In his public lecture at Victoria, Prof. Hugh White discussed the historic challenges facing Australia and New Zealand in the way they each approach their security in the face of major-power rivalries in Asia. The two countries confront the challenges of a changing strategic order in Asia from rather different starting points, but also have much in common. This lecture is based on his recent book, How to defend Australia, in which he explores Australia's approach to the new strategic environment, and offers some thoughts about New Zealand's options and choices.

View full lecture here.

Bio: Hugh White AO is Professor of Strategic Studies at the Australian National University. His work focuses primarily on Australian strategic and defence policy, Asia-Pacific security issues, and global strategic affairs especially as they influence Australia and the Asia-Pacific. He has served as an intelligence analyst with the Office of National Assessments, as a journalist with the Sydney Morning Herald, as a senior adviser on the staffs of Defence Minister Kim Beazley and Prime Minister Bob Hawke, and as a senior official in the Department of Defence, where from 1995 to 2000 he was Deputy Secretary for Strategy and Intelligence, and as the first Director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI). His recent books include How to Defend Australia (Black Inc., 2019) and The China Choice: Why America Should Share Power (Black Inc. 2013).