Perth USAsia Centre

We were pleased to host Dr Charles Edel, Senior Adviser and Australia Chair, and Ms. Kathryn Paik, Deputy Director and Senior Fellow with the Australia Chair at the CSIS | Center for Strategic & International Studies in a roundtable discussion with shared insights direct from Washington on the US-Australia Alliance, and the way forward as regional and global dynamics grow increasingly complex.

We would like to thank Dr Charles Edel, Kathryn Hendel Paik, and our roundtable moderator Gordon Flake, Centre CEO, as well as our attendees and members of our Emerging Leaders Network, for contributing to this important discussion.

THis week marks the 50th anniversary of the Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between Australia and Japan.

Further strengthening this partnership, a new Australia–Japan Leadership Dialogue is being established, bringing together leaders from government, academia, business and civil society to deepen bilateral ties.

We are delighted to announce that our Centre Chair, Stephen Smith, has been appointed as Australia’s Chair of the Dialogue. Stephen brings more than two decades of Parliamentary experience, having previously served as Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister for Trade, and Minister for Defence.

Read Penny Wong's full media release here: https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/penny-wong/media-release/strengthening-australia-japan-ties-50th-anniversary-treaty

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From trade and investment to security, diplomacy, and emerging technologies, the Indo-Pacific is increasingly influencing decisions across government, business, and industry.

For professionals looking to build a deeper understanding of these dynamics, our Australia and the Indo-Pacific: Understanding our Strategic Connections to Asia microcredential provides practical, real-world insights from experts in the field.

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Congratulations to Centre Fellow Paula Rogers on her appointment as Chair of the Perth Symphony Orchestra (PSO).

Reflecting on the importance of the PSO in today's Business News, Paula observes that arts and culture play a critical role in shaping Perth's identity and liveability, adding: “I think it’s organisations like Perth Symphony that actually activate and accentuate our ‘Perthness’ and our ‘Western Australianness’.”

The appointment marks an important milestone for the organisation, with Paula becoming the PSO’s first female Chair.

PSO Chief Executive Catherine Henwood described the appointment as both personally meaningful and strategically important.

“To have somebody of Paula’s calibre, her experience and networks, and genuine enthusiasm for what Perth Symphony does and how we do it, is super exciting,” she said.

Read the full Business News article here:

Perth Symphony reveals new chair A leadership transition coincides with Perth Symphony Orchestra’s strongest financial result in years.

Today at , Centre CEO Gordon Flake, delivered an address to CPA Australia members on navigating today’s increasingly complex and multipolar world, and why WA sits at the centre of it.

His key-takeaways:

- The shift from “Asia-Pacific” to “Indo-Pacific” reflects India’s rising influence, and positions WA, as Australia’s “Indian Ocean Capital,” at the heart of the region’s strategic future.

- The post-Cold War era of globalisation has ended. In its place: rising defence spending, growing strategic competition, and a WA defence industry on track to become the state’s second-largest sector.

- Strength now comes through partnerships. Deepening ties with Japan, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Canada and the EU will be critical to navigating great-power competition.

- Climate and supply chain resilience (particularly critical minerals and energy) are no longer just environmental or economic issues; they’re national security priorities requiring market-led, regionally coordinated solutions.

Thank you to CPA Australia for hosting this important conversation.

Explore our latest Indo-Pacific research and analysis here: https://bit.ly/49y9o7R

We were pleased to host a roundtable discussion with Michael Mazza, Senior Director for Research at the Institute for Indo-Pacific Security (IIPS).

The timely discussion drew on new research on strategic deterrence in the US-Australia relationship and the growing risk of nuclear escalation in the Indo-Pacific. We explored how Australia can respond to these challenges by strengthening deterrence, reducing vulnerabilities, and contributing to long-term strategic stability in a rapidly evolving and complex security environment.

We would like to thank Michael Mazza, Jennifer K. Hong Whetsell (Senior Director at Institute for Indo-Pacific Security), and our roundtable moderator Jasmin Diab CSC GAICD, as well as our attendees and members of our Emerging Leaders Network, for contributing to this important discussion.

Read Michael Mazza's report, 'Averting a Proliferation Cascade: The U.S.-Australia Alliance and Strategic Deterrence' here: https://indopacificsecurity.org/2026/06/03/averting-a-proliferation-cascade-the-u-s-australia-alliance-and-strategic-deterrence/

Read Jasmin Diab's op-ed, 'AUKUS and the Indian Ocean: Why getting nuclear stewardship right, matters now' here: https://perthusasia.edu.au/research-and-insights/aukus-and-the-indian-ocean-why-getting-nuclear-stewardship-right-matters-now/

Security is about more than defence and ‘things painted grey’.

While warships, aircraft and military capability remain vital, national security today also includes energy security, supply chains, critical minerals, fuel resilience, technology, and cybersecurity.

For WA, protecting the digital systems that underpin mining, energy, ports and trade is increasingly a strategic imperative. Equally important are strong relationships with key regional partners including Japan, South Korea, Indonesia and India.

In an increasingly interconnected world, economic resilience, digital security and diplomacy are all critical elements of national security.

Read Centre CEO Gordon Flake's op-ed here: https://bit.ly/4wgRCiV

Many people ask why is hosted in Perth, Western Australia.

The answer lies in Perth's strategic location. Positioned on the eastern edge of the Indian Ocean, Western Australia serves as a gateway between Australia and key partners including the United States, China, India, Korea, Japan, Indonesia and Vietnam.

Often described as Australia's Indian Ocean capital, Perth continues to play a central role in maritime security, trade, energy and defence co-operation across the region.

Learn more about Australia's relationships with key partners through our professional microcredential, commencing 20 July: https://bit.ly/3NFaWoA

From conference delegates to high school students, the Centre team was delighted to connect with attendees at our booth during and , showcasing our range of online Indo-Pacific courses.

A big thank you to L. Gordon Flake and Abraham Denmark for stopping by, and to Parisa De Jonge GAICD, Melinda Mounsey, Bella Benjamin, Kathryn Froend, Renee Chalon and Amy Doherty or helping highlight the Centre’s role in building Indo-Pacific knowledge and capability.

Learn more about our online courses here: https://bit.ly/4sL2m6H

Learn more about our publications here: https://bit.ly/49y9o7R

Proud to have been the Conference Partner of this week's .

Over three days in Perth, leaders from government, defence, industry and academia explored the future of security in the Indian Ocean region, with contributions from senior Australian, US and Japanese defence leaders, regional representatives, and Centre fellows Jasmin Diab and Jo Feldman.

The conference was a valuable opportunity to strengthen connections and continue important conversations on Australia’s Indian Ocean strategy.

Thank you to those who attended, we look forward to seeing you in 2028.