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Hugh Piper

Hugh Piper is Program Lead at the Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy and Defence Dialogue. He is also Deputy Editor of The Policymaker, a publication of the James Martin Institute for Public Policy. He was formerly a strategic policy adviser and ministerial speechwriter at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The opinions expressed are his own.

Articles by Hugh Piper (18)

Hugh Piper 5 Jul 2023

Stumped by the cricket controversy? Here’s how sport and politics collide

When PMs weigh in on the “spirit”, you might start to wonder about the effect on oft-cited shared values.
Hugh Piper, Eglantine Staunton 30 Jun 2023

How Australia can leverage France’s Indo-Pacific presence

A tumultuous couple of years in relations can settle to a new acceptance – seeing opportunities as well as risks.
Hugh Piper 1 Jun 2023

How Australia can speak up on human rights in India

Modi won’t be prime minister for ever, so finding ways to air concerns now will actually strengthen relations long term.
Hugh Piper 16 May 2023

Indigenous Voice: Getting ready to explain to the world if Australia votes “No”

The referendum is a pivotal moment for global perceptions of Australia. Diplomats must be ready whatever the outcome.
Melissa Conley Tyler, Hugh Piper 24 Apr 2023

Defence Review: DFAT gets a boost

For the first time, a major Defence policy statement recommends more diplomatic funding.
Hugh Piper, Susannah Patton 13 Mar 2023

Taking Australian statecraft from good to great

To remain effective in Asia, Canberra must do more with less, multiplying the effects of its bureaucratic tools.
Hugh Piper 17 Jan 2023

Australia should have more public holidays – but make them civic and secular

Allowing people to choose their own days of significance would better reflect our modern national identity.
Hugh Piper 28 Nov 2022

Redemption complete? Australia’s image and the end of “sandpaper gate”

The only truly national sport is bound to local identity – but believing in exceptionalism is a dangerous game.
Hugh Piper 2 Sep 2022

“Should democracies ever lie?” Sort of. Maybe. Not really

Bending the truth corrupts confidence in democratic institutions and risks a race to the bottom.