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Is Australia ready for the next pathogen threat?

July 23, 2026 · 43 min

Show notes

How is health connected to national security?

What role should the military play in health security – and where are the limits?

How can Australia improve coordination across agencies before the next crisis arrives?

 

In this episode, Sharryn Parker speaks with Esperanza Martinez and Nicholas Thomson about why pathogen preparedness, human security and health need to be understood as part of Australia’s broader security picture. 

 

Dr Nick Thomson is Academic Convenor and Fellow at the Pacific Security College.

Dr Esperanza Martinez is Professor in Practice and Head of Health and Human Security at the Australian National University’s (ANU) College of Health and Medicine.

Sharryn Parker is a Senior Policy Advisor at the ANU National Security College (NSC), on secondment from the Department of Defence.

 

TRANSCRIPT

 

Show notes:



 

We'd love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to [email protected]. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes.  

 

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