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A barometer for Indo-Pacific development issues.

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A pipeline of policy proposals

Situation Room

A Chatham-house style dialogue

The Readout

Your podcast guide to Australian development in the region

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The home of cutting-edge Lab commentary.

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The Pulse Check is a survey run by the Lab

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The Readout

The Readout is your guide to Australian development in the region.

Hosted by the Lab, some of the brightest development experts decode development - what’s current, what’s coming around the corner and what it all means in a fast-changing landscape.
The Latest Episode
October 17, 2024

Gordon Peake x People-watching in Port Moresby

According to Gordon Peake, the great game of statecraft is unfolding in PNG, where international attention is yet to trickle down to the country’s population.
Listen

Latest episodes

October 17, 2024

Gordon Peake x People-watching in Port Moresby

According to Gordon Peake, the great game of statecraft is unfolding in PNG, where international attention is yet to trickle down to the country’s population.
Gordon Peake x People-watching in Port Moresby
Listen
October 3, 2024

Dr Mercy Masta x Gender Equality, The Pacific Way

According to Dr Mercy Masta, rethinking gender equality in the Pacific requires embracing local cultural practices and engaging men alongside women.
Dr Mercy Masta x Gender Equality, The Pacific Way
Listen
September 19, 2024

Martina Zapf x Lessons for Australia’s Civil Society Partnerships Fund

According to Martina Zapf, Australia’s Civil Society Partnership Fund must set its sights where civic society is most under threat and take strategic risks to meaningfully strengthen and protect civic space in the Indo-Pacific.
Martina Zapf x Lessons for Australia’s Civil Society Partnerships Fund
Listen
September 5, 2024

Dr Salmah Eva-Lina Lawrence x The Majority World – what’s in a phrase?

According to Dr Salmah Lawrence, Australia should reframe development by adopting the term "Majority World" and prioritising local leadership for truly equitable development.
Dr Salmah Eva-Lina Lawrence x The Majority World – what’s in a phrase?
Listen
August 22, 2024

The Hon Pat Conroy x Australia's International Development Policy Anniversary Event

Hear from the Hon Pat Conroy MP, Minister for International Development and the Pacific, in conversation with 50 experts on the 1st year anniversary of the International Development Policy.
The Hon Pat Conroy x Australia's International Development Policy Anniversary Event
Listen
July 25, 2024

David Young x Lessons learnt for fragile and conflict-affected states

According to David Young, Australia can enhance its development impact by investing in its governance and fragility capabilities, ensuring a long-term commitment to addressing complex challenges.
David Young x Lessons learnt for fragile and conflict-affected states
Listen
July 11, 2024

Aidan Craney and Yeshe Smith x Racism, Colonialism and Whiteness in Development

According to Aidan Craney and Yeshe Smith, Australia's development assistance must prioritise local leadership and dismantle colonial biases to achieve lasting impact in the Pacific.
Aidan Craney and Yeshe Smith x Racism, Colonialism and Whiteness in Development
Listen
June 27, 2024

Therese Faulkner x International Development Contractors Community Policy Priorities

According to Therese Faulkner, Australia’s development program can achieve greater impact by embracing a growth mindset, but must prioritise innovation and local engagement to make it happen.
Therese Faulkner x International Development Contractors Community Policy Priorities
Listen
June 13, 2024

Dr Darren Lim x Australia’s Reassessment of Economic Interdependence with China

According to Darren Lim, Australia’s security concerns are best addressed by supporting strong political and institutions in the region, including through development assistance.
Dr Darren Lim x Australia’s Reassessment of Economic Interdependence with China
Listen
May 30, 2024

Heather Murphy x Navigating the competing purposes of Australian development

According to Heather Murphy, Australia’s development program can reduce geostrategic risks and secure Australia's future through development, but must remain laser-focused on development outcomes to achieve that.
Heather Murphy x Navigating the competing purposes of Australian development
Listen
May 16, 2024

Dr Elizabeth Buchanan x The Sad State of Australia's Security Discourse

According to Dr Elizabeth Buchanan, Australia’s security and broader foreign policy discourse is lacking robustness and nuance - changes are needed to avoid group think and break free of the status quo.
Dr Elizabeth Buchanan x The Sad State of Australia's Security Discourse
Listen
May 2, 2024

Marc Purcell x The Safer World For All Campaign

According to Marc Purcell, the Safer World For All Campaign asks policymakers to put their money where their mouths are in the lead up to the 2024 budget.
Marc Purcell x The Safer World For All Campaign
Listen
April 18, 2024

Mat Tinkler x What’s the secret to a successful donor-implementer relationship?

According to Mat Tinkler, a successful donor-implementer relationship depends on trust, built through hard and honest conversations. That means implementers have to be brave, and donors have to be flexible.
Mat Tinkler x What’s the secret to a successful donor-implementer relationship?
Listen
April 4, 2024

Sue Robertson x ‘There but for the grace of God…’ – reflections on leading the APS Integrity Taskforce

Australian Government integrity overseas starts with demonstrating integrity at home. According to Sue Robertson, leader of the APS Integrity Taskforce, investing in the psychological safety and contestability of the public service will deliver better foreign policy results for Australia.
Sue Robertson x ‘There but for the grace of God…’ – reflections on leading the APS Integrity Taskforce
Listen
March 21, 2024

Mira Sulistiyanto x Pulse Check Indonesia

Mira Sulistiyanto dives into the insights and ideas of Indonesian non-government experts in the Lab’s Pulse Check x Indonesia report and interactive website.
Mira Sulistiyanto x Pulse Check Indonesia
Listen
March 7, 2024

Hervé Lemahieu x How Australia Can Unleash Its Own “Brussels Effect” in the Pacific Island Region

According to Hervé Lemahieu, borrowing some of the logic of European integration and applying these concepts in the Pacific would better equip the region to advance its collective interests.
Hervé Lemahieu x How Australia Can Unleash Its Own “Brussels Effect” in the Pacific Island Region
Listen
February 22, 2024

Lisa Denney x Diverse Pathways to People Centred Justice

According to Lisa Denney, Australia should support the diverse ways people in the region access justice, beyond that of policing and the formal sector.
Lisa Denney x Diverse Pathways to People Centred Justice
Listen
February 2, 2024

Stephen Howes x Tuvalu election and the Falepili Union

According to Stephen Howes, a visa-free Pacific is the new frontier of Australian development
Stephen Howes x Tuvalu election and the Falepili Union
Listen
January 25, 2024

Natalie Sambhi x Generals gaining ground: Civil-military relations and democracy in Indonesia

According to Natalie Sambhi, Indonesia’s expanded military role in civilian government will be something to watch for Australia following Indonesia’s February election.
Natalie Sambhi x Generals gaining ground: Civil-military relations and democracy in Indonesia
Listen
January 25, 2024

Melissa Conley Tyler x What does it look like for Australia to take a whole-of-nation approach to international policy?

According to Melissa Conley Tyler, in this difficult world, Australia needs a whole-of-nation approach to foreign policy. But what does that mean in practice?
Melissa Conley Tyler x What does it look like for Australia to take a whole-of-nation approach to international policy?
Listen
January 25, 2024

Jane Edge x Disability Equity and Rights Strategy - what's critical for effectiveness?

According to Jane Edge, substantive change for people with disability requires real listening, responding and resourcing of the disability movement.
Jane Edge x Disability Equity and Rights Strategy - what's critical for effectiveness?
Listen
January 25, 2024

Dr Mike Green x The main game for Australian development is development, not building influence

According to Dr Mike Green, focusing on development outcomes, not influence, leads to better long-term strategic outcomes.
Dr Mike Green x The main game for Australian development is development, not building influence
Listen
December 4, 2023

Richard Moore x Australian Development Cooperation: Urgent and important, but “not a priority”

According to Richard Moore, little has changed in Australia’s international development policy since the DFAT-AusAID merger.
Richard Moore x Australian Development Cooperation: Urgent and important, but “not a priority”
Listen
December 4, 2023

Diastika Rahwidiati x Australia in Southeast Asia: Do we have the development skills, stamina, and leadership?

According to Diastika Rahwidiati, Australia must learn from its investments.
Diastika Rahwidiati x Australia in Southeast Asia: Do we have the development skills, stamina, and leadership?
Listen
December 4, 2023

Solstice Middleby x Aid is not development: The true character of Pacific aid, part 2

According to Solstice Middleby, the aid industry is not tooled to deliver on the needs of the Pacific peoples.
Solstice Middleby x Aid is not development: The true character of Pacific aid, part 2
Listen
December 4, 2023

Dame Meg Taylor x Aid is not development: The true character of Pacific aid

According to Dame Meg Taylor, Australia needs to change the way it does aid to ensure transparency and effectiveness.
Dame Meg Taylor x Aid is not development: The true character of Pacific aid
Listen
November 16, 2023

Reintroducing: The Readout

Each episode, you'll meet one development leader, hear their big idea and discover how it can shape the future of Australian development assistance.
Reintroducing: The Readout
Listen
July 20, 2023

The Readout - Series 3 Episode 5

Jo Choe and James Gilling again join Bridi Rice to discuss Indonesia and Solomon Islands, SDG progress, and approaches to addressing climate.
The Readout - Series 3 Episode 5
Listen
July 6, 2023

The Readout - Series 3 Episode 4

Jo Choe and James Gilling again join Bridi Rice to discuss Australia’s ODI ranking, SEA development, and USAID’s localisation targets.
The Readout - Series 3 Episode 4
Listen
June 19, 2023

The Readout - Series 3 Episode 3

Jo Choe and James Gilling again join Bridi Rice to discuss donors in the region, disruptions to traditional development, and a possible program reset.
The Readout - Series 3 Episode 3
Listen
June 2, 2023

The Readout — Series 3 Episode 2

Jo Choe and James Gilling return to discuss the Biden no-show, all tools of statecraft, and the value of effective country planning.
The Readout — Series 3 Episode 2
Listen
May 18, 2023

The Readout — Series 3 Episode 1

Jo Choe and James Gilling join The Lab's Bridi Rice to discuss the Federal Budget, DFAT capability and the imminent development policy in the first episode of a new fortnightly series..
The Readout — Series 3 Episode 1
Listen
May 13, 2022

Special Episode: Anka Lee Situation Room Address

Hear from Anka Lee, USAID’s acting Deputy Assistant Administrator and Senior Advisor for the PRC, on how USAID is approaching growing Chinese influence.
Special Episode: Anka Lee Situation Room Address
Listen
December 13, 2021

A US Perspective

We’ve heard a lot of about the different approaches of the US compared with Australia. So how does the US go about democracy promotion?
A US Perspective
Listen
December 12, 2021

A Practitioner Perspective

What exactly does ‘democracy promotion’ mean in real terms? How do practitioners approach the work? And what’s the challenge with adopting a US-style approach?
A Practitioner Perspective
Listen
December 13, 2021

A Security Perspective

We’ve heard why governance support is critical for prosperity in the region. But just how seriously should Australia take this?
A Security Perspective
Listen
December 10, 2021

A Pacific Perspective

To learn more about the state of democracy, and what the Summit will mean for the region, let’s start where we should – with a Pacific perspective.
A Pacific Perspective
Listen
December 11, 2021

A Summit for Democracy

President Biden has just held the first Summit for Democracy. What will it mean for the Indo-Pacific?
A Summit for Democracy
Listen

Election series • Coming soon

17

Gordon Peake x People-watching in Port Moresby

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Listen
17

Dr Mercy Masta x Gender Equality, The Pacific Way

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Listen
16

Martina Zapf x Lessons for Australia’s Civil Society Partnerships Fund

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Listen
15

Dr Salmah Eva-Lina Lawrence x The Majority World – what’s in a phrase?

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Listen
14

The Hon Pat Conroy x Australia's International Development Policy Anniversary Event

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Listen
13

David Young x Lessons learnt for fragile and conflict-affected states

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Listen
12

Aidan Craney and Yeshe Smith x Racism, Colonialism and Whiteness in Development

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Listen
11

Therese Faulkner x International Development Contractors Community Policy Priorities

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Listen
09

Dr Darren Lim x Australia’s Reassessment of Economic Interdependence with China

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Listen
08

Heather Murphy x Navigating the competing purposes of Australian development

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Listen
07

Dr Elizabeth Buchanan x The Sad State of Australia's Security Discourse

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Listen
06

Marc Purcell x The Safer World For All Campaign

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Listen
05

Mat Tinkler x What’s the secret to a successful donor-implementer relationship?

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Listen
05

Sue Robertson x ‘There but for the grace of God…’ – reflections on leading the APS Integrity Taskforce

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Listen
04

Mira Sulistiyanto x Pulse Check Indonesia

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Listen
02

Hervé Lemahieu x How Australia Can Unleash Its Own “Brussels Effect” in the Pacific Island Region

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Listen
01

Lisa Denney x Diverse Pathways to People Centred Justice

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Listen
05

Stephen Howes x Tuvalu election and the Falepili Union

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Listen
04

Natalie Sambhi x Generals gaining ground: Civil-military relations and democracy in Indonesia

Description of podcast episode lorem ipsum. Description of podcast episode lorem ipsum.
Listen
03

Melissa Conley Tyler x What does it look like for Australia to take a whole-of-nation approach to international policy?

Description of podcast episode lorem ipsum. Description of podcast episode lorem ipsum.
Listen
02

Jane Edge x Disability Equity and Rights Strategy - what's critical for effectiveness?

Description of podcast episode lorem ipsum. Description of podcast episode lorem ipsum.
Listen
01

Dr Mike Green x The main game for Australian development is development, not building influence

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Listen
04

Richard Moore x Australian Development Cooperation: Urgent and important, but “not a priority”

Description of podcast episode lorem ipsum. Description of podcast episode lorem ipsum.
Listen
03

Diastika Rahwidiati x Australia in Southeast Asia: Do we have the development skills, stamina, and leadership?

Description of podcast episode lorem ipsum. Description of podcast episode lorem ipsum.
Listen
02

Solstice Middleby x Aid is not development: The true character of Pacific aid, part 2

Description of podcast episode lorem ipsum. Description of podcast episode lorem ipsum.
Listen
01

Dame Meg Taylor x Aid is not development: The true character of Pacific aid

Description of podcast episode lorem ipsum. Description of podcast episode lorem ipsum.
Listen
00

Reintroducing: The Readout

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Listen
05

The Readout - Series 3 Episode 5

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Listen
04

The Readout - Series 3 Episode 4

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Listen
03

The Readout - Series 3 Episode 3

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Listen
02

The Readout — Series 3 Episode 2

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Listen
01

The Readout — Series 3 Episode 1

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Listen

Special Episode: Anka Lee Situation Room Address

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Listen
05

A US Perspective

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Listen
04

A Practitioner Perspective

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Listen
03

A Security Perspective

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Listen
02

A Pacific Perspective

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Listen
01

A Summit for Democracy

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Listen
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