Smith defends Fischer's Vatican role
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Foreign Minister Stephen Smith has defended the appointment of the former deputy prime minister Tim Fischer as Australia's ambassador to the Vatican.
The Federal Government has previously stated its desire to appoint fewer former politicians to diplomatic positions.
But Mr Smith says politicians should not be excluded from serving their country.
"From time to time we may well make appointments which don't come from professional foreign service and we're happy to stand or fall on capacities of the individual whom we appoint," he said.
Mr Fischer will be the first resident Australian ambassador to the Holy See, which includes the Vatican, and he says he will play a diplomatic role in global issues and faith.
"For example the Australian Government ... supports inter-faith dialogue in Islam, Maronite, Buddhist and so forth, [as well as] the Jewish faith and so it involves activities in that regard," Mr Fischer said.
"It involves activities of representing Australia and a large number of Australians who at any one time officially [are] at the nation state of the Vatican and networking."
Mr Fischer says the appointment is a great honour and privilege and reflects the influence of the Vatican.
"We've always had for some 35 years a diplomatic representative, an accredited head of mission," he said.
"But the difference is, that is now going to be a Rome-based permanent upgraded representative. It's a great honour that I have to be the first of those and ... to see how it works out."
Mr Fischer says the job offer was not expected.
He will move to the Vatican city in January next year.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has said Mr Fischer will be working on some of the biggest challenges facing the world including human rights and political and religious freedom.
The Federal Opposition says Mr Fischer will do a first class job as Ambassador to the Holy See.
The Coalition's spokesman on Foreign Affairs, Andrew Robb, says Mr Fischer is a man of great integrity, compassion and strength.
