Who should have this Prestiges Job


A blow in like the touted Bob Carr, resurrected god botherer ~ Kevin Rudd, Steven Smith, Craig Emerson, Simon Crean, Peter Garrett, or could Gillard do the right thing next to choosing Steven Smith,

promote a women to the position ... perhaps a women who will support Palestinian representation in the UN.

Shame the South Australian former mayor and State Labor Party Representative ~ Jane Lomax Smith isn't in federal politics.






The big question everyone has about Gillard's ministerial reshuffle is who will get foreign affairs? Since the glamour role was vacated by Kevin Rudd last week, the players have been jockeying for the gig. Former NSW premier Bob Carr is out of the running. So who are the contenders for Australia's next top diplomat?

STEPHEN SMITH

CURRENT POSITION: Minister for Defence. The Member for Perth.

Advertisement: Story continues below
Trade Minister Craig Emerson is acting Foreign Affairs Minister as is in the running for the job. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
HISTORY: Was the Foreign Affairs Minister from 2007 until 2010 when he stepped aside from the prestigious portfolio to make way for the newly deposed Kevin Rudd in Julia Gillard's first cabinet. Adviser to Paul Keating, in his roles as Treasurer and then as Prime Minister and played a leading role in securing caucus numbers for Keating in the 1990 leadership coup over Bob Hawke. Entered parliament in 1993. Nicknamed a ''rooster'' by former Labor leader Mark Latham for his close alliance with Wayne Swan — the pair worked almost exclusively to prevent a challenge on Kim Beazley by Latham. The pair were also referred to as the ''glimmer twins'' by journalists.

SUITABILITY: As the former Foreign Affairs Minister, Smith is the clear frontrunner for the position. He is understood to have his sights set on returning to the portfolio but has publicly said he is ''happy to serve in whatever capacity the Prime Minister chooses''.

WORD ON THE STREET: Smith reportedly sparked the latest round of Labor dissent by vetoing Gillard's reported decision to fill the casual Senate vacancy — created by the shock resignation of Senator Mark Arbib — with former NSW premier Bob Carr. It was reported — and subsequently denied by Ms Gillard — that she personally offered the foreign affairs portfolio to Mr Carr as a sweetener to entering federal politics.


Regional Minister Simon Crean is also a possible contender for foreign minister though least likely to get the job. Photo: Erin Jonasson
CRAIG EMERSON

CURRENT POSITION: Minister for Trade. Since Kevin Rudd quit last week, also acting Foreign Affairs Minister. The Member for Rankin in Brisbane's southern suburbs.

HISTORY: Has been in federal parliament since 1998 but is an economist by trade with a PhD in Economics from the ANU. He has also worked as an adviser to Bob Hawke and Wayne Goss (a la Kevin Rudd).  Before his Trade gig he was Minister for Small Business and Consumer Affairs.

SUITABILITY: Emerson already has experience representing Australia internationally as Trade Minister, which he has held since the 2010 election. Both portfolios are housed in the same department — so he is already familiar with the way DFAT works.

WORD ON THE STREET: Emerson may not have the senior ministerial experience to pull off such a senior role but he is one of Gillard's main message men. He is not considered a frontrunner but could emerge as a compromise candidate. Emerson — like Crean — has also been a vocal and public support of Julia Gillard during the leadership battle. The plum foreign role would be seen as a reward for that.

SIMON CREAN

CURRENT POSITION: Minister for Regional Affairs, Regional Development and Local Government; and Arts. Member for Hotham in Melbourne's south-east.

HISTORY: Elected to parliament in 1990. Opposition leader from 2001 to 2003 (he resigned without having contested an election).  Had several ministerial gigs during the Hawke-Keating years including Employment and Education, Primary Industries and Science and Technology. Was Trade Minister under Rudd. Former president of the ACTU (a la Bob Hawke).

SUITABILITY: Has more experience in Trade than Emerson and one of Labor's most experienced ministerial hands. But his experience leans more towards the domestic sphere and he is not as smooth as Smith.

WORD ON THE STREET: Crean has been one of Rudd's harshest public critics in recent weeks — enough to earn him a special mention in Rudd's resignation speech. But is he out to support Gillard or to reignite his own leadership ambitions? Crean has certainly been cited as a third leadership option for Labor (ie. not Gillard, not Rudd). There are reports that he may have been involved in putting the kybosh on Carr's move to Canberra because he wanted the Foreign Ministry. Would promoting Crean to the top diplomat job  look like he had trumped Gillard over Carr? And would it be seen as rewarding him for smashing Rudd (and therefore anger Rudd supporters)?


http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/who-will-replace-rudd-a-form-guide-20120301-1u4tw.html

Considering Commie Bob is running the govt Christine Milne should be the next Foreign Minister

adelcrow wrote on Mar 1^st, 2012 at 3:05pm:




What a brilliant Idea ... got to twitter that suggestion

Andrei.Hicks wrote on Mar 1^st, 2012 at 3:05pm:



Offensive.[/quote]
Really? I guess you wouldn't be keen on bible bashing believer in fairies either then.I suppose the truth cuts deep ,for some.

____ wrote on Mar 1^st, 2012 at 3:11pm:


Think of all the money he could rack up on hookers overseas..I reckon its a great idea 

cods wrote on Mar 1^st, 2012 at 3:16pm:



Would mean dumping the Libs and cuddling up to Julie in public Cods


You up to the job.

adelcrow wrote on Mar 1^st, 2012 at 3:30pm:




And Cods could invest in some body armour to protect from those stray knifes that Labor MPs sometimes fall backward onto.



If Cods turns down the job, how about finding a way for Cheryl Kernot.

another faceless man could jump ship for her in the Senate

adelcrow wrote on Mar 1^st, 2012 at 3:13pm:


and throughout asia he could be more like so much of the rest of the ALP...