Friday May 15, 2026
OMD promotes Thad King and Richard Garratt in planning leadership changes
OMD Australia has promoted Thad King to Chief Planning Officer and Richard Garratt to National Head of Planning, with both appointments effective as the agency expands its national planning leadership structure.
King joins OMD Australia’s National Executive Team after more than three years as National Head of Planning. Garratt steps into the National Head of Planning role from his previous position as Comms Planning Lead.
King has been with OMD for 12 years and has led planning capability across the agency nationally. Garratt brings 13 years of experience with OMD across Australia and the UK.
Sian Whitnall, CEO of OMD Australia, said the appointments reflected the agency’s focus on planning and product integration.
“Planning sits at the heart of how OMD creates impact for clients, and Thad’s promotion to Chief Planning Officer is a natural progression of his leadership of our business,” Whitnall said.
“He has taken the role of OMD’s planning to new levels – not just in terms of craft, but in how our product community comes together to deliver creativity and effectiveness. Rich’s promotion recognises the depth of leadership he has built within OMD. He is highly respected for his collaborative approach, his rigour, and the role he plays in shaping the culture we foster at OMD.”
Whitnall added, “Together, Thad and Rich represent the strength of our planning leadership today and what we aspire to for the future. I’m incredibly proud that both of these appointments come from within our agency, reflecting the impact both have made for our clients and our people.”
The appointments follow the arrival of Chief Strategy Officer Rob Frost late last year, with OMD stating the changes strengthen its broader product and planning leadership structure.
Focus on planning capability
King said the new role reflected OMD’s approach to planning and media effectiveness.
“At OMD, planning has never been about silos – it’s about creativity in the craft of media, grounded in effectiveness, and helping brands navigate complexity with confidence,” King said.
“I’m excited to step into this role at a time when our planning talent has never been stronger, and the product community is deeply connected. Our potential to create meaningful impact for clients has never been greater.”
OMD said the appointments reinforce its focus on developing leadership internally and strengthening the communities supporting its “We Create What’s Next” positioning.
Main image: Richard Garratt and Thad King
oOh!media backs independent future as bidders line-up
oOh!media says it is moving at “pace” as it engages with multiple parties interested in a potential takeover of the outdoor media company, while maintaining that its preferred model is to remain independent.
Outgoing chair Tony Faure addressed the takeover interest during the company’s AGM, after oOh!media rejected bids from I Squared Capital and Pacific Equity Partners.
I Squared Capital offered $1.45 a share, above Pacific Equity Partners’ $1.40 bid, but oOh!media said neither proposal reflects the company’s “intrinsic value”.
oOh!media backs the independent model
Asked about Nine’s acquisition of QMS and the potential for revenue synergies at the AGM, outgoing chair Faure said oOh!media still believes out-of-home businesses perform best when they stand alone.
“I think if you look historically at the performance of out-of-home companies, standalone or as part of broader media groups, it’s fairly clear that the ones that stand alone perform better,” Faure said.
“So we welcome the fact that Nine understood the value of out-of-home and wants to add that to what it’s doing. But we would prefer to remain an independent operator.”
James Taylor
oOh!media Managing Director and CEO James Taylor added that Nine’s publicly identified synergies were cost-based, rather than revenue-based.
“The synergies Nine identified were cost synergies. I don’t think they put a number on the revenue synergies, which isn’t to say they don’t exist, but they’ve certainly not valued them publicly,” Taylor said.
As previously reported by Mediaweek, Nine Entertainment completed its $850 million acquisition of QMS Media, bringing the outdoor media company into the group and extending Nine’s advertising offering across streaming, broadcast, publishing and out-of-home.
Taylor said oOh!media remains confident in the independent model.
“As we look around the world, and as I’ve said before, we cannot find a single example anywhere in the world of an out-of-home business being integrated into a more traditional media business.”
Taylor added the normative model for out-of-home, which is independent, the company retains confidence in their position as an independent operator
Board says offers fall short
Faure said oOh!media is engaging with other parties regarding a potential change of control transaction.
“oOh! is also engaging with other parties regarding a potential change of control transaction,” Faure said.
“The board, together with our advisers, has considered and unanimously determined that they do not adequately reflect the intrinsic value of oOh!.
“However, we are prepared to engage with all parties to assess whether any proposal may emerge that is capable of being recommended by the board.”
Faure said oOh!media will provide limited due diligence access to parties as it assesses whether revised proposals could be recommended by the board.
“We are committed to moving at pace as we evaluate the offers, with a firm focus on achieving the best outcome for shareholders.”
Taylor on valuation and growth
Taylor said oOh!media needs to keep telling a stronger story about its growth drivers and the broader opportunity in out-of-home.
“I think, perhaps in the case of oOh!, we need to continue to tell a good story about the growth drivers in the business.
“The growth opportunity for oOh! and out-of-home is not just linked to the demise of linear television, although that is certainly one of the foundational drivers of growth.”
Taylor said measurability and ease of buying are central to the company’s next phase.
The takeover interest has lifted oOh!media’s share price, with the stock trading up another 4% at $1.355. That values the company at about $687 million.
LinkedIn job cuts hit Australia as global cull claims 875 roles
Australian employees at LinkedIn have been caught up in the Microsoft-owned platform’s global job cuts, as the company moves to tighten costs.
The Australian redundancies are understood to total about 10 roles and form part of a global workforce reduction reported by Reuters to wipe out about 875 jobs.
The global cuts represent a reduction of more than 17,500 full-time staff across LinkedIn’s workforce.
Australian leadership impacted
Two sources confirmed that some members of LinkedIn’s Australian leadership team were among those who lost their jobs.
“Australian leadership [at LinkedIn] has been gutted,” one source anonymously told Reuters.
The specific teams affected in Australia have not been confirmed.
A LinkedIn spokesperson disputed the 5% figure when contacted, Reuters reports, but did not provide further detail.
“As part of our regular business planning, we’ve implemented organisational changes to best position ourselves for future success,” the spokesperson said.
Cuts come despite revenue growth
LinkedIn’s latest 2024 disclosures indicate the company employs about 350 staff locally, with offices in Sydney and Melbourne.
The cuts come almost a year after LinkedIn reduced roles in its Australian operations, primarily across editorial teams.
This time, local editorial teams are understood to have been spared. The job losses come despite LinkedIn reporting stronger revenue growth. Microsoft’s most recent financials show LinkedIn posted a 12% year-on-year revenue increase in its latest quarter.
AI and costs behind restructure
Jessica Jensen
LinkedIn Chief Marketing Officer Jessica Jensen told staff in an internal memo that the changes were necessary as “growth is more competitive, infrastructure costs continue to rise and AI is reshaping how work gets done.”
The memo, first reported by Business Insider, outlined three areas driving the restructure: reducing paid media and program spending, focusing investment on higher-return markets, and doubling down on growth areas, including AI-powered hiring tools, LinkedIn Premium, and small-business offerings.
Jensen also said LinkedIn would consolidate teams doing similar work and embed AI tools and workflows to accelerate output.
“Our organisational changes are across three areas,” Jensen wrote, adding the company would “embrace new AI-enabled tools and workflows that allow our human creativity and judgment to go further, faster.”
Tech layoffs continue
The LinkedIn cuts come amid a wider wave of layoffs across the technology sector.
Cisco announced an AI-driven restructuring affecting about 4,000 roles, while Block, WiseTech, Atlassian, and Coinbase also cited AI productivity gains as part of their job cuts earlier this year.
Layoff-tracking site Layoffs.fyi has tallied more than 103,000 technology sector roles eliminated globally so far in 2026, nearing the 124,000 cuts recorded across all of 2025.
Microsoft has also cut close to 7,000 employees this year, or around 3% of its workforce, and has offered voluntary retirement buyouts to about 7% of its US staff.
Radio veteran tapped as next KIIS FM Breakfast co-host
The revolving door of guest hosts on ARN Media’s KIIS FM Breakfast show is continuing, with radio veteran Bianca Dye announced as the latest fill-in co-host for The Kyle & Jackie O Show.
The announcement was made via Instagram, with Dye confirming she will join the breakfast program across both KIIS 1065 and KIIS 101.1 from Monday, May 18.
The move comes as KIIS FM continues its rotating line-up of guest presenters following the implosion of The Kyle and Jackie O Show.
Recent fill-ins have included Georgie Tunny, Abbie Chatfield and former producer Jaimee ‘Mayo’ Blazquez.
Bianca Dye
‘Really bloody cool’
In the post, Dye reflected on returning to breakfast radio.
I’m heading to Sydney to fill in for a stint on The Kyle & Jackie O Show on KIIS breakfast in Melbourne & Sydney.. after 32 years in broadcasting – 14 of in breakfast radio – it feels really bloody cool to be back in a studio doing what I LOVE most – even if it is just keeping the seat warm for the next guest host..”
Dye also noted that the appearance marks her first time broadcasting on air in her hometown of Melbourne.
“What’s surreal is that, despite all these years in radio (almost 8 of those doing mornings & drivetime in Sydney at NOVA), I’ve actually never been on air in my hometown of Melbourne before!?
“So this one feels pretty special to me personally”
View this post on Instagram
The veteran broadcaster also acknowledged the previous guest hosts who have joined the show in recent weeks.
“I’m under noooo illusion about the very big shoes to fill here with the incredibly talented women who’ve filled in recently – who all brought something unique, wonderful, vulnerable & fabulous and nobody could ever “replace” KJ..”
Dye said she was looking forward to working alongside the existing KIIS FM breakfast team.
“I’m just looking forward to gettin on the tools again 🎤 🎧 having some fun with the hilarious Mike E,Brooklyn,Nat,Intern Pete & the whole fabulous team BTS who are all working their arses off at crazy hours of the day & under the circumstances I think – nailing it.. !”
She also encouraged listeners to tune in from 6am on Monday morning across Sydney and Melbourne.
The continued run of guest hosts comes as ARN navigates the next phase of its high-profile breakfast strategy across the KIIS network.
Antony Catalano steps down from media empire
Antony Catalano has been replaced by his son on the board of media company, 20 Cashews.
The move comes just two months after the media mogul was charged with allegedly assaulting, choking and threatening to kill his wife during an incident in Melbourne in March 2026.
The Australian reports that “documents lodged with ASIC on Wednesday reveal that Jordan Catalano, 35, has replaced his 59-year-old father as a director of 20 Cashews, the holding company for Australian Community Media.”
Jordan Catalano is Antony’s eldest son. The Australian says “there is no suggestion that Catalano senior – who is currently on bail – intends to sell his shares in 20 Cashews.”
Catalano co-owns several outlets with Alex Waislitz under 20 Cashews, including The Canberra Times, Illawarra Mercury, Daily Advertiser in Wagga Wagga, The Newcastle Herald and The Border Mail in Albury/Wodonga.
On Monday, the ABC reported that Catalano’s defence lawyer, Tony Hargreaves, asked a magistrate to excuse his client “from attending court in person because of a “throng” of media who had turned up to cover his case.”
Hargreaves asserted that the “prospect of his client being photographed and filmed was ‘potentially detrimental to his mental health’.”
Magistrate Nahrain Warda granted the exemption and Catalano attended via video link.
The case was adjourned until June 2.
Antony Catalano faces eight charges
Court documents claim on that March 13 this year Antony assaulted his wife Stefanie “with a weapon being a clothing iron” and threatened to kill her “by stabbing her to death”.
Catalano issued a public statement acknowledging the allegations, admitting he was “deeply ashamed”.
At the time, a spokesman for ACM told The Australian, “Antony Catalano may have a shareholding in ACM but he is not a custodian of its culture, and never will be.
“We will not allow the integrity of our journalism and the reputations of our journalists to be tarnished by the behaviour of one individual who has no operational role.”
Catalano was placed on a six-month leave of absence in March, a time during which he he underwent treatment for medical issues.
In April, Mediaweek reported that ACM’s board and executives backed a vote of no confidence in Catalano, with staff stating he “undermines the trust of the communities we live and work in”.
Also in April, MW reported that filings to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) from 20 Cashews showed that ACM posted a $30m drop in revenue and a net loss after tax of $7.9m for the 2025 financial year.
This is after a comparatively smaller loss in 2024 of $2.5m.
ACM director Peter Landos explained the rise in losses are due to “the impact of ongoing investment in group companies.”
Top image: Anthony Catalano. Image: X
ABC sets public memorial for James Valentine
ABC Sydney will hold a public celebration of life for broadcaster and musician James Valentine AM at Sydney Town Hall on Friday, 29 May.
The event will honour Valentine’s life, career and contribution to Australian broadcasting. It will run from 12.30pm to 2pm, with registrations required due to limited venue capacity.
Registrations open on Friday, 15 May at 12.30pm, with further registrations to be released next week. The ABC said it would not be able to accommodate on-the-day registrations.
Attendees with accessibility requirements have been asked to include them when registering.
A public farewell for a Sydney radio figure
Valentine died in April aged 64, two years after being diagnosed with cancer. He had a 30-year career at the ABC and was best known for hosting Afternoons on 702 ABC Sydney.
The memorial will also be broadcast on 702 ABC Sydney and through the ABC listen app from 12.30pm to 2pm on 29 May.
702 ABC Sydney station manager Nick Lowther said Valentine wanted the memorial to reflect his love of radio.
“His great love of the radio medium was what this was all about,” Lowther said.
“He just wants to be able to have a chat through the people he’s organised to speak at his memorial.”
Former 702 ABC Sydney Drive presenter Richard Glover, who worked with Valentine at the ABC and shared a long friendship with him, will host the event.
Before his broadcasting career, Valentine was also a musician and saxophonist, performing with Australian acts including Models and Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons.
Top image: James Valentine AM A Celebration of Life
The mountain wants you scrolling: Paramount+ eyes podcasts
It seems the Mountain is tired of being the strong, silent type.
Paramount+ plans a bold foray into the world of video podcasts in a move that suggests the streamer is ready to stop treating its world-class news and sports divisions like distant cousins.
Business Insider reports the streaming giant intends to integrate video podcasts from CBS News and CBS Sports directly into its platform.
While it might feel like a simple addition to the library, the strategy ultimately hints at a deeper desire to capture the lean-back audience that currently lives on YouTube and TikTok.
The Ellison influence and TikTok-ification
Importantly, this move bears the fingerprints of Skydance leader David Ellison.
David Ellison has a penchant for experimentation. Image: file
During a recent internal meeting, Dan Reich, executive vice president of streaming product, discussed a concept he actively calls “TikTok-ification.”
Consequently, Paramount plans to build a dedicated short-form feed that uses algorithmic recommendations to keep users scrolling.
By slicing up high-intensity moments from CBS sports broadcasts or investigative segments from news, the platform hopes to solve the choice paralysis that often plagues high-end streaming apps.
This move represents a new culture of rapid experimentation under Ellison. Indeed, Hugh Williams, executive in residence, recently told tech and product staffers he feels very excited about the podcast space.
Meanwhile, the broader podcast expansion also involves active talks with conservative podcaster Katie Miller for a distribution deal, signalling a definitive push to diversify editorial voices across the newly merged empire.
Chasing the Netflix playbook
Paramount isn’t the first platform to the party. Netflix already experimented with Fast Laughs and podcast-adjacent content to keep eyes on the glass between binge-watching sessions.
For Paramount, the true advantage specifically lies in its existing infrastructure.
Unlike its competitors, Paramount owns a massive 24-hour news and sports engine. Therefore, turning a 60 Minutes interview or a UEFA Champions League post-game breakdown into a video podcast creates a low-cost way to generate sticky content.
Ultimately, it transforms the app from a destination you visit once a week for Yellowstone into a daily habit for news and highlights.
Is it a pivot or a patch?
While some analysts might call this a pivot, a structural alignment describes it much more accurately.
For years, the streaming industry ignored a simple truth: audiences actually enjoy short-form, unscripted content.
However, these talks arrive amid growing internal tension. Veteran CNN anchor Christiane Amanpour recently raised public concerns about the ideological shift following the merger.
Veteran CNN anchor Christiane Amanpour has concerns. Image: AOL
Since the Skydance deal brought CBS News and CNN under the same roof, staffers worry about the potential dilution of hard-hitting journalism in favour of middle-of-the-road neutrality or partisan commentary.
By bringing podcasts into the fold, Paramount+ actively attempts to bridge the gap between prestige TV and utility content.
If Ellison can successfully marry the cinematic scale of Skydance with the snackable nature of a podcast feed, the Mountain might just find a clear way to stay relevant in an increasingly crowded streaming market.
Feature image – AI generated.
Did Kyle Sandilands just tease a July launch for a ‘massive’ new project?
This story has been updated
Kyle Sandilands has fuelled fresh speculation about his media future, with an Instagram account linked to his teased ‘Kyle Sandilands Live’ project posting the date ‘01.07.2026’ alongside the message: ‘Watch This Space. Something Massive.’
The account @kylesandilands.fans uploaded the teaser to Instagram Stories using the same branding and typeface previously associated with the ‘Kyle Sandilands Live’ logo, which briefly appeared in a recent video featuring the former KIIS FM host.
The ‘Kyle Sandilands Live’ logo
According to Sandilands’ camp, the account is not affiliated with him and “nothing is planned at this stage”.
A few hours later, the same page reposted the video to its Instagram with the word FAKE written in large red text across it.
In the description, those behind the page wrote that it “got fooled”, adding that “a fake Instagram account posted a video earlier today promoting the launch of Kyle Sandilands Live.”
It continued: “We confirmed with Bruno that this isn’t theirs. It was a good fake, though. The page has since deleted the post and renamed the page. Next time we won’t be as easily fooled”.
View this post on Instagram
Are you keeping up? We are… barely.
Let’s revise: As it stands, Sandilands has teased what appears to be a new show, but the significance of the date remains unclear.
When presented with the updated information, a well-connected industry source told Mediaweek they believed the video was posted in order to “remind listeners” that Sandilands “is still there and wants to come back to broadcasting as soon as he can”.
Someone grab a Bex and prepare the bed for a soft landing.
Sandilands hints at comeback
The latest supposed tease comes as Sandilands continues his high-profile legal dispute with ARN, following his departure from KIIS FM earlier this year.
Last month, Sandilands signalled a return to the spotlight in a video posted to the same fan account, telling followers he was preparing a new venture while fighting to enforce his reported 10-year, $100 million ARN contract.
In the clip, Sandilands said he intended to return to broadcasting and fulfil the remaining years of the deal.
Addressing supporters directly, he joked that it was “a surprise that I’ve even got fans left” before thanking them for sticking by him.
He then teased the upcoming project.
“Don’t tell anyone, but I’m working on a new project, and all will be revealed soon,” he said.
“Thank you for your prayers – coming back guys, bigger than ever hopefully… actually not fatter.”
The video offered few concrete details, though a logo reading “Kyle Sandilands Live” appeared briefly on a nearby screen as Sandilands acknowledged his manager, Bouchet.
Digital platform speculation grows
While no official platform or format has been confirmed, the repeated references to a “live” project have prompted speculation that Sandilands could pivot toward a direct-to-audience digital model, potentially through YouTube, streaming or podcasting.
The move would mirror a broader trend among high-profile media personalities seeking to build independent audiences outside traditional broadcast networks.
Piers Morgan launched his YouTube-led platform Piers Morgan Uncensored after exiting Good Morning Britain, while Karl Stefanovic recently expanded into podcasting alongside his role on Nine’s Today.
For Sandilands, the timing remains significant.
His exit from KIIS FM followed a public breakdown in his working relationship with long-time co-host Jackie ‘O’ Henderson.
Henderson later claimed she had previously lodged complaints about Sandilands and said she felt unsafe continuing to work alongside him following the incident. She was subsequently released from her contract and is now suing ARN for $82 million, alleging unfair termination.
Mum and grief author who murdered husband given life sentence
A mum of three who published a book about grief after the death of her husband, but was later found guilty of murdering him, has been sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Kouri Richins, 36, was convicted in March of aggravated murder for poisoning her husband’s drink with five times the lethal dose of fentanyl in 2022.
Judge Richard Mrazik said in sentencing, “A person convicted of those things is simply too dangerous to ever be free.”
Eric Richins would have turned 44 on the day his wife was put away forever.
The case gained international attention after Kouri was arrested in 2023 as she was promoting her children’s book Are You With Me? – about a boy coping with the death of his father.
A book she couldn’t have written if she hadn’t murdered her husband.
It wasn’t until Kouri began a media tour that the circumstances of his death attracted further attention from authorities.
Richins dedicated the book to “my amazing husband and a wonderful father.” The book was eventually removed from Amazon.
Are You With Me? author Kouri Richins gets life for murder
Richins, a real estate agent, was millions in debt and planning a future with another man. She had opened numerous life insurance policies on her husband, which she intended to claim on after his death.
Jurors in Park City also found Richins guilty of four other felonies, including attempted murder for trying to poison her husband weeks earlier on Valentine’s Day with a fentanyl-laced sandwich.
Richins continues to claim her innocence. She said on Wednesday that the verdict was “an absolute lie”.
However, her sons separately told the judge they would feel unsafe if Richins was ever released, the Guardian reports.
“I’m afraid if she gets out, she will come after me and my brothers, my whole family,” said the oldest boy, who is now 13. “I think she would come and take us and not do good things to us, like hurt us.”
The middle child, now 11, said he was sad that his dad won’t be present for major milestones. With his mother behind bars, he said he can “live a happy and successful life without fear of [her] hurting me or anyone I love”.
The youngest said he would be “so scared” if his mother was released.
Top image: Korui Richins at sentencing. Image: X
NBCUniversal nabs Stephanie Russell-Lam from WBD
NBCUniversal is bolstering its local ranks with a freshly minted leadership position.
The media giant has appointed Stephanie Russell-Lam to the newly created role of vice president, sales liaison for Australia and New Zealand. She joins the global TV distribution business.
Russell-Lam makes the jump after a highly respected career in international television and sales. Most recently, she spent 16 years at Warner Bros. Discovery.
During her lengthy tenure, she led the television distribution and home entertainment business across the region, building strong momentum and trusted partnerships.
Strengthening the trans-Tasman market
The new role keeps Russell-Lam based in Sydney. She will report directly to Chris Taylor, managing director, APAC, television distribution, networks and DTC at NBCUniversal.
In an internal email sent to staff today, Taylor praised the new hire and highlighted the strategic value of the trans-Tasman appointment.
“To further strengthen our efforts across the Australia and New Zealand markets, I am delighted to announce the appointment of Stephanie Russell-Lam,” Taylor said. “Her deep market knowledge and outstanding reputation among peers and key clients make her an exceptional addition to our team.”
Russell-Lam will officially commence her new role on Monday, 3 August.
Feature image- Stephanie Russell-Lam: supplied.
Delta Goodrem through to Eurovision Grand Final
Delta Goodrem has secured a place in this weekend’s grand final at the Eurovision Song Contest after performing her track Eclipse during the semi-finals.
The Sydney-born artist is representing Australia at the annual international music competition, held in Vienna.
Australia is one of 10 countries that have advanced to the grand final, along with Bulgaria, Ukraine, Norway, Romania, Malta, Cyprus, Albania, Denmark and Czechia.
The closest Australia ever came to taking out the Eurovision Song Contest came in 2016 through Dami Im, who finished in second place. But appearing on a recent episode of the Rolling Stone Uncut podcast, Goodrem seems confident to go one better.
“We’ll give it a good go!” she said.
“To have everyone come together for an iconic [event]… where you’ve had ABBA, Celine Dion, Olivia Newton-John, Måneskin, just phenomenal artists that have been a part of music all these years, for me, in other moments, it might not have been right. In this moment, I was like… what a blessing to be able to have that moment in time to go up there.
“But I’m so grateful, and it’s an amazing, special moment.”
Earlier this week, the multi-ARIA Award-winning artist announced her eighth studio album, Pure, her first with major label Universal Music after departing Sony Music Australia in 2023.
“I am so excited to be stepping into this new chapter and joining forces with Universal Music,” Goodrem said.
“It marks the beginning of a powerful new home for ATLED Records – something I am incredibly proud of – and I can’t wait to share what we create together.”
The grand final will commence at 5am AEST on Sunday morning, 17 May.
The Eurovision Song Contest airs from 13-17 May exclusively on SBS and SBS On Demand.
Main image: Delta Goodrem. Source: Jens Büttner/picture alliance via Getty Images
News Australia expands Defending Australia event series
News Australia has expanded its Defending Australia program to two major events this year, bringing together political, military and industry leaders to discuss Australia’s defence challenges.
The first event is being held today at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia, hosted by The Advertiser. A second event will take place on June 2 at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, hosted by The Australian.
Both events will be headlined by Richard Marles, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence.
Richard Marles at the National Press Club
Defence industry and national security focus
The Advertiser summit will focus on South Australia’s role as a defence industry hub, including the submarine program, defence manufacturing and workforce development.
Marles will be joined by Peter Malinauskas, South Australian Premier, and Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead.
The Australian event in Canberra will feature Marles alongside Lia Finocchiaro, Northern Territory Chief Minister, Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, and Liza Tobin, former China director at the National Security Council.
The line-up will also include James Paterson, Shadow Minister for Defence, and Vasyl Myroshnychenko, Ukraine’s Ambassador to Australia.
News Australia backs national defence conversation
John Lehmann, State & Communities Commercial Director, said the program was designed to support discussion between government, defence and industry leaders.
“News Australia is uniquely placed to facilitate the conversations that matter most to our nation’s security. Defending Australia creates an unparalleled opportunity for meaningful dialogue between decision-makers and industry leaders, supported by partners who are at the forefront of Australia’s defence transformation.
“These events, combined with our editorial reach, ensure defence remains at the centre of the national conversation.”
John Lehmann
The events are supported by BAE Systems, Australian Submarine Corporation, the South Australian Government and Babcock.
Both events will be livestreamed via Sky News Extra and SkyNews.com.au, with editorial coverage across The Australian, The Advertiser, The Daily Telegraph, Herald Sun and The Courier-Mail.