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Politics in Action 2026

Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam in transition — What it means for Australia

Join us forÌý, SSEAC’s flagship annual forum delivering timely political insights on Southeast Asia. Now in its eleventh year, the event brings together leading experts to unpack the political transitions shaping the region and what this means in practice for Australian researchers, policymakers and business leaders.

Details

  • Date: Thursday, 14 May 2026
  • Time: 6:00pm–8:00pm (registration from 5:30pm)
  • ³¢´Ç³¦²¹³Ù¾±´Ç²Ô:ÌýSydney Nanoscience Hub (A31), Lecture Theatre 4002 (Messel) - Enter via Level 3,ÌýPhysics Road, University of Sydney, Camperdown

Our expert speakers will examine three Southeast Asian countries undergoing significant changeÌý– Singapore, Indonesia and ³Õ¾±±ð³Ù²Ô²¹³¾Ìý– and what these shifts mean for ASEAN cohesion, Australia’s regional positioning, and the practical realities of research, business and diplomatic engagement in 2026.

Building on these expert insights, the forum will wrap up with a dynamic geopolitical panel discussion moderated by , drawing these national trajectories together to assess their collective implications for Australia. The panel will be followed by a Q&A with the audience and an opportunity for networking.

If you’re a researcher, business leader or policymaker focused on Southeast Asia, Politics in Action 2026 is essential. This is your opportunity to gain insights into the critical political and geopolitical context needed to support productive engagement and collaboration across the region.

Speakers

Associate Professor Michael Barr

Associate Professor Michael Barr is lecturer of International Relations at Flinders University, South Australia, and Head of the Asian Studies Section of the Australian Academy of the Humanities. He is a regular commentator and writer on Singapore politics and history. His next book, The Ruling Elite of Singapore: Leadership beyond Lee, is scheduled for publication in November.Ìý

Dr Sana Jaffrey

Dr Sana Jaffrey is a Research Fellow in the Department of Political and Social Change at the Australian National University, Canberra, and a non-resident scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. She has over 15 years of experience conducting research on Indonesian politics. Her co-edited volume, The Jokowi Presidency: Indonesia’s Decade of Authoritarian Revival, published in 2025, examines the political legacy of Joko Widodo’s presidency.Ìý

Dr Nguyen Khac Giang

Dr Nguyen Khac Giang is a Visiting Fellow at the Vietnam Studies Programme, ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore. Previously, he led the Political Research Unit at the Vietnam Institute for Economic and Policy Research in Hanoi. His work has appeared in numerous leading journals. He is also a widely cited analyst on Vietnamese politics, including in The Economist, Financial Times, Reuters and BBC.

Program

Time

Session

Details

5:30±è³¾â€“6:00±è³¾

Registration and networking

Ìý

6:00±è³¾â€“6:05±è³¾

Welcome and AcknowledgementÌýof Country Professor Greg Fox,ÌýDirector, Sydney Southeast Asia Centre

6:05±è³¾â€“6:10±è³¾

Opening remarks

Professor Gaby Ramia,ÌýInterim Head, School of Social and Political Sciences
Ìý

SESSION 1: Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam in transition

MC: Professor Greg Fox,ÌýDirector, Sydney Southeast Asia Centre

6:10±è³¾â€“6:20±è³¾

Politics in Singapore:​ Life after Lee 2.0​

Associate Professor Michael Barr,ÌýFlinders University

6:20±è³¾â€“6:30±è³¾

Global fuel crisis forcing politicallyÌýperilous trade-offs in Indonesia Dr Sana Jaffrey,ÌýAustralian National University

6:30±è³¾â€“6:40±è³¾

Vietnam’s post-political transition in 2026:​ Continuity and changes

Dr Nguyen Khac Giang,ÌýISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute
Ìý

SESSION 2: Panel discussion and Q&A

Moderator: Professor Justin Hastings,ÌýSchool of Social and Political Sciences

6:40±è³¾â€“7:10±è³¾

What do these transitions mean for Australia and ASEAN

Panel: Professor Michael Barr, Dr Sana Jaffrey and Dr Nguyen Khac Giang

7:10±è³¾â€“7:15±è³¾

Closing remarks

Professor Kathy Belov,ÌýPro Vice-Chancellor (Global and Research Engagement)

7:15±è³¾â€“8:00±è³¾

Networking drinks and nibbles

Ìý

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