I cannot bring myself to feign emotion over the demise of Kevin Rudd’s ambassadorship to America.
It was clear, from the moment Donald Trump stepped into the White House, that Kevin Rudd was on borrowed time thanks to previous digs he’d made at the President’s expense.
Not only were his comments about the (then-former) President rather unhelpful to Australia’s relationship with America, he also played host to events such as the Embassy of Australia’s Pride Function for roughly $20,000 (according to reports).
As 2GB host Ben Fordham said, ‘He’s turned the ambassador’s residence into a drag queen nightclub. This is no joke. If it wasn’t for the FOI request, there’s no way in the world we’d know what Kevin Rudd has been up to.’
With the world in significant danger of collapsing into regional conflict, much as it did at the beginning of last century, there could not be a worse time to have a strained relationship with Washington. It is bad enough that our Labor government is doing all the things that Keir Starmer’s UK government has tried, such as threatening to crack down on free speech. The US has already warned that such authoritarian and anti-Enlightenment behaviour will have personal consequences for the ministers involved.
Trump is not only having to police dictatorial, terror-ridden countries, he is also having to speak for the people of Western Civilisation whose own governments seek to enslave them.
As for Kevin Rudd, his greatest achievement in Washington was entertainment value.
Who can forget the major sit-down meeting with the press packed in tight around the room like cockroaches climbing the walls after a hot day. Our Prime Minister, the very last cab off the rank, had been called to the US to sign a critical minerals deal while Trump gritted his teeth and suffered through the experience.
Rudd served as the comic relief between the awkward Albanese and Trump – almost humanising the Prime Minister.
After asking if the ambassador still worked for Australia, Albanese pointed him out across the table.
‘I don’t like you either. And probably never will…’ Trump said to Rudd, in front of the cameras.
And that’s all Rudd will be remembered for by the Americans. The butt of a joke.
It has been reported that Labor heavyweights are now clambering over the role. Meanwhile, One Nation Leader Pauline Hanson released a public statement calling for Brendan Nelson to fill the appointment.
There is no chance that this will happen, but it’s a nice thought.
Media Release: Hanson nominates Brendan Nelson as new US ambassador
Experienced diplomat and business leader Dr Brendan Nelson AO should be appointed as Australia’s ambassador to the United States to replace the outgoing Kevin Rudd.
One Nation leader Senator Pauline Hanson… pic.twitter.com/FY93sXitJ5
— Pauline Hanson ?? (@PaulineHansonOz) January 13, 2026
These are political appointments made by the party in charge, probably personally by Albanese or Penny Wong.
The more likely names floated by the press yesterday include Joel Fitzgibbon and Stephen Conroy. In my opinion, Trump may find them more annoying than Rudd. There’s also a chance, at least, according to the Guardian, that Greg Moriarty or Justin Hayhurst might be chosen.
Moriarty was chief of staff to Malcolm Turnbull and served as Australia’s ambassador in Iran and Indonesia. He was appointed as Defence Secretary in 2017 and has detailed knowledge of the Aukus nuclear submarine agreement.
Whoever they pick will have to have a stomach for war and military intelligence who has no real connection to China. Beijing has ear-marked September for an illegal invasion of Taiwan and we’re the closest military power.
Kevin 07 will be gone from public life after March, off to his appointment as Global President and CEO of the Trustees of Asia Society along with President of the Asia Society Policy Institute and Chair of the Centre for China Analysis.
Our last US Ambassador was Caroline Kennedy, and since the Trump administration came to power, the role has been left empty. Failing to appoint a new ambassador is not unheard of, but it is notable given the world is starting to lean toward conflict – particularly in the Pacific – where Trump has been making aggressive moves to secure areas.
Australia is a critical geographic ally – but one whose leadership has been getting far too cosy with expansionist communist China.
For years there have been concerns that both Australia and New Zealand lack the required secrecy and security to properly defend the region while our military defences have been left to rot by governments who spent a king’s ransom but never really took the threat of war seriously. Those leaderships are relics of comfortable times – the Sweet Summer Child version of government.
My one prediction on this topic will be to say that when the US finally appoints an ambassador, it will be a harbinger of war.
