This week on Q+A, we look beyond our borders, to some of the big global issues that are causing ripples around the world, and here at home. Our government has tricky diplomatic and strategic waters to navigate – but how much is out of their hands?

Tensions with China continue to escalate, after Foreign Minister Penny Wong issued a joint statement with her US and Japanese counterparts condemning Beijing’s military exercises around the Taiwan Strait and demanding they “immediately cease”. The Chinese Embassy pushed back, saying “finger-pointing” was “absolutely unacceptable” and accusing the US of being the “biggest saboteur” of peace in the region.

The war of words comes in the wake of Nancy Pelosi’s controversial visit to Taiwan which saw China launching ballistic missiles in an unprecedented live-fire military drill around the self-ruled island. The US House of Representatives Speaker’s stopover was also marked by cyber attacks across Taiwan. Anthony Albanese says the “level of US engagement” with Taiwan is a matter for them, but what does it mean for our region?

Meanwhile, the international economy is in the doldrums, with inflation and interest rates biting. China’s economy is facing multiple challenges – including slowing growth and a property market decline – what will that mean for Australia?

And here at home, our military structure, preparedness and investments are being reviewed for the first time in a decade. It’s being led by a former Defence Minister and former Chief of Defence Sir Angus Houston, who says the “fast-changing” strategic environment is the “worst I’ve ever seen”. How can Australia prepare for what may be ahead?

All this, plus the news of the week.

Joining Stan Grant on the panel:

Pat Conroy, Minister for International Development and the Pacific
James Paterson, Liberal Senator for Victoria
Sharan Burrow, General Secretary, International Trade Union Confederation
Jennifer Hsu, Research Fellow, Public Opinion and Foreign Policy Program, Lowy Institute
Damien Cave, Australian Bureau Chief, The New York Times

Please submit a question now via our website by 9am Thursday for the chance to ask the panel. 

Scroll down to watch Thursday's toughest question asked by Peter Sommerville, who asked CSIRO Chief Executive Larry Marshall’s about the agency’s recently released report on the trends that will define our future. 👇

Watch Q+A  Thursday 8.30pm on ABC TV, streamed live 8.30pm AEST on ABC iview or on our website.