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b'Allan and Darren begin their final episode of 2020 with the recent cabinet reshuffle, specifically Dan Tehan becoming Minister for Trade and Andrew Hastie becoming Assistant Minister for Defence. Tehan replaces Simon Birmingham, the new Finance Minister, and Allan explains what he most admires about \\u2018Birmo\\u2019, giving Tehan\\u2014himself a former diplomat\\u2014big shoes to fill. On the Defence side, we now have a Defence Minister, and an Assistant Defence Minister, who have both served in the Australian Defence Force\\u2014something unusual and notable.\\nThe discussion moves to the appointment of Will Hodgman, a former Premier of Tasmania, to be Australia\\u2019s next High Commissioner to Singapore. Allan wonders what specialised skills (if any) the government believes head of mission posts require, while Darren offers a very personal reflection on the wide range of abilities required to be an Ambassador, especially in a crisis situation.\\nNext the conversation turns to the Richardson Review, chaired by friend of the podcast Dennis Richardson and which, at over 1300 pages in length, is a deep and comprehensive inquiry into the legislation governing Australia\\u2019s intelligence community. Allan explains why the report is so significant and lists some highlights. Liberal democracies across the world are grappling with the perennial question of \\u201cfreedom versus security\\u201d, and the powers (and oversight) of intelligence agencies are central to these debates. Getting the balance right is important not just in and of itself, but for demonstrating that the liberal democratic model can manage uniquely 21st century challenges.\\nFinally, Allan and Darren preview their \\u201csummer homework\\u201d. What is each looking to learn more about over the summer, and why? For Allan, the answer revolves around the degree of agency Australia has in the emerging international order, and for Darren the answer is\\u2014as always it seems\\u2014to understand more about China itself, and Beijing\\u2019s intentions.\\nWe thank AIIA intern Mitchell McIntosh for his help with research and audio editing and Rory Stenning for composing our theme music.\\nRelevant Links\\nScott Morrison, Media Statement [Cabinet reshuffle], 18 December 2020: https://www.pm.gov.au/media/ministry-0 \\xa0\\nMarise Payne, Media release \\u201cHigh Commissioner to Singapore\\u201d, 29 November 2020: https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/marise-payne/media-release/high-commissioner-singapore\\nDaniel Flitton, \\u201cMore pollies in more posts\\u201d, Lowy Interpreter, 3 December 2020: https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/more-pollies-more-posts\\nReport of the Comprehensive Review of the Legal Framework of the National Intelligence Community, 4 December 2020: https://www.ag.gov.au/national-security/publications/report-comprehensive-review-legal-framework-national-intelligence-community\\nSun Yun, \\u201c\\u2018Politics come first\\u2019 as ban on Australian coal worsens China\\u2019s power cuts\\u201d, Financial Times, 21 December 2020: https://www.ft.com/content/e83fffeb-3ef2-4b67-8989-6d17f153d8d4\\nPekingology podcast: https://www.csis.org/podcasts/pekingology\\nThe Aubrey-Martin series (Wikipedia entry): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aubrey%E2%80%93Maturin_series\\nThe Mandalorian, Disney Plus: https://disneyplusoriginals.disney.com/show/the-mandalorian\\nBrune Macaes, \\u201cDune and the infinite game\\u201d, 17 December 2020: https://brunomacaes.substack.com/p/dune-and-the-infinite-game\\nThe Realignment podcast: https://the-realignment.simplecast.com/'