Australia's outgoing ambassador to the United States admits explaining his country's prime ministerial merry-go-round to Americans has been "unusual" but not embarrassing.
Former Labor leader Kim Beazley is due to depart the US to make way for his successor, former treasurer Joe Hockey, and reflected on Australia's leadership instability during his six-year term.
"It's never been embarrassing, it's just been, from the point of view of the Americans, bemusing," he told ABC's 730 from the United States on Wednesday.
"They're just curious about a system which permitted so many changes.
"It's not been a difficult thing to explain, it's just been somewhat unusual."
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Mr Beazley puts Australia's five prime ministers in five years down to a "quicksilver" environment, which he believes has become "pretty normal".
"I think there's been, around the last couple of decades, a bit of a preparedness to be very judgmental about leaders," he said.
"The ground shifts all the time and rapidly and it's very easy to lose confidence.
"I don't think in the contemporary era that it's going to change very much."
Mr Beazley believes he departs his role with Australia in high standing with the US, partly due to the nations' cooperation combating extremist group Islamic State in the Middle East.
His successor won't have to start from scratch when he reaches the US, with Mr Beazley saying many embassy staff still have months, if not years, on their postings to support Mr Hockey.
"Six months from now he'll be a veteran," Mr Beazley said.
"This is the best time for him to come, he's coming in the middle of an election campaign that is going to definitely see a change over the US presidency."
The 67-year-old says he will miss the significance of the ambassador title most.
"You're really engaging the Americans and you're sending back home significant information," he said.
"And when you come to the stage in life that I've reached, to still be able to do something of value psychologically is precious."
