About this episode

The episode explores Australia's evolving perception of China and the implications for self-reliance and foreign policy.

For decades, China was seen in Australia as an opportunity. Today, it's more often described as a threat. But how much of Australia's understanding of China reflects reality — and how much is shaped by the stories we tell ourselves? As Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks of an "ideological disagreement" with the United States, and as global tensions expose vulnerabilities in supply chains and energy security, a broader question is emerging: is Australia prepared to think more independently about its place in the world? This week, Fourth Estate examines the media narratives, strategic assumptions and political debates that have come to define Australia's relationship with its largest trading partner. Host Tina Quinn speaks with former Labor leader and University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor Bill Shorten about Australia's fuel security, sovereign capabilities and what self-reliance might look like in an increasingly uncertain world. Then, a panel featuring Professor Wanning Sun (University of Technology Sydney and a frequent contributor to Crikey), Peter Hartcher (Political and International Editor, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age) and Ben Doherty (Senior Reporter, Guardian…

People in this episode

Host: Tina Quinn

Guest: Bill Shorten

Topics covered

• Australia-China relations
• media narratives
• foreign policy
• self-reliance
• geopolitics
• energy security

Keywords

• Australia
• China
• foreign policy
• self-reliance
• media narratives
• energy security
• geopolitics

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of Canberra, University of Technology Sydney, Crikey, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Guardian Australia

Places: Australia, China, United States

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