Is the Labor Party really so bereft of talent that there is not a single member, [other than Rudd], with the ability to be made foreign minister?

Obviously that's what our Julia thinks, or she would not have had to parachute in that clapped out old state politician Carr to do the job.

Regarded by many as the dropkick responsible for much of NSWs troubles, who's only experience with matters national or international was his fights with Canberra, I suppose she could have chosen worse, but I'm damned if I know how, from our point of view.

From Julia's point of view, I suppose she has bought herself an ally with experience in hanging onto power, despite proven incompetence. This type of experience is obviously more useful to Julia, than the old duffers lack experience on the big stage is to us.

Well done that girl, again.

Hasbeen

I have to say that I agree with you here. It beggars belief that Labor had such a dearth of talent on its front bench that they were required to go shopping for a Foreign Minister.

I call it the "Bunnings Effect" - if you don't possess the required talent, you simply pop down to the nearest outlet and grab what you need.

Nuff said.

It’s an interesting move Hasbeen.

Here’s an angle on it that no one’s gunna see ‘cept me….

Bob Carr is a great advocate of stabilising our population and heading towards a sustainable society. So for Gillard to have him on board and for him to have her ear has got to be a good thing.

Labor will now have two sensible politicians, the other being Kelvin Thomson, who can …. hopefully … start to move that dinosaur party off of its addiction to never-ending expansionism and onto the right path towards a sustainable society.

Perhaps old Bob can convince her that the only way beat Abbott is to set Labor right apart from the Libs by reducing immigration, following up on her earlier denouncement of Rudd’s Big Australia and actually convincing the electorate that she will be taking the country towards a sustainable future, instead of very strongly away from it as the Libs would.

Ok, every feral pig in Australia will learn how to fly first! But at least it’s a worth a thought. ( :>|

Sometimes dreams do come true - even in politics.

Apparently Bob Carr has wanted this job for the past
decades. He's now got it.

I wonder if another cherished ambition of his might
be to be PM?

I guess we'll have to wait and see what develops next.

One thing that can be said is - you've got to admire
the political skills of our current PM - she out
maneuvered everybody - and got what she wanted!

Perhaps now the media will finally put more scrutiny
onto the Coalition and call them to account? I'm surprised
at how little of this has occurred.

Well members of the Opposition and supporters will spin this to their advantage. Carr's appointment was clearly not about a lack of talent on the front bench but choosing the right person for the job.

Regardless of personal opinions about Bob Carr, he was not plucked from obscurity. He is an experienced politician and policy maker with many years experience.

The negative aspects were more about the obfuscation around the appointment and negotiating internal pressures.

Pelican why would a bloke who is responsible for much of the problems in NSW today, with no international experience, be the right man for the job of Foreign Affairs?

Sorry but Julia has bought herself an ally, with no thought what so ever of his suitability for the job, or what good he will be for Oz, just what he can do for her. Granted he is unlikely to be any worse than Rudd, who was only indulging himself, & never worked for us, ever.

Ludwig, if he could do that, it may be worth having a twit in foreign affairs, but I wouldn't hold your breath mate.