Australia’s international policy portfolio has been left hanging after Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd’s surprise resignation from his post – announced from Mexico in the aftermath of the G20 meeting. Rudd’s resignation, a deliberate retaliation strike against the current Prime Minister Julia Gillard and the ruling Australian Labor Party for the unceremonious leadership coup they pulled off against him some 24 months ago, while fascinating to the political observer, is potentially devastating for Australia’s international image projection.

New technologies are commonly resisted by foreign ministries but it is now ten years since State established its Office of eDiplomacy. The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) needs ediplomacy if it is going to continue to coordinate policy across an increasingly internationalised bureaucracy.

Countries project power and influence in a number of ways. Traditionally they do so through military and economic clout. But education matters too. Alumni of Australian universities and colleges can be strong advocates of our cause and even our interests. They understand us and a crucial phase of their lives was spent with us and learning from us. This is soft power but real power.

...I think the Colombo Plan is an exemplary example of public diplomacy where a whole generation or more of young people, the best and brightest from our region, were given an opportunity to undertake study in Australia. And many of those student are now leaders in government and in the public and private sector, in countries in our region. And this exchange of ideas and understanding is invaluable.

Australian Rules Football (AFL) is looking to bring its own sport, a strange-looking hybrid of rugby and football, to the rest of the world, specifically China. “We see China as an important and growing market for the game, and this purpose built AFL oval will enable more Chinese people to play and enjoy Australian football and showcase their talent."

Monocle's annual survey on soft power - assessing the influence of nations in spheres including politics, diplomacy, business, culture and education - names Australia as the fifth-most influential nation in the world and singles out Mr Rudd's performance on the global stage in explaining its decision.

In his second Sporting Chances programme Farayi Mungazi focuses on the common image of Australia as a sporting nation. He looks at the role of sport in shaping the country's national identity and asks whether sporting success will always be part of Australia's soft power.

Mr Rudd has had strained relations with Jakarta, particularly over the passage of asylum seekers heading by boat to Australia. As the website news.com.au noted: "Kevin Rudd can't do it – no matter how hard he tries – but Australian diplomat Adelle Neary, from Adelaide, has won over the hearts and minds of Indonesia."