Bob Carr on ambition, grief and the politics of principle

In a candid conversation spanning politics, love, grief, and the shifting ground of global affairs, NSW’s longest-serving Premier, Bob Carr, joins Professor Talal Yassine for this special episode.

From his childhood in post-war Maroubra to becoming NSW Premier and later Foreign Minister, Bob reflects on the drive that took him from anxious schoolboy to political heavyweight. He shares how journalism honed his communication skills, how factional battles shaped his rise through Labor’s ranks, and why his love of words became one of his most powerful political tools.

Bob also opens up about the devastating loss of his wife Helena after 50 years together, offering a rare glimpse into the personal life behind the public figure. In a raw and moving account, he speaks of grief, memory, and the enduring presence of love.

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Episode Running Order

• Growing up in Maroubra and the influence of early teachers (01:45)
• Deciding at 15 to enter politics (09:44)
• Journalism, words, and the art of persuasion (14:53)
• Factional politics and the rise through Labor ranks (19:54)
• Becoming Premier and surviving the gladiator pit (26:22)
• Leadership, legacy, and knowing when to step down (31:08)
• From Premier to Foreign Minister—adjusting to not being the boss (36:12)
• Love, loss, and 50 years with Helena (41:00)
• The shift from Labor Friends of Israel to advocating for Palestine (46:02)
• The grim reality of AUKUS and the U.S.–Israel relationship (51:14)
• Quickfire questions: myths, guilty pleasures, and legacy (54:47)

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