Brendan Dowling: Deputy Secretary, Australia’s Department of Home Affairs

Published 23rd December, 2025.

Welcome to the sixth episode in our special series with the Australian Government and their Centre for Australia–India Relations, spotlighting the growing Australia–India relationship across technology, business, media, culture and sport. Previous guests include Peter Varghese, Sweta Mehra, Bharat Sundaresan, Lisa Stahlalekar and Sanjeev Gandhi, reflecting the breadth of Indian-Australian leadership at the most senior levels.

Episode #237 features a rare public interview with Brendan Dowling, Deputy Secretary for Critical Infrastructure and Protective Security at Australia’s Department of Home Affairs — one of the government’s most senior national security roles. Brendan was previously Australia’s Ambassador for Cyber Affairs.

In conversation with Vidit Agarwal, Brendan shares his journey from growing up in Melbourne with Indian and Irish heritage to operating at the heart of Australia’s national security system. He reflects on the influence of a mother who migrated from Chennai, a scientist father, and a deep sense of service shaped by family, education and community.

Brendan unpacks his real career story — working across refugee camps in the Middle East, representing Australia in Washington during President Trump’s first term, negotiating complex international agreements with the United States, and navigating the frontlines of cyber and critical infrastructure security. He also shares his philosophy on leadership, communication, resilience and balance — and why clarity of thinking, preparation, and knowing when to switch off matter more than title or hierarchy.

It’s time to explore your curiosity, please enjoy.

Note: this episode was recorded on the 14th November, 2025.

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Hosted by Vidit Agarwal, Founder of Curiosity Center and The High Flyers Podcast.

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