Asia Society Policy Institute in Australia

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Asia Society Policy Institute

For more than 60 years, the Asia Society has sought to explain the diversity of Asia to the United States and the complexity of the United States to Asia, and to be a bridge in problem-solving within the region and between Asia and the wider world. With a solution-oriented mandate, the Asia Society Policy Institute builds on this mission by tackling major policy challenges confronting the Asia-Pacific in security, prosperity, sustainability, and the development of common norms and values for the region.

Headquartered in New York and led by former Australian Prime Minister the Hon. Kevin Rudd AC, the Asia Society Policy Institute is a think- and do-tank designed to bring forth policy ideas that incorporate the best thinking from leading analysts across the United States and Asia, and to work with policymakers to integrate these ideas and, where possible, give them effect.

The Institute’s Australian presence is working to contribute to an informed public discussion on Australia’s place in Asia and illuminate policy options for decision-makers through policy dialogue, engagement with Australian federal and state governments, published analysis, media, and events. The Institute’s Australian presence also serves to bring Australian perspectives on Asia to the United States and the wider region, as well as to bring American and Asian policy thinking to Australia.

For any media enquiries, please contact Andrew Tijs, Associate Director, Communications and Marketing, Asia Society Australia at atijs@asiasociety.org.

LATEST ANALYSIS

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China Redux: Business and the Contest for Power in the Indo-Pacific

Today's geopolitical unrest is an "era, not a passing moment" says Asia Society Australia Executive Director, Policy Richard Maude in his speech to New Zealand's China Business Summit.
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Australia’s China Debate – Where to Now?

If the old model of relations between China and Australia is no longer viable, what should Australia aim for, asks Asia Society Australia Executive Director of Policy Richard Maude.
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Explainer | What a Revived Quad Means for the Indo-Pacific

Richard Maude explains how the recent Quad summit between the U.S., Japan, India and Australia represents one of the most significant developments in Indo-Pacific security architecture in years.
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Explainer | After the Coup: What’s Next for Myanmar?

Dr Melissa Crouch and Richard Maude examine what the recent coup means for Myanmar
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The United States and Southeast Asia: A New Start

Balancing China and South East Asia could see a Biden administration regain essential ground in US-Asia relations, writes Richard Maude.
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Australia Gets More Diplomatic Firepower in Southeast Asia

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CHINA IN THE WORLD PODCAST

In March 2021, Richard Maude appeared on the first episode of Asia Society Switzerland's 'China in the World' podcast, 'Indonesia and Malaysia’s Surge of Investment and Autonomy' with Ben Bland, Director of the Southeast Asia Program at the Lowy Institute.

Listen here.

AUSTRALIA IN THE WORLD PODCAST

In August 2020, Richard Maude became the first guest to appear twice on the Australia in the World podcast, with Allan Gyngell and Darren Lim.

In the first part, they discuss the future of international and Australian foreign policy through the lens of the US and China's influence. In part two, they discuss China, Taiwan and Hong Kong, Five Eyes, Australian foreign policy direction, and more.

Stream below or visit Australia in the World podcast online - Part One, Part Two.

In February 2020, Senior Fellow Richard Maude appeared on the Australia in the World podcast, hosted by Allan Gyngell and Darren Lim. They discussed the Indo-Pacific, models of world politics, Australian foreign policy and more.

Stream below or visit Australia in the World podcast online.

 

Asia Society acknowledges the Victorian Government as a foundation partner of the Asia Society Policy Institute in Australia

Victoria State Government

Events

SPECIAL PROJECT

Asia Society Policy Institute in Australia
 

Richard Maude, Senior Fellow

Richard Maude is Executive Director of Policy at Asia Society Australia and a Senior Fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute.

He is a former senior Australian government official with 30 years’ experience in foreign policy and national security.

From 2018 to 2019, Mr Maude was Deputy Secretary, Indo-Pacific Group, in the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Australia’s senior official to the East Asia Summit.

In 2017, Mr Maude was head of the whole-of-government taskforce which supported the preparation of the Australian Government’s 2017 Foreign Policy White Paper.

Mr Maude was Director-General of the Office of National Assessments from May 2013 until November 2016.  Before taking up this position, Mr Maude was the senior adviser on foreign policy and national security issues to Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

He has served overseas in Malaysia, where he was Deputy High Commissioner, Singapore and as the Liaison Officer for the Office of National Assessments in the Australian Embassy in Washington DC.

Mr Maude is a member of the Futures Council of the National Security College at the Australian National University and Director of the ANU Crawford Leadership Forum.

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Patrick Suckling, Non-resident Senior Fellow

Patrick Suckling served as Australia's Ambassador for the Environment, and has over twenty five years foreign, trade and investment, development and climate policy experience. 

He led international policy and engagement for two Prime Ministers as head of International Division, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and served as an Adviser to Foreign Minister Downer. He has been Australia’s High Commissioner to India, served at the Australian Embassy in Washington working on the Australia-U.S. Alliance and been Australia’s Senior Official for APEC. He has led Australia’s consular support for Australians overseas, media and parliamentary engagement for the Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio, and overseen comprehensive incoming government briefing for two Foreign Ministers and Australia’s Trade Minister. 

Mr. Suckling was most recently Australia’s Ambassador for the Environment, leading on Paris Agreement negotiations, strategy for Australia’s $1 billion climate finance commitment and bilateral cooperation on climate change with key countries such as China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom. This included chairing the influential Umbrella Group of developed countries - including the United States, Russia, Japan, and Canada - in UNFCCC negotiations for four years. 

He is currently a Senior Partner at Pollination, a specialist climate advisory, and investment firm.

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