View source for Bob Carr

{{short description|Former Premier of New South Wales (born 1947)}}
{{Other people|Bob Carr}}
{{Use Australian English|date=August 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix    = [[The Honourable]]
| name                = Bob Carr
| image               = Bob Carr.jpg
| office              = [[Minister for Foreign Affairs (Australia)|Minister for Foreign Affairs]]
| primeminister       = [[Julia Gillard]]<br>[[Kevin Rudd]]
| term_start          = 13 March 2012
| term_end            = 18 September 2013
| predecessor         = [[Kevin Rudd]]
| successor           = [[Julie Bishop]]
| office1             = 39th [[Premier of New South Wales]]
| monarch1             = [[Elizabeth II]]
| governor1           = [[Peter Sinclair (governor)|Peter Sinclair]]<br>[[Gordon Samuels]]<br>[[Marie Bashir]]
| term_start1         = 4 April 1995
| term_end1           = 3 August 2005
| deputy1             = [[Andrew Refshauge]]
| predecessor1        = [[John Fahey (politician)|John Fahey]]
| successor1          = [[Morris Iemma]]
| office2             = [[Minister for the Arts (New South Wales)|NSW Minister for the Arts]]
| term_start2         = 4 April 1995
| term_end2           = 3 August 2005
| premier2            = Himself
| predecessor2        = [[Peter Collins (New South Wales politician)|Peter Collins]]
| successor2          = [[Bob Debus]]
| office3             = [[Minister for Multiculturalism (New South Wales)|NSW Minister for Ethnic Affairs]]{{efn|Minister for Ethnic Affairs from 4 April 1995 to 8 April 1999 and then Minister for Citizenship from 8 April 1999 to 3 August 2005.}}
| term_start3         = 4 April 1995
| term_end3         = 3 August 2005
| predecessor3        = [[Michael Photios]]
| successor3          = Morris Iemma
| premier3            = Himself
| office4             = [[Leader of the Opposition (New South Wales)|Leader of the Opposition in New South Wales]]<br> {{small|Election: [[1991 New South Wales state election|1991]], [[1995 New South Wales state election|1995]]}}
| term_start4         = 11 April 1988
| term_end4           = 4 April 1995
| premier4            = [[Nick Greiner]]<br>[[John Fahey (politician)|John Fahey]]
| deputy4             = [[Andrew Refshauge]]
| predecessor4        = [[Nick Greiner]]
| successor4          = [[Peter Collins (New South Wales politician)|Peter Collins]]
| office5             = [[Minister for Planning (New South Wales)|NSW Minister for Planning]] and [[Minister for the Environment (New South Wales)|Environment]]
| premier5            = [[Neville Wran]]<br>[[Barrie Unsworth]]
| term_start5         = 12 December 1984
| term_end5           = 21 March 1988
| predecessor5        = [[Terry Sheahan]]
| successor5          = [[David Hay (Australian politician)|David Hay]]
| office6             = [[Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading|NSW Minister for Consumer Affairs]]
| premier6            = Barrie Unsworth
| predecessor6        = [[George Paciullo]]
| successor6          = [[Deirdre Grusovin]]
| term_start6         = 4 July 1986
| term_end6           = 21 March 1988
| office7             = [[Australian Senate|Senator]] for [[New South Wales]]
| term_start7         = 6 March 2012
| term_end7           = 24 October 2013
| predecessor7        = [[Mark Arbib]]
| successor7          = [[Deborah O'Neill]]
| constituency_MP8    = [[Electoral district of Maroubra|Maroubra]]
| parliament8         = New South Wales
| term_start8         = 22 October 1983
| term_end8           = 3 August 2005
| predecessor8        = [[Bill Haigh]]
| successor8          = [[Michael Daley]]
| birthname           = Robert John Carr
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1947|9|28|df=y}}
| birth_place         = [[Matraville, New South Wales]], Australia
| death_date          = 
| death_place         = 
| party               = [[New South Wales Labor Party|Labor Party]]
| spouse              = {{Marriage|[[Helena Carr|Helena John]]|1973|2023|end=d.}}
| education           = [[Matraville Sports High School|Matraville High School]]
| alma_mater          = [[University of New South Wales]]
| caption             = Official portrait, 2012
}}

'''Robert John Carr''' (born 28 September 1947)<ref name="nsw" /> is an Australian retired politician and journalist who served as the 39th [[Premier of New South Wales]] from 1995 to 2005, as the leader of the [[New South Wales Labor Party|New South Wales branch]] of the [[Australian Labor Party]]. He later entered federal politics as a New South Wales [[Australian Senate|senator]], and served as [[Minister for Foreign Affairs (Australia)|Minister for Foreign Affairs]] from 2012 to 2013. Following his departure from politics, he served as the director of the Australia-China Relations Institute (ACRI) from 2014 to 2019 at the [[University of Technology Sydney]] (UTS).<ref>[https://www.australiachinarelations.org/content/professor-honourable-bob-carr PROFESSOR THE HONOURABLE BOB CARR] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017064147/https://www.australiachinarelations.org/content/professor-honourable-bob-carr |date=17 October 2021 }}; www.australiachinarelations.org</ref>

Carr was born in [[Sydney]] and attended the [[University of New South Wales]]. Before entering politics he worked as a journalist. Carr entered the [[New South Wales Legislative Assembly]] in 1983, and the following year became a cabinet minister. He served under [[Neville Wran]] and [[Barrie Unsworth]] until the Labor government was defeated in a [[landslide victory|landslide]] at the [[1988 New South Wales state election|1988 state election]]. Carr subsequently replaced Unsworth as party leader, thus becoming [[Leader of the Opposition (New South Wales)|Leader of the Opposition]]. He led Labor to the [[1991 New South Wales state election|1991 election]], where it recovered many of the seats it had lost in 1988, and then became premier after a narrow victory in [[1995 New South Wales state election|1995]].

As Premier, Carr was known for his emphasis on conservation and his use of [[public–private partnership]]s to fund infrastructure projects.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}} His government oversaw much of the planning for the [[2000 Summer Olympics]], which Sydney hosted. However, he was criticised for allowing [[poker machines]] to become widespread in [[pub]]s across the state, which led to an increase in [[gambling addiction]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/no-regrets-says-bob-carr-despite-bargain-with-the-devil-on-poker-machines-20180704-p4zpf4.html | title=No regrets, says Bob Carr, despite 'bargain with the devil' on poker machines | date=4 July 2018 | access-date=22 January 2025 | archive-date=22 January 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250122084914/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/no-regrets-says-bob-carr-despite-bargain-with-the-devil-on-poker-machines-20180704-p4zpf4.html | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="amp.smh.com.au">{{cite web | url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/cashless-gaming-imperative-more-trials-nonsense-says-bob-carr-s-treasurer-20230210-p5cjn6.html | title=NSW poker machines: Bob Carr's Labor treasurer says cashless gaming imperative | date=10 February 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/nsw/perrottet-blasts-bob-carr-over-pokie-legacy-after-nazi-uniform-jab-20230116-p5ccr2.html | title=Perrottet blasts Carr over pokies legacy after Nazi uniform jibe | date=16 January 2023 | access-date=17 May 2024 | archive-date=17 May 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240517084358/https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/nsw/perrottet-blasts-bob-carr-over-pokie-legacy-after-nazi-uniform-jab-20230116-p5ccr2.html | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.afr.com/companies/carr-says-quits-for-now-at-100-000-pokies-20000329-k9agc | title=Carr says quits for now at 100,000 pokies | date=29 March 2000 | access-date=17 May 2024 | archive-date=17 May 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240517084357/https://www.afr.com/companies/carr-says-quits-for-now-at-100-000-pokies-20000329-k9agc | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Leeming |first=Lachlan |date=January 16, 2023 |title=Dominic Perrottet, Bob Carr trade blows over pokies card, Nazi uniform |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/state-election/dominic-perrottet-bob-carr-trade-blows-over-pokies-card-nazi-uniform/news-story/70730faf5ee569bfbe3c09d50a29f036?amp |access-date=August 13, 2024 |website=www.dailytelegraph.com.au}}</ref> Carr was re-elected twice, in [[1999 New South Wales state election|1999]] and [[2003 New South Wales state election|2003]], eventually resigning as Premier in 2005 after 10 years in office. Only [[Henry Parkes]] served as Premier for longer, and no one has served a longer consecutive term. Carr remained a public figure after leaving the Premiership, and entered federal politics in 2012 at the urging of Prime Minister [[Julia Gillard]]. He served as Foreign Minister under both Gillard and [[Kevin Rudd]], but retired following Labor's defeat at the [[2013 Australian federal election|2013 federal election]].
Carr is the last Premier of NSW to have a served a full term.

==Early life and career==
Carr was born in the suburb of [[Matraville, New South Wales|Matraville, Sydney]] to Edward and Phyllis Carr. He was educated at [[Matraville Sports High School|Matraville High School]] from which he graduated as dux in 1964.<ref name="Timing ripe for graceful exit">{{cite news|first=David|last=Humphries|title=Timing ripe for graceful exit|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=28 July 2005}}</ref> He was the first person in his family to finish high school, and became interested in a career in politics in his teenage years.<ref name="Boxing on for the love of a dead-end job - Saturday Interview">{{cite news | first = Roger | last = Coombs | title = Boxing on for the love of a dead-end job – Saturday Interview |publisher=[[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|The Daily Telegraph]] |location=Australia |date= 24 November 2004}}</ref>

While still a 15-year-old student at school, Carr joined the local branch of the Australian Labor Party. He would go on to become the President of the New South Wales branch and then the national President of [[Australian Young Labor|Young Labor]] in 1970 and 1972 respectively.<ref name="A Bra' Boy">{{cite news | title = A Bra' Boy|work=The Canberra Times |date=30 July 2005}}</ref> He completed his tertiary education at the [[University of New South Wales]], from which he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in History.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arts.unsw.edu.au/news-and-events/unsw-alumnus-now-australia-s-foreign-minister-1525.html|title=UNSW Alumnus now Australia's Foreign Minister|first=Ebony|last=Preen|date=13 March 2012|publisher=UNSW Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321044512/http://www.arts.unsw.edu.au/news-and-events/unsw-alumnus-now-australia-s-foreign-minister-1525.html|archive-date=21 March 2012}}</ref>

After graduation, Carr worked as a journalist for the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]] Radio's ''[[AM (ABC Radio)|AM]]'' and ''[[PM (ABC Radio)|PM]]'' current affair programs from 1969 to 1971. He was also a reporter on [[industrial relations]] and politics for ''[[The Bulletin (Australian periodical)|The Bulletin]]'' magazine from 1978 to 1983.<ref name="A Bra' Boy"/> He later recalled that his work as a journalist provided good preparation for his political career.<ref name="Boxing on for the love of a dead-end job - Saturday Interview"/> He also spent a period working as an education officer for the [[Labor Council of New South Wales]] (1972–78).<ref name="A Bra' Boy"/>

In 1972, Carr met a Malaysian economics student, Helena John on a holiday in [[Tahiti]], and they married on 24 February 1973. [[Helena Carr]] became a successful businesswoman, while she largely remained out of the political spotlight during her husband's career.<ref name="Major supporting act">{{cite news | title = Major supporting act | url = http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/major-supporting-act/2005/07/29/1122144024636.html | work = The Sydney Morning Herald | date = 30 July 2005 | access-date = 7 September 2007 | archive-date = 24 September 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150924202044/http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/major-supporting-act/2005/07/29/1122144024636.html | url-status = live }}</ref> Helena Carr died on 25 October 2023.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kozaki|first=Danuta|title=Former New South Wales premier Bob Carr's wife Helena dies after brain aneurysm overseas|work=ABC News|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=28 October 2023|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-28/former-nsw-premier-bob-carr-s-wife-helena-dies-overseas/103035606|archive-date=28 October 2023|access-date=28 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028094805/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-28/former-nsw-premier-bob-carr-s-wife-helena-dies-overseas/103035606|url-status=live}}</ref>

==New South Wales state politics (1983–2005)==
Carr entered the [[New South Wales Legislative Assembly]] at a by-election in October 1983 as the member for [[electoral district of Maroubra|Maroubra]], representing the Australian Labor Party.<ref name=nsw>{{cite NSW Parliament | title =The Hon. (Bob) Robert John Carr (1947– ) |id=2041 |former=Yes |access-date=7 May 2019}}</ref> In December 1984 he was appointed [[Minister for Planning (New South Wales)|Minister for Planning]] and the [[Minister for the Environment (New South Wales)|Environment]] in the [[Neville Wran]] government. In February 1986 he also took on the Consumer Affairs portfolio, which he held until he became Minister for Heritage in July 1986 when [[Barrie Unsworth]] became premier.<ref name="The Carr Horizons">{{cite news |first=Shaun|last=Carney|title=The Carr Horizons|work=The Age|location=Australia|date=28 July 2005}}</ref> As planning minister, Carr released a [[Sydney Into Its Third Century|new metropolitan planning strategy]] for the capital, to replace the 1968 [[Sydney Region Outline Plan]].

===Leader of the opposition (1988–1995)===
The Unsworth Labor government was defeated in [[1988 New South Wales state election|March 1988]], in the context of a 'time for a change' sentiment after 12 years of Labor. Carr was interested in [[international relations]], and his long-term ambition was to enter federal politics and become [[Minister for Foreign Affairs (Australia)|Minister for Foreign Affairs]].<ref name="The bald ambition that led to Labor dynasty - BOB CARR: HIS LEGACY">{{cite news|first=Malcolm|last=Farr|title=The bald ambition that led to Labor dynasty – Bob Carr: His Legacy|work=[[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|The Daily Telegraph]]|location=Australia|date=28 July 2005}}</ref>

However, following the election Carr was pressured by his own [[Labor Right|right{{endash}}wing]] [[Political faction|faction]] to stand for the leadership. Further, the party organisation did not want [[Laurie Brereton]] as leader;{{citation needed|date=August 2014}} he would go on to represent the federal seat of [[Division of Kingsford Smith|Kingsford Smith]], which Carr viewed as his path to federal politics.<ref name="AgeAmbition">{{cite news |title=Carr's long-held ambition fulfilled |author=West, Andrew |date=2 March 2012 |access-date=2 March 2012 |url=http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/carrs-longheld-ambition-fulfilled-20120302-1u7k8.html |work=The Age |location=Melbourne |archive-date=3 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303075939/http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/carrs-longheld-ambition-fulfilled-20120302-1u7k8.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Thus Carr reluctantly agreed to become Leader of the Opposition,<ref name="Timing ripe for graceful exit"/> as revealed in his diary entries from the time:<ref>{{cite news|last=Stephens|first=Tony|title=A 'solid chapter' comes to an end|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=28 July 2005|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/a-solid-chapter-comes-to-an-end/2005/07/27/1122143905010.html|access-date=13 March 2007|archive-date=17 September 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060917084117/http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/a-solid-chapter-comes-to-an-end/2005/07/27/1122143905010.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{blockquote|I spent today like a doomed man, taking phone calls and drafting a statement, still saying to the press I wasn't shifting. I feel a jolt in my stomach about what I'm getting myself in for. I will destroy my career in four years. Everything's altered. It's my fate ... So, for better or for worse, I become leader of the party next week.|Diary notes of Bob Carr in 1988}}

Despite his misgivings, Carr's performance as Opposition Leader gained approval in the party.<ref name="The bald ambition that led to Labor dynasty - BOB CARR: HIS LEGACY"/> Polling in the lead-up to the [[1991 New South Wales state election|1991 election]] predicted another heavy defeat. However, Labor regained all but one of the seats lost at the previous election. As a result, while the Coalition won 52 per cent of the two-party vote, Labor scored a 10-seat swing and came up only four seats short of Carr becoming Premier. Greiner was forced into a [[minority government]] with the support of [[Independent (politician)|independents]].<ref name="Timing ripe for graceful exit"/>

In 1992 Greiner resigned following adverse findings against him from the [[Independent Commission Against Corruption (New South Wales)|Independent Commission Against Corruption]]. [[John Fahey (politician)|John Fahey]] replaced him as premier, but was hampered by his need to negotiate with independents.<ref name="The Carr Horizons"/> For the [[1995 New South Wales state election|1995 election]], Carr focused the campaign on a select group of key seats. At that election, Labor took three seats off the Coalition, allowing Carr to become premier with a bare majority of one seat.<ref name="The legacy of an accidental premier"/>

In 1992 federal Liberal leader [[John Hewson]] controversially attacked Carr for his lack of family life when compared to Fahey: "You've got to be suspicious of a guy that doesn't drive, doesn't like kids and things like that. When he's up against a full-blooded Australian like John Fahey, he hasn't got a hope", but was later forced to withdraw his remarks.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/throwing-baby-out-with-the-bathwater-on-questions-of-leadership-20070505-gdq2h2.html |title=Throwing baby out with the bathwater on questions of leadership |date=5 May 2007 |access-date=25 February 2020 |archive-date=25 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225050340/https://www.smh.com.au/national/throwing-baby-out-with-the-bathwater-on-questions-of-leadership-20070505-gdq2h2.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Bob and Helena Carr did not respond to Hewson's attack. Bob Carr however did express his frustration with the Hewson attack in his diary:

"What a business to be in where your private life gets blasted all over the media…In the middle of an assault like this one feels crushed; you want to crouch at home; you wonder why friends don’t ring".<ref>{{Cite book|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=jg-kIhwAezIC&q=Bob+Carr+doesn%27t+drive+a+car+Hewson&pg=PA80|title = Bob Carr: The Reluctant Leader|isbn = 9780868407579|last1 = Dodkin|first1 = Marilyn|year = 2003| publisher=UNSW Press |access-date = 15 October 2020|archive-date = 1 June 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210601041813/https://books.google.com/books?id=jg-kIhwAezIC&q=Bob+Carr+doesn%27t+drive+a+car+Hewson&pg=PA80|url-status = live}}</ref>

For the entirety of his Opposition Leadership, Carr was his own Shadow Treasurer due to Greiner and Fahey being their own Treasurers.

Carr kept Treasury in 1993 when Fahey relinquished Treasury to Peter Collins, but Carr instead assigned Finance spokesman Michael Egan to tackle Collins.

When Carr became Premier after the 1995 election he appointed Egan, not himself, as Treasurer.

===Premier of New South Wales (1995–2005)===
{{see also|Carr ministry (1995–97)|Carr ministry (1997–99)|Carr ministry (1999–2003)|Carr ministry (2003–05)}}
Following the narrow 1995 victory, Labor was re-elected by a much bigger margin in [[1999 New South Wales state election|the 1999 poll]] with 55 seats out of 93. He was re-elected with the same margin in the [[2003 New South Wales state election|2003 election]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Search for Australian Election Results|url=http://elections.uwa.edu.au/electionsearch.lasso|website=Australian Politics and Elections Database|publisher=University of Western Australia|access-date=16 July 2014|archive-date=14 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714213225/http://elections.uwa.edu.au/electionsearch.lasso|url-status=live}}</ref> In the 1999 poll the defeated Liberal opposition leader was [[Kerry Chikarovski]]; in the 2003 poll it was [[John Brogden (politician)|John Brogden]].

Carr's government was characterised by conservative financial management<ref>{{cite news|last1=Clunes|first1=David|title=Bob Carr: The Unexpected Colossus|work=Yes, Premier: Labor Leadership in Australia's States and Territories|page=53|editor=Wanna, John |editor2=Williams, Paul|location=Sydney|publisher=UNSW Press|isbn=978-0-86840-840-8|date=2005}}</ref> and to a certain extent the encouragement of market forces, along with a "tough on crime" policy. It was also seen{{by whom|date=July 2014}} as having a strong pro-environment character and being committed to curriculum rigour (especially history), testing and literacy initiatives in schools.{{citation needed|date=July 2014}} Carr ventured periodically into national policy issues, particularly issues concerning the environment, population growth, embryonic stem cell research, federal–state relations and support for a minimalist model of an Australian Republic. Carr's government, under State Treasurers [[Michael Egan (Australian politician)|Michael Egan]] and [[Andrew Refshauge]], delivered ten consecutive budget surpluses.{{citation needed|date=July 2014}}

Carr became the first Premier who was not his own Treasurer for the entirety of his premiership since Barrie Unsworth.

====Nature conservation====
Nature conservation was a priority for the government and for Carr personally.<ref>Carr, Bob. "My Reading Life: adventures in the world of books." Viking, 2008, pp. 362-3</ref> Carr moved to ban canal estates because of their impact on river systems, and when in office he implemented a 1995 election pledge to prevent logging in parts of southeastern NSW by creating the [[South East Forests National Park]] along NSW's coastal range from [[Batemans Bay]] to the Victorian border.{{Citation needed|date=July 2014}}

Carr's election policies had also included commitments to protect {{convert|90000|ha|acre}} of old-growth forest and wilderness areas through a string of new national parks. The promise was exceeded with gazettal of {{convert|120000|ha|acre}} between 1995 and 2005.{{Citation needed|date=July 2014}} The initiative was supported by a A$6&nbsp;million forestry restructuring package to build a modern mill and provide a 20-year guarantee of alternative timber.{{Citation needed|date=July 2014}}

Following the 1999 victory, Carr's government declared 100 new national parks between Nowra and the Bega Valley.{{Citation needed|date=July 2014}} Carr claimed in 2009 that: "rural towns did not 'die' as a result of these conservation measures. The old timber towns now boast communities with a strong economic base, world-class national parks on their doorstep and thriving nature-based tourism".<ref name="Carr">{{cite news|last=Carr|first=Bob|title=Logging River Red Gums is Vandalism|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=27 July 2009|url=http://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/logging-river-red-gums-is-vandalism-20090723-duum.html|access-date=22 September 2013|archive-date=3 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103161532/http://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/logging-river-red-gums-is-vandalism-20090723-duum.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In its first term, the government banned the removal of old-growth vegetation from farmlands and introduced pricing for rural water and an environmental allocation to the state's river systems.{{Citation needed|date=July 2014}} In June 2001 jet skis were banned from [[Sydney Harbour]]. Carr said: "You wouldn't allow motor bikes in the Botanic Gardens".<ref>Dodkin (2003), page 217</ref>

The curbs on the clearing of nature vegetation were mounted as a serious anti-greenhouse gas measure, helping Australia achieve its [[Kyoto Protocol|Kyoto]] targets. In addition, in January 2003 the Carr government launched the world's first greenhouse gas trading scheme, the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Scheme, which set a limit on carbon emissions by electricity retailers. It was listed by the World Bank as the world's first carbon trading scheme.{{Citation needed|date=July 2014}}

In 2003 Carr launched the building sustainability index (BASIX) which mandated reductions in energy and water use of up to 40 percent in every new dwelling built after July 2004.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Davies, Anne|author2=Noonan, Gerard|title=Carr's long haul|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=19 March 2005|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Carrs-long-haul/2005/03/18/1111086014452.html|access-date=22 September 2013|archive-date=3 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103161535/http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Carrs-long-haul/2005/03/18/1111086014452.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Regarding environmental and education improvements, Carr noted in his diary for 21 April 1997: "Yesterday our school reforms were announced. All the ideas I'd formulated in Opposition. Four-unit English for the HSC. Compulsory exams at the end of Year 10. Soft options gone ... I mark the package with forestry. I could leave politics and be satisfied with my achievements."<ref>Dodkin (2003), page 160</ref>

====Tort reform====
During its second term (1999–2003) the Carr government embarked on tort law reform, in a manner that earned Carr a description from ''[[Forbes]]'' magazine as a "dragon slayer".<ref>{{cite web|last=Forbes|first=Steve|title=Dragon slayer|url=https://www.forbes.com/forbes/2004/0315/029.html|work=forbes.com|access-date=3 March 2012|date=15 March 2004|archive-date=21 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921060958/http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2004/0315/029.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1999, with the cost of many forms of injury insurance increasing, Carr gave his Minister [[John Della Bosca]] the task of carrying reforms out. As a consequence, procedures which Carr called "legal rorts" were in many cases stripped from the system. The average price of a green slip (compulsory third party motor accident insurance) was to drop $150 on 1999 prices.{{Citation needed|date=July 2014}} Carr argued that this created what he called: "the most comprehensive tort reform that any government has developed ... at the expense of the plaintiff lawyers who had fed on a culture of rorts and rip-offs".<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news|last=Carr|first=Bob|title=As you give Della a kick, remember his successes|work=The Age|location=Australia|date=2 September 2009|url=http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/contributors/as-you-give-della-a-kick-remember-his-successes-20090901-f6ua.html|access-date=26 February 2012|archive-date=8 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090908102723/http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/contributors/as-you-give-della-a-kick-remember-his-successes-20090901-f6ua.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Carr noted in his diary:<ref name="Dodkin, Marilyn p 213">{{Cite book|last=Dodkin|first=Marilyn|year=2003|title=Bob Carr: The Reluctant Leader|publisher=UNSW Press|isbn=978-0-86840-757-9}}</ref> "It's not worth being Premier unless you can take privileges off the undeserving."

However the fact that the law effectively made it impossible to claim for any injury worth less than around $60,000 was criticised by [[Chief Justice of New South Wales|New South Wales Chief Justice]] [[James Spigelman]] and others. Spigelman argued that it effectively "eliminates small claims" entirely, giving "people the right to be negligent and injure someone up to a given level before they become liable".<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.legalanswers.sl.nsw.gov.au/hot_topics/pdf/personal_injury_51.pdf |title=Personal injury |access-date=20 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324063132/http://www.legalanswers.sl.nsw.gov.au/hot_topics/pdf/personal_injury_51.pdf |archive-date=24 March 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=July 2022|talk=Tort reform quotes attributed to James Spigelman}} Spigelman said:

<blockquote>The introduction of a requirement that a person be subject to 15 percent of whole of body impairment—a percentage that is lower in some states—before being able to recover general damages has been the subject of controversy. It does mean that some people who are quite seriously injured are not able to sue at all. More than any other factor I envisage this restriction will be seen as much too restrictive.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ipc.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/supreme_court/ll_sc.nsf/vwPrint1/SCO_speech_spigelman140904 |title=The new liability structure in Australia |first=James |last=Spigelman |author-link=James Spigelman |access-date=2011-11-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120423131327/http://www.ipc.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/supreme_court/ll_sc.nsf/vwPrint1/SCO_speech_spigelman140904 |archive-date=23 April 2012}}</ref></blockquote>

====Drug laws====
As a result of a 1999 drug summit the Carr cabinet introduced Australia's first [[Supervised injection site|medically supervised injecting room]] for heroin users, located in King's Cross. The government argued it was a harm minimisation measure to keep drug users alive until they make the decision to get off drugs. Other reforms included the introduction of drug courts and a voluntary diversion program that allows magistrates to refer offenders to treatment rather than impose prison sentences.<ref name="autogenerated1"/>

====Police reform====
During his time as opposition leader, Carr had backed a motion by independent parliamentarian [[John Hatton (politician)|John Hatton]] in May 1994 to establish a [[Royal Commission into the New South Wales Police Service|Royal Commission into corruption in the NSW Police]]. Once installed in the premiership, Carr inherited the work of the Royal Commission and its reports. In November 1996 one of the reports recommended that the government give increased power to the Police Commissioner to hire and fire all staff, random drug and alcohol testing of all police officers, the formation of the police detection commission to detect and audit police corruption. But the recommendations sparked strong objection from the Police Association backed by the Labor Council and demonstrations at parliament house by 1500 police. There was a revolt in Carr's parliamentary party. Carr was adamant that the commissioner must have the increased power if the police force were to be rid of corrupt or compromised officers, and the legislation was passed.<ref name="Dodkin, Marilyn p 213"/>

====Private–public partnerships====
[[File:Cross City Tunnel Lincoln C b.jpg|thumb|left|The Cross City Tunnel exit at Sir John Young Crescent.]]
The Carr Government pioneered private–public partnerships (PPPs) to fund additional infrastructure, creating a model followed in other states.{{citation needed|date=August 2014}} Five projects delivered Sydney a ring road system including the M5 Extension, the [[Eastern Distributor]], the [[M2 Hills Motorway]], the [[Westlink M7]], the [[Lane Cove Tunnel]], and the [[Cross City Tunnel]]. These projects had a total cost of {{AUD}}5.4&nbsp;billion, while all but $800&nbsp;million was contributed by the private sector.{{citation needed|date=August 2014}}

According to the press release, in 2007 Infrastructure Partnerships Australia awarded three projects that began under Carr's Premiership as the best PPPs in Australia: the Westlink M7 opened in late 2005; school construction and maintenance which the Auditor General said had saved tax payers $55&nbsp;million; and the maintenance of 626 new rail carriages.<ref>{{cite press release |title=NSW Schools Project the Nations Best Infrastructure Project |publisher=Infrastructure Partnerships Australia |date=23 February 2007 }}</ref> The focus on roads spending instead of public transport has been criticised as the wrong priority on environmental grounds: "It was clear even then that NSW desperately needed public transport investment."<ref>{{cite web|last=Farrelly|first=Elizabeth|title=Food for thought – Carr by name, car by nature in office|url=http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/food-for-thought--carr-by-name-car-by-nature-in-office-20130116-2ctpb.html?rand=1358342311630|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=16 January 2013|access-date=16 January 2013|archive-date=1 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210601041819/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/food-for-thought-carr-by-name-car-by-nature-in-office-20130116-2ctpb.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Other matters====
A year after his appointment as premier, Carr caused controversy when he recommended that the newly appointed [[Governors of New South Wales|New South Wales Governor]], [[Gordon Samuels]], not live at [[Government House, Sydney|Government House]], which would become a museum open to the public. This decision was seen by monarchists as an attempt by Carr, a republican, to downgrade the importance of the office of governor.

Carr's government was in power during much of the building of facilities and the conduct of the 2000 Olympic Games. Carr was to boast that the 2000 Olympics were paid in full without a cent in debt.<ref name="AFR_2006">{{cite news | last = Carr | first = Bob | title = Letters | work = The Australian Financial Review | date = 8 June 2006 }}</ref>

===Resignation===
By March 2004, public support for Carr started to slip; [[Newspoll]] showed that for the first time since 1998 more people were dissatisfied than satisfied with the Premier. There was a public view that the government had underspent on urban infrastructure and public transport.<ref name="The legacy of an accidental premier">{{cite news | title = The legacy of an accidental premier | url = http://www.smh.com.au/news/editorial/the-legacy-of-an-accidental-premier/2005/07/27/1122143905471.html | work = The Sydney Morning Herald | date = 28 July 2005 | access-date = 9 October 2013 | archive-date = 24 October 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121024081448/http://www.smh.com.au/news/editorial/the-legacy-of-an-accidental-premier/2005/07/27/1122143905471.html | url-status = live }}</ref> Despite a series of announcements and re-announcements of more trains, power stations and a desalination plant, by June 2005, only 35%<ref>[[Newspoll]]</ref> were satisfied with his performance whereas his dissatisfaction rating had been over 51% since September 2004.

After a decade as Premier, Carr announced his resignation both as Premier and as the Member for Maroubra on 27 July 2005 to be effective from 3 August. His successor as Premier was former Health Minister [[Morris Iemma]]. Shortly after Carr's resignation, Andrew Refshauge and Planning Minister [[Craig Knowles]] also left parliament.

===Legacy===
Retired Premier [[Neville Wran]] described Carr as "the very model of a modern Labor premier, an articulate and powerful public performer who identified himself with the contemporary policy issues of education and the environment." Wran noted that the Carr model became a template for other Australian Labor Party leaders, with some regarding him as a mentor.<ref name="theage.com.au">{{cite news| url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/editorial/closing-a-big-chapter-in-the-bob-carr-story/2005/07/27/1122143904728.html| location=Melbourne| work=[[The Age]]| title=Closing a big chapter in the Bob Carr story| date=28 July 2005| access-date=18 January 2009| archive-date=27 February 2010| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100227174822/http://www.theage.com.au/news/editorial/closing-a-big-chapter-in-the-bob-carr-story/2005/07/27/1122143904728.html| url-status=live}}</ref>

After Carr the NSW government was able to claim that while in 1994 there were 328 national parks covering four million hectares of NSW, Carr's policies increased this to 770 national parks covering 6.6&nbsp;million hectares by 2006. Wilderness protection was expanded: there were {{convert|650000|ha}} in 1994, by 2006 nearly two million hectares.{{citation needed|date=August 2014}}

The North Side Sewage Tunnel, funded by the government in its first term, stopped more than 20&nbsp;billion litres of sewage reaching [[Port Jackson|Sydney Harbour]] and saw whales and dolphins return to it. The government also built pollution traps to capture litter and rubbish that would have otherwise been flushed with storm water onto Sydney beaches. In 1994, before the election of the government, {{convert|430|kg}} of waste was being generated by every Sydney resident each year, and only {{convert|60|kg}} being recycled. Reforms to the waste industry saw a 28 percent reduction to {{convert|310|kg}} per person and a 65 percent increase in recycling to {{convert|102|kg}} per person.<ref>{{citation |title=Labor's Environmental Record, then and now |publisher=NSW Environment Minister |year=2006 }}</ref>

He received credit for the increase in the number and size of the state's national parks,<ref name="The legacy of an accidental premier"/> while criticism was made about rail transport which recorded a period of poor on-time running and a damaging industrial dispute in 2004.<ref name="The legacy of an accidental premier"/>

The Carr government is also known for its considerable infrastructure contribution. Total State Sector Real Growth from 1995 to 2005 was 41%.

Infrastructure projects completed when Carr was premier included the [[Eastern Distributor]] and [[M5 Motorway (Sydney)|M5 East]], while projects that were under construction when Carr left office included three bus expressways costing $300 million in Western Sydney, [[Lane Cove Tunnel]], [[Cross City Tunnel]], the [[Epping to Chatswood railway line]] and the [[Westlink M7]].

==After state politics (2006–12)==
After leaving state parliament, Carr continued his involvement in public debate. He championed [[somatic cell nuclear transfer]] research—in particular [[therapeutic cloning]]—writing in ''[[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|The Daily Telegraph]]'' on 24 August 2006: "Therapeutic cloning holds great promise for sufferers of diabetes, Alzheimer's, motor neurone disease and untold other afflictions. [...] Let the doctors and scientists get on with the job. Their research might save a life in your family or mine".<ref>{{cite news |last=Carr |first=Bob |title=Stem Cells Support Science of Saving Lives |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|The Daily Telegraph]] |page=23 |date=24 August 2006 |id={{ProQuest|359406275}} }}</ref> In another opinion piece he urged for broader support of embryonic stem cell research, stating that "Human embryonic stem cell research [...] has the most remarkable potential of any scientific discovery ever made in human health."<ref>{{cite news |last=Carr |first=Bob |title=Age-old objections must not be allowed to delay this revolution |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |page=13 |date=25 July 2006 |id={{ProQuest|364257250}} }}</ref>

He continued to advocate nature conservation, for example by calling for national park declarations over the River Red Gums. He wrote in 2009 that the river red gums are "Australian icons, part of our folklore, symbols of inland Australia".<ref>{{cite news | last = Carr | first = Bob | title = Logging River Red Gums is Vandalism | work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date = 23 July 2009 }}</ref>

He was an opponent of a charter of rights. Carr wrote in ''[[The Australian]]'' that, "if the public believed the executive arm of government were stifling freedoms, Australia slipping behind other democracies, there would have been a decided shove towards a human rights act". He continued "Instead…it sunk below the water, not leaving a slick of printer's ink".<ref>{{cite news | last = Carr | first = Bob | title = Three Cheers That We Won't Have a Charter of Rights |work=The Australian | date = 22 April 2010 }}</ref>

Pursuing his interest in literacy he urged an opening of the Australian book market to permit the import of cheaper books.<ref>{{cite news | last = Carr | first = Bob | title = Consumers Will Force Books Rethink
|work=The Australian | date = 14 November 2009 }}</ref>

The rise in the annual immigration intake brought Carr into the debate on what he called 'Australia's carrying capacity'. Carr argued that "The debate is about whether immigration should be running at very high levels. It's about whether we end up with a population of 36&nbsp;million in 2050 in contrast to the previous expectation of 28.5&nbsp;million".<ref>{{cite news | last = Carr | first = Bob | title = Why Our Cities Will Really Choke With Population Growth | work = Crikey | date = 1 April 2010 | url = http://www.crikey.com.au/2010/04/01/bob-carr-why-our-cities-will-really-choke-with-population-growth/ | access-date = 4 June 2010 | archive-date = 7 May 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100507115436/http://www.crikey.com.au/2010/04/01/bob-carr-why-our-cities-will-really-choke-with-population-growth/ | url-status = live }}</ref>

Carr took up the issue of obesity and argued that chain restaurants should be forced by law to put calorie measurements next to menu items, that trans fats be banned as in some US states and food manufacturers be made to reduce salt content.<ref>{{cite news | last = Carr | first = Bob | title = Follow US lead and count the cost of calories | work=The Sydney Morning Herald | date = 27 March 2010 }}</ref>

In retirement Carr made speeches at international conferences on climate change, Australia–China relations and multiculturalism.{{citation needed|date=August 2014}}

In October 2005 Carr became a part-time consultant for [[Macquarie Bank]], advising the company on policy, climate change, renewables and strategic issues with a focus on the United States and the People's Republic of China.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.macquarie.com.au/au/about_macquarie/media_centre/20051010a.htm |title=The Hon. Bob Carr joins Macquarie Bank as part-time consultant |work=Macquarie Bank website |access-date=24 April 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080403123440/http://www.macquarie.com.au/au/about_macquarie/media_centre/20051010a.htm |archive-date=3 April 2008}}</ref>

Carr continued pursuing his literary interests, interviewing authors and lecturing at the [[Sydney Writers' Festival]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.swf.org.au/component/option,com_events/task,view_detail/agid,187/year,2008/month,05/day,23/Itemid,192/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080601061900/http://www.swf.org.au/component/option,com_events/task,view_detail/agid,187/year,2008/month,05/day,23/Itemid,192/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 June 2008 |title=Sydney Writers' Festival Program |work=Sydney Writers' Festival website |access-date=24 April 2008 }}</ref> He appeared as a guest reporter for the ABC television show ''[[Foreign Correspondent (TV program)|Foreign Correspondent]]'', conducting an interview with friend [[Gore Vidal]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2006/s1567148.htm |title=Hollywood & Politics: An Encounter with Gore Vidal |work=Foreign Correspondent website |access-date=24 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080328140619/http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2006/s1567148.htm |archive-date=28 March 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2008 he attended the [[Australia 2020 Summit]] as part of the economy panel, and raised the issues of an [[Republicanism in Australia|Australian Republic]] and childhood obesity.<ref name="Carr's warning to 2020 'zealots'">{{cite news |title=Carr's warning to 2020 'zealots' |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/04/18/2220960.htm |work=ABC News |location=Australia |date=18 February 2008 |access-date=24 April 2008 |archive-date=21 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080421225316/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/04/18/2220960.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

He has been a member of the board of directors at the [[United States Studies Centre]] since 2009 and is a charter member of the [[Chester A. Arthur]] Society, a US political trivia group named after the US president, 1881–1885.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/10/24/1098556297310.html?from=moreStories | title=Arnie paves way for Bob | work=The Sydney Morning Herald | date=25 October 2004 | access-date=22 April 2011 | author=Noonan, Gerard | archive-date=6 July 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120706090254/http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/10/24/1098556297310.html?from=moreStories | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/armchair-history-buffs-face-tv-test/story-e6frg6no-1225713297340 | title=Armchair history buffs face TV test |work=The Australian |date=19 May 2009 | access-date=22 April 2011 | author=Robinson, Natasha}}</ref> In 2009 he was appointed to the council of Voiceless, the animal protection institute.<ref>{{cite web|title=Voiceless Council Members|url=https://www.voiceless.org.au/who-we-are/bob-carr|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202213329/https://www.voiceless.org.au/who-we-are/bob-carr|archive-date=2 December 2013}}</ref> In 2010 he was appointed Patron of the [[Sydney Conservatorium of Music]] Foundation and Patron of the Chifley home, Bathurst.

In April 2013, Fairfax journalist [[Philip Dorling]] identified Carr from a searchable database of declassified US State Department diplomatic cables as having criticised the Whitlam Government and provided information on internal Labor Party politics during discussions with the American consul-general in Sydney during the early 1970s. Asked about these contacts with US diplomats, Senator Carr said: "I was in my 20s. I could have said anything."<ref>Dorling, Philip: [http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/bob-carr-washingtons-man-in-australia-20130408-2hgut.html Bob Carr: Washington's man in Australia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130410055929/http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/bob-carr-washingtons-man-in-australia-20130408-2hgut.html |date=10 April 2013 }}, ''The Sydney Morning Herald'', 8 April 2013.</ref>

==Federal politics (2012–2013) ==
[[File:Hllary Clinton and Bob Carr April 2012.jpg|300px|thumb|Carr with United States Secretary of State [[Hillary Clinton]] in April 2012]]
On 2 March 2012, Prime Minister [[Julia Gillard]] announced that Carr would be nominated to fill a [[Casual vacancies in the Australian Parliament#Senate|casual vacancy]] in the [[Australian Senate]] caused by the resignation of [[Mark Arbib]].  This term would expire on 30 June 2014. Gillard also announced Carr would become the new [[Minister for Foreign Affairs (Australia)|Minister for Foreign Affairs]], succeeding [[Kevin Rudd]].<ref name="Wright" /> Carr was formally chosen to fill the vacant Senate position by a joint sitting of the NSW Parliament on 6 March 2012.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-06/bob-carr-endorsed-as-nsw-senator/3872094 |work=ABC News |location=Australia |title=Bob Carr endorsed as NSW senator |date=6 March 2012 |access-date=13 March 2012 |agency=ABC/AAP |archive-date=13 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313073322/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-06/bob-carr-endorsed-as-nsw-senator/3872094 |url-status=live }}</ref> He was sworn as a Senator and Minister for Foreign Affairs on 13 March.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/senators-welcome-carr-to-the-red-room-20120313-1uxnw.html |title=Senators welcome Carr to the red room |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |author=Ireland, Judith |date=13 March 2012 |access-date=13 March 2012 |archive-date=15 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315204056/http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/senators-welcome-carr-to-the-red-room-20120313-1uxnw.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Carr confirmed that he would seek election to the Senate for a further full six-year term and was subsequently nominated at the top of Labor's New South Wales Senate ticket for the [[2013 Australian federal election|2013 poll]].<ref name="Wright">{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/bob-carr-to-take-foreign-affairs-role-20120302-1u731.html|title=Bob Carr to take foreign affairs role|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=2 March 2012|author1=Wright, Jessica|author2=Ireland, Judith|access-date=13 March 2012|archive-date=14 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314144003/http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/bob-carr-to-take-foreign-affairs-role-20120302-1u731.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title =Voting in New South Wales (NSW), 2013 federal election | publisher =Australian Electoral Commission | date =September 2013 | url =http://aec.gov.au/election/nsw/index.htm#sen | access-date =2 September 2013 | archive-date =22 August 2013 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20130822095839/http://www.aec.gov.au/election/nsw/index.htm#sen | url-status =live }}</ref>

As Foreign Minister, Carr's principal foci were Australia's (successful) bid for a temporary position on the United Nations Security Council, passage of a global arms trade treaty, the Middle East peace process, the conflict in Syria and stronger relations between Australia and the Asia-Pacific particularly Myanmar, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.

=== United Nations Security Council ===
Carr's term as Foreign Minister coincided with the final stages of Australia's campaign for a UN Security Council seat. The campaign, initiated in 2009, placed Australia in the ballot for a seat in the "Western Europe & Other" category, against European nations Luxembourg and Finland. In the context of the bid, Carr supported Security Council reform including permanent membership for Japan, Brazil and India and two permanent seats for Africa.<ref>{{cite news | last =DeSilva-Ranasinghe | first =Sergei | title =Interview: Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr | publisher =The Diplomat | date =26 August 2013 | url =https://thediplomat.com/2013/08/26/interview-australian-foreign-minister-bob-carr/ | access-date =2 September 2013 | archive-date =31 August 2013 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20130831090300/http://thediplomat.com/2013/08/26/interview-australian-foreign-minister-bob-carr/ | url-status =live }}</ref> Carr credited Australia's successful campaign to promotion of Australia's diplomatic links with African nations and environmental and cultural links with small island states in the Caribbean and Pacific.<ref>{{cite news|title =Australia collects more UN support: Carr | work =The Australian | publisher = News Ltd| date =27 September 2012 | url =http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/australia-collects-more-un-support-carr/story-fn3dxix6-1226482445131 | access-date =2 September 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title =Australia wins seat on UN Security Council | work =ABC AM | publisher =Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date =19 October 2012 | url =http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-10-19/australia-wins-seat-on-un-security-council/4321946 | access-date =2 September 2013 | archive-date =8 October 2013 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20131008194801/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-10-19/australia-wins-seat-on-un-security-council/4321946 | url-status =live }}</ref> In October 2012 Australia was elected to the Security Council, winning an absolute majority of votes in the first round of balloting – the first time Australia had held a seat since 1985–86.<ref>{{cite news | last =Norington | first =Brad | title =Australia wins seat on United Nations Security Council | work =The Australian | publisher =News Limited | date =19 October 2012 | url =http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/foreign-affairs/australia-wins-seat-on-united-nations-security-council/story-fn59nm2j-1226498971111 | access-date =2 September 2013 | archive-date =30 December 2012 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20121230002240/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/foreign-affairs/australia-wins-seat-on-united-nations-security-council/story-fn59nm2j-1226498971111 | url-status =live }}</ref> Known for his fastidious eating habits, Bob Carr responded to the suggestion he would celebrate this success with champagne by saying "I’ll be having, as soon as I can, a generous cup of hot water, boiling water, with a slice of lemon".<ref>{{Cite web|title = Bob Carr has opened up about life in office, but what did he say at the time?|url = http://www.news.com.au/national/bob-carr-has-opened-up-about-life-in-office-but-what-did-he-say-at-the-time/story-fncynjr2-1226879742864|website = NewsComAu|access-date = 2015-10-31|date = 10 April 2014|archive-date = 23 April 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140423091109/http://www.news.com.au/national/bob-carr-has-opened-up-about-life-in-office-but-what-did-he-say-at-the-time/story-fncynjr2-1226879742864|url-status = live}}</ref>

[[File:ATTNY.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Opening negotiations on an arms trade treaty, United Nations, New York 20 March 2013.]]
Carr advocated adoption by the UN of a global arms trade treaty to track and reduce the supply of weapons to rogue states or terrorist groups. Carr twice travelled to New York to personally campaign for the treaty. The treaty was passed by the UN by 154 votes to 3.<ref>{{cite news | last =Osborne | first =Paul | title =Australia hails UN arms trade treaty | work =The Age | publisher =Fairfax Media | date =3 April 2013 | url =http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-national/australia-hails-un-arms-trade-treaty-20130403-2h6zy.html | access-date =3 October 2013 | archive-date =6 October 2013 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20131006203157/http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-national/australia-hails-un-arms-trade-treaty-20130403-2h6zy.html | url-status =live }}</ref>

=== Middle East peace process ===

Carr secured Australian Government support for abstention on a motion before the UN General Assembly to grant [[observer status|observer state status]] to the [[Palestinian Authority]]. This represented a shift from Australia's previous opposition to the motion, championed by then-Prime Minister [[Julia Gillard]]. Carr argued that abstention on the motion allowed Australia to "reach out to moderate Palestinians who want a peaceful solution [to conflict with Israel] and say we're not opposing you."<ref>{{cite news | last =Hudson | first =Phillip | title =Julia Gillard backs down on plans to vote against improving Palestine's status in the United Nations | work =Herald Sun | publisher =News Ltd | date =28 November 2012 | url =http://www.news.com.au/national-news/victoria/julia-gillard-in-vote-reversal/story-fndo4cq1-1226525234878 | access-date =2 September 2013 | archive-date =8 October 2013 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20131008040113/http://www.news.com.au/national-news/victoria/julia-gillard-in-vote-reversal/story-fndo4cq1-1226525234878 | url-status =live }}</ref><ref name="Kirk">{{cite news | last =Kirk | first =Alexandra | title =Australia to abstain from Palestinian vote | work =The World Today | publisher =Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date =27 November 2012 | url =http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-11-27/australia-to-abstain-from-palestinian-vote/4395000 | access-date =2 September 2013 | archive-date =8 October 2013 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20131008184721/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-11-27/australia-to-abstain-from-palestinian-vote/4395000 | url-status =live }}</ref> The UN motion to grant observer state status for the Palestinian Authority was ultimately carried by 138 votes to nine, with 41 abstentions.<ref>{{cite news | title =General Assembly grants Palestine non-member observer State status at UN | work =UN News Centre | publisher =United Nations | date =29 November 2012 | url =https://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=43640#.UiRDmqN-_IU | access-date =2 September 2013 | archive-date =31 July 2013 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20130731034905/http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=43640#.UiRDmqN-_IU | url-status =live }}</ref>

In January 2013, in a joint communique with UK Foreign Secretary [[William Hague]], Carr called for US leadership in resuming direct talks between Israelis and Palestinians.<ref name="AUKMIN">{{cite press release | title =AUKMIN 2013 Communiqué - Australia-United Kingdom Ministerial Consultations | publisher =Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade | date =18 January 2013 | url =http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2013/bc_mr_130118a.html | access-date =4 October 2013 | archive-date =5 October 2013 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20131005011038/http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2013/bc_mr_130118a.html | url-status =live }}</ref> The communique also noted that both countries had voted to abstain on the UN motion on Palestinian status and that both viewed [[Israeli settlements]] on the [[West Bank]] as illegal under international law.<ref name="AUKMIN"/>

=== Asia-Pacific ===
[[File:Bob Carr and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.jpg|thumb|Carr meets Nobel Peace Prize laureate and [[Myanmar]] parliamentarian [[Aung San Suu Kyi]] in June 2012]]
Closer to home, Carr worked to build stronger relations with the [[Association of Southeast Asian Nations]] (ASEAN), holding in-country talks with all ten member states, twice attending the [[East Asia Summit]] and repeatedly emphasizing Australia's interest in regional convergence and co-operation.<ref name="ASEAN">{{cite news | last =Carr | first =Bob | title =Already halfway to a shared Asian vision | work =The Australian | publisher =News Ltd | date =29 October 2012 | url =http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/opinion/already-halfway-to-a-shared-asian-vision/story-e6frgd0x-1226504863670# | access-date =15 October 2013 | archive-date =30 January 2014 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20140130034038/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/opinion/already-halfway-to-a-shared-asian-vision/story-e6frgd0x-1226504863670 | url-status =live }}</ref> In 2012 Carr described the health and centrality of ASEAN as critical to Australia's security and prosperity, but warned against ASEAN nations falling into a "[[middle income trap]]" of lower growth as a consequence of institutional rigidity and a slowing of internal reform.<ref name="ASEAN"/>

Carr also worked to restore global diplomatic relations with [[Myanmar]] following the Myanmar Government's release of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and introduction of limited domestic political reform.<ref name="Sheridan1">{{cite news | last =Sheridan | first =Greg | title =Carr goes all out to bring Myanmar in from the cold | work =The Australian | publisher =News Ltd | date =7 February 2013 | url =http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/policy/carr-goes-all-out-to-bring-myanmar-in-from-the-cold/story-fn59nm2j-1226572126001# | access-date =3 October 2013 | archive-date =25 December 2013 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20131225161406/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/policy/carr-goes-all-out-to-bring-myanmar-in-from-the-cold/story-fn59nm2j-1226572126001 | url-status =live }}</ref> Australian sanctions on Myanmar were lifted in 2012, though an arms embargo was maintained.<ref name="Sheridan1"/> Carr lobbied European and United States leaders to follow suit, with the European Union lifting its sanctions April 2013 and the US moving to increase engagement on trade and investment.<ref>{{cite news | title =U.S. Moves to Boost Myanmar Trade Ties After EU Lifts Sanctions | work =Bloomberg News | publisher =Bloomberg L.P. | date =25 April 2013 | url =https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-04-24/u-s-moves-to-boost-myanmar-trade-ties-after-eu-lifts-sanctions.html | access-date =3 October 2013 | archive-date =22 October 2013 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20131022092523/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-04-24/u-s-moves-to-boost-myanmar-trade-ties-after-eu-lifts-sanctions.html | url-status =live }}</ref> Carr urged the Myanmar Government to continue its progress towards democracy, while welcoming the release of political prisoners and commitments to address ongoing ethnic and religious violence.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Australia-Myanmar Talks |date=24 June 2013 |publisher=Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia |url=http://foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2013/bc_mr_130624.html |access-date=2013-10-03 |archive-date=4 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004215411/http://foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2013/bc_mr_130624.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He announced a doubling of Australia's foreign aid for Myanmar to $100 million by 2015, with a focus on education and maternal health.<ref>{{cite news | title =Helping Hand: Australia gives Burma aid, lifts sanctions | work =News.com.au | publisher =News Ltd | date =8 June 2012 | url =http://www.news.com.au/national-news/helping-hand-australia-gives-burma-aid-lifts-sanctions/story-e6frfkvr-1226388110361 | access-date =3 October 2013 | archive-date =7 October 2013 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20131007204457/http://www.news.com.au/national-news/helping-hand-australia-gives-burma-aid-lifts-sanctions/story-e6frfkvr-1226388110361 | url-status =live }}</ref> A further $9 million was provided to assist the [[Rohingya]] and other communities affected by civil conflict in [[Rakhine State]].<ref>{{cite news | title =Bob Carr announces $3.2 million aid boost for Myanmar's Rakhine state | work =ABC news | publisher =Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date =11 July 2013 | url =http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-11/government-boosts-aid-for-myanmars-rakhine-state/4813038 | access-date =3 October 2013 | archive-date =8 October 2013 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20131008162839/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-11/government-boosts-aid-for-myanmars-rakhine-state/4813038 | url-status =live }}</ref>

Carr visited Indonesia on four occasions as Foreign Minister, raising issues such as people smuggling, aid, education links and trade.{{citation needed|date=August 2014}} As Minister for [[AusAID]], Carr oversaw an increase in assistance to Indonesia, to a total of more than $500 million a year for maternal health and education,{{citation needed|date=August 2014}} and $47 million over 5 years to improve facilities in religious schools.<ref>{{cite news| last =Bachelard| author-link1 =Michael Bachelard| first =Michael| title =Schools getting Australian aid free of radicalism, Carr told| work =The Sydney Morning Herald| publisher =Fairfax Media| url =http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/schools-getting-australian-aid-free-of-radicalism-carr-told-20130404-2h9pr.html| date =5 April 2013| access-date =3 October 2013| archive-date =14 November 2013| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20131114124757/http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/schools-getting-australian-aid-free-of-radicalism-carr-told-20130404-2h9pr.html| url-status =live}}</ref>

=== China ===
[[File:Australia 003-M.jpg|thumb|350px|Carr with China's Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Beijing, May 2012]]
Engagement with China was the subject of Carr's first substantive speech in the role. Speaking to the CSIS Banyan Tree Leadership Forum in April 2012, Carr argued that China's economic and cultural expansion was not new. Rather it was "a return to the position of strength that China possessed before its decline during the [[Qing dynasty|Qing]] dynasty."<ref name="CSIS">{{cite web | title =Australia, the US and the rise of the Asia Pacific | publisher =Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade | date =April 2012 | url =http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/speeches/2012/bc_sp_120425.html | access-date =10 October 2013 | archive-date =11 February 2014 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20140211205944/http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/speeches/2012/bc_sp_120425.html | url-status =live }}</ref> Carr highlighted the sacrifices made by the Chinese people in achieving independence and noted the rapid pace of Chinese industrial growth:

<blockquote>It's a faster industrialisation and on a bigger scale than that of America itself in the 19th century. It happened faster, more people are affected, more dramatic effects for the world than even America's rise to industrial dominance. ... Few could be untouched by what it means for the Chinese people – liberated from poverty, historic poverty; few could be reluctant to see this renewed China take its place in the councils of the world.<ref name="CSIS"/></blockquote>

On the first of three visits to China in May 2012 Carr faced questions from Foreign Minister [[Yang Jiechi]] who expressed concern about Australia's blocking of [[Huawei Technologies]] in its bid to supply equipment for the [[National Broadband Network]], and about the November 2011 decision to have US Marines rotationally deployed in Darwin.<ref>{{cite news | title =Carr: China concerned by Australia-US military ties | work =BBC News China | publisher =British Broadcasting Corporation | date =15 May 2012 | url =https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-18068204 | access-date =4 October 2013 | archive-date =31 January 2014 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20140131182328/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-18068204 | url-status =live }}</ref> Carr responded that the Huawei decision reflected Australia's right to make decisions on the resilience and security of its infrastructure.<ref name="PC">{{cite web | title =Senator the Hon Bob Carr: Transcript of Press Conference | publisher =Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade | date =May 2012 | url =http://foreignminister.gov.au/transcripts/2012/bc_tr_120514.html | access-date =4 October 2013 | archive-date =5 October 2013 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20131005002538/http://foreignminister.gov.au/transcripts/2012/bc_tr_120514.html | url-status =live }}</ref> He argued Australia had a welcoming approach to Chinese investment, pointing to its 20-fold increase over the preceding five years and to 380 individual proposals from Chinese firms that had been approved in Australia since 2007.<ref name="PC"/> He argued the Marines presence reflected Australia's long-term Australian security relationships: <blockquote>"Australia has had a small population, vast distances, a desire for great and powerful friends, and a sense of exposure to its north ever since Japan defeated Russia in 1905 and Alfred Deakin looked for support (from the US)."<ref>{{cite news | last =Hartcher | first =Peter | title =China throws book, but Carr parries with chapter and verse | work =The Sydney Morning Herald | publisher =Fairfax Media | date =22 May 2012 | url =http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-opinion/china-throws-book-but-carr-parries-with-chapter-and-verse-20120521-1z17e.html | access-date =4 October 2013 | archive-date =15 November 2013 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20131115032749/http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-opinion/china-throws-book-but-carr-parries-with-chapter-and-verse-20120521-1z17e.html | url-status =live }}</ref></blockquote>

Carr returned to China with Prime Minister Gillard in April 2013 for the annual [[Boao Forum for Asia]], with a focus on strengthening bilateral relations.<ref>{{cite news | title =Australia's Prime Minister on trade mission to China | work =Australia Network News | publisher =Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date =11 April 2013 | url =http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-04-09/an-australia27s-prime-minister-on-trade-mission-to-china/4617994 | access-date =8 October 2013 | archive-date =14 November 2013 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20131114012602/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-04-09/an-australia27s-prime-minister-on-trade-mission-to-china/4617994 | url-status =live }}</ref> The Chinese Government agreed to the direct convertibility of Australian currency into [[Chinese yuan|yuan]] - only the third such agreement in China's history.<ref>{{cite news | last =Wynne | first =Wang | title =China begins direct trade in Australian dollars for first time | work =The Australian | publisher =News Ltd | date =10 April 2013 | url =http://www.theaustralian.com.au/archive/business/china-begins-direct-trade-in-australian-dollars-for-first-time/story-e6frg94o-1226617357648# | access-date =8 October 2013 | archive-date =8 November 2013 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20131108052527/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/archive/business/china-begins-direct-trade-in-australian-dollars-for-first-time/story-e6frg94o-1226617357648 | url-status =live }}</ref> Gillard and Carr also secured agreements for an annual leadership dialogue with their Chinese counterparts. China's President Xi Jinping was reported as intending to lift Australia-China relations "to a new level" following Forum discussions.<ref>{{cite news | last =Grigg | first =Angus | title =Xi wants relations at 'new level' | work =Australian Financial Review | publisher =Fairfax Media | date =8 April 2013 | url =http://www.afr.com/p/national/xi_wants_relations_at_new_level_XFNr4XjppLklRw150q61rM | access-date =8 October 2013 | archive-date =4 November 2013 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20131104221501/http://www.afr.com/p/national/xi_wants_relations_at_new_level_XFNr4XjppLklRw150q61rM | url-status =live }}</ref>

In a speech following the visit, Carr said Australia's achievements at the Forum had been to create the bilateral architecture needed to support future Australia-China relations - annual leaders and foreign minister's talks, and an ongoing economic dialogue between Australia's trade and competitiveness ministers and the chairman of China's National Development and Reform Commission. Carr praised China's leadership for being "determined, confident and pragmatic" about the continued economic and geopolitical rise of their country.<ref>{{cite web | title =Address to Asia Society, Hong Kong | publisher =Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade | date =July 2013 | url =http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/speeches/2013/bc_sp_130729.html | access-date =8 October 2013 | archive-date =4 November 2013 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20131104071824/http://foreignminister.gov.au/speeches/2013/bc_sp_130729.html | url-status =live }}</ref>

His third visit, in July 2013, was to open Australia's fourth diplomatic post in China, a consulate-general in the [[Sichuan]] provincial capital of [[Chengdu]]. At the opening Carr emphasised trade issues, highlighting Chinese investment in Australia and saying the new consulate would assist Australian firms in establishing a presence in western China.<ref>{{cite news | last =Wen | first =Philip | title =Mission opens door to vast interior | work =The Sydney Morning Herald | publisher =Fairfax Media | date =31 July 2013 | url =http://www.smh.com.au/business/mission-opens-door-to-vast-interior-20130730-2qx8n.html | access-date =4 October 2013 | archive-date =14 November 2013 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20131114190727/http://www.smh.com.au/business/mission-opens-door-to-vast-interior-20130730-2qx8n.html | url-status =live }}</ref>

=== G20 ===
[[File:PutinCarr.jpg|250px|left|thumb|President Putin with Carr, G20, St Petersburg, September 2013.]]
Carr also represented Australia at the [[2013 G-20 Saint Petersburg summit]], standing in for Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, due to the pending [[2013 Australian federal election|2013 federal election]]. His G20 interventions included as a member of a panel comprising Russian business and international labour, and in a leader's debate on chemical weapons in Syria.{{citation needed|date=August 2014}} At a sideline meeting convened by UK Prime Minister [[David Cameron]], Carr also secured international agreement on a medical pact in Syria to protect hospitals and health care workers from targeted attacks and to maintain humanitarian access for medical NGO's and for the distribution of aid.<ref>{{cite press release | title =G20 meeting accepts Carr plan on medicines for Syria | publisher =Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade | date =6 September 2013 | url =http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2013/bc_mr_130906.html | access-date =9 October 2013 | archive-date =26 January 2014 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20140126225124/http://foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2013/bc_mr_130906.html | url-status =live }}</ref>

===Syria===
Carr's "medical plan" for Syria became an issue he pursued in international fora. The plan aimed to use international pressure to force an informal agreement between all parties in the [[Syrian civil war]], to end the targeting of hospital or medical personnel, avoid the use of hospitals as bases and ensure the safe distribution of civilian medical aid.<ref>{{cite news| last =Kaye |first =Byron |title =WMA backs Bob Carr's plan to protect medical staff in Syria | work =The Medical Observer | publisher =MIMS Publishing | date =28 September 2012 | url =http://www.medicalobserver.com.au/news/wma-backs-bob-carrs-plan-to-protect-medical-staff-in-syria | access-date =14 October 2013 }}</ref> Speaking after Australia's successful push for the UN Security Council position in 2012, Carr said the plan represented his first priority in its new United Nations role.<ref>{{cite news | last =Coorey | first =Phillip | author2 =Flitton, Daniel | title =Medical care for Syria's wounded will be a priority, Gillard says | work =The Canberra Times | publisher =Fairfax Media | date =20 October 2012 | url =http://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/medical-care-for-syrias-wounded-will-be-a-priority-gillard-says-20121019-27x99.html | access-date =14 October 2013 | archive-date =23 September 2015 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20150923231911/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/medical-care-for-syrias-wounded-will-be-a-priority-gillard-says-20121019-27x99.html | url-status =live }}</ref> Australia's foreign aid for the Syrian crisis was increased to more than $100 million, focusing on shelter, medical support and child protection for refugees fleeing to Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey.

In the absence of a ceasefire or UNSC action on Syria, Carr's plan received international support including from US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the [[Arab League]] and leaders at the 2013 G20 Summit.<ref>{{cite news|title =Clinton backs Carr's plan of protection for Syrian medical workers | work =The Medical Observer | publisher =MIMS Publishing | date =15 November 2012 | url =http://www.medicalobserver.com.au/news/clinton-backs-carrs-plan-of-protection-for-syrian-medical-workers | access-date =14 October 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title =Carr pledges aid boost for Syria refugees  | work =Adelaide Advertiser | publisher =News Ltd | date =20 April 2013 | url =http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/national/carr-pledges-aid-boost-for-syria-refugees/story-e6frea7l-1226625529473 | access-date =14 October 2013 }}</ref>

===Resignation===
On 23 October 2013, Carr announced his resignation from the Senate, which took effect the following day.<ref>{{cite news | last =Ireland | first =Judith | title =Bob Carr announces resignation from Senate | work =The Sydney Morning Herald | date =23 October 2012 | url =http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/bob-carr-announces-his-resignation-from-senate-20131023-2vzze.html | access-date =27 October 2013 | archive-date =25 October 2013 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20131025212145/http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/bob-carr-announces-his-resignation-from-senate-20131023-2vzze.html | url-status =live }}</ref> He was replaced by [[Deborah O'Neill]] on 13 November 2013.

As Carr had been elected to the Senate at the [[2013 Australian federal election|2013 federal election]] for a six-year term to commence 1 July 2014, the timing of his resignation created a constitutional quirk, as he was resigning both his current term and a subsequent term that had not yet commenced.  To resolve this, O'Neill had to be re-appointed to the Senate by the New South Wales Parliament after the commencement of the 2014–2020 Senate term. To mitigate the cost of recalling both houses of the parliament for a joint sitting (estimated at [[Australian dollar|AUD $]]300,000), Premier [[Mike Baird]] convened a sitting on 2 July of two government members and two opposition members before the [[President of the New South Wales Legislative Council|President of the Legislative Council]] to appoint O'Neill to the Senate for the term which began on 1 July.<ref name=quirk>{{cite news|last1=Aston|first1=Heath|title=Mike Baird finds a way to deal with Bob Carr Senate quirk|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/mike-baird-finds-a-way-to-deal-with-bob-carr-senate-quirk-20140618-3ae5w.html|access-date=7 July 2014|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|publisher=Fairfax Media|date=19 June 2014|archive-date=20 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140620081327/http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/mike-baird-finds-a-way-to-deal-with-bob-carr-senate-quirk-20140618-3ae5w.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Post-political career==
After his resignation, Bob Carr accepted the position of director, Australia-China Relations Institute, [[University of Technology, Sydney]] and Carr also accepted a professorial fellowship with the [[University of Sydney]] Southeast Asia Centre as a Professorial Fellow, and in May 2014 became head of the Australia-China Relations Institute, a think-tank at UTS established with a donation from [[Huang Xiangmo]], a Chinese billionaire with links to the [[Chinese Communist Party]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/20/world/australia/australia-china.html|title=Australia's China Challenge|last=Cave|first=Damien|date=2019-05-20|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-06-10|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=7 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607231708/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/20/world/australia/australia-china.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[http://newsroom.uts.edu.au/news/2014/08/china-economy-specialist-set-research-agenda-new-think-tank China economy specialist to set research agenda for new think tank] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529130301/http://newsroom.uts.edu.au/news/2014/08/china-economy-specialist-set-research-agenda-new-think-tank |date=29 May 2018 }} UTS Newsroom press release, 1 August 2014. Retrieved 29 May 2018.</ref><ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-29/chinas-been-interfering-in-australian-politics-for-past-decade/9810236 China's 'brazen' and 'aggressive' political interference outlined in top-secret report] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529015545/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-29/chinas-been-interfering-in-australian-politics-for-past-decade/9810236 |date=29 May 2018 }} ''ABC News'', 29 May 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2018.</ref> As of 2019, Carr is no longer affiliated with the Australia-China Relations Institute.<ref>{{cite web |title=Professor The Honourable Bob Carr |url=https://www.australiachinarelations.org/content/professor-honourable-bob-carr |website=www.australiachinarelations.org |date=28 May 2015 |access-date=15 October 2021 |archive-date=17 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017064147/https://www.australiachinarelations.org/content/professor-honourable-bob-carr |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Bob Carr's current (2022) appointment at UTS is a three-year role as Industry Professor (Business and Climate Change).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://profiles.uts.edu.au/bob.carr|title=BIO|access-date=3 February 2022|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126034706/https://profiles.uts.edu.au/Bob.Carr |archive-date=26 January 2021 }}</ref> He also took up a position as adjunct professor in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the [[University of New South Wales]].
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uts.edu.au/staff/bob.carr|title=UTS staff page|access-date=1 November 2014|archive-date=1 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101041414/http://www.uts.edu.au/staff/bob.carr|url-status=live}}</ref>

Carr has been a long time campaigner against high immigration.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}} since leaving politics he has campaigned on cutting immigration numbers.<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/bob-carr-calls-for-australian-immigration-to-be-cut-by-onethird-20160216-gmv37n.html| title=Bob Carr calls for Australian immigration to be cut by one-half| date=16 February 2016| access-date=16 February 2019| archive-date=16 February 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190216153423/https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/bob-carr-calls-for-australian-immigration-to-be-cut-by-onethird-20160216-gmv37n.html| url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/mar/13/qa-australias-immigration-rate-should-be-cut-in-half-bob-carr-says|title = Q&A: Australia's immigration rate should be cut in half, Bob Carr says|newspaper = The Guardian|date = 12 March 2018|last1 = Davies|first1 = Anne|access-date = 16 February 2019|archive-date = 16 February 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190216153154/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/mar/13/qa-australias-immigration-rate-should-be-cut-in-half-bob-carr-says|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web| url=https://www.therealestateconversation.com.au/2016/02/17/immigration-making-housing-unaffordable-says-bob-carr/1455670725| title=Immigration making housing unaffordable, says Bob Carr| date=17 February 2016| access-date=16 February 2019| archive-date=16 February 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190216153633/https://www.therealestateconversation.com.au/2016/02/17/immigration-making-housing-unaffordable-says-bob-carr/1455670725| url-status=live}}</ref> Carr is also an advocate for the release of [[Julian Assange]].<ref>Carr, B. 2023. What have you done for US lately? Opinion. [[Sydney Morning Herald]]. Thursday July 27, 2023. p.20.</ref>

On 2 May 2024, New Zealand foreign affairs minister [[Winston Peters]] made comments on [[Radio New Zealand|Radio New Zealand's]] ''Morning Report'' about Carr and his criticism of [[AUKUS]], which Carr subsequently described as "entirely defamatory". Carr announced the same day he would sue Peters for [[Defamation|libel]], as part of the ongoing [[Carr-Peters scandal]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-02 |title=Bob Carr confirms intention to launch legal action against Winston Peters |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/515826/bob-carr-confirms-intention-to-launch-legal-action-against-winston-peters |access-date=2024-05-02 |website=[[RNZ]] |language=en-nz |archive-date=2 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240502120057/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/515826/bob-carr-confirms-intention-to-launch-legal-action-against-winston-peters |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Literature==
Carr is the author of several books, including ''Thoughtlines'' (Viking, 2002), ''My Reading Life'' (Penguin, 2008), and ''Diary of a Foreign Minister'' (2014), which received a mixed reception.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/public-service/bob-carrs-diary-of-a-foreign-minister-more-matter-less-art-20140504-37q4z.html|title=Bob Carr's Diary of a Foreign Minister: more matter, less art|access-date=4 August 2014|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|author=Nethercote, J. R.|date=6 May 2014|archive-date=9 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140809095409/http://www.smh.com.au/national/public-service/bob-carrs-diary-of-a-foreign-minister-more-matter-less-art-20140504-37q4z.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lowyinterpreter.org/post/2014/04/30/Why-Bob-Carrs-book-matters.aspx|title=Why Bob Carr's book matters|work=The Interpreter|publisher=The Lowy Institute for International Policy|date=30 April 2014|author=Roggeveen, Sam|access-date=4 August 2014|archive-date=8 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808054450/http://www.lowyinterpreter.org/post/2014/04/30/Why-Bob-Carrs-book-matters.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-10/carr-bob-carrs-diary-reveals-a-true-satirist/5380876|title=Bob Carr's diary reveals a true satirist|work=The Drum|date=10 April 2014|author=Phiddian, Robert|access-date=4 August 2014|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|archive-date=19 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819193056/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-10/carr-bob-carrs-diary-reveals-a-true-satirist/5380876|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/national/bob-carrs-diary-of-a-foreign-minister-dubbed-bridget-carrs-diary/story-fncynjr2-1226878884968|title=Bob Carr's Diary of a Foreign Minister dubbed 'Bridget Carr's Diary'|work=[[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|The Daily Telegraph]]|location=Australia|date=9 April 2014|access-date=4 August 2014|archive-date=8 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808153558/http://www.news.com.au/national/bob-carrs-diary-of-a-foreign-minister-dubbed-bridget-carrs-diary/story-fncynjr2-1226878884968|url-status=live}}</ref>

In May 2003, author Marilyn Dodkin authored a biography, ''Bob Carr: the reluctant leader'', partly based on Carr's private diaries and including his often uncomplimentary thoughts on various political personalities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.unswpress.com.au/isbn/0868407577.htm|title=Bob Carr: the Reluctant Leader|publisher=UNSW Press|access-date=22 April 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221114347/https://www.unswpress.com.au/isbn/0868407577.htm|archive-date=21 February 2011}}</ref> A second biography, ''Bob Carr: A Self-Made Man'', by Andrew West and Rachel Morris, was published in September 2003 by [[HarperCollins]].

Carr participated in the 2004 [[Sydney Festival]] in conversation with [[Tom Stoppard|Sir Tom Stoppard]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/01/14/1073877877440.html |title=Tom Stoppard: a review of Spoken Word |work=The Age |date=15 January 2004 |author=Slavin, John |location=Australia |access-date=3 March 2012 |archive-date=6 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106170731/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/01/14/1073877877440.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He has served as a board member of book retailer [[Dymocks]] since July 2007.{{citation needed|date=August 2014}}

==Awards==
For his work in improving Australia–US relations he was awarded a Fulbright Distinguished Fellow Award Scholarship.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ussc.edu.au/people/bob-carr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110828085800/http://ussc.edu.au/people/bob-carr |archive-date=28 August 2011 |title=Profile – United States Studies Centre – The Honourable Bob Car |publisher=United States Studies Centre, University of Sydney |url-status=dead}}</ref> He donated the prize money to launch scholarships for the State's teachers to complete studies abroad. For his services to conservation he was given the [[World Conservation Union]] International Parks Merit Award and made a life member of the [[The Wilderness Society (Australia)|Wilderness Society]].

In 2008 he was awarded the [[Order of Merit of the Italian Republic|''Cavaliere di Gran Croce Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana'']] (Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic), the second of five grades of the order, in recognition of his services to Italian culture.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iicsydney.esteri.it/IIC_Sydney/webform/SchedaEvento.aspx?id=236|title=Bob Carr talks about Primo Levi|publisher=Italian Cultural Institute in Sydney|date=8 December 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303213806/http://www.iicsydney.esteri.it/IIC_Sydney/webform/SchedaEvento.aspx?id=236|archive-date=3 March 2016}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Second Gillard Ministry]]
* [[Second Rudd Ministry]]

== Notes ==
<references group="lower-alpha" />
==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{Cite book|last= Carr|first= Bob|year=2002|title=Thoughtlines: Reflections of a Public Man|location= Camberwell, Vic|publisher=Penguin|isbn= 978-0-670-04025-4}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Clune |first1=David |editor1-first=John |editor1-last=Wanna |editor2-first=Paul |editor2-last=Williams |title=Yes, Premier: Labor Leadership in Australia's States and Territories. |edition=First |year=2005 |publisher=UNSW Press |location=Sydney |isbn=978-0-86840-840-8 |chapter=Bob Carr: The Unexpected Colossus}}
* {{Cite book|last=Dodkin|first=Marilyn|year=2003|title=Bob Carr: The Reluctant Leader|publisher=UNSW Press|isbn=978-0-86840-757-9}}
* {{Cite book|last=West|first=Andrew|year=2003|title=Bob Carr: A Self-made Man |publisher=HarperCollins|isbn=978-0-7322-7750-5}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Bob Carr}}
* {{Cite Au Parliament |mpid=wx4 |title = Former Senator Bob Carr}}
* [http://bobcarrblog.wordpress.com/ Bob Carr's blog]
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