The National Security Podcast Seeing the unseen: why geospatial intelligence is important
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Nov 6, 2025 Kathryn McMullan, the newly appointed Director of the Australian Geospatial-Intelligence Organisation, shares her insights on the evolution of AGO within the National Intelligence Community. She highlights the significance of geospatial intelligence in statecraft and its synergy with Five Eyes and regional partnerships. Kathryn discusses the importance of innovation, workforce preparedness, and technology in optimizing AGO's capabilities. She emphasizes collaboration with the commercial sector and the future of data management, urging for a culture of resilience and empowerment within the organization.
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Five Eyes Plus Regional Partnerships
- AGO operates inside a Five Eyes GeoInt network sharing systems and burden-sharing global coverage.
- It also expands partnerships beyond Five Eyes into Pacific and Indo‑Asia to build regional capability and resilience.
Leverage Industry To Boost Resilience
- Partner with commercial geospatial and space companies to diversify collection and analytical options.
- Use industry tests to challenge AGO tradecraft and accelerate warning and decision support capabilities.
Preparedness Is Systems, People And Policy
- Preparedness requires systems, workforce skills and clear policy decision frameworks across competition-to-crisis scales.
- AGO rehearses continuously to balance surge demands with staff wellbeing and mission priorities.