As Australians head to the polls, David Wroe interviews two of the best minds on the intersection of Australian politics and global affairs - the ABC 7.30 program's political editor Laura Tingle and The Age's political and international editor, Peter Hartcher.

As well as their reflections on the substance of the election campaign, the conversation considers the challenges to Australia from the current global geopolitical outlook and whether we are having the right policy debates about how we can and should respond over the long term. Given the security threats we face and the investments being made in defence, including through AUKUS, are politicians having the right conversations with the Australian public to ensure both understanding and support for expansive policy ideas?

This conversation tackles all the big issues, including economic security, defence, Trump, AUKUS and China and, while recorded in the context of this week’s election, it will remain relevant well beyond it as these are challenges that will face the next Australian government and future generations in the years ahead.