Delivering the 2025 John Monash Oration at Commonwealth Bank on 22 October, the honourable Arthur Sinodinos AO emphasised that Australia must maintain its alliance with the United States while also creating strategic optionality by deepening relationships with other partners in the region.
“Australia can nurture its relationship with the United States by focusing on areas of common interest. When it comes to security in the Indo Pacific, the United States needs us as much as we need them,” Sinodinos said.
As globalisation fragments and geopolitical tensions rise, the traditional guarantor role of the United States underpinning the global order may be shifting, presenting new challenges for institutional investors operating across borders.
Sinodinos stressed that Australia must be match-fit to compete in a more transactional world.
“We also face several key industry transitions, including the implementation of AUKUS and the clean energy transition, that require large-scale mobilisation of resources and coordination. Another wave of economic reform is necessary to raise national productivity and facilitate these industry transformations. A stronger Australia will be a more influential player on the global stage.”
Founded in 2001, the General Sir John Monash Foundation is dedicated to developing Australia’s future leaders. Chief executive Ross Youngman highlighted that Australia is well-positioned to continue nurturing home-grown talent – an advantage in a global landscape where many nations are increasingly reliant on attracting international talent to fill critical skills gaps and drive innovation.
“While nations like China and the United States are offering special visas to draw in global talent, Australia is focused on nurturing our own leaders across a range of industries through international study and experience,” Youngman said.
“Australia must continue to proactively navigate its place on a shifting world stage.”
