APF Oceania Fireside Chat #12- National Resilience in Chaotic Times

About the Session:

John Blackburn will share insights from his extensive work on Australia's national resilience and security in the face of climate change, pandemics, economic crises, supply chain disruptions, and geopolitical instability. Drawing on his leadership roles within prominent Institutes and the Australian Security Leaders Climate Group, he will highlights the complex, interconnected nature of modern risks and the urgent need for comprehensive national risk assessments.

John will outline the challenges posed by disinformation, declining public trust, and fragmented governmental approaches, emphasising the necessity for transparent, coordinated strategies at federal and state levels. Through real-world examples, including Australia’s recent experiences with bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic, he underscores the importance of proactive preparedness rather than reactive measures.

John aims to galvanise collective action, reinforcing that resilience is achievable through coordinated efforts and strategic foresight—even in the most chaotic of environments.

About John:

John Blackburn is the Chair of the Institute for Integrated Economic Research – Australia.

He retired from the Royal Australian Air Force in 2008 as the Deputy Chief of the Air Force, following a career as an F/A-18 fighter pilot, test pilot and strategic planner. Since 2008,  John has consulted to Industry and Government Agencies and has undertaken a range of  National Security and Resilience related studies, as a Reservist until 2019 , and also with the  Institute for Integrated Economic Research - Australia, the Australian Security Leaders Climate  Group, the Kokoda Foundation, and the Sir Richard Williams Foundation. For the past four years he has led a National Resilience Project that has highlighted a lack of resilience in  Australia in addressing the pandemic, climate change impacts, the ongoing energy transition, and growing regional security threats.