Podcast appearances and mentions of david speers

Australian kids are bracing for a world-first experiment as they're booted off social media, while the parliament winds up after a huge year. 

The Prime Minister ends the parliamentary year with a win and a wedding.

Darren is joined by returning guest Richard Maude to unpack what Australian foreign policy looks like in late 2025. The conversation centres on Foreign Minister Penny Wong's recent AIIA speech, which Darren argues—mostly with Richard's agreement—marks a clear evolution in Australia's foreign policy doctrine. The traditional three pillars — alliance, region, and rules — have been replaced by a new framework, the "Four Rs": Region, Relationships, Rules, and Resilience. The discussion explores what this shift reveals about how Canberra sees the world today, and what it tells us about Australia's strategic priorities as the international environment becomes more volatile. Together, they assess how well the government is executing each of the “Four Rs” in practice — from strengthening ties across Southeast Asia and the Pacific, to managing the alliance with an unpredictable Washington, stabilising relations with Beijing, and linking foreign policy more overtly with domestic resilience. They ask whether Australia is being suitably ambitious in shaping the regional security environment, or whether it risks becoming over-focused on Southeast Asia at the expense of alliance leadership and broader coordination with partners like Japan, Korea and Europe. Darren and Richard also grapple with Australia–China relations. Is Canberra being too cautious in public language — or sensibly risk-averse? Darren frames the question as whether the greater risk currently lies in under-reacting to the threat posed by China, or in over-reacting. And how should Australia manage economic dependence on China given the limits of diversification and the “iron laws” of trade?  The fourth R is resilience, and they discuss whether tying domestic policy to foreign policy is a strength or a political trap. They consider how resilience language enables governments to justify hard economic choices, while also warning against overselling national security policy as economic strategy. Finally, Darren and Richard look ahead to 2026. Richard nominates three global questions to watch closely: the trajectory of US–China relations, the fate of Ukraine, and whether anything remains of the liberal international project. Darren adds his own focal points: Australia's critical minerals strategy, Europe's struggle with Chinese economic leverage, and the political durability of Trump's dominance ahead of the US midterms. A wide-ranging episode on doctrine, diplomacy and domestic politics — and what it all means for Australia navigating a world that feels, as Richard once put it, "completely stuffed". Australia in the World is written, hosted, and produced by Darren Lim, with research and editing this episode by Hannah Nelson and theme music composed by Rory Stenning. Relevant links Richard Maude (bio): https://asiasociety.org/policy-institute/richard-maude Penny Wong, “AIIA Gala Dinner Keynote Address”, 17 November 2025: https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/penny-wong/speech/aiia-gala-dinner-keynote-address Darren Lim and Hannah Nelson, “From Three Strands to Four Rs: The Evolution of Australian Foreign Policy”, Australian Outlook, 21 November 2025: https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/from-three-strands-to-four-rs-the-evolution-of-australian-foreign-policy/ Penny Wong, “Speech to the ANU National Security College “Securing our Future”, 9 April 2024: https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/penny-wong/speech/speech-anu-national-security-college-securing-our-future Allan Gyngell, Fear of Abandonment: Australia in the World since 1942: https://www.blackincbooks.com.au/books/fear-abandonment Heather Smith, “Australia and Economic Cold War – Drifting into the New Paradigm”, AIIA 2025 National Conference Address, 17 November 2025: https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/australia-and-economic-cold-war-drifting-into-the-new-paradigm/ Penny Wong, TV interview, ABC Insiders (with David Speers), 16 November 2025: https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/penny-wong/transcript/tv-interview-abc-insiders-0 Eli Hayes and Darren Lim, “Not every critical mineral is equal – and Australia's policy should reflect this”, Lowy Interpreter, 10 November 2025: https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/not-every-critical-mineral-equal-australia-s-policy-should-reflect Darren Lim and Nathan Attrill, “Australian debate of the China question: The COVID-19 case”, Australian Journal of International Affairs (2021): https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10357718.2021.1940094 (gated) or https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3856586 (ungated) Jedediah Britton-Purdy and David Pozen, “What are we living through?”, Boston Review, 15 October 2025: https://www.bostonreview.net/articles/what-are-we-living-through/ Lachlan Strahan, The Curious Diplomat: A memoir from the frontlines of diplomacy (Monash University Publishing, 2025): https://publishing.monash.edu/product/the-curious-diplomat/ Nick Potkalitsky, “Where Should Student AI Literacy Live?”, Educating AI (Substack), 25 September 2025: https://nickpotkalitsky.substack.com/p/where-should-student-ai-literacy Ethan Mollick, “The Best Available Human Standard”, One Useful Thing (Substack), 22 October 2023: https://www.oneusefulthing.org/p/the-best-available-human-standard Ethan Mollick, “15 Times to use AI, and 5 Not to”, One Useful Thing (Substack), 9 December 2024: https://www.oneusefulthing.org/p/15-times-to-use-ai-and-5-not-to

The level of the prime minister's reform appetite has been discussed and debated since roughly 9pm on election night in May, when Labor's massive win became clear. 

We're heading into the final week of parliament of the year.The government wants to finish with a win – by passing its overhaul of environment laws.Sussan Ley wants to survive what's known as the killing season.

The Liberal Party has just taken a huge gamble.In a weakened political position – and under pressure from the Nationals – the net zero target is now gone.

It's been a very long road – but Australia's first treaty with Aboriginal people in Victoria has now been signed and formalised as law.

After 6 months of agonising – it's crunch time for the Liberal Party, with MPs to thrash out a position on the net-zero climate target this week.

If, as expected, the net zero target is abandoned, the long delay in reaching this point will leave the Liberals looking like they've capitulated once again to the Nationals.

The Nationals have walked away from the net zero target dialling up pressure on Liberal leader Sussan Ley.

It was a win in Washington for the Prime Minister, with one of the smoothest meetings any foreign leader has had with Donald Trump.

For all the celebration of Anthony Albanese's friendly visit to the White House and the happy news on AUKUS and critical minerals, there was something Donald Trump said that alarmed strategic analysts. And it had nothing to do with disliking Kevin Rudd.

With rare earths under one arm, and possibly another AUKUS down-payment under the other, the Prime Minister is preparing for his long-awaited Oval Office meeting with Donald Trump.

Trump may have expressed "shock", but his administration is clearly not surprised at China's willingness to flex its dominance on rare earths. 

After two years of war, there is hope of peace in the Middle East.

The government is determined to avoid wearing any blame for Optus's failure but also needs to be transparent about how it handled even dodgy early advice from the telco.

It is a fast moving situation in the Middle East, after US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unveiled a 20 point peace plan.

This week Insiders is live from London.  

This week Insiders is live from New York, where world leaders are meeting for the United Nations General Assembly.  

As doubts linger over the AUKUS security agreement's future, the Albanese government has acted.

Anthony Albanese has long argued being serious on climate change is the "entry fee" for credibility in the Pacific. 

China flexes its new diplomatic and military might in a grand parade.From the Australian government's perspective, the rapprochement between China and India was the most worrying development.

The sight of neo-Nazis trying to whip up community anger and recruit new followers drove home to all how criticism of Australia's migration program can lead to and even legitimise hate speech, racism, and violence.

For the past two years, the Government has resisted calls to list Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organisation. 

For years, experts have warned of the dangers of the so-called sovereign citizen movement. 

There is bipartisan support for expelling the Iranian ambassador and listing the IRGC as a terrorist organisation, but no end to the political brawl over antisemitic attacks in Australia.

The roundtable is over, and there's consensus on broad tax reform goals.

The treasurer's priority in this term has shifted from tackling cost of living to productivity and the unions are yet to score a victory.

Donald Trump pivots on Ukraine – after his friendly meeting with Vladimir Putin. He's dropped calls for a ceasefire and is now backing Russia's plan to end the war with a sweeping peace deal.It comes as Australia joins the UK, France and Canada in declaring Australia will recognise a Palestinian state.

A senior US Senator says Australia's level of defence spending is much closer to 3% of GDP – if shipyards and other defence infrastructure is included.

Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles has indicated he does not see recognition of a Palestinian state as encouraging Hamas. 

The government is trying to strike the right balance between preventing mass redundancies forced by AI, while also preventing Australia falling behind those countries rapidly embracing the technology.

The ACTU has called on the federal government to look at negative gearing and capital gains tax reforms at its upcoming productivity roundtable. 

Australia now has some cover to follow the UK and France on a Palestinian state without fearing a backlash from the US.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has criticised Israel over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The focus on improving access is only one part of the problem when it comes to childcare, as the government has discovered.

The Prime Minister is back in the country for the resumption of parliament this week. He's in a commanding political position and we're about to see how he'll use it. 

China doesn't want to kick up too much dust as it presents a friendlier face to the major US allies in this region: Australia, Japan and South Korea.

It's going to be a week of tough trade talks - with Beijing and with Washington.

Parents were left shell shocked after a childcare worker responsible for caring for young children was charged with dozens of child sex offences.

Bombs dropped – a ceasefire agreed – and NATO members boost defence spending.

The US has entered another conflict in the Middle East. 

In this episode, recorded live at the 51st Academy Annual Meeting and Scientific Symposium in Atlanta, host Seth O'Brien, CP, FAAOP(D), explores the psychosocial impact of scoliosis with two leading voices in the field: Megan Glahn Castille, MS, CPO/LPO, assistant professor at Baylor College of Medicine and founder of the nonprofit Scolios-us, and David Speers, CPO/L, faculty member at Northwestern University Prosthetic Orthotic Center. They delve into strategies for easing patient anxiety, the power of empathy and encouragement, and how to foster patient empowerment. The conversation also covers current bracing options, educational practices, and helpful resources for clinicians and families navigating scoliosis care.  O&P Clinical Care Insiders is produced by Association Briefings.

It is not locked in yet, but the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is laying down markers for a meeting with US President Donald Trump. 

Australia's defence chief has issued a very deliberate warning about the dangerous outlook facing Australia.

Donald Trump has flagged a further trade hit, hurting exporters and adding to global volatility. And the decision to green light the extension of a major gas project has raised questions about how climate targets will be met. Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen joins David Speers on the Insiders couch. 

The opposition now has two months to settle down internal tensions before parliament resumes. When it does, the prime minister won't be giving them an inch.

Research shows voters want the government to seize the moment after its landslide win and do something big.

The Prime Minister is in Rome this morning, after a visit to Jakarta.

The Liberals will need as much time as possible before taking on a prime minister determined to tidy up outstanding problems.