Senator David Van is a Liberal Senator for Victoria, who was elected to the Senate in 2019. As part of this, and arguably as the main reason many Australians might recognise him, David has recently been very prominent in his support for the people of Ukraine. In this discussion, we speak with David about what this cause means to him and what the situation there might mean for all of us in Australia.
We also explore David’s fascinating background, which includes time as a horticulturalist, in public relations and as a ski instructor, as well as his extensive interest in, and study into the current geo-political environment – David holds a Master of International Relations degree from Monash University and is undertaking a Master of Strategy and Security degree at UNSW at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA).
With all of this going on, we also ask David what he does for himself – exactly how does he stay healthy, happy and sane in the course of his busy and diverse life?
1:20 David’s upbringing – and experience in horticulture, public relations and ski instructing (all, as it turns out, very useful preparatory skills for a career in politics!)
7:22 Why the career change into politics? (and how do you get into politics?)
10:00 David’s support for Ukraine – and his frontline experience there
15:30 Is the conflict winnable (or loseable?)
18:30 What more should the West – including Australia – be doing?
22:30 What does the Ukraine situation mean for our region – and in particular, Chinese attitudes towards Taiwan? And what should Australia be doing about this?
29:10 David’s views on the current state of democracy – and its ability to stand up against emerging totalitarian regimes
32:00 David’s reflections on the current state of the Liberal party
35:00 How does David stay sane, fit and healthy?
36:50 On Josh Frydenberg
39:40 David’s reading recommendations…
41:40 …and his power song!
44:40 What’s next for David?
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External Links
David’s website
Music
The Externals – available on Spotify
Ben Frichot - available on Spotify
S3E2- Senator Jacqui Lambie: No Fear, No Favour.
S3E1- Comedian Mick Neven is (a) Melon Head
@RV24- Season 2 Finale
S2E28 – A Story of Combat, Cricket and the SAS with ‘Harry’ Moffitt
S2E27b – H Hour with Hawks: An Interview with Ben and Tim
S2E27a – H Hour with Hawks: An Interview with Ben and Tim
@RV23 – Happy New Year!
@RV22 – Christmas Eve Reflections on Louise Baxter and Daniel Keighran,VC ... & Listener Questions
@RV21 – On Meditating with Gary Gorrow, Surviving Massacres with Wayne Jones and Dying Three Times with Coco Quirke
S2E26b – Daniel Keighran, VC- Courage Under Fire
S2E26a – Daniel Keighran, VC - Courage Under Fire
Special Episode- How NOT To win Best New Podcast at the Australian Podcast Awards
@RV20 - On Parenting – and other dilemmas!
S2E25- Louise Baxter Shines Brightly- CEO of Starlight Children's Foundation
S2E24- Marc Mexsom: When your cause is bigger than your case - Community Courage
S2E23 – Hard to Keep Killed - McQuilty ‘Coco’ Quirke, NSC
S2E22- David Gillespie – Inside Teen Brains
S2E21b – Wayne Jones: ex SAS Sky God and Rock Star turned ASX CEO
S2E21a- Wayne Jones: ex SAS Sky God and Rockstar turned ASX CEO
S2E20- Understanding Meditation with the Expert- Gary Gorrow
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