THE PROGRESS REPORT: From sad Sundays to lifelong bonds: The stories of war Widows

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by Mike Pezzullo, former secretary of the Department of Home Affairs, and Ross Babbage, CEO of Strategic Forum and a Non-Resident Senior Fellow of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, to discuss Australia’s role and challenges in the deteriorating global order. The trio discuss a range of issues facing Australia and the broader Western alliance network at a time when authoritarian powers are on the march across the globe, including:  The triumph and importance of American power in securing a peace deal between Israel and Palestine that has continued to rage since 7 October 2023.  Predictions about Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s first official bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump. Mounting political and public concern about Australia’s lack of economic complexity and industrial capacity and its impact on national security and sovereignty. Real world examples of reindustrialisation in action across the United States and other like-minded nations that can provide models for Australia to emulate. Policy measures our leaders can implement to facilitate the rebuilding of Australia’s industrial base and enhance our national security.  Enjoy the podcast,  The Defence Connect team

Imagine being part of a group that no one ever wants to join – a community born from loss, but one that becomes a lifeline. On this episode of The Progress Report, running in time for War Widows Day on 19th October, Tash Taylor sits down with war widows Jenny Ware, Lynne Boyd and Wendy McKean, who have turned grief into friendship, laughter, and resilience. Through candid stories, they reveal how shared experiences of military loss forge bonds that help navigate grief, isolation, and life’s challenges. From the “Friendship Line” connecting widows across the country to “Sad Sunday” lunches, rural support networks, and acts of everyday care, these women show how community and companionship sustain them. They share laughter, tears, and invaluable life lessons – on honouring loved ones, embracing life after loss, enjoying simple pleasures, and showing respect and empathy to others. Their stories are a testament to courage, connection, and living fully despite adversity. The Progress Report. New voices. Real stories. Big shifts. Enjoy the podcast, The Progress Report team

In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, host Steve Kuper sits down with Tim Grabert and Chris White to discuss the increasing importance of Australia’s test and evaluation capabilities. The trio discuss the importance of contemporary test and evaluation (T&E) capabilities as outlined in the government’s 2023 Defence Industry Development Strategy and the role it will play in shaping the future of Australia’s defence capabilities. They also discuss: The opportunities AUKUS Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 will present for Australia’s T&E community. The critical role of workforce development, standardisation and professionalisation to keep pace with the modernisation of the Australian Defence Force. The range of challenges emerging as a result of the suite of next-generation technologies already transforming the “joint force”. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, Daniel Croft and David Hollingworth walk through the latest in AI news, with Deloitte paying money back to the NSW government for an AI report, hacking news, with a deep dive into just who Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters might be, and the Qilin ransomware gang taking responsibility for the Asahi hack. Croft and Hollingworth begin by talking about AI hallucinations stinging Deloitte, flood victims getting caught up in a ChatGPT data breach, and a first-of-its-kind fine levied against an Australian creator of deepfake pornography. The two then cover the week in cyber crime, tallying up some of the latest victims of Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters, the shadowy links between that group and another “new” hacking group, and more cyber woes for Western Sydney University. Good news is thin on the ground this month, but Croft and Hollingworth find some in the fact that Asahi Japan is bringing its processes back online, as the Qilin RaaS operation takes responsibility for the attack. Enjoy the episode, The Cyber Uncut team

In this episode of the Contested Ground podcast, hosts Phil Tarrant, Liam Garman, and Major General (Ret’d) Dr Marcus Thompson unpack how Australia’s shifting information and economic environment is deepening social rifts and reshaping national security. Tarrant opens with the housing debate, questioning whether allowing buyers into the market with just a 5 per cent deposit strengthens opportunity or fuels instability. Garman warns that financial strain on younger Australians could erode national unity. The conversation turns to data sovereignty and AI infrastructure, and how Australia must strengthen data protection and build infrastructure capable of expanding a sovereign AI industry. The hosts also explore the evolving information and cyber domain, warning that influence operations and online manipulation are amplifying social division, examining a number of online influence campaigns. Enjoy the podcast, The Contested Ground team

A truly hard-hitting discussion of challenges and triumphs in the Defence community. In this episode of The Progress Report, Defence Connect’s Tash Taylor sits down with Families of Veterans Guild CEO Renee Wilson, board chair Tricia Hobson as well as board director and interim deputy chair Jennifer Collins. The group takes a look back at the roots of the establishment of War Widows Guild in NSW in June 1946 and how support for veterans and their families has progressed since then. They also unpack the personal stories behind supporting serving personnel and their families. The Progress Report. New voices. Real stories. Big shifts. Enjoy the podcast, The Progress Report team

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, Daniel Croft and David Hollingworth talk about NSWEduChat, a virtual Charlie Kirk, the impact of a cyber incident disrupting airports across Europe, and how Australian not-for-profits are getting a new tool to face a rising tide of ransomware attacks. Croft and Hollingworth open proceedings with Instagram’s new AI age assurance checks then talk about the new AI tool being rolled out to NSW public school students and how promising it looks. The pair also discuss the ramifications of creating a deepfake of Charlie Kirk to address packed crowds at US megachurches in the wake of his murder and about a data leak on a website set up by American conservatives to out anyone speaking ill of Kirk. They also share an update on the Jaguar Land Rover hack which is still disrupting production in the UK and walk through a ransomware attack that has crippled a string of major European airports. Finally, Hollingworth and Croft find some good news, with NSW enacting legislation to tackle harmful deepfakes and a service offering cyber attack simulations to the not-for-profit sector, which has experienced a surge in malicious activity so far this year. Enjoy the episode, The Cyber Uncut team

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, managing editor Steve Kuper speaks with Andrew Henderson, director of AgSecure and a leading voice on agricultural resilience, biosecurity, and national preparedness. Together, they explore the recently released National Food Security Strategy discussion paper, the importance of critical inputs like fuel and fertiliser, the implications of trade disputes, and the growing need to integrate food systems into defence planning. The pair also discuss why food security is no longer just an agricultural issue – it’s a national security imperative. With global supply chains under pressure, climate risks mounting, and adversaries willing to target agricultural systems through biosecurity breaches or even agroterrorism, Australia faces a complex challenge in safeguarding the nation’s food and fibre production. From the risks of varroa mite and foot and mouth disease to the opportunities of regional self-reliance and biotechnology, Henderson outlines why food security must be elevated to the same level of priority as Australia’s defence posture – and why a secure Indo-Pacific is, ultimately, a well-fed one. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team  

In this episode, host Steve Kuper sits down with Benjamin Rice, managing director at Coherics, to unpack the critical role of training and simulation in preparing the Australian Defence Force and its allies for the challenges of modern warfare. From the vast live-fire exercises of Talisman Sabre to the increasingly vital domains of cyber, space and multi-domain operations, the conversation explores how realistic training environments are evolving to keep pace with technological change and operational demands. Drawing on his extensive Air Force career and industry expertise, Rice provides unique insights into the blending of live, synthetic and constructive training, and the importance of innovation in getting capability into the hands of the warfighter faster. Together, they examine the future of training – from gaming-inspired immersion and augmented reality to tailored, on-demand learning solutions designed to accelerate readiness – and the cultural and institutional shifts required to make it all possible. This is a deep dive into the future of defence training and simulation and how Australian industry is driving solutions that will keep our people sharp, adaptable and ready for the battlefield of tomorrow. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, Daniel Croft and David Hollingworth touch on the latest in AI and its incorporation in Australian education, the latest from ransomware operators targeting Australian organisations, and the alleged retirement of Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters. Croft and Hollingworth begin by discussing UNSW and its partnership with OpenAI, which will see 10,000 licenses rolled out to students. The pair then discuss new and older ransomware gangs, with a new sophisticated ransomware operation called The Gentlemen coming out of the gates strong, while Kairos continues to harm Australian businesses. Croft and Hollingworth then discuss the ongoing Jaguar Land Rover cyber attack, which has led to increased factory operation delays. Finally, the two discuss action by eSafety to introduce new safeguards in the popular online game Roblox to protect children from predators, a move that Roblox seems to be complying with. Enjoy the episode, The Cyber Uncut team