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All is not well between the Prime Minister and the Public Service, as evidenced by the leak of Cabinet documents related to Fuelwatch. Such a leak may have been avoided had Rudd removed notoriously Howard-compliant departmental heads upon taking office.
The Burmese Government continues to hinder efforts by foreign aid agencies to assist the thousands of people at risk following Cyclone Nargis. Diplomatic intervention is required to stem further humanitarian crises in the region.
Kevin Rudd's China visit is proceeding brilliantly. But by announcing Australia's interest in a Security Council candidacy to the UN Secretary-General, he may have shown his hand before Australia is able to undo the damage the previous government did to our reputation in the UN.
The most profound shock to Australian foreign policy was not 9/11 but our change of government in 1996. Under Rudd Labor, Australia's international agenda is once again becoming less about national security and more about being a good international citizen.
Last week, Immigration Minister Senator Chris Evans paid a little-publicised visit to Jakarta for talks with ministerial counterparts on border control and people smuggling. The circumstances suggest Evans could be out of his depth, and at risk of policy capture by his department.
China's role in Burma is pivotal. Under a Rudd Government, Australia would have the expertise and standing to persuade China that its interests lie in persuading Burma's generals to soften their opposition to democracy. From 18 October 2007.
Both the Bali Kyoto meeting and the Iran war risk scenario require immediate foreign policy attention. The new Rudd administration cannot afford to let itself be positioned in a similar public frame as its predecessor.
A new government enjoys public goodwill as it tackles a residue of issues, resentments and injustices. How quickly this dissipates is a measure of the sincerity with which the new government operates. Hopes are high for Rudd Labor.
In the early 1990s, a young politician Donald Tusk seemed so Westernised that his chances of ever becoming Polish prime minister were nearly non-existent. Now his moment has arrived.
Tony Kevin retired from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in 1998, after a 30-year public service career in DFAT and Prime Minister's Department. He was Australia's ambassador to Poland (1991–94) and Cambodia (1994–97).
– China's role in Burma is pivotal. Under a Rudd Government, Australia would have the expertise and standing to persuade China that its interests lie in persuading Burma's generals to soften their opposition to democracy.
The next year will be scary. There can be no guarantee that the war of words but not bombs with Iran will continue until Bush's term ends. Bush and Cheney have a propensity to recklessness, and Australia should keep a safe distance.
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