Bernard Keane – Seize the Moment

In 2025, Donald Trump returned to the Oval Office. This return almost instantly resulted in economic and geopolitical shockwaves across the world. In Seize the Moment, political journalist Bernard Keane brings his expertise in government and politics to study how Australia can successfully navigate global instability in this second “Trump Moment”.

With global superpowers intent on reshaping the democratic, liberal world landscape, economic and military conflicts are escalating; the climate crisis continues to affect the world; social cohesion is at a low; multilateral cooperation is dwindling; and populism and extremism are rising. Amidst a changing world, Keane explores Australia’s unique advantages that can be leveraged to prosper within an increasingly dysfunctional world.

Keane examines Australia’s economic and political history, our relationships with the United States and China and our position on the global stage, and reflects on what the first quarter of this century can teach us about how we can avoid disruption and polarisation to become a more successful society.

Bernard Keane has been Crikey’s Canberra correspondent since 2008, writing on politics, media and economics. He has also spent 15 years in the Australian public service. He is co-author of the bestselling A Short History of Stupid, and author of The Mess We’re In and a novel, Surveillance.

Matt Kean is Chair of the Climate Change Authority and Director, Regulatory Affairs and Strategic Partnerships at Wollemi Capital. He was the previously the NSW Member for Hornsby, from 2011–2024. Kean was most recently the NSW Government Shadow Minister for Health. He was Deputy Leader of the NSW Liberal Party from August 2022 until March 2023. Throughout his 13-year political career, Kean also held the ministries of Innovation and Better Regulation, Treasury, Energy and Environment.