Steady Hands Needed
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Steady Hands Needed

The role of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Australia 1979-99

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Question: Were cables sent back by Missions overseas given sufficient weight?
Question: Do you consider that three years is an optimum period to be secretary? It would be considered an incredibly short period for the chief executive of a large bank.
Question: There is a general impression that in the last 10 years the Australian Public Service has become not a service of the public, but a ministerial service. Do you think there has been this change in Foreign Affairs?
Question: There has always been tension between the departments because of the different focus and interests. Could you tell us what was the issue that caused you most trouble in that regard and did you think the inter-ministerial mechanisms that were in place in your day were sufficient to cope with this.
Question: What were the highlights of your career, both as secretary and before you were secretary?

Question: The rise of China is a major challenge. How do we go about adjusting to it?
Question: There seems to be a push to put some substance into our relations with India. This has happened at least four times. Have we left it too late?
Question: Cambodia was a success, can you comment on the drivers that made it a success and their application to the problems of today?
Question: Do you think we underestimate American awareness of Asia?

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		About the editors