, and sustainment at scale.
Featured Speakers:
Michael Howell, First Assistant Secretary Industry Engagement, CASG (TBC)
Dr Todd Mansell, Foundation Director, Australian Defence Technologies Academy, University of Adelaide
Allan Dundas, CEO, DEWC Services
Economic Security & National Resilience
Navigating supply chain vulnerabilities, critical energy infrastructure, maritime chokepoints, and economic coercion as core components of national defence preparedness.
Featured Speakers:
Lisa Elliston, First Assistant Secretary, Multilateral Economic Engagement Division & G20 Sherpa, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet
Air Vice-Marshal John Blackburn AO (Retd), Institute for Integrated Economic Research
Senior Executive, Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO)
Summit Dinner & Signature Address
An exclusive evening address offering a high-level national perspective on global developments, strategic priorities, and the future of Australia’s security.
Dinner Keynote (TBC)
DAY 2 — ASYMMETRIC TECH, WHOLE-OF-NATION RESILIENCE & ECOSYSTEM TRUST
Technology, Deterrence & Strategic Edge
How emerging and asymmetric technologies—from AI and cyber resilience to quantum and data integration—are reshaping deterrence and securing strategic decision advantage.
Featured Speakers:
Ciara Spencer, Deputy Secretary Law Enforcement & Domestic Security, Department of Home Affairs
Richard Samuels, Branch Chief Strategy and People, Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG)
Whole-of-Nation Resilience & Preparedness
Strengthening social cohesion, safeguarding public trust, and building coordinated crisis response frameworks across government, industry, and critical infrastructure.
Featured Speakers:
Hamish Hansford, Deputy Secretary, Head of National Security, Department of Home Affairs
Prof Matthew Warren, Director, Centre for Cyber Security, Research and Innovation, RMIT University
Prof Rodrigo Praino, Director, Jeff Bleich Centre for Democracy and Disruptive Technologies, Flinders University
The program is currently in development and will be updated as speakers and sessions are confirmed.