Figures show that there are 250,000 UK pensioners based in the country, with Canberra most often absorbing for their care and other needs.

Expatriates from the United Kingdom have their pensions indexed in many countries such as the United States, the Philippines and Israel. The UK superannuation system does not currently allow for indexation of UK pensions if the recipients live in Australia, Canada, New Zealand or South Africa.

Senator Carr is intending to discuss this with William Hague, his counterpart in the United Kingdom.

The senator, however, recognizes that previous foreign ministers have pushed for the same agenda in the past with little success. He, however, believes that this is the right time to raise the issue and that Australia has strong cause for raising this with Hague.

The two officials are scheduled to meet today.

Bob Carr has been a member of Labor and represents New South Wales, where he previously served as Premier. He was also the longest-serving Premier of NSW.

Aside from his long career as a politician, Carr also authored several books. In May 2003, his biography was published. It was penned by Marilyn Dodkin. A second biography was published in September 2003. This was written by Rachel Morris and Andrew West.

Last March 2012, Carr filled a post in the Senate, which was vacated by Mark Arbib. Carr also succeeded Kevin Rudd as Foreign Affairs Minister last March 13.

The group is composed of Foreign Affairs Minister Bob Carr, former police chief Mick Palmer, former West Australian premier Geoff Gallop, former director of NSW public prosecutions Nicholas Cowdery, former Defense secretary Paul Barrat, among others. 

Carr said that the war on drugs has been the biggest challenge on enforcement agencies in decades. He has been heavily involved in the campaign even before he was named Foreign Affairs Minister. 

In the report, Carr expressed his doubt whether pursuing marijuana users has been a good move for police authorities. He said that the police preferred to inspect railway stations instead of ensuring that all public transportation remains safe and that Cabramatta is cleaned up. 

Think tank Australia 21 released the report after organizing a roundtable discussion at Sydney University early this year. The report called for a reevaluation of policies on drug, saying the country needs a tougher approach. 

Nicholas Cowdery, former NSW director of public prosecutions, said the prevalence of illegal drugs poses serious social and health issues. He added that this is also a source of government corruption. Cowdery is a long-time advocate of drug reform and favors the legalization, regulation, control and taxation of all drugs. 

Attorney-General Nicola Roxon, however, expressed her skepticism over proposed deregulation of laws. She added that extreme caution must be exercised in this issue.

The week began with the annihilation of Kevin Rudd’s premature leadership challenge, which was mounted after Julia carefully lured him in for a fight. With her leadership hanging on by a thread, she realised if she took on Kevin and won then she could hold off a challenge by another member who might have more success.

And so the baiting began last week which resulted in Rudd’s resignation as Foreign Minister, and his mounting of an unsuccessful challenge on Monday. Rudd never stood a chance because his caucus colleagues don’t like him, so despite Gillard’s abysmal polling since becoming Prime Minister it was a case of better the devil you know.

So Gillard finished up on Monday night looking relatively strong, until Mark Arbib resigned from the Senate leaving Gillard with a seat to fill. Very quickly Bob Carr’s name was been thrown around as the new Senator to replace Mark Arbib and the new foreign minister to replace Rudd.

If only it were that easy. Cast your mind back to 2010 when Gillard rolled Rudd. At the time, Steven Smith was the Foreign Minister and he switched to Defence Minister to make way for Rudd to take his “senior post” after the 2010 election.

Steven Smith gave up foreign affairs to better unite the party, but the back room deal was that once the gloss of Rudd wore off Smith would return to his portfolio of choice, and there would be no one else in contention. When Rudd came out second best in the leadership spill, it was generally accepted that Smith would become Foreign Minister in the inevitable cabinet reshuffle.

Enter Bob Carr. Gillard calls the former Premier of NSW and puts the proposition of a casual Senate seat and elevation to the country’s most senior portfolio, and with Carr’s enthused response Gillard announces her intention to draft Bob Carr on Tuesday morning. By the afternoon Steven Smith, who is considered a potential future leader of the Australian Labor Party had hosed down the idea. Gillard later announced the idea was dead.

Gillard looked weak and again looked like she had no control or authority over her front bench, and the headlines were unrelenting. So Gillard did the only thing a proud politician could do in such a situation; she defied her cabinet and announced Carr as foreign minister.

This is where the story ends for now, but rest assured Steven Smith is planning his challenge for the leadership and will likely mount it before 2012 is out.