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Biographies:
Bronwyn Bishop served as the 29th speaker of the Australian House of Representatives from 2013 to 2015. She was the first woman to be president of any political Party in New South Wales when elected President of the Liberal Party in NSW (1985); first woman from NSW to be elected to the Senate (1987); first woman from Liberal Party to be elected to the House of Representatives from NSW (1994); first woman from Liberal Party in NSW to become a Federal Minister (1996); first woman in Australia to service in the Senate, the House of Representatives and as a Minister. At the time of her resignation from politics in 2016, Ms Bishop had been a member of federal parliament for almost 30 years – the longest period of service by a woman. When the Liberals returned to government in 1996, Ms Bishop was Minister for Defence Industry, Science and Personnel and held the post for two years.
Sarah Pavillard has nearly three decades of Defence sector experience and loves simplifying complex problems and assisting businesses in adapting to their future needs. She actively seeks ways for businesses to collaborate with the Defence industry. Sarah aids leaders in recognising the true value of their capabilities and capacity. She guides them in pivoting into the Defence supply chain, safeguarding their businesses and contributing to Australia's national interests.
Sarah is a recognised AUKUS expert. She launched Micro-Partnerships in the Age of AUKUS at the Sea Air Space Conference & Exhibition in 2023, a white paper that explores how Australian, American and British Small to Medium Enterprises can be stronger together and flourish in the Australian defense sector whilst strengthening global security. She is a sought-after speaker and panellists at conferences and closed-door government and think tank-led panels about how to accelerate AUKUS partnerships.
Misha Zelinsky is a leading expert on the rise of global authoritarianism.
A Fulbright Scholar, economist, lawyer, and author, Misha spent 2022 and 2023 covering Russia’s invasion from inside Ukraine as a war correspondent for The Australian Financial Review. For this work, Misha is personally sanctioned by the Putin regime.
He is currently the Executive General Manager of Corporate Affairs at the National Rugby League (NRL), where he has responsibility for the game's strategy, including the NRL's expansion into Papua New Guinea as part of Australia's soft power diplomacy.
Thanks to his time leading the Australian Workers’ Union— Australia’s oldest blue-collar trade union — Misha has been a senior political figure with a reputation for expertise in supply chain sovereignty, national security, industrial policy, countering foreign interference, international trade and energy security.
Misha is a regular columnist for The Australian Financial Review, writing on the future of democracy, Australian domestic policy, national security and geopolitics. As a contributor to MSNBC, BBC, and ABC, Misha’s work features in Australian and international print publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, Daily Telegraph, Foreign Policy and The Times.
Misha’s recent book The Sun Will Rise, details the events of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Misha is a graduate of the London School of Economics and Political Science.
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