Major General Greg Bilton, AM, CSC Deputy Chief Joint Operations Lieutenant General Rick Burr, our host, Land Force Commanders from across the globe, fellow panellists, distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, good afternoon. It is my privilege to provide the opening address introducing Session 3 on Generating Land Power Through Partnering. I will set the scene for presentations that will be delivered by my fellow panellists. No doubt you have already observed that the panel of which I am a part …

Generating Land Power through Partnering Synthesis Speakers in this session focussed on the role of partnering in developing regional security and stability. There were two main types of partnering referred to by speakers, including international partnerships and internal partnerships across whole-of-government. In the context of international partnering, respect for national sovereignty was identified as a core element of successful partnerships, while understanding and respect for culture were common to …

Katja Kristina Theodorakis PhD Research Scholar at the Australian National University / Programme Manager for Foreign/Security Policy and Counterterrorism, Konrad-Adenauer Foundation’s Regional Programme Australia and Pacific In today’s hyper-connected Information Age, the ultimate battle space is over our beliefs, narratives, and ways of viewing the world… 1 ‘At the beginning of the 21st century, we are looking back on nearly a century of wars in various shapes and sizes—hot and cold, from two world wars …

Major General Adam Findlay, AM Special Operations Commander - Australia Introduction ‘General Burr, Chiefs of Army and Service representatives from around the world, members of the diplomatic community, Ladies and Gentlemen… It’s a privilege to stand before you this morning and continue the valuable conversation that we began yesterday. ‘Terrorism and violent extremism are threats at the forefront of my responsibilities as Special Operations Commander, Australia, so I am glad to be involved in this …

Session Two - Land Power and Countering Violent Extremism Synthesis The foundation for this session was laid by speakers in Session 1, with violent extremism identified as a regional threat to varying degrees by most speakers. The role of technology and information was articulated as a key concern in the context of countering violent extremism, while the vital role of people and partnerships are also prominent themes in this session. Presenters included Major General Adam Findlay, AO, Commander Special …

Mr Tom Hamilton Acting Deputy Secretary, Strategic Policy and Intelligence Group, Department of Defence ‘Thank you everyone for having me today, I have a long list of people to acknowledge here. I am going to cut it short in case I miss anyone but I would like to acknowledge Chief of Army, Chief of Air Force, I see here. I’m not sure if Chief of Navy is still here but I should acknowledge him. In particular though, I would like to note all of our international partners who are here today. International …

Mr Michael Shoebridge Director of Defence and Strategy, Australian Strategic Policy Institute ‘Thanks for the opportunity to talk to you this afternoon. I’m Michael Shoebridge, Director of Defence and Strategy at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. ‘What I’m going to cover in 30 minutes is first the idea of the Indo-Pacific, then some key global challenges relevant to the national security communities in each of our regional nations. And lastly I’ll say a little about how these challenges might be …

Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanyake, RWP, RSP, VSV, USP, USACGSC Commander of the Sri Lanka Army ‘Good afternoon to the distinguished gathering! ‘First and foremost, let me thank the Chief of the Australian Army and the organizing committee of the Chief of Army Land Forces Seminar 2018 for inviting me to deliver the keynote address on ‘The Indo-Pacific: The Region of Global Connection’ in which I distinctly consider this as a privilege bestowed upon me as the first ever Sri Lankan Army Chief to deliver a …

Lieutenant General Rick Burr, AO, DSC, MVO, Chief of Army I acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we are meeting this afternoon, the Kaurna people, and pay my respects to their elders, past and present. I acknowledge and welcome: the Minister for Defence, the Honourable Christopher Pyne, the Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Michael Noonan, the Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Leo Davies, and the Chief of Joint Capabilities, Air Vice-Marshal Warren McDonald, Distinguished Guests, …

Indo-Pacific: The Region of Global Connection Synthesis The first session of the Chief of Army Land Forces Seminar (CALFS) looked to establish an understanding of the complex and volatile operating environment in the Indo-Pacific. The session, and the seminar, was opened by the Chief of Army (Australia) Lieutenant General Rick Burr AO, DSC, MVO. He was followed by the newly appointed Minister for Defence, the Honourable Christopher Pyne, MP. Presenting after the opening remarks were the Commander of the …