Julie Bishop - Fairfax Blog - Kevin Rudd's delusions of grandeur

The Hon Julie Bishop MP
Deputy Leader of the Opposition
Shadow Minister for Employment, Business and Workplace Relations (to 22 September 2008)

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As Prime Minister Rudd heads off on his latest overseas adventure, why does he remind me of Don Quixote? The fictional Man of La Mancha famous for his delusional missions to save the world?

Miguel Cervantes used political satire to lampoon the behaviour of members of the Spanish Royal Court in the late 1500s and early 1600s.

Don Quixote's delusions of grandeur led him into serious difficulty because his perceptions of the importance of his role and influence were far removed from reality.

While Don Quixote thought he was a knight-errant on a mission to save damsels in distress, to quell rebellions and restore order to the world, he found himself in amusing but invariably disastrous situations, way beyond his control or ability to manage.

Over the past 10 months Kevin Rudd has claimed that his Government activities and his pronouncements are of international importance and global significance. Closer analysis reveals these claims are dubious at best.

On a recent trip to Japan he announced the establishment of an International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament to be co-chaired by former Australian Foreign Minister Gareth Evans, because "It's time for us also as Australians to reconstitute our global disarmament and arms control credentials" and that "Australia has the credibility and the drive to lead initiatives like this".

During a visit to Indonesia Kevin Rudd claimed that on the issue of deforestation "There is real potential for Australia and Indonesia to lead the world here".

On the eve of a trip to Japan he announced the establishment of a new Asia-Pacific Union to influence the "architecture of our region".

A recent speech in Japan was modestly titled "Building a Better World Together".

Last week Kevin Rudd announced the establishment of "a $100 million Global Institute to speed up the development of carbon capture and storage technology" where other nations will partner with Australia.

On world trade he said "Secondly, simultaneously, there is evidence by the posture we have taken domestically towards bilateral free trade agreements, right back to the American FTA, we have indicated both as an Opposition party and as a party now in Government, that we will prosecute those agendas vigorously as well."

While the Prime Minister has appropriately managed to place his latest trip to New York in the context of the global financial crisis, the fact is he had actually planned to be at the United Nations for a session of the Millennium Development Goals Forum starring, amongst others, Scarlett Johansson and Missy Higgins.

These are all most worthwhile aims and initiatives deserving of consideration.

However in most cases Kevin Rudd failed to consult other nations about his grand plans for the world and simply charged headlong at windmills.

It should come as no surprise that other nations have thus far declined many of his offers to lead the world.

Even in the ultra-polite world of diplomacy there have been more than raised eyebrows from other countries, who have been as startled as the Spanish peasants to suddenly have Don Quixote charge into their midst.

As a middle ranking power Australia has an important role to play in global affairs. Our leaders must make personal contact with other leaders across the globe.

However, it is to be hoped that this increasing credibility gap is only the result of Kevin Rudd's over-exuberance in his new job, rather than the delusions of a misguided ego.

Only time will tell.

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