Dutton Calls for Stable Relationship With US Amid Scrutiny of Ambassador’s Trump Criticisms

Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd during the public hearing at the Environment and Communications References Committee at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on February 19, 2021 Sam Mooy/Getty Images

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has told media he prefers an Australian ambassador to the United States that can continue the stable relationship between the two nations.

Dutton’s comments come amid speculation that former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd could be nearing his final days in the role.

Following Donald Trump’s win in the U.S. election, his senior advisor Dan Scavino, and former chief of staff, posted an animation of sand trickling through an hourglass, along with Rudd’s statement on the election outcome.

Rudd has previously been critical of Trump, calling him “the most destructive president in history,” a “traitor to the west,” and a “village idiot.”

His comments on were deleted following Trump’s recent election win.

Rudd was chosen for the role in 2022 by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese despite public knowledge of the former Labor leader’s scathing criticisms.

“The government’s in a difficult position,” Dutton told reporters in Melbourne.

“The prime minister’s made a number of captain’s calls, and they’ve been at odds with the advice that he’s received from his closest advisers and colleagues.

“And I suppose that’s a question about the prime minister’s judgment.”

Dutton said Albanese had “a lot of messes” to deal with at present that were “all of his own making.”

The Liberal Opposition leader said he wanted what was best for Australia when it came to an ambassador to the U.S.

“I want us to have a functioning, stable relationship with our most important partner,” he said.

“I want to make sure that we can have an ambassador that who can work effectively with the government, whether that’s the U.S. or wherever an ambassador might be appointed.”

Hopes for Forgiveness: Senator

Opposition foreign spokesman and South Australian Senator Simon Birmingham told a National Press Club Address on Nov. 13 that he hoped the Trump administration could forgive Rudd’s criticisms.

Birmingham pointed out Trump had chosen Marco Rubio as his secretary of state, despite Rubio also previously making critical remarks about the incoming president.

“Hopefully... the type of forgiveness that has been demonstrated to those members of the new administration will be extended in this case as well,” Birmingham said.

“Now, Ambassador Rudd and the prime minister are the ones who are in the box seat to best make the assessment in coming weeks or months about how effectively he is going to be able to continue to have the influence and get the outcomes that Australia needs.”