In a world of uncertainty, it is more important than ever for Australia to stop dismissing ourselves as a ‘middle power’ and start exerting our influence on the global stage.

On this episode, Allan Behm joins Paul Barclay to discuss Australia’s diplomatic strategy of ‘pre-emptive capitulation’, America’s international bullying and how Australia should use its unrecognised national power.

This discussion was recorded on Monday, 24 February 2025, and things may have changed since the recording.

Order What’s the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website.

Guest: Allan Behm, Special Advisor in International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute

Host: Paul Barclay, Walkley Award winning journalist and broadcaster // @PaulBarclay

Show notes:

AUSFTA: A bad deal then. Even worse now., by Jack Thrower, the Australia Institute (March 2025)

With friends like these, After America (February 2025)

Polling – President Trump, security and the US–Australian alliance, Polling brief (March 2025)

Talk us through AUKUS, by Allan Behm, the Australia Institute (February 2023)

Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions

We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au.

Support What's the Big Idea?: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To end the housing crisis, governments need to stop subsidising private investors and instead directly invest in social housing.

On this episode, Maiy Azize joins Paul Barclay to discuss the housing crisis, how the government stopped directly providing housing and started subsidising private investors, why immigration is not to blame, how the housing crisis is an inequality crisis, why ‘supply’ is not the main problem nor main solution, and why Australia needs to massively invest in social housing.

This discussion was recorded on [Day, XX Month 2025], and things may have changed since the recording.

Order What’s the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website.

Guest: Maiy Azize, national spokesperson Everybody's Home and deputy director, Anglicare Australia // @MaiyAzize

Host: Paul Barclay, Walkley Award winning journalist and broadcaster // @PaulBarclay

Show notes:

Australia’s sick housing joke, Dollars & Sense (March 2025)

Migrants are not to blame for soaring house prices, by Matt Grudnoff, the Australia Institute (March 2025)

Australia wastes billions making housing more expensive, Dollars & Sense (July 2024)

For more affordable housing we need more public housing by Lilia Anderson, the Australia Institute (February 2024)

Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions

We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au.

Support What's the Big Idea?: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When it comes to solving the biggest national problems, a bit of courage leaves political caution for dead. Now’s not the time for politeness.

On this episode, Paul Barclay talks with the Australia Institute’s climate and energy research director, Polly Hemming. There’s no chance of solving Australia’s biggest challenges—inequality and poverty, environmental destruction, climate change and political disillusionment—if leaders aren’t willing to make big decisions and, as Hemming puts it, ‘stop doing bad stuff’.

This discussion was recorded on Tuesday, 18 February 2025, and things may have changed since the recording.

Order What’s the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website.

Guest: Polly Hemming, Director of Climate & Energy Program, the Australia Institute // @pollyjhemming

Host: Paul Barclay, Walkley Award winning journalist and broadcaster // @PaulBarclay

Show notes

Offsetting Us Up To Fail: The myths of ‘nature markets’ explained by Richard Denniss and Polly Hemming, the Australia Institute (November 2022)

Ending child poverty in Australia by Kristen Scicluna, Jack Thrower, and Greg Jericho, the Australia Institute (June 2024)

Pay up: Australians say it’s time big polluters paid for the damage they do to the environment, the Australia Institute (November 2024)

Securing transparency and diversity in political finance by Bill Browne and Benjamin Walters, the Australia Institute (November 2023)

Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions

We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au.

Support What's the Big Idea?: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.