Bob Carr, erudite and urbane?

Carr’s level of education is about average when compared with his peers who include Rhodes scholars, academics and barristers. His enjoyment of the finer things in life - travel, reading, music - are listed among the interests of many of his peers and opponents. Nor is Carr’s writing habit uncommon among politicians. Western Australian Premier Geoff Gallop has written several books as well as a collection of history booklets about the electorates in his jurisdiction. Queensland Premier Peter Beattie has written a number of books including a political thriller. Beazley is an author, Latham is an author. Authorship could almost be described as a prerequisite for Labor leadership.

While the comparative qualities of these Australian leaders do not contradict the description of Carr as erudite, they do cast doubt on the common inference that Carr’s bookish qualities make him an unusual political leader and herein lies another lesson. Carr is not the first well educated, persuasive, politically pragmatic Right faction Labor leader, rather he is representative of successful Labor leaders in office around Australia today and in recent history. Carr’s style consolidates a trend in leadership dynamic and perhaps represents the typical contemporary model: clever, hard working, cautious and secretive.

Whether or not Carr is deemed a policy activist will probably depend upon perspective but my feeling is that while he has been generally restrained, if you look closely you’ll see pockets of real reform hidden below a gush of public relations noise about distracting issues. Though a warning to the citizenry - take care with what you wish for. Political parties are giving our half-baked mutterings more attention than they deserve. Rather than allowing us considered input into policy development, excessive use of opinion polling in policy formation responds to our immediate reactions and often results in the kind of policy inaction that is comforting in the short term but paralysing in the long term. No pain, no gain. Perhaps we should encourage a little less caution in our future political leaders?

On a final note and with due respect to those who’ve taken on high office, Carr’s enduring leadership ought to put to rest the sea of silly voices uttering nonsense about the importance of personal presentation. We’ve had fewer matinee idols than weird looking women and blokes in political leadership roles - both before and after television. Some of our most successful leaders have strayed furthest from movie star looks than others. Our leaders might respond to the constant scrutiny of their image by cleaning up their appearance, but it’s their political savvy that secures their office not their hairstyles, spectacle frames or ties. Give us a break from the image consultancy theory of success when the next leader takes on the office please.