Moderator Reflections: Geopolitics, Risk and Collaboration at TLS Perth

Following our first Thought Leadership Series 2025 panel in Perth, we caught up with moderator Kristie Batten to get her reflections on the discussion. With a focus on economic and geopolitical risk, the panel covered everything from global security to the dominance of China in critical minerals and sparked some powerful conversations in the room. Here’s what Kristie had to say.

Panel Topic 1: Economic and Geopolitical Risks will be available to watch online from 18 June. Subscribe to our TLS mailing list and be the first to know when it’s released!

How would you describe the vibe of the panel?

While some of the topics discussed were quite confronting given the economic and geopolitical uncertainty, the speakers seemed hopeful that government and industry could come together to ensure that Australia is best-placed to thrive.

With both the US and China acting capriciously in trade and investment, making threats to each other as well as retribution to other nations that might be perceived to favour one over the other, Australia needs to tread carefully but confidently.

2.    Could you share some key highlights? Was there anything that particularly stood out for you? 

Broadly, the main themes were US policy and its impacts, conflict, security and geopolitical risk, China and its dominance in critical minerals, and how Australia can thrive. I think Amy's comments on how Trump has brought about a structural change and a "new world order" really hit home for me as it represents the biggest shift in the world since WWII. 

3.    Did any perspective challenge your own thinking?

Ian's point on working with our neighbours to shake China's critical minerals dominance was important, while Amy's counterpoint on staying close to China was also very valid. Lauren's points on how behind on technology miners are was an eye opener, in particular how miners have fragmented and disparate systems that touch on the different parts of the supply chain process.

4.    Why should people watch the replay? 

It was a thought-provoking discussion and while the panel didn't have the answers to some of the sector's (and the world's!) most pressing questions, hopefully some of the points made will challenge our thinking and encourage further discussion.

5.    In your view, why is TLS such a valuable platform for industry collaboration?

If a conversation can connect people and get them thinking and talking, then that is a really important thing! The number of professionals that came up to me afterwards to further the discussion is proof that we started a broader conversation.