Former Ambassador to the United States, The Hon. Arthur Sinodinos AO, has called for Australia to strengthen its adaptability and leadership in response to a rapidly changing global order, in his address at the 2025 John Monash Oration, generously hosted by Commonwealth Bank.
Speaking to an audience of John Monash Alumni, supporters and distinguished guests, Mr Sinodinos reflected on the challenges facing the global rules-based order that has underpinned Australia’s prosperity since World War II and emphasised the importance of maintaining Australia’s alliance with the United States while building stronger partnerships across the Indo-Pacific.
“Australia can nurture its relationship with the United States by focusing on areas of common interest. When it comes to security in the Indo Pacific, the United States needs us as much as we need them,” Mr Sinodinos said.
“Australia must also be match fit to compete in a more transactional world. We also face several key industry transitions, including the implementation of AUKUS and the clean energy transition, that require large scale mobilisation of resources and coordination.
“Another wave of economic reform is necessary to raise national productivity and facilitate these industry transformations. A stronger Australia will be a more influential player on the global stage.”
Drawing parallels between Australia’s current need for adaptable leadership and the qualities embodied by General Sir John Monash, Mr Sinodinos said Monash was an extraordinary Australian whose intellectual breadth and curiosity would become hallmarks of his approach to every endeavour.
While a celebrated hero from his leadership on the battlefields of Gallipoli and the Western Front, Monash was also a multi-skilled nation builder who helped lay the foundations for Australia’s post-war economic growth and prosperity.
“Monash believed in preparation, precision and adaptability. He was open to new ideas and technologies and never ceased to learn from experience,” Mr Sinodinos said.
“Likewise, Australia must continue to proactively navigate its place on a shifting world stage and Monash’s leadership qualities of resilience, innovation and inclusiveness remain as relevant today as they did during Monash’s lifetime.”
Delivering the Scholar Reply, Dr Trung Ton (2017 Susan and Isaac Wakil Foundation John Monash Scholar) reflected on Mr Sinodinos’s remarks and the enduring relevance of General Sir John Monash’s legacy to the Scholar community. Dr Ton spoke about the responsibility of Scholars to apply their knowledge and leadership globally, while contributing to Australia’s growth and resilience during uncertain times.
Chief Executive Officer of the General Sir John Monash Foundation, Ross Youngman, said Australia is in a strong position to continue nurturing home-grown talent, at a time when our global counterparts are looking internationally for talent to fill job shortages and drive innovation.
“While nations like China and the United States are offering special visas to draw in global talent, Australia is focused on nurturing our own leaders across a range of industries through international study and experience. The growth of the John Monash Foundation over recent years has certainly facilitated this and it’s thanks to the support of the Federal Government, many of our state and territory governments, the business community and individual donors across the country,” Mr Youngman said.
“Since 2001, the Foundation has supported 282 postgraduate scholars to study internationally in professions including physics, engineering, medicine, education and public policy. In our first year, we started with eight scholars and that has grown to 18 in 2025, so we are certainly scaling up with a focus on supporting more young people to reach their full potential.”
