The first problem to face is the mechanics of his appointment.

All denied Carr was being considered for the post up until it occurred; that included Gillard and Carr. Either those claims were false or Gillard’s decision making is haphazard seat of the pants approach. If the latter is the case then Gillard is neither a considered leader nor a consultative one. If the former is the case then Carr arrives as a deceptive character repeating the sins of the past.

The next issue Carr will face is NSW; long will voters in that state remember Carr turned government into spin driving the state into financial turmoil. Having the same dross reappear in Canberra will harm Gillard’s opportunities at the next poll.

One does not do well in foreign policy using perception to drive the debate. Genuine and reflective substance is required or else Australia’s Foreign Minister will be sidelined and Australia’s interests harmed. Carr, as a former media person, is master of manipulation of perceptions with little else to commend the government he led in NSW.

Foreign Minister Bob Carr certainly has a lot of work ahead of him in aligning Australia's foreign policy with the needs and priorities in our region and beyond. Kevin Rudd promised fresh thinking and new leadership when he was the Prime Minister and then the Foreign Minister but failed to deliver innovation and diplomatic impact on many issues.

Carr needs to place more effort on making Australian diplomacy and in particular its public diplomacy more effective by projecting a positive image and adopting a more collaborative style of managing Australia's relations with the world. In particular, Mr. Carr now has a unique opportunity to improve Australia's image and reputation at the UN and elsewhere by recognising the Republic of Macedonia under its legitimate constitutional name.

Every Australian Foreign Minister from Senator Evans to now have not found the courage to do the right thing when the Macedonian issue has needed to be addressed. This needs to change as a matter of urgency and can be accelerated if the Coalition abandons its unscrutinised bipartisan foreign policy position on Macedonia.

Bob Carr; a wiley man

A highly slyly man

Sometimes a smiley man

A shyly man never,

But mostly a wryly man

An honest man ever

the Republic of Macedonia ........ is where?

"I wish him well " yes I'm sure you do Julie!
Cronus your liberal party memebership number is

Julie. The chasm that was evident in the level of communication between the PM and the Minister for foreign affairs, as was evidenced in the examples of 'off the cuff' decisions you highlight, make me wonder 'what were they thinking' when giving Rudd the ministry. Australia's best interest are ill served by the bizarre internal party politics we have endured of late!
I feel that, despite the 'baggage' Carr brings to the office, he will serve Australia well in his new role. As you say, only time will tell.
I do pray that the array of 'dissenting' views frequently displayed on OLO will not be sensured/filtered through a regulatory authority as proposed by Sen. Brown and the Finklestein enquiry.