In his 10 years as Premier he set new records for State Government spending on infrastructure, hosted the world’s best Olympics, achieved the nation’s best school literacy levels and bold environmental reforms such as wilderness protection, 350 new national parks and the world’s first carbon trading scheme.
After leaving federal politics he devoted himself to two of the greatest challenges of the age: for five years he headed a think tank based at UTS on Australia-China relations grappling with China’s rise and the consequences; then for three years he worked as a Professor of Business and Climate at UTS forging solutions to the climate challenge.
He has had a lifelong interest in the United States and its politics. He served as Scholar of the Australian American Leadership Dialogue and has spoken and written extensively about America, analysing the trends that shape it and determine its future.
Forbes magazine called Bob Carr a ‘dragon slayer’ for his landmark tort law reforms.
Bob Carr is uniquely qualified to talk about how international developments can shape your business.
Talking Points
Securing Australia in a Chaotic World
Start with America beyond the ups and downs of the November presidential contest. Dive deeper. How will America look after four years of a Harris presidency or a second Trump term? In other words, how will America look on January 20 2029, when the president for the years 2029-2033 is inaugurated? Isolationist and protectionist Polarised and dysfunctional?Securing Australia in a Chaotic World
It’s clear American unipolarity is finished. But the US can still be the world’s prevailing power for a century to come. Rival centres will challenge it- Russia in Eastern Europe, Iran in the Middle East and China in East Asia. India will find its own path to expressing its greatness. Indonesia will be shaped by a contest of two versions of Islam, by maritime disputes with China, by its adherence to non-alignment as the pillar of its diplomacy.
There are strategies available for Australia, even in handling the tension caused by China’s rise and America’s determination to hold onto primacy. They require deft and confident diplomacy. In the meantime, in the South Pacific, small island developing states are living with the reality of climate change- as indeed Australians are in an era of more extreme climate events, especially fires and floods.
Australia does not have to be battered by this turbulence. We can be masters of our fate, a clever country adhering to its values, but cutting its way through this age of uncertainty.
Amid this conflict and dysfunction, we can be a creative middle power, even a cunning one, securing our future.
Geopolitics
Nobody can offer greater insights and promote better understanding of the current tense international environment- and what it might mean for your business and for Australia. Bob Carr served as Australian foreign minister when Donald Trump was shaping his bid for power and Xi Jinping emerging as China's new, assertive leader. For five years running a university think tank he led examination of the Australian-China relationship. And for three more worked in climate change and business. Bob Carr can analyse possible changes in American power projection and how they might expose Australia- for example, more American political polarisation and dysfunction; the prospect of more aggressive economic decoupling between US and China; a retreat from global leadership by a different president; the nature of the conflict over Taiwan and likelihood of war. Geopolitics
Also the prospects of a shift in Chinese policies and leadership; and the prospects for South East Asia. Energy as well- he analyses the chances of the long-discussed nuclear Renaissance or a lift in global targets on decarbonisation. Bob Carr has met Putin and knows Russian history and can speculate about the Russian leader's next moves in a more unpredictable global setting where even the taboos on nuclear war seem to being eroded.
Lessons from the Presidents
No one in Australia knows more about US political history and America's Presidents than Bob Carr, the longest serving Premier of New South Wales and former Foreign Minister. Mr Carr has made a lifetime study of the US political system and in particular it's Presidents; writing articles, reviewing books, commenting on campaigns. He is the founding president of the Chester A. Arthur Society devoted to US presidential trivia. He gives a riveting address on two and a quarter centuries of the US presidency and lessons about leadership relevant to you.
Lessons from the Presidents
Video
Bob Carr with Tracey Curro - Up Close And Personal
One of Australia's most popular and respected political leaders, Bob Carr made his political reputation through public speaking. "There is no doubt Carr is a master orator," according to Simon Benson, political correspondent of The Daily Telegraph. "Carr is a smart speaker, a colourful orator with a carefully trained voice," wrote Gerard Noonan of The Sydney Morning Herald. Dominating the floor of the rough house New South Wales Parliament -- known as the "bear pit" -- or giving a highly acclaimed speech of welcome to Margaret Thatcher in 1988, Bob Carr has spoken about far more than the narrow political agenda. His annual addresses at Australia Day lunches or at Anzac commemorations were widely appreciated.Mr. Carr is an exceptional speaker with an amazing ability of truly capturing the audience. The presentation was scored as one of the best at the conference. ... keep reading Teradata
The Hon Bob Carr delivered an informative and thought provoking presentation. Our client ACCA, the event sponsor KPMG and other headline speakers all agreed that he set a high level for the event.
Carr is the most consistently effective, engaging and entertaining speaker with whom I have collaborated.
Both the afternoon event and the awards night went really well. Bob was a great speaker and I know our management team found the meeting with him very valuable.
Carr is a smart speaker, a colourful orator with a carefully trained voice.
