The Fifth Estate: Chief of Army

The Fifth Estate is the Wheeler Centre’s new series of fortnightly forums: a more measured approach to news and current affairs. Provocative and studied, authoritative and unhurried, this is real analysis that will be pulling no punches. Hosted by broadcaster, journalist and anthropologist Sally Warhaft, The Fifth Estate is indispensible live journalism. All events are recorded, with podcast episodes posted on our website by noon the following day.

What is the role of Australia’s Defence Force in the 21st century? In the recent federal budget, defence spending was cut to the smallest proportion of national wealth since 1938. Does Australia have the capacity to defend itself? What are the most important issues in the defence forces? And what are the national security priorities of the federal government? To discuss these questions, and the culture and values of our defence department, Sally Warhaft meets with Australia’s Chief of Army, Lieutenant General David Morrison and veteran foreign affairs analyst Greg Sheridan.

Missed the event? Listen to the mp3.

Presenters

Sally Warhaft

Sally Warhaft is a Melbourne broadcaster and former editor of The Monthly magazine.

David Morrison

Lieutenant General David Morrison joined the Army in 1979, after completing a Bachelor of Arts at the Australian National University. He was appointed Chief of Army on 3 July 2011.

Greg Sheridan

Greg Sheridan is The Australian’s foreign editor, and one of the most influential foreign affairs analysts in Australian journalism. After 25 years in the field, he is a veteran of international affairs who has interviewed leaders all over the Asia Pacific and America.