Bob Carr did not allow Dfat to review his memoir, despite formal request

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/04/bob-carr-dfat-request-memoir

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Bob Carr never submitted a draft of his controversial memoir to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Dfat) before publication, despite being formally asked to do so.

It has been revealed Carr twice contacted Dfat in late 2013 asking to access documents related to trips he made as Australia's foreign minister to the Middle East and Russia.

He made it clear he was writing a book, and Dfat secretary Peter Varghese said his department would "appreciate the opportunity" to look over Diary of a Foreign Minister before it hit the shelves.

"I didn't receive a response to my request," said Varghese told a Senate estimates hearing on Thursday.

"I never saw a draft of the book."

The hearing was also told of how Carr informed the committee in June last year that he was not planning on writing a memoir.

Carr's diaries caused a frenzy when published in April, with pundits making light of his disdain for first-class travel, love of obscure breakfast items, meditation and pilates sessions.

Harsher critics accused him of embarrassing Australia's international standing and jeopardising bilateral ties by publishing his candid thoughts about foreign leaders and private conversations.

Varghese said he was unaware of any complaints being made by foreign embassies to Australia after Carr's revelations, despite media reports of them.

But he did express disappointment at some of the material published, saying there was an expectation that conversations held in private by Australia's foreign minister would not be revealed.

"To the extent that the book goes contrary to that, I think it is unfortunate," Varghese said.

Another senior Dfat official said he was unaware of Carr specifically requesting "steel-cut oats" be made available during his trips, but it was known the Senator had certain dietary preferences.

"I do recall that they didn't refer to steel-rolled oats," assistant secretary Jeff Roach said.

Labor senator Penny Wong accused her Liberal colleagues of wasting more than an hour of the committee's time with their "book club".