Carr gives Bracks a plum job in New York Former Victorian premier Steve Bracks is the latest Labor luminary to be appointed by the federal government to a plum overseas posting and the opposition isn't happy about it. Foreign Minister Bob Carr - himself a former Labor premier - announced on Friday that Mr Bracks would be Australia's next consul-general in New York. He's expected to take up the job in September, replacing respected businessman Phil Scanlan. Mr Bracks is the second former Labor premier Senator Carr has appointed to a prestigious diplomatic post since becoming foreign minister last year. He named former South Australian leader Mike Rann as high commissioner to London in August. Mr Bracks says he believes he's well qualified for the job after eight years as Victorian leader and six years in the financial services sector. He dismissed suggestions his appointment was a case of 'jobs-for-the-boys'. "I think it's the right of every democratically elected government to make appointments to positions on the basis of merit," Mr Bracks told AAP. And I don't think there would be any argument that my background and experience weren't a good fit for this role. He pointed out that the Howard government had appointed former SA Liberal premier John Olsen to the role and he had performed admirably. But opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman Julie Bishop criticised the government for not consulting the coalition before making the appointment. "The merits or otherwise of this appointment are irrelevant," Ms Bishop told AAP. This is about the government's failure to act ethically and consult with the coalition in the period leading up to the election. Opposition Leader Tony Abbott warned Prime Minister Julia Gillard last month not to try reaching out from "beyond the political grave" by filling key positions ahead of the September 14 election. Ms Bishop warned the coalition would review all the appointments made since Ms Gillard announced the election date in January. "The fact this appointment takes effect at the same time as the election shows the government is not acting in good faith," she said. But members of the Australian business community welcomed the appointment. News Limited chief executive Kim Williams said Mr Bracks was an excellent choice. "I have worked with Steve in a number of professional capacities and have always found Steve to be highly professional, charming and insightful about business, politics and people," Mr Williams said.