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John Anderson

Former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia

John Anderson: Conversations

Join John for a special episode as he answers 11 of the most frequently asked questions from viewers and supporters.
From lessons learned in politics to the values that shape his worldview, John offers candid reflections on leadership, national priorities, and the future of Australia. 

If you have a question for John, we’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment below for a chance to have it featured in a future Q&A episode.

Q&A with John: Politics, Principles, Priorities

Victor Davis Hanson examines the Jeffrey Epstein saga’s divisive impact on American politics and the MAGA movement, while commending the Trump administration’s military, technological, and immigration policy successes. He urges Australia to strengthen its defence, fortifying the ANZUS alliance against autocratic threats like China.

Critiquing distorted historical narratives that skew policy, Hanson advocates for a cohesive Western response to address authoritarian challenges, trade imbalances, and demographic declines. 

Victor Davis Hanson is an American classicist, military historian, columnist, and farmer. He has been a commentator on contemporary politics for the National Review and The Washington Times and is currently the Martin and Illie Anderson Senior Fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution.

 In addition to writing hundreds of articles, book reviews and newspaper editorials, Hanson is also the author of twenty-four books and hosts a regular podcast series, 'The Victor Davis Hanson Show'. Hanson was awarded the National Humanities Medal in 2007 by President George W. Bush, and was a presidential appointee in 2007-08 on the American Battle Monuments Commission. His latest book, The Dying Citizen, was published in October 2021. And his next book, soon to be released on May the 7th this year, The End of Everything, How Wars Descend Into Annihilation.

Epstein, Immigration and War: A Deep Dive | Victor Davis Hanson

Robert L. Suettinger examines China’s political evolution, from Mao’s devastating Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution to Xi Jinping’s reversal of market reforms. He underscores the Chinese people’s persistent desire for freedom, countered by the regime’s repressive surveillance and control.

Exploring Hu Yaobang’s legacy and the Tiananmen Square protests, Suettinger critiques Beijing’s economic policies and surveillance tactics. He questions the sustainability of China’s trajectory, weighing its demographic crisis and military ambitions in the Western Pacific, offering insights into its precarious path.

 Robert Lee Suettinger is a historian of contemporary politics in the People’s Republic of China. He spent nearly 24 years in the intelligence and foreign policy bureaucracies of the US federal government. As well as writing a book on the Tiananmen Square Massacre, Suettinger’s most recent one is entitled The Conscience Of The Party: Hu Yaobang, China’ Communist Reformer.

Will Xi Jinping's Maoist Vision Cause China's Collapse? | Robert Suettinger

In this interview, Lord Ridley examines the pervasive pessimism shaping climate narratives within the media and academia. He addresses the transformative power of affordable energy for developing nations and warns against beliefs about energy and climate that ignore the needs of those in poverty.

Ridley also criticises the politicisation of science in both climate and Covid modelling, arguing it distorts evidence, suppresses debate, and drives harmful policies that undermine economic and social progress. He urges a shift towards optimism driven by innovation and evidence, advocating for rational energy policies and transparent scientific inquiry to foster prosperity and address global challenges effectively.

Lord Matthew Ridley is a British science writer, journalist, and hereditary peer with a background in zoology and a distinguished career spanning academia, business, and public service. He holds a DPhil from Oxford University and is best known for his best-selling books on science, economics, and human progress, including The Rational Optimist, Genome, and How Innovation Works. Ridley served as chairman of the UK-based bank Northern Rock and was a member of the House of Lords from 2013 to 2021, where he contributed to debates on science, technology, and innovation policy. This interview was filmed at ARC London 2025.

Why Climate Fanaticism Is Killing Us | Lord Matthew Ridley

John Anderson and Dr. Rebeccah Heinrichs examine the geopolitical consequences of the conflict between Israel and Iran, highlighting the United States’ role in shaping global security and the future of the Middle East. They discuss how President Trump’s decisive military strike on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure has undermined Tehran's influence and reasserted US supremacy in the region.

The conversation reflects on the rise of anti-Semitism, the misguided pursuit of a two-state solution, and the importance of standing with strong allies like Israel. It underscores how pivotal a strong US response in the Middle East is to a strategy of deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, particularly with regard to Taiwan. Dr. Heinrichs criticises Australia's reluctance to strengthen its own defence capabilities in this context, expressing the hope that Australia will choose to collaborate more closely with the United States in an era of mounting global uncertainty.

Dr. Rebeccah L. Heinrichs is a senior fellow at Hudson Institute and the director of its Keystone Defense Initiative. Dr. Heinrichs specialises in US national defense policy with a focus on strategic deterrence. Dr. Heinrichs is an adjunct professor at the Institute of World Politics, where she teaches nuclear deterrence theory, and is also a contributing editor of Providence: A Journal of Christianity and American Foreign Policy.

The End of Weakness: Trump’s Stand Against Iran | Dr. Rebeccah Heinrichs

John joins Paul Coleman, John Steenhof and Kristen Waggoner for a powerful discussion on the state of religious freedom in the West. Together, they explore the rise of hate speech laws, the weaponisation of anti-discrimination regimes, the erosion of conscience rights, and the emergence of a new secular orthodoxy that punishes dissent. Drawing on major legal cases across Europe, the US, and Australia, the panel reveals how fundamental freedoms are being redefined — and what must be done to reclaim them.

Paul Coleman is a British lawyer and Executive Director of ADF International, a legal advocacy organisation based in Vienna. He specialises in international human rights and European law, and has worked on more than 20 cases before the European Court of Human Rights. Coleman has also authored submissions to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, the International Criminal Court, the Court of Justice of the European Union, the UN Human Rights Committee, and various national courts.
 
Kristen Waggoner is CEO, President, and General Counsel of Alliance Defending Freedom, the world’s largest legal organisation defending religious liberty and free speech. She has argued several landmark U.S. Supreme Court cases, including Masterpiece Cakeshop and 303 Creative, securing major victories for freedom of expression. Waggoner also oversees ADF’s international work, advancing human rights and defending the rule of law around the world.
 
John Steenhof is the Principal Lawyer at the Human Rights Law Alliance, a legal firm dedicated to defending religious freedom and free speech in Australia. With a background in commercial law and non-profit leadership, he now focuses on protecting the rights of individuals to live out their faith without legal penalty.
 
Sign up to John's newsletter here: https://johnanderson.net.au/contact/
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Conversations feature John Anderson, former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, interviewing the world's foremost thought leaders about today's pressing social, cultural and political issues.

John believes proper, robust dialogue is necessary if we are to maintain our social strength and cohesion. As he puts it; "You cannot get good public policy out of a bad public debate."

And stay right up to date with all the conversations by subscribing to the newsletter here: https://johnanderson.net.au/contact/

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Support the channel: https://johnanderson.net.au/support/
Website: https://johnanderson.net.au/
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Donate to HRLA: https://www.hrla.org.au/donate
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Follow Kristen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristenkwaggoner/

Religious Freedom: The New Blasphemy | Paul Coleman, Kristen Waggoner & John Steenhof

John Lee examines the critical decision President Trump faces on Iran’s nuclear program, underscoring its profound implications for global stability. He critiques Australia’s passive foreign policy, urging a robust defense strategy to counter emerging threats.

Building on this, Lee examines power shifts in the Middle East and Indo-Pacific, pressing Australia to strengthen alliances with the U.S. and Japan. He warns of China’s rapid military buildup and calls for strategic resolve to secure national interests, advocating for bold action to restore Australia’s influence an increasingly volatile world.

Dr John Lee is a Professor and Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute. He is also a senior fellow (non-resident) at the United States Studies Centre and Adjunct Professor at the University of Sydney. John’s articles have been published in leading policy and academic journals in the United States, Asia, and Australia.

Iran’s Nuclear Threat, Trump’s Choice and Global Stability | John Lee

Daniel Priestley joins John to discuss how entrepreneurship can address economic stagnation and declining living standards. He examines the power of innovation to create jobs and wealth, urging individuals to seize opportunities in a competitive global market.

From AI’s transformative potential to the need for affordable energy, Priestley offers a compelling case for proactive leadership. His insights challenge pessimistic narratives, emphasising practical strategies and historical wisdom to guide the next generation toward a prosperous future. 

Daniel Priestley is an entrepreneur, best-selling author and international speaker. Starting with nothing, he built successful multi-million dollar businesses in Australia, UK and Singapore. His latest book is Entrepreneur Revolution: How to Develop your Entrepreneurial Mindset and Start a Business that Works.

After Collapse: A Strategy for Renewal In The Age Of AI | Daniel Priestley

John Anderson and journalist Chris Uhlmann confront Australia’s energy crisis, revealing the stark costs of renewable energy. Despite claims of affordability, electricity prices have soared 70% in a decade, tied to a rise in renewables. South Australia’s costly grid and Spain’s blackout expose renewables’ instability, a risk worsened by Australia’s isolation. The discussion questions why leaders dodge honest talks on costs, leaving citizens vulnerable to an unreliable energy future.

Nuclear energy emerges as a stable, zero-emission solution, yet Australia resists while others embrace it. Pursuing net-zero on just 1% of global emissions threatens industries like agriculture and manufacturing, with subsidies masking costs that hit the poor hardest. As trust in leadership erodes, John and Chris call for a hopeful, rational approach—urging young Australians to question narratives, embrace nuclear, and preserve the nation’s energy superpower status to secure a prosperous, stable future.

Chris Uhlmann is a Walkley Award winning Australian journalist and news commentator. His career in the media spans over 35 years in radio, print and television. His latest documentary is The Real Cost of Net Zero: The shocking truth of the renewable energy push

The Great Energy Deception: The True Cost Of Renewables | Chris Uhlmann

John speaks with writer and mathematician Bethel McGrew to unpack the cultural and spiritual currents of our time, from navigating political alliances, to countering secular scepticism. She discusses Jordan Peterson’s role in sparking spiritual curiosity among young men, while highlighting his hesitation to fully grasp the Gospel’s divine message. McGrew also examines the evangelical divide over Donald Trump, the cultural pushback against transgenderism, and the enduring hope offered by Christianity in an age of despair. 
 
McGrew also defends the historical reliability of the bible and the resurrection’s evidential strength, addressing the claims of modern sceptics. She reflects on the rise of a subversive Christian identity, the need for authentic heroes, and the power of faith to heal social wounds. 
 
Bethel McGrew is an American freelance writer and cultural critic. She has published in The Spectator, National Review, First Things, Plough, and many other outlets. She also writes at her Substack: https://www.furtherup.net/.

The Vibe Shift: Christianity's Subversive Comeback | Bethel McGrew

John is joined by distinguished philosopher Professor John Haldane for a rigorous conversation centered on pressing philosophical questions.

John Anderson Direct: with John Haldane, Professor of Moral Philosophy at St Andrews University

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