How will a newly emboldened Albanese government approach international challenges?

Former Labor leader Bill Shorten will join an online panel discussion with La Trobe academics to debate the immediate international challenges facing the Federal Government after it was handed a significant majority at the recent election. 

The re-elected government faces the most complex international environment in decades with the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza, an America led by a mercurial President who appears intent on wrecking the liberal international order and an ambitious and confident China. 

The online panel will discuss the challenges – how the Government is likely to approach these issues and what new direction a more confident and emboldened Labor government may take.
  

Webinar: Australia’s Election and the International Agenda 

Date: Tuesday 13 May 2025 

Time: 5.30pm 

Registration: https://latrobe.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ThRrIL4NQlWdd1OOvTJxVg#/registration 

 
Panellists:

Bill Shorten, University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor and President 

First elected to Federal Parliament in 2007, Mr Shorten served six terms as the Member for Maribyrnong. He had responsibilities as a parliamentary secretary, assistant minister and later Cabinet Minister across a range of fields including: disability and children’s services; bushfire recovery, assistant Treasurer, financial services and superannuation; education; employment and workplace relations; and NDIS and government services.  

He was the co-architect of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, one of Australia’s most important social reforms, was ALP leader from 2013-2019 and fought two federal election campaigns as Opposition Leader. 

Shorten’s early career was in the trade union movement, organising for the Australian Workers’ Union. As national secretary, he was CEO of the union for six years. 

Professor Andrea Carson  

Associate Dean, Research, Industry and Engagement with the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Professor of Political Communication, La Trobe University 

Professor Carson’s research examines media trust, political communication, gender politics, and regulating digital platforms. Her work is widely published in leading journals, and she has authored and co-edited several important books.  

She advises governments and think tanks on misinformation and is a research fellow with the Women’s Leadership Institute Australia (WLIA) examining women’s political participation.

Professor Nick Bisley  

Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University 

Professor Bisley’s research and teaching expertise is in Asia’s international relations, great power politics and Australian foreign and defence policy.  

He is a Fellow of the Australian Institute for International Affairs, a member of the advisory board of China Matters and a member of the Council for Security and Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific. He has been Editor-in-Chief of the Australian Journal of International Affairs, is the author of works on international relations and has been quoted in national and international media. 

Professor Bec Strating  

Director, La Trobe Asia, Professor of International Relations, La Trobe University  

Professor Strating’s research focuses primarily on Asian regional security, maritime disputes, and Australian foreign and defence policy.  

She is a member of the East West Centre Council on Indo-Pacific Relations, an expert affiliate at the Australian National University’s National Security College, and President of the Women in International Security-Australia’s steering committee.  

Professor Strating has authored or co-authored books, journal articles and commentary pieces for organisations such as the Lowy Institute, The Guardian, War on the Rocks, Nikkei Asia, Australian Strategic Policy Institute and East Asia Forum.