Public Affairs

Expert opinion and analysis on government, power, policy and people and how it shapes our world.

17 February 2022 – Australia-China Relations, Australian Foreign Affairs, Australian Politics, Diplomacy, Fraser Oration
Leadership in a changing world
In the 2022 University of Melbourne Fraser Oration, Australia’s former China ambassador, Dr Geoff Raby AO, says Australia’s foreign policy needs strong leaders.
17 February 2022 – Australian Foreign Affairs, Diplomacy, India, International affairs, Quadrilateral Security Dialogue
Australia and India partnering up within the Quad
Bilateral agreements between Australia and India were a key feature of the Melbourne Quadrilateral Security Dialogue meeting says University of Melbourne expert
15 February 2022 – Cold War, Diplomacy, International Relations, Soviet Union, Ukraine
Why Russia isn’t about to invade Ukraine soon
Russia is unlikely to soon invade Ukraine as it’s already succeeding in stoking instability and making the US take notice, says University of Melbourne expert
14 February 2022 – Asia, Australian Foreign Affairs, Defence, Foreign Policy, South East Asia
Southeast Asia matters to Australia
A University of Melbourne expert says it’s in Australia’s national interest to engage strongly with Southeast Asia or risk a hole in its Indo-Pacific strategy.
2 February 2022 – Australia-China Relations, China, Diplomacy, International Relations, United States
The impact of China on the Australia-US alliance
To understand Sino-Australian relations, we must appreciate the triangular dynamics between Australia, China and the US, says University of Melbourne expert.
6 January 2022 – Australian Politics, COVID-19, Elections, Policy, Politics
What we know about politics after 2021
The second year of the COVID-19 pandemic had a tangible impact on global democracy; University of Melbourne experts take look at what 2022 might have in store.
23 December 2021 – 2021, Australia, COP26, Carbon Emissions, Climate Change
What we now know about climate change after 2021
2021 made us focus on climate change as well as COVID-19; University of Melbourne experts discuss what we now know about climate change at the end of 2021
17 December 2021 – Caste System, History, India, Mahatma Gandhi, Racism
Understanding modern attacks on Gandhi
Statues of Mahatma Gandhi have been vandalised or removed around the world ; University of Melbourne experts explore why his likeness faces attacks today.
23 November 2021 – Asia, Asialink, Australia, Australia-China Relations, International Relations
Finding Australia’s new Asia narrative
A University of Melbourne expert says Australia’s challenge post-COVID is finding a new narrative for how it relates to its Asian neighbours, particularly China