“Obsessive” journalists who asked the “nonsense” question of whether Prime Minister Anthony Albanese would appoint Kevin Rudd as US ambassador were apparently not so silly.
The announcement that the ex-PM will be Australia’s top diplomat in Washington came just months after Albanese dismissed the notion altogether.
“Complete nonsense,” Albanese told radio station 4BC in April when asked about speculation Rudd would be considered for the job if Labor won the election.
“Seriously, [journalists] need to get over the obsession.”
In the Tuesday press conference at Parliament House where Albanese revealed Rudd would get the nod, he said the former Labor leader would “bring unmatched experience to the role”.
“He has served as prime minister, foreign minister, held prominent academic roles and worked extensively in the US,” Albanese said.
One journalist put to Albanese that some of his parliamentary colleagues had described Rudd as “a psychopath, a micromanager, a control freak”.
“Is this the person who your government needs to have in Washington?” the reporter asked.
“Are you worried about essentially having a second foreign minister in the United States?”
Albanese responded by saying Rudd would be an “outstanding” ambassador, given his experience.
Albanese also dismissed a suggestion from a journalist that Rudd’s strong and vocal opinions on two prominent Americans — Rupert Murdoch and Donald Trump — could complicate work on “delicate issues” in the US.
The prime minister responded that he had faith Rudd would “conduct himself in a way that brings great credit to Australia”.
Rudd said in a statement on Tuesday he was honoured by the appointment and that he looked forward to continue strengthening the bond between the US and Australia.
“Australia currently faces its most challenging security and diplomatic environment for many decades,” he said.
“Our national interest continues to be served, as it has for decades past, by the deepest and most effective strategic engagement of the US in our region”.
He declined to comment further when contacted by Crikey.
The opposition’s foreign affairs spokesman, Liberal Senator Simon Birmingham, wished Rudd well in his new role.
“In appointing former prime minister Rudd, Prime Minister Albanese has personally chosen a friend and confidante, a former parliamentary and ministerial colleague, and someone in whom Mr Albanese clearly has faith and confidence,” he said.
He went on to say the AUKUS partnership involving Australia, the US and the UK would “be a most challenging undertaking” that will “require the unqualified support and attention of our ambassador”.
