Challenges for Real Bob Carr

Australia should be taking a lead in working with the Fiji Government to find constructive solutions to the many challenges facing Fiji.

TheCoalition will, on coming to government, engage with the Fiji Government to seek to develop a roadmap in order to restore democracy and normalise relations with Australia.

Mr Carr must also make Papua New Guinea one of his highest priorities.

PNG is on the cusp of a major economic upheaval as mining and resource projects come on stream that have the potential to transform the social fabric of the nation and recast the status of its relationship with Australia.

PNG faces enormous challenges in harnessing the benefits of its coming resources boom, in restoring political stability and in raising the standard of living of its people.

There is an urgent need to put our relationship more on the footing of economic partnership, rather than that of aid donor and aid recipient.

Prime Minister Gillard said infamously that she does not have a passion for foreign affairs and she has since gone to great lengths to prove her point.

Mr Carr must shoulder not only the responsibilities that come with his office but also many of the responsibilities traditionally borne by the Prime Minister, to overcome Julia Gillard's lack of skill and competence in this vital area of government policy.